Temporary Use Permit
A Temporary Use is a unique short-term use that will be discontinued after a specified time. Such uses include, but are not limited to, special events, construction buildings, seasonal businesses (such as Christmas Tree Lots), etc. Prior to the establishment of a temporary use within the City Limits, a Temporary Use Permit must be obtained.
The purpose of a Temporary Use Permit, which is an administrative permit issued by the City’s Building Official, is to ensure compatibility of the temporary use with surrounding properties. Areas to be reviewed as part of the permit process include traffic circulation, parking, public conveniences, signs and any other special operating characteristics. This permit will specify the use, establish a period of time for which the use is approved, and any special conditions attached to the approval.
For more information on Temporary Use Permits, visit UDC Section 5.08
Process:
Create an account at www.mygovernmentonline.org.
Apply online at www.mygovernmentonline.org for a Temporary Use Permit.
Items to include with application:
- Completed Temporary Use Permit Application
- Site Plan Indicating Location of Temporary Use
- Letter from property owner granting permission
After Temporary Use Permit is accepted for review, Inspection Services will send notification to pay application fee of $110.00. Please allow up to 14 business days for review.
Applications must be submitted online at www.mygovernmentonline.org .
Other information:
Door to Door Sales/ Solicitors Permit
Unified Development Code Section 3.11 Temporary Use
MyGovernmentonline.org Directions
Special Event Permitting Information
For questions regarding the Temporary Use Application, please email permits@georgetown.org
Irrigation Systems
An Irrigation Permit is required before you install any lawn irrigation system which you permanently connect to the City’s water supply.
A lawn sprinkler permit is not required when making repairs to the piping of an existing lawn irrigation system unless the back-flow prevention device is being replaced.
After the system has been installed and completed. A state certified back flow prevention tester must test the back flow device and a cross connection test report must be completed at www.vepollc.com . The backflow report must be completed at www. vepollc.com within 72 hours of test completion and the inspection to notify the city the back flow test report was completed must be requested via www.mygovernmentonline.org .
Click here for Backflow Prevention Testing Info
Where to apply:
Apply online at www.mygovernmentonline.org for a lawn sprinkler permit, select irrigation application and upload the irrigation plan that is sealed/stamped /signed by a Licensed Irrigator and as built plans if the irrigation system includes a new water service/water meter.
Directions for www.mygovernmentonline.org
Water Meter Needed: Additional requirements may required if installing a new water tap.
Fee Schedule: Click here for fee schedule
Contractors: All contractor must be registered. Click here to register.
As a homeowner can pull my own permits?
A Homestead Exemption permit may be issued to non-licensed individuals to perform plumbing, electrical and mechanical work within the dwelling premises that they own and occupy. Before beginning any work, the unlicensed person must first sign an affidavit stating that the applicant owns and occupies the structure and is responsible for conducting the work to code specifications, provide proof of ownership from Williamson County Appraisal District and pay all required permit fees. Homeowner exemptions do not apply to rental or commercial properties.
TCEQ Landscape Irrigation information: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater/irrigation
For additional questions, please contact permits@georgetown.org
Trade Permits
Permitting Info:
Apply online at www.mygovernmentonline.org for the following Trade Permits:
- Electrical Only*
- Plumbing Only* **
- Mechanical Only*
*For any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical trade permits, you must be a registered contractor. If you are the homeowner and plan do to the work yourself, then a Homeowners Exempt Form must be submitted along with your permit application.
**Plumbing, Electrical, and/or Mechanical Permits requested as part of new construction project must be requested under the main permit number for that particular new construction project. Please contact general contractor for permit number.
Click here for directions to apply for a Trade Permit under a Main Project Permit Number
Once the permit is issued, you will receive notification to pay from no-reply@scpdc.org.
Requesting Inspections:
All inspections must be requested online through your www.mygovernmentonline.org account by 3:00 PM for next business days in most cases.
Inspections will be conducted Monday – Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM 2:00 PM for the following types of permits (or any inspections that require the homeowner to be present):
- Water Heater
- Mechanical Change Out
- Solar Tubes/Attic Fans
- Water Softener
For all other questions, please email permits@georgetown.org
Fire Protection Application Package
Download this .pdf for a checklist, guidelines and application for Fire Protection for your business.
Sign Permits & Standards
The City of Georgetown regulates the permitting, design, location, construction, erection, modification, use, maintenance, and removal of signs within the City of Georgetown and its Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). A sign may only be erected, placed, established, painted, created, or maintained in conformance with the requirements of the ordinances.
Applications:
Apply online at www.mygovernmentonline.org for any of the following permits:
Permit Fee:
Sign Permit: See Fee Schedule
Rules & Regulations:
Chapter 10 Sign Standards of Unified Development Code
HARC/ Downtown Overlay / Old Town Overlay:
Historic & Downtown Sign Standards and Information
For questions regarding HARC/Downtown Overlay/ Old Town Overlay signs, please email: historic@Georgetown.Org
Plan Review:
The plan review for a permanent sign is fourteen (14) business days from the time your permit application is accepted and payment is made.
The plan review for a Temporary Banner is up to three business days from the time your permit application is accepted.
Once your permit is approved, you will receive notification via email from no-reply@scpdc.org
Sign Violations/Complaints:
For concerns or complaints about a possible sign violation submit a concern/complaint by clicking here
General Sign Questions:
For general sign questions, please email Sign Permits
Inspections:
All inspections must be requested before 3:00p.m. online at www.mygovernmentonline.org for the next business day in most cases. We do not accept inspection request via telephone.
My Government Online:
My Government Online Customer Portal Directions
My Government Online Tech Support – (866) 957-3764
Demolition Permit Application
Download this checklist and application when you are considering demolishing an existing structure within the City of Georgetown City Limits:
Asbestos Survey Information:
Additional information needed specific to your project?
Click here to submit an inquiry specific to your project
General Permitting Questions:
For any questions, please contact permits@georgetown.org
Certificate of Occupancy
All businesses in the City of Georgetown require a valid Certificate of Occupancy Permit prior to occupying the business space or opening to the general public. This applies to all stand-alone buildings as well as leasable tenant space in multi-tenant buildings. In addition, a Certificate of Occupancy is not transferable. Anytime the business owner, business address or business name changes, a new Certificate of Occupancy is required.
If any construction is planned such as demolishing, adding or moving walls, window or doors a building permit will be required.
If adding or moving and electric, plumbing, or HVAC a building permit will be required.
If a change of use is planned, a building permit will be required. For example, if the previous use of the space was an office and the new use of the space will be for a restaurant then building permits will be required before a certificate of occupancy can be applied for.
Please contact our office for more information regarding building permits by emailing permits@georgetown.org or click here.
Certificate of Occupancy Permit Process for New Tenant or Change of Ownership – No Construction:
Complete the Certificate of Occupancy and submit it online at www.mygovernmentonline.org
Pay permit fees when you receive notification from no-reply@scpdc.org the application has been accepted for review.
Allow up to ten business days for zoning verification review, fire review and building review.
Once Certificate of Occupancy Application is approved, we will send notification via mygovernmentonline.org for the applicant to schedule the two required fire and building inspections*. If you do not receive notification after ten business days, please email us at permits@georgetown.org with project number and address.
*Please be advised that water and electric must be on. If the electric power is not on when the application for the Certificate of Occupancy is accepted/approved, then you will need a thirty (30) temporary power inspection first, and power restored before the two required fire and building inspections can be requested and completed. Temporary power is subject to disconnection if the required fire and building inspections are not completed and passed within thirty days. Temporary Power does not authorize the business to open to the public. Also note, there will be an additional inspection fee for the temporary power inspection.
After the Fire and Building Inspections pass, the Certificate of Occupancy will be uploaded to the project files at www.mygovernmentonline.org and we will email a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy.
If you fail any of the required inspections, the applicant will have ten days to correct items and reschedule the failed inspections. If inspections are not resolved, power and /or water may be disconnected in thirty days.
Once the Certificate of Occupancy is issued, utilities will transfer and business may open to the public.
For New Commercial Construction (Ground Up/ Shell Buildings),Commercial Remodels, or Additions :
New Commercial Construction Ground Up/Shell Buildings: Click Here
Commercial Remodel or a Tenant Finish Out: Click Here
Directions to apply for New Commercial Construction CO/ Remodel CO/ or Tenant Finish Out CO under an existing Permit Number: Click Here
Commercial in the ETJ:
If the business is located in the ETJ and connected to Georgetown Utilities, then you will need a Commercial Service Application. Fire Permits do apply for commercial properties/projects in the ETJ. If the City of Georgetown is the water, wastewater, and/or electric provider within the ETJ, permits may apply as well if any plumbing and/or electric work is being completed.
Please click here for fire permitting information.
If you have questions regarding plumbing/electrical permits in the ETJ, please email permits@georgetown.org with the address and any questions related to commercial projects in the ETJ with plumbing or electric
Stormwater permits may apply for any site construction in the ETJ. Please click here or contact: engineering@georgetown.org
Residential Certificate of Occupancy:
The City of Georgetown does not issue a Certificate of Occupancy. The building final inspection serves as the Certificate of Occupancy. If you are the permit holder, you may print the building final report from your www.mygovernmentonline.org account.
Fire Hydrant Meter Application:
The purpose of a fire hydrant water meter is to provide water temporarily during ongoing construction projects and when tapping water lines into our main line.
To apply for a fire hydrant, click here
Contact Customer Care for any questions regarding a fire hydrant meter at: customercare@georgetown.org.
Form Questions:
If you have any questions regarding Commercial Service Applications, please email customercare@georgetown.org
If you have any questions regarding Certificate of Occupancy Application, please email permits@georgetown.org
Quick Links:
Fire Marshal Office and Fire Permit Requirements for Businesses in ETJ
