County Building Permits
Coryell County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Coryell County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated Coryell County property. The county does not publish a city-style general building-permit department for ordinary building construction.
- Department
- Development and Permitting Department (for subdivision, driveway, mailbox, fence-row clearing, utility-excavation) and OSSF Office / Floodplain Administrator (for septic and floodplain matters)
- Address
- Development and Permitting: 3701 U S Hwy 84 West, Gatesville, TX 76528; OSSF Office: 800 E. Main St., Suite A, Gatesville, TX 76528
- Phone
- Development and Permitting: 254-213-6601; OSSF Office: 254-213-6601
Application Process
- Determine whether your unincorporated project triggers one of the county's verified permit programs: OSSF or septic, floodplain development, subdivision or development review, driveway or culvert access, mailbox permit, utility excavation, or fence-row clearing.
- Obtain the correct county form from Development and Permitting or the OSSF Office.
- Submit the application and required supporting documents to the responsible county office.
- For floodplain permits, provide plans and specifications and any required federal, state, or local permit forms.
- For OSSF work, submit the septic application and obtain inspection. All construction, alteration, extension, or repair to an OSSF must be permitted and inspected regardless of tract size unless the system was grandfathered before September 1, 1989.
- For subdivision or site-development matters, follow county subdivision regulations and fee schedule.
- Complete county inspections and obtain final approval before relying on county authorization.
General Requirements
Permit requirements are verified for OSSF systems, floodplain development, subdivisions, fence-row clearing, mailbox permits, culvert or driveway permits, and utility-excavation work. The county does not publicly document a general countywide building permit for ordinary private construction in unincorporated areas.
Required Documents
- Floodplain development permit: location information, development description, plans and specifications, and copies of necessary federal, state, and local permit forms if in a flood plain
- OSSF: septic application and county-required system documents
- Subdivision and development: county subdivision forms, checklists, and supporting development documents
- Permit validity
- The floodplain development permit is valid for one year from issuance and must be renewed if work is not completed within that time.
- Building code
- No general countywide building-code adoption for ordinary construction in unincorporated Coryell County was verified. Verified county controls are narrower: OSSF, floodplain, subdivision and development, and county-road or right-of-way permitting.
- Owner-builder
- For residential work in unincorporated areas, Texas HB 2833 private-inspection rules may be relevant depending on project type and code-enforcement posture.
- Contractor requirements
- No general county contractor-registration program exists for ordinary building work. OSSF installers and maintenance providers are state-licensed.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- OSSF: Aerobic $450.00; Anaerobic $350.00; Commercial $550.00
- Plan check fee
- No general county building plan-check fee identified; subdivision or development review fees governed by county development-fee documents.
- Permit fee formula
- OSSF fees are flat by system type. Subdivision and development fees are separately scheduled by county document.
- Reinspection fee
- $100.00 for septic reinspection
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Development and Permitting Department (for subdivision, driveway, mailbox, fence-row clearing, utility-excavation) and OSSF Office / Floodplain Administrator (for septic and floodplain matters) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 254-213-6601 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Development and Permitting: Mon-Fri, 7:30 am to 3:00 pm; OSSF Office: Mon-Fri, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00-1:00 pm)
Typical inspection sequence: Depends on permit type. OSSF work is permitted and inspected. Floodplain permits require county review and approval. Subdivision or development matters follow county review procedures.
Additional Resources
- Building code: No general countywide building-code adoption for ordinary construction in unincorporated Coryell County was verified. Verified county controls are narrower: OSSF, floodplain, subdivision and development, and county-road or right-of-way permitting.
- Floodplain Development Permit Application
- Septic Application Forms
- Subdivision Development Fees
- Subdivision Regulations and Permitting Requirements
- 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 Development and Permitting Department (for subdivision, driveway, mailbox, fence-row clearing, utility-excavation) and OSSF Office / Floodplain Administrator (for septic and floodplain matters) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coryell County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Coryell County, TX?
- Permit requirements are verified for OSSF systems, floodplain development, subdivisions, fence-row clearing, mailbox permits, culvert or driveway permits, and utility-excavation work. The county does not publicly document a general countywide building permit for ordinary private construction in unincorporated areas.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Coryell County, TX?
- The minimum permit fee is OSSF: Aerobic $450.00; Anaerobic $350.00; Commercial $550.00. Fees are calculated as: OSSF fees are flat by system type. Subdivision and development fees are separately scheduled by county document.. Plan check fee: No general county building plan-check fee identified; subdivision or development review fees governed by county development-fee documents..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Coryell County, TX?
- 1. Determine whether your unincorporated project triggers one of the county's verified permit programs: OSSF or septic, floodplain development, subdivision or development review, driveway or culvert access, mailbox permit, utility excavation, or fence-row clearing. 2. Obtain the correct county form from Development and Permitting or the OSSF Office. 3. Submit the application and required supporting documents to the responsible county office. 4. For floodplain permits, provide plans and specifications and any required federal, state, or local permit forms. 5. For OSSF work, submit the septic application and obtain inspection. All construction, alteration, extension, or repair to an OSSF must be permitted and inspected regardless of tract size unless the system was grandfathered before September 1, 1989. 6. For subdivision or site-development matters, follow county subdivision regulations and fee schedule. 7. Complete county inspections and obtain final approval before relying on county authorization.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Coryell County, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 254-213-6601.
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