Commercial Shell Building

A commercial shell building is a structure built with open, unfinished space before any tenant has been identified. Shell buildings are most often used for retail, offices or a mix of light to heavy industrial uses. No matter its size, every commercial shell building needs a permit approved by the Building Inspections Division.

Plans for non-residential work are reviewed against the 2021 International Building, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Energy Conservation and Residential Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code. A complete checklist for non-residential construction and addition permits is available from the division.

Step 1. Review Requirements

To receive a commercial shell building permit, you will need to submit:

• The project address and legal description
• Contact details for the owner, contractor and/or architect
• The planned use, overall square footage and area of work
• Class of work, a description of electrical, plumbing and mechanical scope, the project valuation and the market value of the property
• Architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical drawings
• Foundation plans
• A floor plan identifying each room, its intended use, its square footage and all exits
• Wall sections and elevations
• A roof framing plan
• Sealed and signed engineering for structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical plans when the building exceeds 5,000 square feet; structural plans for any metal building must be sealed regardless of size
• A scaled site plan showing:
  • Property lines
  • Existing easements
  • The location and intended use of the new building
  • Building dimensions
  • Planned drainage
  • Parking spaces, the drive approach and maneuvering area dimensions
  • The proposed parking lot
• An engineer's signed and sealed letter
• Note: Extra installation requirements apply to unlisted equipment; contact the division for details.

Step 2. Apply Online

Building permit applications are submitted through the City of Fredville's online permit portal. First-time users register with a working email address, which takes about five minutes.

What Happens Next

Expect processing to take roughly 5 to 10 business days after you apply. If the applicant needs to make corrections or send more information, approval may take longer.

Phone / In Person

Our staff are happy to help with your online application by phone or in person.

Email us at [email protected]

Call: (555) 010-2235

Office: Building Inspections Division, City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive, Fredville, TX 75999

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fees

• Applications and payments are both handled in the online permit portal.
• Use the portal's fee estimator to see what a commercial shell building permit will cost.

Fredville is a demonstration city built by Talk to Fred. Names, numbers and details on this page are sample content.