Building Criteria Manual - 2021 3rd Quarter Rule Changes

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Consultation has concluded

The comment period ended on April 25, 2021. Questions and answers for feedback received during the engagement period can be found below and in the "documents" section to the right. For general questions, please email DSDEngagementUnit@austintexas.gov. Please continue to check the site for updates.

The Development Services Department (DSD) is proposing adoption of several amendments to the Building Criteria Manual (BCM) in the 3rd quarter of 2021. The proposed amendments:

  • Clarify processes.
  • Improve the quality and safety of services.
  • Update language in the Building Criteria Manual (BCM) to align with current City Codes and practices.
  • Reduce amendments to City Code and Technical Codes.

Amendments are proposed to the following sections:

  • Section 4.4.4 (Structural Plans)
  • Section 4.6.0 (Inspections)
  • Section 5.1.1 (Construction Plan Legibility And Standards For Scale) *New*
  • Section 5.2.11.1 (Commercial Electrical Inspector Supervisor)
  • Section 5.6.2.13 (Air Test On Plastic Non-Pressure Plumbing Systems) *New*
  • Section 5.9.0 (Single Stack Drain Waste And Vent System Designed With Specialized Fittings) *New*

More detailed information about these changes is available in the Documents section on the right side of this page. Also included in this section are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Important Links and Key Dates.


Please use the Question box below to send us your comments. We welcome all feedback about these proposed changes, how they may impact you, and how we can best design them to suit your needs. Your input will help DSD develop the final rule proposal.


The comment period ended on April 25, 2021. Questions and answers for feedback received during the engagement period can be found below and in the "documents" section to the right. For general questions, please email DSDEngagementUnit@austintexas.gov. Please continue to check the site for updates.

The Development Services Department (DSD) is proposing adoption of several amendments to the Building Criteria Manual (BCM) in the 3rd quarter of 2021. The proposed amendments:

  • Clarify processes.
  • Improve the quality and safety of services.
  • Update language in the Building Criteria Manual (BCM) to align with current City Codes and practices.
  • Reduce amendments to City Code and Technical Codes.

Amendments are proposed to the following sections:

  • Section 4.4.4 (Structural Plans)
  • Section 4.6.0 (Inspections)
  • Section 5.1.1 (Construction Plan Legibility And Standards For Scale) *New*
  • Section 5.2.11.1 (Commercial Electrical Inspector Supervisor)
  • Section 5.6.2.13 (Air Test On Plastic Non-Pressure Plumbing Systems) *New*
  • Section 5.9.0 (Single Stack Drain Waste And Vent System Designed With Specialized Fittings) *New*

More detailed information about these changes is available in the Documents section on the right side of this page. Also included in this section are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Important Links and Key Dates.


Please use the Question box below to send us your comments. We welcome all feedback about these proposed changes, how they may impact you, and how we can best design them to suit your needs. Your input will help DSD develop the final rule proposal.


Consultation has concluded
  • Share Inspection changes are going in the right direction in terms of process improvement. Simplify and conform to current practice wherever possible. on Facebook Share Inspection changes are going in the right direction in terms of process improvement. Simplify and conform to current practice wherever possible. on Twitter Share Inspection changes are going in the right direction in terms of process improvement. Simplify and conform to current practice wherever possible. on Linkedin Email Inspection changes are going in the right direction in terms of process improvement. Simplify and conform to current practice wherever possible. link

    Inspection changes are going in the right direction in terms of process improvement. Simplify and conform to current practice wherever possible.

    scottturner asked over 3 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback.

  • Share The link to the framing checklist goes to a page not found error. on Facebook Share The link to the framing checklist goes to a page not found error. on Twitter Share The link to the framing checklist goes to a page not found error. on Linkedin Email The link to the framing checklist goes to a page not found error. link

    The link to the framing checklist goes to a page not found error.

    Lynn Currie asked over 3 years ago

    Thank you for bringing this error to our attention. The framing checklist can be found at https://www.austintexas.gov/department/building-technical-codes, and the link has been corrected on the draft document.

  • Share "Common fonts" should be clarified as to whether or not these common fonts are actually required by city. Simplify to just: "All drawing elements and text must be visible and legible at the selected scale." A rejection comment that a construction plan is illegible - resubmit using the 6 common fonts. Super disingenuous and annoying. on Facebook Share "Common fonts" should be clarified as to whether or not these common fonts are actually required by city. Simplify to just: "All drawing elements and text must be visible and legible at the selected scale." A rejection comment that a construction plan is illegible - resubmit using the 6 common fonts. Super disingenuous and annoying. on Twitter Share "Common fonts" should be clarified as to whether or not these common fonts are actually required by city. Simplify to just: "All drawing elements and text must be visible and legible at the selected scale." A rejection comment that a construction plan is illegible - resubmit using the 6 common fonts. Super disingenuous and annoying. on Linkedin Email "Common fonts" should be clarified as to whether or not these common fonts are actually required by city. Simplify to just: "All drawing elements and text must be visible and legible at the selected scale." A rejection comment that a construction plan is illegible - resubmit using the 6 common fonts. Super disingenuous and annoying. link

    "Common fonts" should be clarified as to whether or not these common fonts are actually required by city. Simplify to just: "All drawing elements and text must be visible and legible at the selected scale." A rejection comment that a construction plan is illegible - resubmit using the 6 common fonts. Super disingenuous and annoying.

    ATX-Citizen asked over 3 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback. We have made a revision to the section header to read “Common Fonts Examples”.