Homeowner's Exemption from Contractor Registration – Dallas, TX

The City of Dallas Homeowner's Exemption from Registration as a Contractor is the City form on which a homeowner affirms, in exchange for a Homeowner's permit, that they live in the property, that it is their homestead and that they will perform the permitted work themselves.

Page 1 explains the rule. City codes and state laws let homeowners act as their own contractors on their homestead without registering as a contractor or holding a special license, such as an electrical, plumbing or mechanical license. The exemption covers registration only: all other permit requirements and all other provisions of the Dallas Building Codes and Ordinances stay in force, and the required inspection approvals from the City of Dallas Building Inspection Division must be granted before any affected construction is used or occupied.

Page 2 is the affidavit. In it the homeowner attests that:

• the work described on the permit application will be done by the homeowner, with no one else performing any part of it for remuneration;
• the homeowner will comply with the Dallas Construction Codes and Ordinances and obtain all inspection approvals before use or occupancy;
• if either of those commitments is broken, the homeowner will hire a contractor of the proper classification or license to secure the permits needed to finish the project.

The affidavit records the type of permit (Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical or Other), the homeowner's printed name, signature and date, a staff witness and the permit number. The form header names the City's Planning & Development Department, 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203, (214) 948-4480.

A homeowner who lives in the property, whose property is their homestead, and who wants a Homeowner's permit to do the work personally uses this form. The work must be done without any other person performing part of it for remuneration.

According to the form, a Homeowner's permit on a homestead covers:

• fence construction and repair;
• portable accessory building construction and repair;
• patio cover construction and repair;
• interior remodeling of an existing home;
• plumbing, irrigation, mechanical work and roofing;
• electrical repairs, but only after passing an approved City of Dallas oral or written exam.

A Homeowner's permit does not allow a homeowner to:

• build a swimming pool;
• build a permanent detached accessory building;
• add on to an existing home;
• build a new home;
• construct a drive approach or sidewalk in the right-of-way.

The exemption does not apply to a property that is not your homestead, or to work in which someone else is paid to perform any part. The form does not describe anyone signing the affidavit on the homeowner's behalf.

You complete this affidavit when you apply for a Homeowner's permit (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or other) on your homestead, because the homeowner affirms it in consideration for that permit. The form sets no separate calendar deadline.

The affidavit must be executed in front of a City of Dallas staff witness, so plan to sign it at the City's office rather than in advance. Electrical permits are witnessed by the field office electrical inspectors and are issued from the field offices. After the permit is issued, the commitments in the affidavit continue: required inspection approvals must be granted by the City of Dallas Building Inspection Division before any affected construction is used or occupied.

The form names no mailing address, portal or e-mail channel. It is executed in person, in front of a City of Dallas staff witness, as part of obtaining a Homeowner's permit.

• Building, plumbing, mechanical and other permits: sign the affidavit before a City of Dallas staff witness when you apply for the permit. A staff witness and the permit number are entered in the witness block.
• Electrical permits: the witness is the district electrical inspector, and the permit must be issued at the field office.
• Notary alternative: except for electrical homeowner permits, a signature that is not witnessed by City staff must be notarized in the notary block on page 2.

The form lists the Planning & Development Department at 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203, telephone (214) 948-4480. The form states no fee; contact the City for questions about the permit application itself. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the City of Dallas process described above.