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

The minimum permit fee is $20.00 for development permit; $210.00 for OSSF permit; $25.00 registration for over 10 acres. Fees are calculated as: Flat fees published in the county permit pamphlet.

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

The following work is generally exempt: OSSF permits apply to tracts of 10 acres or less; tracts over 10 acres require registration with site evaluation, layout, and legal description rather than the same permit path; Recreational vehicles in a flood hazard area may be temporarily parked if onsite less than 180 days and fully licensed and ready for highway use, or if they meet the local flood-damage-prevention permit requirements.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (325) 643-1985.

County Building Permits

Brown County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Brown County. Development, right-of-way, on-site sewage facility (OSSF), and floodplain regulation.

Department: Brown County Permitting Department
Address: Brown County Courthouse, 200 S. Broadway, Room 322, Brownwood, TX 76801
Phone: (325) 643-1985
Email: rita.thompson@browncountytx.gov
Website: https://www.browncountytx.gov/page/brown.Permitting

Online Permit Portal

Open Brown County Permitting

Platform: County website file-download page • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine whether the project needs a county development permit, floodplain permit, OSSF permit, or OSSF registration for tracts over 10 acres.
Collect the required documents. Development permits require a legal plat, 911 address, flood-area planning materials if applicable, and permit fee. OSSF permits require a legal plat, soil evaluation, design/system layout, 911 address, and permit fee.
Submit the appropriate county form and supporting materials to the Brown County Permitting Department in Room 322 of the courthouse.
Wait for county review and issuance. OSSF documents warn not to begin construction before application approval.
Complete required inspections. County pamphlet states the posted inspection fees include two inspections for OSSF and floodplain-development work where applicable.
For OSSF work, request the construction inspection within one calendar year of issuance or the authorization to construct expires and a new application and fee are required.

Source: Brown County Permitting Department

General Requirements

A development permit is required prior to any type of construction, placement of structures, dredging, altering of land or waterways, or placement of fill in Brown County. An OSSF permit is required before installing a septic system or modification/repair of an existing septic system on tracts of 10 acres or less. For tracts over 10 acres, registration with site evaluation, layout, and legal description is required.

Required Documents

For development permit: legal plat, 911 address, planning materials if in a flood area, and permit fee
For OSSF permit: legal plat, soil evaluation, system layout/design, 911 address, permit fee, and plot-plan/design materials described in the county OSSF packet

Permit validity: OSSF authorization to construct is valid for one calendar year from issuance; if a construction inspection is not requested within one year, it expires and a new application and fee are required.
Contractor requirements: No public county contractor-licensing program for general building work was found in reviewed materials; OSSF work is governed through the county OSSF packet and order.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $20.00 for development permit; $210.00 for OSSF permit; $25.00 registration for over 10 acres
Permit fee formula: Flat fees published in the county permit pamphlet
Reinspection fee: $50.00 each for OSSF and floodplain additional inspections beyond included inspections

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

OSSF permits apply to tracts of 10 acres or less; tracts over 10 acres require registration with site evaluation, layout, and legal description rather than the same permit path
Recreational vehicles in a flood hazard area may be temporarily parked if onsite less than 180 days and fully licensed and ready for highway use, or if they meet the local flood-damage-prevention permit requirements

Inspections

How to Schedule

(325) 643-1985 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: OSSF permit fees include two inspections and floodplain inspection fees include two inspections. OSSF packet requires a successful inspection before authorization to operate/use is recognized.

Additional Resources

Verify contractor license: Texas TDLR Contractor License Lookup
OSSF Order 2023
Texas Water Development Board Flood Planning
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 Brown County Permitting Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brown County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, TX?: A development permit is required prior to any type of construction, placement of structures, dredging, altering of land or waterways, or placement of fill in Brown County. An OSSF permit is required before installing a septic system or modification/repair of an existing septic system on tracts of 10 acres or less. For tracts over 10 acres, registration with site evaluation, layout, and legal description is required.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Brown County, TX?: The minimum permit fee is $20.00 for development permit; $210.00 for OSSF permit; $25.00 registration for over 10 acres. Fees are calculated as: Flat fees published in the county permit pamphlet.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Brown County, TX?: 1. Determine whether the project needs a county development permit, floodplain permit, OSSF permit, or OSSF registration for tracts over 10 acres. 2. Collect the required documents. Development permits require a legal plat, 911 address, flood-area planning materials if applicable, and permit fee. OSSF permits require a legal plat, soil evaluation, design/system layout, 911 address, and permit fee. 3. Submit the appropriate county form and supporting materials to the Brown County Permitting Department in Room 322 of the courthouse. 4. Wait for county review and issuance. OSSF documents warn not to begin construction before application approval. 5. Complete required inspections. County pamphlet states the posted inspection fees include two inspections for OSSF and floodplain-development work where applicable. 6. For OSSF work, request the construction inspection within one calendar year of issuance or the authorization to construct expires and a new application and fee are required.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Brown County, TX?: The following work is generally exempt: OSSF permits apply to tracts of 10 acres or less; tracts over 10 acres require registration with site evaluation, layout, and legal description rather than the same permit path; Recreational vehicles in a flood hazard area may be temporarily parked if onsite less than 180 days and fully licensed and ready for highway use, or if they meet the local flood-damage-prevention permit requirements.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Brown County, TX?: Inspections can be scheduled via: (325) 643-1985.

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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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