County Building Permits
Clay County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clay County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas within Clay County. County controls include subdivision platting under Chapter 232, floodplain permitting, and on-site sewage facility (OSSF) administration.
- Department
- Clay County Commissioners Court; Clay County Emergency Management Coordinator; Clay County OSSF Program
- Address
- Clay County Courthouse, 100 N. Bridge Street, Henrietta, Texas 76365; Clay County Courthouse Annex, 214 N. Main Street, Henrietta, Texas 76365
- Phone
- (940) 538-4651; (940) 538-4052; (940) 447-5032
- Website
- https://www.claycountytx.net/
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Clay County and not inside an incorporated city.
- For subdivision projects, use the county subdivision application forms and checklist, submit a complete application with required fees.
- Submit the preliminary plat and supporting engineering, utility, drainage, floodplain, and water or septic information required by the subdivision regulations.
- Obtain preliminary plat review comments and approval from the Commissioners Court.
- Submit the final plat and construction plans.
- If work is in the floodplain, obtain the county flood permit before construction.
- If work involves an on-site sewage facility, coordinate directly with the Clay County OSSF designated representative for review and permitting.
- Request any required subdivision inspections and final county review before acceptance of public improvements.
Typical processing time: For subdivision plats, the statutory 30-day approval period under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232 begins when the county receives a complete application and required fees. No public processing-time estimate available for floodplain or OSSF approvals.
General Requirements
Verified county approvals include subdivision plat approval for land division and development subject to Chapter 232, flood permits for construction in the floodplain, and OSSF or septic review through the county designated representative. No general building permit requirement identified for ordinary construction countywide.
Required Documents
- Subdivision application forms
- Plats
- Engineer-sealed plans as required
- Utility and drainage plans
- Floodplain information
- Water and septic plans
- Required application fees
- Permit validity
- Preliminary plat approval remains effective for 1 year. No public expiration rule identified for flood permits or OSSF approvals.
- Building code
- No county-adopted general building code for all unincorporated construction identified.
- Contractor requirements
- No countywide contractor licensing requirement identified for general building permits. Subdivision regulations require engineer-sealed plans where applicable. OSSF administration through the county designated representative.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $250-$500 for subdivision applications; Inspection fee is $5,000 or 3% of road and drainage improvement cost, whichever is greater.
- Permit fee formula
- Flat fees plus $20 per lot for amending plat; $500 plus $20 per lot for preliminary or final plats.
- Reinspection fee
- No public reinspection fee table identified.
- Payment note
- Subdivision fees are required with the application, generally nonrefundable unless otherwise specified. Fee schedule may be amended by Commissioners Court.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Clay County Commissioners Court; Clay County Emergency Management Coordinator; Clay County OSSF Program to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Direct county coordination (in-person)
Typical inspection sequence: For subdivision improvements, the developer requests final inspection from the county after completion. Floodplain and OSSF coordination handled directly with county staff.
Additional Resources
- Building code: No county-adopted general building code for all unincorporated construction identified.
- Verify contractor license: Texas State Library Contractor Lookup
- Contact page
- Emergency Management Coordinator
- OSSF/Septic Systems
- 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 Clay County Commissioners Court; Clay County Emergency Management Coordinator; Clay County OSSF Program before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clay County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Clay County, TX?
- Verified county approvals include subdivision plat approval for land division and development subject to Chapter 232, flood permits for construction in the floodplain, and OSSF or septic review through the county designated representative. No general building permit requirement identified for ordinary construction countywide.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Clay County, TX?
- The minimum permit fee is $250-$500 for subdivision applications; Inspection fee is $5,000 or 3% of road and drainage improvement cost, whichever is greater.. Fees are calculated as: Flat fees plus $20 per lot for amending plat; $500 plus $20 per lot for preliminary or final plats..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clay County, TX?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Clay County and not inside an incorporated city. 2. For subdivision projects, use the county subdivision application forms and checklist, submit a complete application with required fees. 3. Submit the preliminary plat and supporting engineering, utility, drainage, floodplain, and water or septic information required by the subdivision regulations. 4. Obtain preliminary plat review comments and approval from the Commissioners Court. 5. Submit the final plat and construction plans. 6. If work is in the floodplain, obtain the county flood permit before construction. 7. If work involves an on-site sewage facility, coordinate directly with the Clay County OSSF designated representative for review and permitting. 8. Request any required subdivision inspections and final county review before acceptance of public improvements.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Clay County, TX?
- Typical processing time is For subdivision plats, the statutory 30-day approval period under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232 begins when the county receives a complete application and required fees. No public processing-time estimate available for floodplain or OSSF approvals..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clay County, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Direct county coordination.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Unincorporated Clay County can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works