Anyone have any experience with building a Pergola structure in the city linits? If so, any restrictions or permit requirements, especially if located under power lines?

I have been digging through the city code and can't seem to find anything about pergolas at all, but have a suspicion its buried somewhere.

If its under power lines you need to read your easement agreement that is filed with the county. You may not be able to build there regardless of what the city says.

When I worked for the city anything constructed greater than 200 SF required a permit (shed, pergola, deck). Any thing, any size attached to a roof required a permit.

Sounds to me like you want to build in an easement. Check the survey you got at closing. This will give you an idea of what's going on. People build crap in easements all the time. If you go to permit it, you won't get approved if it's in an easement.

Thanks for the replies, it is actually in the easement so thats gonna nix the pergola, can either of you tell me if a deck or patio can be built in an easement or is basically no structure of any kind can go in an easement?

The easement document will tell you what you are allowed to do. I bet a patio would be fine unless there are buried utilities

no permanent structures in easement.

You will need a Permit, if you haven't figured that out already. Zoning Review is the main concern (height, setback, impervious cover, etc.) You don't need much in terms of drawings, but the City has a handy FAQ on these type of outdoor structures. Google "City of Austin Decks PDF" and download it for more info. I don't log on here much, however, if I can help, shoot me a PM.

+pablo