Round Rock at a glance
Round Rock sits north of Austin on Brushy Creek. Census Reporter's American Community Survey 2024 one-year profile lists 55,692 housing units and a median value of $442,700 for owner-occupied homes. The figures are estimates with a margin of error.
Round Rock has its own Building Inspection Division. Rules for drywall repair, remodels and fees in Round Rock come from that office, not from Austin's Development Services, so the Austin express-permit threshold does not automatically apply.
How houses were built here
The settlement began with a post office opened in 1851 under the name Brushy Creek, and the town took the name Round Rock in 1854 from a rock that marked a low-water crossing on the creek. When the railroad was extended about three-quarters of a mile away, commercial activity followed. The area by the station became known as New Town, now downtown, and the original settlement became known as Old Town. The city publishes materials on the historic buildings in that area.
The practical meaning for a drywall job is a split between older walls near the original townsite and newer construction in the subdivisions that grew around the city in later decades. Walls in historic buildings may be plaster, and an older house may carry layers of repairs. The older homes chapter lists the checks that apply, and the hiring chapter lists questions about who works on plaster.
Soil conditions change from one side of town to the other, so a crack that repeats with the seasons is worth documenting before it is repaired. The clay soil chapter explains what to photograph and what to ask a specialist.
Permits and who to call
The city lists its Building Inspection Division at 301 W. Bagdad Avenue, Suite 100, Round Rock, TX 78664, phone 512-218-5550, open Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, with permit intake by email at buildingpermits@roundrocktexas.gov. Planning and Development Services is in Suite 210 at 512-218-5428. The city also has a single-family remodel page that explains what a remodel permit needs.
Questions about Round Rock
Who handles building permits in Round Rock?
The Building Inspection Division in Planning and Development Services, at 301 W. Bagdad Avenue, Suite 100, phone 512-218-5550. Check the hours before you go, as the city lists Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Does Austin's 128 square foot repair rule apply in Round Rock?
Not automatically. That line comes from the City of Austin's express permit page. Round Rock sets its own rules, so call its Building Inspection Division before a job.
How old is the oldest part of Round Rock?
The settlement dates to a post office opened in 1851, and the Round Rock name was adopted in 1854. The original settlement is called Old Town and the area by the station is called New Town, now downtown.
What does a Round Rock house cost, according to the Census?
Census Reporter's American Community Survey 2024 one-year profile lists a median value of $442,700 for owner-occupied units. It is an estimate with a margin of error.
Where do I find a drywall contractor near Round Rock?
The directory lists drywall contractors in and around Austin, and several serve the surrounding area. Ask each one whether it works in Round Rock, and confirm it is comfortable pulling permits with the city.
What should I check on an older Round Rock house?
Whether the walls are plaster or drywall, whether the house predates 1978 and the lead rule, and whether old texture has been tested for asbestos before anyone sands it.
Are cracks common in Round Rock walls?
Hairline cracks are common in any house with a rigid wall finish on a moving frame. If they repeat or grow, photograph them with dates and ask a specialist about the pattern.
Related chapters
Nearby areas
Drywall contractors
See the directory of drywall contractors in Austin.
Sources: [1] roundrocktexas.gov [2] roundrocktexas.gov [3] roundrocktexas.gov [4] censusreporter.org