Austin, TXMarch 2026 · 5 min read

HOW TO CHECK YOUR AUSTIN BUILDING PERMIT STATUS IN 2026

Austin's Build + Development Services portal works — but it doesn't send alerts. Here's how to check your permit status manually, and why most contractors eventually stop doing it.

STEP 1: FIND YOUR PERMIT NUMBER

Austin uses two permit number formats depending on which system issued it:

  • →API format: 2026-033822 PP — from the Austin Open Data portal or newer BDS records
  • →Portal format: 2024-BC-04812 — from the Accela Citizen Access portal

Your permit number is on your permit application confirmation email, on the permit card posted at your job site, or on any correspondence from the City of Austin BDS department.

STEP 2: VISIT THE AUSTIN BDS PORTAL

Go to abc.austintexas.gov — the Austin Build + Development Services (BDS) portal, also known as Austin Build Central (ABC). This is the official Accela Citizen Access portal that Austin uses for permit tracking.

Alternatively, Austin publishes permit data on its Open Data portal at data.austintexas.gov. This dataset is updated regularly and includes permit status, type, address, and more. This is the faster option for lookups if you know your permit number.

STEP 3: SEARCH FOR YOUR PERMIT

On the ABC portal:

  1. 1Click "Building" in the top menu
  2. 2Select "Search" → "Building Permits"
  3. 3Enter your permit number in the search field
  4. 4Click "Search" or press Enter
  5. 5Click on your permit record from the results list

STEP 4: READ THE STATUS

Austin's BDS portal shows a “Status” field on the permit detail page. Here's what each common status means:

APPLICATION RECEIVED
Your application is in the queue, not yet assigned to a reviewer.
Action: Wait. Check back in a few days.
IN REVIEW
A plans reviewer is actively reviewing your application.
Action: Check daily — comments or corrections may be needed.
CORRECTIONS REQUIRED
The reviewer has flagged issues. You'll get a comment letter.
Action: Address all comments ASAP and resubmit.
APPROVED / ISSUED
Your permit is approved. Work may begin.
Action: Start work. Keep permit card posted on site.
FINAL / FINALED
All inspections passed. Project is complete.
Action: Request your Certificate of Occupancy if applicable.

WHY THIS PROCESS IS SLOW AND FRUSTRATING

There's nothing wrong with the Austin BDS portal — it works. The problem is that it's a passive system. You have to go check it. There are no email alerts, no SMS notifications, and no webhooks.

Most contractors check the portal every morning before their crew shows up. Some check it multiple times a day when they know a decision is imminent. That's time that could be spent on the job — or at least not staring at a loading screen.

The math is brutal: if your crew costs $2,400 a day and your permit clears at 7 AM but you don't find out until you check at noon, you've lost a half-day. Multiply that by five permits a month and you're leaving $6,000+ on the table every quarter.

OR LET CLEAREDNO CHECK FOR YOU AUTOMATICALLY

ClearedNo monitors your Austin permits 24/7 and sends you an instant alert — email or browser push — the moment the status changes. No more morning portal checks.

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