BUDA — After considering drawbacks for residents and local businesses, Buda City Council voted to unanimously adopt a proposal amending the city’s Code of Ordinances at its Wednesday, Nov. 5, meeting.
Under the amended ordinance, exemptions for work permits in section 105.2 of the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) were tightened. Notably, exemptions for permitting on certain fences, driveways and sidewalks were struck and new fees were imposed for these construction types.
With the updated ordinance, the cost for a permit to build a new or replacement residential fence is now $75, plus permit and inspection fees. For all commercial fences, the new permit cost is $0.20 per square foot, plus fees, and the permit cost for work on sidewalks and driveways is now $0.50 per square foot plus fees.
The action directs all standard exemptions to be posted on eCode360.com, which lists the city’s Code of Ordinances for public access and evaluation. On July 15 of this year, the council officially adopted the 2024 edition of the IBC and IRC, both of which were published by the International Code Council, Inc.
The recent amendments were brought forth to “ensure the exemption list is consistent with the adopted Unified Development Code [UDC],” according to the proposition presented to the council by building official William Ince. Whereas the IBC and IRC set minimum standards for buildings and residences, the UDC provides a comprehensive jurisdiction over land use, zoning and other permitting requirements. Additionally, the strategic objective stated in the presentation is to “become a more business-friendly city government.”
After Ince’s presentation regarding the amendments, council deliberated on the proposal’s potential drawbacks. Most extensively, council expressed concern over requiring work permits for the replacement of residential fences under 7 feet, which were previously exempt.
“I don’t want to make people get a permit [just] for replacing a fence,” council member Evan Ture expressed. “That’s the one caveat to the motion.”
Similarly, council member Greg Bowles disagreed with the necessity to require a work permit to repair a residential fence under 7 feet.
“I think we have a lot of fences that need repair and I don’t want to discourage people,” he argued.
Ince reasoned, “the only implication you might have is that someone takes [down] a 6-foot fence and puts an 8-foot fence up.” To avoid this, the amendment to 105.2 removed all fences from the list of exemptions.
On the matter, city engineer Angela Kennedy clarified, “If you are installing a new fence or moving a fence, that requires a permit [under the UDC].Replacement of existing fences [under 7 feet] are exempt from a permit,” she stated.
Furthermore, residential fences over 7 feet are not allowed to be constructed, anyway, regardless of permitting requirements, she said. This clarification satisfied the council.
Bowles also inquired about the typical cost for a permit for residential driveway repairs under the amended ordinance. For the average driveway in Buda, which is approximately 500 square feet, the cost for modifications would be $25, plus $20 for a permit and $150 for an inspection.
“I know we have foundation issues in several of the neighborhoods,” stated Bowles, “If [a resident] is having to redo their driveway [as a result of weak foundation], that’s just an additional cost.”
As part of the agenda item tackling this proposal, council heard from James Fort during the public hearing. A resident of Buda, Fort spoke against the motion. He argued that specific aspects were “not feasible,” including requirements for residential plumbing and retaining walls.
“I think that this has alternative motives,” the citizen said, although he did not clarify what those motives were.
Relating to building permit requirements, section 105.2 was additionally amended to strike oil derricks, water tanks greater than 1,500 gallons and certain shade cloth structures from the list of exemptions. “One-story detached accessory structures” under 120 square feet were also removed from the residential permit requirements. No changes were made to the exemptions list for utilities.
Outside of removing exemptions, the title subsection of the international code was amended to read, “These regulations shall be known as the building code of the City of Buda, Texas, hereinafter referred to as ‘this code.’”
Once deliberation and public testimony concluded, the council moved to approve the proposal, including the exemptions “as presented” to clarify the fencing matter. The vote passed without opposition.
Also during the meeting, the council proclaimed November 2025 Hays County Food Bank’s “Turkeys Tackling Hunger Month.” Clad in turkey skirts and onesies, the food bank leadership thanked the council and emphasized the importance of food assistance. This month was also proclaimed National Caregivers Month, which was received by members of the Commission on Aging, and Nov. 11 was proclaimed Veterans Day, which was received by veterans and representatives of various local veteran organizations.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 18.
