Andrews County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Andrews County. County permit controls are narrower and split mainly between the Andrews County Health Department (OSSF permits) and County Judge / Commissioners Court (subdivision and plat approval). No general county building permit for ordinary construction in unincorporated Andrews County was publicly documented.

Department

Andrews County (no general building-permit department for unincorporated areas documented)

Application Process

1. Determine whether the unincorporated project triggers a county-controlled permit path. Main verified triggers are OSSF or septic systems, subdivision or platting activity, 911 addressing, and related development review. No general county building permit for routine construction was publicly documented.
2. For OSSF permits: Obtain an Addressing Authority Receipt for the 911 address from Mike Cook at Andrews County Sheriff's Department, 201 N Main Street, phone 432-523-5545.
3. Obtain the OSSF application packet from Andrews County Health Department, complete the owner page, and hire a licensed site evaluator, professional engineer, or registered sanitarian to complete site and soil evaluation. County requires GPS information for septic tank location and a legible site plan.
4. Submit the completed OSSF packet and pay fees at the Health Department. Authorization to construct is normally issued by phone within 3 working days if the packet is complete.
5. Install the system after approval, then schedule inspection with at least 24 hours notice. Leave the system uncovered and fill the tank to operating level for final inspection.
6. For subdivision and platting: Use the county subdivision application and regulations. Recommend pre-submittal meeting with precinct commissioner and retained county engineer, then formal submittal to Commissioners Court. Digital submission of Adobe PDF and AutoCAD DXF files required to 911 Addressing.
7. Submit subdivision application fees to the County Clerk's Office, 215 NW 1st Street, Suite 121A, Courthouse Annex Building, Andrews, TX 79714.

Typical processing time: OSSF authorization to construct normally issued by phone within 3 working days after complete submission. Subdivision and plat applications follow filing periods, review periods, and Commissioners Court hearings under county regulations. Incomplete applications expire after 45 days if deficiencies are not cured.

Source: Andrews County (no general building-permit department for unincorporated areas documented)

General Requirements

No public evidence of a general county building permit program for routine construction in unincorporated Andrews County. Verified county permits and approvals are narrower: OSSF permits for on-site wastewater systems, subdivision and plat approvals, 911 addressing, and related development controls. County subdivision regulations address floodplain and drainage information, water and wastewater utility information, and development standards within the subdivision review process.

Required Documents

• For OSSF: 911 address receipt, completed application packet, site and soil evaluation by licensed evaluator/engineer/registered sanitarian, GPS location for tank, installer information, and detailed site plan showing buildings, utilities, wells, property lines, and separation distances.
• For subdivision and plats: Signed application, supporting ownership and engineering materials, digital PDF and DXF files to 911 Addressing, and materials required by plat review checklist.

Permit validity

OSSF applications are valid for 12 months. Systems not completed within 12 months must pay a new permit fee. Subdivision applications expire 45 days after submission if deficiencies are not corrected.

Building code

No public county source showed adoption of a general county building code or countywide building-permit code for unincorporated Andrews County. Verified county technical standards come from county subdivision regulations, TCEQ OSSF rules in 30 TAC Chapter 285, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, and applicable fire and environmental authorities.

Owner-builder

For OSSF, the homeowner may install a septic system on the homeowner's own homestead only. If it is not the owner's residence, a licensed installer is required. Rental property is treated as commercial property and requires professional design and installation.

Contractor requirements

For OSSF, commercial installations require professional design by a professional engineer or registered sanitarian and installation by a licensed professional installer. For non-homestead OSSF work, use a licensed installer. County sources did not publish a separate county contractor-licensing system for general building work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$250.00 (OSSF residential); $500 + $10 per lot (subdivision final plat); $1,000 + $10 per lot (preliminary plat in floodplain)

Permit fee formula

OSSF is flat-fee by system type: residential $250, commercial $500. Subdivision and plat fees are application-based with base fee plus per-lot charge. No county valuation-based general building-permit formula (no general program identified).

Reinspection fee

$150.00 (OSSF); additional reinspection fees apply when more than one reinspection is needed. Modifications and emergency repairs require paying additional reinspection fee.

Payment note

OSSF permit fees must be paid at the Health Department. The inspector will not collect fees in the field. Subdivision application fees are submitted to the County Clerk's Office.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Andrews County (no general building-permit department for unincorporated areas documented) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• OSSF inspector or designated representative at Andrews County Health Department (phone)

Scheduling deadline

At least 24 hours notice required for OSSF inspection.

Inspection hours

Andrews County Health Department: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm; Tuesday 1 pm to 5 pm; Friday 8 am to 4 pm.

Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF: Obtain 911 addressing, submit packet, receive authorization to construct, install the system, call for inspection before covering, pass final inspection, then receive authorization to operate. For subdivision matters, review proceeds through county engineer and commissioner comments, revisions, and Commissioners Court action.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No public county source showed adoption of a general county building code or countywide building-permit code for unincorporated Andrews County. Verified county technical standards come from county subdivision regulations, TCEQ OSSF rules in 30 TAC Chapter 285, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, and applicable fire and environmental authorities.
• Andrews County Health Department
• County Judge
• Fire Marshal - Emergency Management
• OSSF Application Form
• Subdivision Application
• Subdivision Regulations
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Andrews County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Andrews County, TX?

No public evidence of a general county building permit program for routine construction in unincorporated Andrews County. Verified county permits and approvals are narrower: OSSF permits for on-site wastewater systems, subdivision and plat approvals, 911 addressing, and related development controls. County subdivision regulations address floodplain and drainage information, water and wastewater utility information, and development standards within the subdivision review process.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Andrews County, TX?

The minimum permit fee is $250.00 (OSSF residential); $500 + $10 per lot (subdivision final plat); $1,000 + $10 per lot (preliminary plat in floodplain). Fees are calculated as: OSSF is flat-fee by system type: residential $250, commercial $500. Subdivision and plat fees are application-based with base fee plus per-lot charge. No county valuation-based general building-permit formula (no general program identified)..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Andrews County, TX?

1. Determine whether the unincorporated project triggers a county-controlled permit path. Main verified triggers are OSSF or septic systems, subdivision or platting activity, 911 addressing, and related development review. No general county building permit for routine construction was publicly documented. 2. For OSSF permits: Obtain an Addressing Authority Receipt for the 911 address from Mike Cook at Andrews County Sheriff's Department, 201 N Main Street, phone 432-523-5545. 3. Obtain the OSSF application packet from Andrews County Health Department, complete the owner page, and hire a licensed site evaluator, professional engineer, or registered sanitarian to complete site and soil evaluation. County requires GPS information for septic tank location and a legible site plan. 4. Submit the completed OSSF packet and pay fees at the Health Department. Authorization to construct is normally issued by phone within 3 working days if the packet is complete. 5. Install the system after approval, then schedule inspection with at least 24 hours notice. Leave the system uncovered and fill the tank to operating level for final inspection. 6. For subdivision and platting: Use the county subdivision application and regulations. Recommend pre-submittal meeting with precinct commissioner and retained county engineer, then formal submittal to Commissioners Court. Digital submission of Adobe PDF and AutoCAD DXF files required to 911 Addressing. 7. Submit subdivision application fees to the County Clerk's Office, 215 NW 1st Street, Suite 121A, Courthouse Annex Building, Andrews, TX 79714.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Andrews County, TX?

Typical processing time is OSSF authorization to construct normally issued by phone within 3 working days after complete submission. Subdivision and plat applications follow filing periods, review periods, and Commissioners Court hearings under county regulations. Incomplete applications expire after 45 days if deficiencies are not cured..

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Andrews County, TX?

Inspections can be scheduled via: OSSF inspector or designated representative at Andrews County Health Department. At least 24 hours notice required for OSSF inspection..