Austin, Texas
Architectural drafting and permit drawings, from our Austin headquarters.
CADTRI is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and provides architectural drafting and permit support for homeowners, contractors, and architects working in the Austin area, drafted to the City of Austin's local code amendments and energy requirements.
Home Turf
Drafted with direct familiarity with Austin's process.
Texas has no statewide building code, so what the City of Austin requires is its own set of local amendments layered onto the base International codes. Being headquartered here means we track those changes directly.
Jurisdiction
City of Austin / Travis County
Energy Code
Austin Energy Local Amendments
Foundations
Expansive Soil Considerations
Local Code and Jurisdiction
Austin permitting at a glance.
With no statewide building code, Austin's own local amendments, energy code requirements, and site conditions do most of the work in shaping the drawing set.
Austin / Travis County Permitting Factors
| Factor | What Applies in Austin |
|---|---|
| Governing Building Code | Texas has no statewide building code. The City of Austin adopts International codes (IBC, IRC, IECC) with local amendments that apply within city limits. |
| Reviewing Department | City of Austin Development Services Department within city limits; Travis County Development Services for unincorporated areas. |
| Local Energy Code | Austin Energy administers local energy code amendments that typically exceed the baseline IECC requirements used elsewhere in Texas, affecting HVAC, insulation, and window specifications. |
| Foundation Considerations | Central Texas expansive clay soils commonly drive foundation engineering decisions, post-tension slab design is standard on much of the new residential and addition work in the Austin area. |
For accessory dwelling unit rules across Texas cities, read ADU permits in Texas: the 2026 city-by-city guide.
Services for Austin Projects
The drawing packages we deliver most in Austin.
From a backyard ADU to a full interior remodel, these are the services Austin-area homeowners, contractors, and architects request most.
Areas We Serve
Austin and the surrounding area.
Being local to Austin means the same jurisdiction-specific process applies whether your project is downtown or out toward Georgetown.
How We Work
Local headquarters, the same disciplined process.
Being based in Austin doesn't change the process, it just means we track the City's local amendments as they happen.
Project Intake and Jurisdiction Confirmation
We confirm whether your property falls under City of Austin or Travis County review, and the specific local amendments that apply on top of the base International codes.
Drafting to Austin's Local Amendments
Drawings are produced to the current code edition adopted by the City of Austin, including local energy code requirements administered by Austin Energy.
Foundation and Site Coordination
Where expansive soils or site conditions affect the structural design, foundation drawings are coordinated with your engineer's geotechnical recommendations before the set is finalized.
Delivery and Plan Check Support
Completed drawings are delivered ready for submission, and we remain available to respond to plan check correction comments through approval.
Frequently Asked
Austin permitting, explained.
- Does CADTRI have a physical office in Austin?
- Yes. CADTRI is headquartered in Austin, Texas. We draft for clients nationwide, but Austin-area projects benefit from direct local familiarity with the City of Austin's permitting process and local amendments.
- What building code applies to my Austin project?
- Texas has no statewide building code, so requirements are set city by city. The City of Austin adopts International codes with local amendments, and we confirm the current edition in effect before drafting begins.
- Does Austin have its own energy code requirements?
- Yes. Austin Energy administers local energy code amendments that typically exceed the baseline IECC requirements used in many other Texas cities, affecting HVAC sizing, insulation, and window specifications on the drawing set.
- Are ADUs permitted in Austin?
- Yes. Austin is one of the more permissive Texas cities for accessory dwelling units, in contrast to cities like Dallas, which requires zoning overlays, or San Antonio, which mandates owner-occupancy.
- Do expansive soils affect foundation design in Austin?
- Often, yes. Central Texas clay soils expand and contract with moisture, which is why post-tension slab foundations are common on Austin-area residential and addition projects. We coordinate foundation drawings with your engineer's geotechnical report.
- Which department reviews my permit in Austin?
- The City of Austin Development Services Department reviews projects within city limits. Projects in unincorporated Travis County go through Travis County Development Services instead.
From the Blog
Go deeper on Texas permitting.
ADU Permits in Texas: The 2026 City-by-City Guide
Austin and Houston are permissive. Dallas requires overlays. San Antonio mandates owner-occupancy.
Read ArticleADU Permit Rules in Texas by City
Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio compared for accessory dwelling unit requirements.
Read ArticleGarage Conversion Permits in Florida and Texas
Requirements, cost, and timeline for converting a garage into livable space.
Read Article