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

The minimum permit fee is $50.00 for Residential Development Permit Application. Fees are calculated as: Flat-fee schedule. Residential Development Permit $50.00; Commercial Development Permit $400.00; Residential OSSF Permit $210.00 (non-aerobic under 500 gal/day) or $400.00 (aerobic or over 500 gal/day); Commercial OSSF Permit $400.00; OSSF Modification Permit $210.00; Major Subdivision Plat $3,000.00 plus $250.00 per lot; Minor Subdivision Plat $500.00; Replat $150.00 plus $190.00 public notice.. Plan check fee: No separate public line item for county development-permit plan review fee on published fee sheet.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 830-796-3175 (County Engineer office). For OSSF inspections, applicant or registered installer must notify the county's designated representative at least 5 working days before the inspection is needed..

County Building Permits

Bandera County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bandera County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Bandera County. County controls are narrower than a city building department: floodplain development permits, OSSF/septic permits and inspections, and subdivision/land-development approvals. No general countywide building permit for ordinary vertical construction was found in public sources.

Department: County Engineer - Permits and Inspections, Bandera County
Address: 502 11th Street, Bandera, TX 78003
Phone: 830-796-3175
Email: engineer@banderacounty.org
Website: https://www.banderacounty.gov/page/engineer

Online Permit Portal

Open County Engineer Page

Platform: Bandera County website forms page • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine which county-controlled approval applies: floodplain development permit, OSSF/septic permit, or subdivision/land-development approval.
Obtain a 911 address first. A 911 address must be assigned to proceed with a county development permit.
Submit the applicable County Engineer form with site information and supporting documents. For floodplain development, provide area map or survey and copy of deed.
If the project lies within an identified flood hazard area, submit plans and specifications. If within a delineated floodway, submit a no-rise letter signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer.
For OSSF work, submit the residential or commercial septic permit application with required planning materials.
For subdivision work, follow the county's published subdivision process: informal meeting(s), sketch plan, application and preliminary plan, preliminary plat/construction plans, final plat and bond, and recording/constructing the subdivision.
County-regulated work proceeds through applicable approval and inspection steps. OSSF systems require inspection and approval before final covering.

Typical processing time: No public processing-time estimate was found for development permits, OSSF permits, or subdivision approvals.

Source: County Engineer - Permits and Inspections, Bandera County

General Requirements

County controls are narrower than a city building department: floodplain development permits, OSSF/septic permits and inspections, and subdivision/land-development approvals. No general countywide building permit for ordinary vertical construction was found in public sources. The development permit application states it applies to Bandera County Floodplain Management Regulations only.

Required Documents

911 address required to proceed
For development permit: site information, area map or survey, and copy of deed
For flood hazard area projects: plans and specifications
For floodway projects: no-rise letter signed and sealed by licensed professional engineer
For OSSF: residential or commercial septic permit application with planning materials
For subdivision: formal application and detailed subdivision regulations documentation

Permit validity: No public expiration rule was found for county development permits or OSSF permits in reviewed sources.
Building code: No public county adoption of a general building code program for all unincorporated construction was found. Bandera County has adopted local OSSF rules based on 30 TAC Chapters 30 and 285, a Flood Damage Prevention Court Order adopted April 9, 2020, and subdivision and land development regulations effective January 11, 2024.
Owner-builder: No general owner-builder rule was found for ordinary construction because no public countywide general building permit program was identified.
Contractor requirements: No public countywide contractor-registration program was found for general building contractors. For OSSF work, contractor roles and classifications are regulated by state law, including registered installers and, for certain system types, planning materials prepared by a registered sanitarian or professional engineer.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $50.00 for Residential Development Permit Application
Plan check fee: No separate public line item for county development-permit plan review fee on published fee sheet
Permit fee formula: Flat-fee schedule. Residential Development Permit $50.00; Commercial Development Permit $400.00; Residential OSSF Permit $210.00 (non-aerobic under 500 gal/day) or $400.00 (aerobic or over 500 gal/day); Commercial OSSF Permit $400.00; OSSF Modification Permit $210.00; Major Subdivision Plat $3,000.00 plus $250.00 per lot; Minor Subdivision Plat $500.00; Replat $150.00 plus $190.00 public notice.
Reinspection fee: OSSF Re-inspection Fee $45.00
Payment note: County Engineer page includes online payment link at govpay.net. Public county site does not show self-service permit filing portal.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective May 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the County Engineer - Permits and Inspections, Bandera County to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

830-796-3175 (County Engineer office) (phone)

Scheduling deadline: For OSSF inspections, applicant or registered installer must notify the county's designated representative at least 5 working days before the inspection is needed.
Inspection hours: County Engineer office hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM; closes at noon Friday. Permits and Inspections office hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM; closes at noon Friday.

Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF systems, inspection and approval are required before final covering. Applicant or registered installer must be present. If property is in special flood hazard area, final foundation elevation certificate is required before OSSF license to operate is issued.

Additional Resources

Building code: No public county adoption of a general building code program for all unincorporated construction was found. Bandera County has adopted local OSSF rules based on 30 TAC Chapters 30 and 285, a Flood Damage Prevention Court Order adopted April 9, 2020, and subdivision and land development regulations effective January 11, 2024.
Verify contractor license: Texas TDLR License Lookup
Flood Damage Prevention Court Order (April 9, 2020)
OSSF Technical Information Packet
Residential OSSF Application
Commercial OSSF Application
Subdivision Regulations
License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the County Engineer - Permits and Inspections, Bandera County before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bandera County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Bandera County, TX?: County controls are narrower than a city building department: floodplain development permits, OSSF/septic permits and inspections, and subdivision/land-development approvals. No general countywide building permit for ordinary vertical construction was found in public sources. The development permit application states it applies to Bandera County Floodplain Management Regulations only.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Bandera County, TX?: The minimum permit fee is $50.00 for Residential Development Permit Application. Fees are calculated as: Flat-fee schedule. Residential Development Permit $50.00; Commercial Development Permit $400.00; Residential OSSF Permit $210.00 (non-aerobic under 500 gal/day) or $400.00 (aerobic or over 500 gal/day); Commercial OSSF Permit $400.00; OSSF Modification Permit $210.00; Major Subdivision Plat $3,000.00 plus $250.00 per lot; Minor Subdivision Plat $500.00; Replat $150.00 plus $190.00 public notice.. Plan check fee: No separate public line item for county development-permit plan review fee on published fee sheet.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bandera County, TX?: 1. Determine which county-controlled approval applies: floodplain development permit, OSSF/septic permit, or subdivision/land-development approval. 2. Obtain a 911 address first. A 911 address must be assigned to proceed with a county development permit. 3. Submit the applicable County Engineer form with site information and supporting documents. For floodplain development, provide area map or survey and copy of deed. 4. If the project lies within an identified flood hazard area, submit plans and specifications. If within a delineated floodway, submit a no-rise letter signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer. 5. For OSSF work, submit the residential or commercial septic permit application with required planning materials. 6. For subdivision work, follow the county's published subdivision process: informal meeting(s), sketch plan, application and preliminary plan, preliminary plat/construction plans, final plat and bond, and recording/constructing the subdivision. 7. County-regulated work proceeds through applicable approval and inspection steps. OSSF systems require inspection and approval before final covering.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Bandera County, TX?: Typical processing time is No public processing-time estimate was found for development permits, OSSF permits, or subdivision approvals..
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Bandera County, TX?: Inspections can be scheduled via: 830-796-3175 (County Engineer office). For OSSF inspections, applicant or registered installer must notify the county's designated representative at least 5 working days before the inspection is needed..

Need help with your project?

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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