Paving and Grading Permit – Dallas, TX

The Paving and Grading Permit is the City of Dallas permit that must be in hand before any paving or grading work begins on a property in the city. The City's PDF, titled New Paving and Grading Permits Checklist and Required Documents, sets out what an application has to contain.

The checklist carries the Planning & Development Department header, with the address 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203 and the phone number (214) 948-4480. It is dated 4/21/2025 at the foot of the page.

It names four items:

• an application for a grading and/or paving permit, accompanied by a permit fee;
• a copy of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) when the project is on one or more acres;
• a site plan showing proposed topography, paving, landscaping and structures, accompanied by a site plan review fee;
• a tree survey or tree protection plan when the building official finds it necessary under Article X of the Dallas Development Code, and a drainage plan when the property is one acre or larger.

This permit is not a tree removal permit. The checklist says that issuing a grading and/or paving permit does NOT constitute a tree removal permit, and that tree removal requires a separate application to the arborist's office.

Anyone who applies to pave or grade on a property in the City of Dallas must provide the items on this checklist, because the checklist states that a permit is required prior to any paving or grading work.

Conditions attached to specific items:

• One acre or more: the project requires a copy of the SWPPP, submitted to Public Works & Transportation/Storm Water Management, and a drainage plan when the property is one acre or larger.
• Trees: a tree survey or tree protection plan is needed when the building official determines it is necessary to comply with Article X of the Dallas Development Code.
• Tree removal or grading activity affecting trees: a separate tree removal permit must be obtained from the Chief Arborist before any grading activity or tree removal.

The checklist prints an exemption: lots of less than two (2) acres that contain a single-family or duplex use, as defined in the Dallas Development Code, are exempt. It appears directly after the tree-related requirements. The checklist does not describe who may apply on behalf of an owner.

Obtain the permit before any paving or grading work starts; the checklist states that you must have a permit prior to any paving or grading work. The application, its permit fee, the site plan and its review fee are all part of the same request for a property in the City of Dallas.

If trees are affected, the tree removal permit from the Chief Arborist must be in hand before any grading activity or tree removal, and it is a separate application from the paving and grading permit. For projects on one or more acres, the SWPPP is part of the submission. The checklist sets no other deadline and gives no processing time; call (214) 948-4480 for questions about timing.

The checklist lists where each piece goes rather than a single channel for the whole package. It prints the department's address, 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203, and phone number, (214) 948-4480, but names no portal, mailing address or appointment rule.

• Application and permit fee: the application for a grading and/or paving permit is accompanied by a permit fee. A fee applies; the checklist gives a minimum, and the department can confirm the current amount at (214) 948-4480.
• Site plan: submitted with a site plan review fee, calculated per square foot of building or area to be paved and graded, with a minimum.
• SWPPP: for projects on one or more acres, submit a copy of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan to Public Works & Transportation/Storm Water Management.
• Tree removal: submit a separate tree removal permit application to the arborist's office.

FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the City of Dallas channels above.