Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Tarrant County, Texas

Quick Answer: Structured cabling in Tarrant County is exempt from state electrician licensing under Texas law, but local permit requirements vary by city. Fort Worth requires permits for commercial low voltage work ($40-$300). Unincorporated Tarrant County has minimal requirements, but always verify with the local building department before starting work.

Understanding Tarrant County Jurisdiction

Tarrant County includes Fort Worth, Arlington, and dozens of smaller cities, each with independent building departments. Before starting any structured cabling project, determine which jurisdiction applies:

• Fort Worth – Largest city, has specific low voltage permit requirements
• Arlington – Second largest, separate permit process
• Unincorporated Tarrant County – Minimal permit requirements for low voltage
• Other municipalities – Each has independent building codes

Contact the building department where the property is located, not Tarrant County directly, for most permit questions.

Texas State Exemptions for Structured Cabling

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) provides significant exemptions for low voltage work. Under the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act, the following are NOT subject to electrician licensing requirements:

• Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 remote control circuits
• Signaling or power-limited circuits
• Fire alarm circuits
• Optical fiber cables
• Communications circuits, including raceways

This means structured cabling installers—working on Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, fiber optic, and other data cables—are not required to hold a state electrician license in Texas.

Important: This state exemption does not override local municipal requirements. Cities can and do require permits and contractor registration for work that is exempt at the state level.

For complete details on Texas licensing, see our Texas Low Voltage License Guide.

City of Fort Worth Requirements

Fort Worth has adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code and has local permitting requirements for low voltage systems.

When Permits Are Required

• Commercial structured cabling installations
• Work that penetrates fire-rated walls or ceilings
• New construction data cabling (covered under building permit)
• Large-scale network infrastructure projects
• Any work requiring inspection

When Permits May Not Be Required

• Minor residential cabling in existing construction
• Simple cable drops without structural penetration
• Repair or replacement of existing cables
• Work in unfinished spaces that does not penetrate fire barriers

Permit Fees

Project Type	Estimated Fee
Basic low voltage permit	$40-$100
Commercial installation	$100-$300
Plan review (if required)	Additional fee

How to Apply

Fort Worth offers online permit submission through the Development Services Department.

1. Determine if your project requires a permit (call if unsure)
2. Prepare scope of work and floor plans showing cable routes
3. Submit application online or in person
4. Pay applicable fees
5. Schedule inspection when work is complete

Contact Information

Department	Contact
Fort Worth Development Services	fortworthtexas.gov
Building Inspections	(817) 392-2222
Permit Center	1000 Throckmorton Street

Unincorporated Tarrant County

Properties in unincorporated Tarrant County (outside city limits) typically have fewer permit requirements for low voltage work. However:

• New construction still requires building permits
• Work affecting fire-rated assemblies may need inspection
• Commercial projects may require plan review

Contact Tarrant County Development Services at (817) 884-1153 to verify requirements for your specific project.

Other Cities in Tarrant County

Each municipality has independent permit processes:

• Arlington – Contact Building Inspections at (817) 459-6555
• Grapevine – Contact Building Inspections at (817) 410-3155
• Southlake – Contact Building Inspections at (817) 748-8079
• Keller – Contact Development Services at (817) 743-4050

Always verify jurisdiction before starting work—addresses near city boundaries may have different requirements than expected.

Residential vs. Commercial Projects

Residential Structured Cabling

Most residential structured cabling in Tarrant County does not require permits if:

• Work is limited to low voltage (under 50V)
• No penetration of fire-rated assemblies
• No modification to electrical panels or power circuits
• Cables are installed in existing pathways or accessible spaces

Common residential projects include:

• Ethernet drops for home offices
• Whole-home networking infrastructure
• Home theater and audio/video cabling
• Security camera pre-wire

New construction pre-wire is typically covered under the general building permit.

Commercial Structured Cabling

Commercial projects have stricter requirements:

• Tenant improvement projects usually require permits
• Data center buildouts need detailed plan review
• Healthcare facilities have additional code requirements
• Work in plenums requires plenum-rated cable
• Fire barrier penetrations require proper firestopping

Commercial installations should always verify permit requirements before starting work.

Code Compliance Considerations

Fort Worth has adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code. Key requirements for structured cabling include:

Cable Installation

• Proper cable support and securing per NEC Article 800
• Separation from power conductors
• Plenum-rated cable (CMP) required in air handling spaces
• Riser-rated cable (CMR) for vertical runs between floors

Fire Protection

• Firestopping required for all fire-rated penetrations
• Proper sleeve or conduit installation through firewalls
• Documentation of firestop materials and methods

Grounding and Bonding

• Communications systems must be properly grounded per NEC Article 800.100
• Intersystem bonding termination required for new construction
• Bonding of cable shields and racks in commercial installations

Timeline and Process

Step	Estimated Timeline
Permit application review	1-5 business days
Plan review (if required)	5-10 business days
Inspection scheduling	24-48 hours notice
Final inspection	Same day or next day

Simple projects often receive same-day or next-day permit approval. Complex commercial projects with plan review take longer.

Pro Tips from the Field

Experienced structured cabling contractors in Tarrant County recommend:

• Call before you start – A quick call to the building department saves time and avoids rework
• Document fire penetrations – Photos of firestopping help with inspections and future reference
• Know your plenum spaces – Using the wrong cable type in air handling spaces is a common violation
• Label everything – Professional labeling per TIA-606 standards speeds inspections
• Test and certify – Provide test results to the customer, especially for commercial warranty compliance
• Check city boundaries – GPS the address to confirm which city has jurisdiction

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when structured cabling projects hit permits in Tarrant County before they reach bid boards?

LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Texas and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.

→ Explore LVN Signal

Related Permit Guides

• Fort Worth, Texas Structured Cabling Permits
• Dallas, Texas Structured Cabling Permits
• Dallas County, Texas Structured Cabling Permits
• Houston, Texas Structured Cabling Permits
• Texas Low Voltage License Requirements

Last updated: January 2026. Permit requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the local building department before starting work.