The City of Abernathy adopted the 2018 editions of the International Building / International Residential Codes (IBC/IRC) and the 2017 edition of the National Electric Code (NEC) as of January 8, 2018.
Responsibilities
The City of Abernathy has developed a building permit process that is responsible for the following:
- Implementing all Building Codes and City Ordinances during the construction, alteration, and improvement of the built environment to secure the beneficial interests of public life, health, and welfare.
- Retention of the greatest reduction in insurance premiums for the citizens by participating in the Community Rating System and Building Code effectiveness grading schedule.
- Assurance that all construction is performed by licensed and/or registered contractors (see licenses below)
- Minimization of the potential for flood damage to structures in a cost-effective manner.
- Timely response to the questions, issues, and concerns of the citizens of Abernathy on the aforementioned matters.
The City has hired an outside contractor to process building permit applications and conduct all inspections required for construction within the city limits. The inspectors examine work for compliance with building, gas, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing codes to ensure compliance with basic construction standards for health and safety. The City has adopted the ICC Code, 2018 Edition, and the 2017 Edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). You may order all adopted codes through the International Code Council.
Licenses
All plumbers, electricians, and mechanical contractors must be licensed by the State of Texas. Contractors performing work on HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or fire sprinkler systems must show proof of licensure by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation prior to any inspection.
You can perform any construction work on a home that you own without a license, provided it is your homestead and you are not building or remodeling the home with the specific intention of selling it in the next twelve (12) months. In this case, the building permit application has an affidavit that must be signs which states:
I hereby certify that the work described on this permit application will be installed by me in my own home, which is or will be my legal residence and declared as my homestead with the Hale or Lubbock County Appraisal District. I further certify that I agree that I have not obtained or held a building permit within any two (2) year period as a homeowner for work at three (3) different addresses. I agree that all work shall be installed in accordance with the City of Abernathy building code. I will cooperate with the City of Abernathy Inspector and assume the responsibility to arrange the required inspections.
City of Abernathy Building Permit Application Affidavit
Inspections
To schedule an inspection, contact City Hall. Failure to obtain a required inspection may result in you having to deconstruct for inspection and/or the inability to permanently connect to city services.
Residential Inspections
Typical residential inspections include the following:
- Temp Power Pole (if necessary)
- Gas, Sewer, and Water Yard Line
- Foundation (prior to pouring concrete)
- Drain Waste & Venting
- Slab (prior to pouring concrete)
- FEMP (to be completed in same site visit only)
- Framing
- Electrical, rough
- Plumbing, rough
- Gas, rough
- Mechanical, rough
- Final
* Your permit may require fewer inspections, depending on the nature of the project.
Commercial and Industrial Inspections
Many of the required inspections for commercial and industrial construction are the same as for residential construction. Because there are many types of commercial or industrial construction elements, fewer or more inspections may be required. You are encouraged to check with the City Inspector for which inspections will be required, specific to your project.
City Inspections are performed by:
Area Wide Inspections – (806) 441-0319
