City of Georgetown Texas > Georgetown Building Inspections > General Permitting Information

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.mgoconnect.org

Apply online at www.mgoconnect.org  for a Temporary Use Permit.

Items to include with application:

  • Complete Temporary Use Permit Application
  • Site Plan Indicating Location of Temporary Use
  • Letter from property owner granting permission
  • Indicate if water, wastewater, and or electric is needed.
  • Show require backflow device if required

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 

Special Event Permitting Information

For questions regarding the Temporary Use Application, please email 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.  All businesses in the ETJ may require a fire permit. 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.

For fire permits please visit: https://fire.georgetown.org/fire-life-safety/

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.mgoconnect.org . Pay permit fees when you receive notification from no-reply@scpdc.org the application has been accepted for review.

Allow 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.  You will need to upload a copy of the Temporary Inspection Passed report to your Utility Billing Account (Customer Care)  you created as css.georgetown.org . 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.mgoconnect.org and we will email a copy of the  Certificate of Occupancy. Once you receive the Certificate of Occupancy, you must upload a copy of the issued Certificate of Occupancy to the Utility Billing Account you created at css.georgetown.org within thirty (30) days.

If you fail any of the required inspections, the applicant is responsible for correcting the failed items and reschedule the failed inspections online at www.mgoconnect.org. If inspections are not resolved, power and /or water will be disconnected at thirty days.

Once the Certificate of Occupancy is issued, and the applicant must upload a copy of the issued Certificate of Occupancy at css.georgetown.org, then the  business may open to the public.

Certificate of Occupancy Permit Process with Construction:

New Commercial Construction Ground Up/Addition

New Commercial Construction Ground Up Certificate of Completion for shell buildings

Commercial Remodel or a Tenant Finish Out

Directions to apply for New Commercial Construction CO/ Remodel CO/ or Tenant Finish Out CO under an existing Permit Number via www.mgoconnect.org 

Directions for creating a customer care utility billing account 

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 and are required.  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 and contacts.

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.mgoconnect.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 or questions regarding css.georgetown.org,  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 

Directions for www.mgoconnect.org to create an account, complete an application, request inspections, print inspection reports, and copies of permits issued. 

Directions for creating a Utility Billing Account and uploading a copy of temporary power inspection report or a copy of an issued certificate of occupancy at css.georgetown.org 

Fee Schedule

City of Georgetown Interactive Maps 

Contractor Registration

Who needs to be registered?

The following contractors need to be registered with the City of Georgetown (no cost) via mygovernmeonline.org:

  • General Contractor
  • Plumbing Contractor
  • Electrical Contractor includes master
  • Master Electrician Only
  • Journeyman Electrician
  • Mechanical Contractor
  • Fire Sprinkler, Fire Alarm
  • Sign Contractor
  • Electrical Sign Contractor
  • Journeyman Sign Contractor
  • Building Maintenance Electrician
  • Apprentice Electrician
  • Hood System Installer
  • Swimming Pool Contractor
  • Water Softener Contractor
  • Licensed Irrigator
  • Roofing Contractor

How to register:

To register with the City of Georgetown:

  1. Create an account at www.mgoconnect.org 
  2. After account is created, click on the permits & licensing tab
  3. Select contractor registration and complete information
  4. Upload a copy of drivers license and copy of trade license
  5. Submit contractor registration to jurisdiction

How to apply for a permit:

After you have created an account at www.mgoconnect.org  and registered under the permits & licensing tab you may apply for a permit, request inspections, print, and pay for permits online.

For technical support creating your account or registering , please contact 1-866-957-6734

Directions to Create an Account 

Mygovernmentonline.org directions:

Click here for mygovernmentonline.org directions and handouts 

Is there a fee to register? 

No

Verify a License required by the State of Texas:

Verify a License required by the State of Texas by visiting TDLR or clicking here

As the homeowner can I 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.

Homeowners Exempt Certificate

Other Info:

All permits are processed electronically through www.mygovernmentonline.org.

All inspections must be requested online through www.mygovernmentonline.org