Permits and Inspections
Responsibilities
The Inspections Division is responsible for ensuring that all new commercial establishments and public buildings in unincorporated Kaufman County are built in compliance with the adopted Fire Code and that all existing buildings are maintained to prevent fire and life safety hazards.
Code Requirements
Kaufman County has adopted the 2024 International Fire Code with amendments.
Licensed Design Professional Requirement
Per Texas Occupations Code 1001.402 and 1051.551, Kaufman County Fire Marshal’s Office shall not accept any plans that are required to be prepared by a licensed design professional (engineer or architect) and do not bear the engineer’s or architect’s seal. Please ensure that any plans submitted for review bear the appropriate seals.
Access your Portal
- Apply for permits,
- View your property records,
- Schedule an inspection,
- Submit third-party ITM reports.
Determine what year the building was built. It may be helpful to look up your property on the Kaufman Central Appraisal District website.
Buildings built in 2006 or earlier:
| Buildings built in 2007 or later:
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- Submit a Pre-Development Questionnaire (PDQ) to provide us with information about your proposed project. This will help ensure that all stakeholders are present during the Pre-Development Meeting. It may take up to 10 working days for our staff to review your PDQ and do all of the necessary research.
- After reviewing your PDQ, a Pre-Development Meeting will be scheduled and all stakeholders will be invited to attend.
- The Pre-Development Meeting will take place at the Development Services Building (101 N. Houston Street, Kaufman, Texas 75142). This is an opportunity to discuss your proposed project and ask any questions about the development process. These meetings typically last about 30 minutes.
- It is now time to submit any applicable permit applications to the County. If your building will be a public building, commercial establishment, or a multi-family dwelling with more than 3 units, you will need to submit a building permit application to the Fire Marshal's Office. You may also need to submit applications for 911 addressing, on-site septic facilities, a building permit application, a culvert permit, floodplain permits/floodplain determination, etc.
- Your applications and plans will be forwarded to the respective department for review. Each submittal may take up to 30 days to review to ensure compliance with applicable codes. If a re-submittal is required, you will be notified of the issues that need to be corrected and given an opportunity to re-submit the plans for review.
- Your plans are approved! After all departments have approved your project to move forward, you will be contacted to schedule a Pre-Construction Meeting.
- During the Pre-Construction Meeting, project managers and contractors will have an opportunity to meet their inspectors and will receive information about the inspections that are required throughout the building process. At the conclusion of this meeting, a building permit will be issued.
- Building construction begins!
- If your project requires any separate construction permits (installation of fire alarm system, fire sprinkler system, etc.), your sub-contractor will need to apply for the appropriate construction permit and submit any associated plans and documentation. Once the plans are approved, a Pre-Construction Meeting will be scheduled with the sub-contractor to discuss inspection requirements. The construction permit will be issued at the conclusion of the Pre-Construction Meeting. Sub-contractors are responsible for contacting the respective department to schedule required inspections throughout the construction process. These may include hydrostatic pressure tests, pneumatic air pressure tests, visual inspections prior to being buried or covered, and operational tests. Failure to schedule necessary inspections may result in significant setbacks for the project. Each construction permit will be subject to a final acceptance test prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance.
- Once the building is built and all associated construction permits have passed an acceptance test, the final inspection will be conducted.
- Congratulations, you passed your final inspection! You will now be issued a Certificate of Compliance, giving you permission to occupy and use your new building.
- Your Certificate of Compliance will expire after one year. Be sure to call the Fire Marshal's Office for an annual inspection to renew.