Burleson County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Burleson County. Texas law does not grant county authority over general building codes in unincorporated areas. County authority is limited to floodplain permits, OSSF/septic permits, and county right-of-way driveway and culvert permits.

Department

Burleson County Environmental Department

Address

Burleson County Courthouse, 100 W. Buck St., Suite 303, Caldwell, TX 77836

Phone

979-567-2333

Email

contact@burlesoncounty.org

Website

https://www.burlesoncountytx.gov/page/living.permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm that the parcel is in unincorporated Burleson County and determine whether the project touches one of the county's verified permit areas: floodplain, OSSF/septic, or county right-of-way.
2. If needed, obtain or verify the 911 address before filing related county applications. The county's environmental page instructs applicants to verify the physical address before submitting an OSSF application.
3. For OSSF work, complete the OSSF application packet and the required owner and licensed professional forms shown on the Environmental Department page. Burleson County states that all septic systems in the county require permitting regardless of acreage.
4. For floodplain development, complete the county floodplain permit application and submit the application, plans, and specifications to the Floodplain office in Suite 303 before construction begins.
5. For driveway or culvert work on county right-of-way, complete the county access permit and culvert application and email it to ajones@burlesoncounty.org for routing to the proper road and bridge precinct.
6. Wait for county review and approval before starting any work that falls within those county permit programs.

Typical processing time: OSSF planning materials must be approved or denied within 30 days after receipt, according to the county OSSF FAQ citing TCEQ 285.3(c). No public processing estimate was found for floodplain or county right-of-way permits.

Source: Burleson County Environmental Department

General Requirements

No public evidence of a general county building permit program was found for unincorporated Burleson County. Verified county permits are required for all OSSF/septic systems, for all development within the floodplain before construction begins, and for driveway or culvert access on county right-of-way.

Required Documents

• OSSF application packet plus the owner and licensed professional forms listed on the Environmental Department page
• Floodplain permit application, plans, and specifications of the development
• Legal description from the deed for floodplain permits
• County access permit and culvert application for driveway and culvert work

Permit validity

No public county-wide validity or expiration standard was found for floodplain or driveway permits. For OSSF, the county FAQ focuses on approval, installation inspection, and License to Operate rather than a generic permit expiration period.

Building code

No general county building code adoption for unincorporated construction was verified. County regulation verified here is limited to floodplain administration, OSSF rules, and county access permitting.

Owner-builder

The county states that homeowners or property owners may not construct, install, extend, or alter an OSSF themselves; OSSF work must be performed by a licensed installer.

Contractor requirements

OSSF construction and installation must be performed by a licensed installer. The Environmental page links to the TCEQ license search for OSSF professionals. No county contractor licensing program was found for general building work because no general county building permit program was found.

Fees

Payment note

OSSF uses posted county septic permit fees; floodplain and county access permits use county forms and review. A searchable fee formula was not found on the public pages reviewed. Fees are handled through county offices and forms.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Burleson County Environmental Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 979-567-2360 (Environmental Department) (phone)
• jtillery@burlesoncounty.org (OSSF) (email)
• ajones@burlesoncounty.org (Driveway/Culvert) (email)

Inspection hours

Not publicly posted

Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF, the county reviews the planning materials, issues authorization to construct through the installer, performs the required installation inspection, and then issues the License to Operate. No general county building inspection program was found because the county states it does not require general building inspections in unincorporated areas.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No general county building code adoption for unincorporated construction was verified. County regulation verified here is limited to floodplain administration, OSSF rules, and county access permitting.
• Verify contractor license: TCEQ License Search (OSSF)
• County Permits Page
• Environmental / OSSF
• FEMA Map Service Center
• 911 Addressing
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Burleson County Building Permit FAQ

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

No public evidence of a general county building permit program was found for unincorporated Burleson County. Verified county permits are required for all OSSF/septic systems, for all development within the floodplain before construction begins, and for driveway or culvert access on county right-of-way.

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

1. Confirm that the parcel is in unincorporated Burleson County and determine whether the project touches one of the county's verified permit areas: floodplain, OSSF/septic, or county right-of-way. 2. If needed, obtain or verify the 911 address before filing related county applications. The county's environmental page instructs applicants to verify the physical address before submitting an OSSF application. 3. For OSSF work, complete the OSSF application packet and the required owner and licensed professional forms shown on the Environmental Department page. Burleson County states that all septic systems in the county require permitting regardless of acreage. 4. For floodplain development, complete the county floodplain permit application and submit the application, plans, and specifications to the Floodplain office in Suite 303 before construction begins. 5. For driveway or culvert work on county right-of-way, complete the county access permit and culvert application and email it to ajones@burlesoncounty.org for routing to the proper road and bridge precinct. 6. Wait for county review and approval before starting any work that falls within those county permit programs.

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

Typical processing time is OSSF planning materials must be approved or denied within 30 days after receipt, according to the county OSSF FAQ citing TCEQ 285.3(c). No public processing estimate was found for floodplain or county right-of-way permits..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Floodplain permits are not required for development outside the floodplain. Note: No public exempt-work list was found for unincorporated county construction because no public general county building permit program was found. Confirm which county controls apply to your specific project with county staff.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 979-567-2360 (Environmental Department), jtillery@burlesoncounty.org (OSSF), ajones@burlesoncounty.org (Driveway/Culvert).