Armstrong County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Armstrong County only. For OSSF/septic permitting, TCEQ Region 1 (Amarillo) is the permitting authority where no local jurisdiction has been authorized.

Department

Armstrong County Office of the County Judge / TCEQ Region 1 (OSSF)

Address

Armstrong County Courthouse, 101 Trice St, Claude, TX 79019

Phone

(806) 553-2860

Email

adam.ensey@co.armstrong.tx.us

Website

https://www.co.armstrong.tx.us/

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Armstrong County and not inside Claude city limits.
2. Determine whether the project involves an OSSF/septic system. No public county general building permit path for ordinary building construction was found.
3. For OSSF work, identify the permitting authority by county. TCEQ Region 1, Amarillo is the permitting authority (Armstrong County is not a TCEQ Authorized Agent).
4. Submit the OSSF application and planning materials to TCEQ Region 1. A site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer is required.
5. The permitting authority must approve or deny the OSSF application within 30 days of receipt.

Typical processing time: 30 days for OSSF permit review

Source: Armstrong County Office of the County Judge / TCEQ Region 1 (OSSF)

General Requirements

No public county general building permit requirement found for ordinary construction. For OSSF/septic systems, TCEQ requires a permit and approved plan to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.

Required Documents

• OSSF application and planning materials
• Site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer (required for OSSF work)

Building code

No public countywide building code adoption or county building department page found on the official Armstrong County site.

Owner-builder

For OSSF only: Owner may install their own OSSF only if the permitting authority allows it, the project is for a single-family dwelling the owner owns, on property the owner owns, no part of the property will be developed for sale or lease, and all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements are met.

Contractor requirements

No county contractor licensing program found. OSSF installers and related personnel are regulated under state licensing rules.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• 10 acre rule exemption if all TCEQ conditions are met
• Emergency repairs (if reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin)
• Grandfathered OSSFs (may not need a permit if they meet TCEQ's stated conditions)

Important: Exemptions apply to OSSF work only per TCEQ state rules; no general county exemption list for ordinary construction was found.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF work, inspections are handled by the permitting authority (TCEQ Region 1) and depend on the approved system plan.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No public countywide building code adoption or county building department page found on the official Armstrong County site.
• TCEQ OSSF Permits Page
• TCEQ Authorized Agent Page
• TCEQ County-to-Region Page
• TCEQ Region Directory
• TCEQ 2023 Authorized Agent Report
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Armstrong County Building Permit FAQ

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

No public county general building permit requirement found for ordinary construction. For OSSF/septic systems, TCEQ requires a permit and approved plan to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Armstrong County and not inside Claude city limits. 2. Determine whether the project involves an OSSF/septic system. No public county general building permit path for ordinary building construction was found. 3. For OSSF work, identify the permitting authority by county. TCEQ Region 1, Amarillo is the permitting authority (Armstrong County is not a TCEQ Authorized Agent). 4. Submit the OSSF application and planning materials to TCEQ Region 1. A site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer is required. 5. The permitting authority must approve or deny the OSSF application within 30 days of receipt.

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

Typical processing time is 30 days for OSSF permit review.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Armstrong County, TX?

The following work is generally exempt: 10 acre rule exemption if all TCEQ conditions are met; Emergency repairs (if reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin); Grandfathered OSSFs (may not need a permit if they meet TCEQ's stated conditions). Note: Exemptions apply to OSSF work only per TCEQ state rules; no general county exemption list for ordinary construction was found.