County Building Permits
Crane County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Crane County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Texas Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Crane County only. County does not maintain a countywide general building-permit program for ordinary vertical construction. Verified controls are subdivision platting, road-crossing permissions, and state/local OSSF permitting.
- Department
- Crane County Commissioners Court / County Judge
- Address
- Crane County Courthouse, 201 W 6th St, Crane, TX 79731
- Phone
- (432) 558-1101
- coclerk@co.crane.tx.us
- Website
- https://www.co.crane.tx.us/
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Crane County and not inside City of Crane limits.
- Determine which verified county or state approval path applies: subdivision regulation, road-crossing permit, or OSSF/septic permitting through TCEQ.
- If the project involves a subdivision, prepare a preliminary plat and submit four blueline copies to Crane County Commissioners Court at least 30 days before the meeting where approval is requested.
- After preliminary plat approval, submit the final plat on mylar plus four blueline copies and the required final-plat checklist items.
- If the project is a manufactured home rental community, prepare the required Infrastructure Development Plan under Section D of the county subdivision regulations.
- If the project crosses county road right-of-way, use the county's Road Crossing Permit Application and notify the County Road and Bridge Supervisor at least 24 hours before work begins.
- If the project involves an OSSF / septic system, confirm the permitting authority through TCEQ and submit the application and planning materials there.
- Record the approved final plat with the Crane County Clerk within six months of approval.
Typical processing time: Preliminary plat: deemed approved if Commissioners Court does not approve, disapprove, or request clarification within 30 days. Final plat: final action due within 60 days after a complete application is received. OSSF permits: within 30 days of receipt by permitting authority.
General Requirements
County subdivision regulations apply when land is subdivided outside listed statutory exemptions. An Infrastructure Development Plan is required for manufactured home rental communities developed after September 1, 2000. Road-Crossing Permit required for boring under a road, cutting a ditch across, or laying a pipeline within county right-of-way. TCEQ permit and approved plan required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
Required Documents
- For subdivision preliminary plats: subdivision name, ownership/contact data, boundary lines, lot/block/street layout, drainage/topography and FEMA floodplain data, land-use information, and survey/drawing information
- For final plats: mylar and four blueline copies plus county final-plat checklist materials, including surveyor certification and utility / water / sewer certifications where applicable
- For road crossings: applicant information, crossing type, location, attached sketch or plat, and applicant signature/date
- For OSSF work: the permit application and planning materials required by the permitting authority, plus site evaluation materials required under TCEQ rules
- Permit validity
- Preliminary plat approval remains valid for 12 months from approval. An approved final plat must be recorded within 6 months, with one possible 6-month extension by Commissioners Court. County road-crossing permit expires 90 days from effective date.
- Building code
- No countywide building code adoption identified. County subdivision regulations impose development, drainage, flood-hazard, utility-certification, and street-construction standards for subdivided land in unincorporated areas.
- Owner-builder
- A property owner may install their own OSSF only if the permitting authority allows it and the system is for a single-family dwelling the owner owns, on property the owner owns, no part of the property will be developed for sale or lease, and all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements are met.
- Contractor requirements
- TCEQ separately regulates OSSF installers and related personnel under state licensing rules.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- The subdivision regulations state that a fee may be charged to cover engineering, inspection, or administration cost to Crane County, but no public amount or formula was posted for subdivision review, road crossings, or OSSF work.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Certain divisions into four or fewer parts transferred to relatives within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity
- Tracts where all lots are more than 10 acres
- Sales through the Veterans' Land Board program
- Certain state-owned or political-subdivision-owned land situations
- Certain owner-retained / co-owner transfer situations listed in the regulations
- OSSF: the 10 acre rule when all TCEQ conditions are satisfied
- OSSF: listed emergency repairs if reported in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin
- OSSF: certain grandfathered systems if they meet TCEQ's stated conditions
Important: These exemptions apply specifically to subdivision regulation and OSSF-specific state exemptions. Confirm applicability directly with county and applicable permitting authorities.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- County Road and Bridge Supervisor: (432) 220-1962 (phone)
- Crane County Commissioners Court (in-person)
- Scheduling deadline
- County road-crossing permit: County Road and Bridge Supervisor must be notified at least 24 hours before work begins.
- Inspection hours
- County office hours not clearly posted; contact county for schedule.
Typical inspection sequence: For subdivisions: County Engineer review and certification that required improvements are completed in accordance with county specifications before acceptance. Periodic inspection during maintenance-bond period for accepted streets and drainage facilities. For road crossings: written county approval required before work begins. For OSSF work: inspections follow the permitting authority's approved system plan.
Additional Resources
- Building code: No countywide building code adoption identified. County subdivision regulations impose development, drainage, flood-hazard, utility-certification, and street-construction standards for subdivided land in unincorporated areas.
- County Home Page
- County Judge
- County Clerk
- County Contact
- Subdivision Regulations
- Road Crossing Permit Application
- TCEQ OSSF Permits
- TCEQ Permitting Authority Lookup
- TCEQ Region-by-County Directory
- TCEQ Regional Offices
- 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 Crane County Commissioners Court / County Judge before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crane County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Crane County, TX?
- County subdivision regulations apply when land is subdivided outside listed statutory exemptions. An Infrastructure Development Plan is required for manufactured home rental communities developed after September 1, 2000. Road-Crossing Permit required for boring under a road, cutting a ditch across, or laying a pipeline within county right-of-way. TCEQ permit and approved plan required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Crane County, TX?
- Fees are calculated as: The subdivision regulations state that a fee may be charged to cover engineering, inspection, or administration cost to Crane County, but no public amount or formula was posted for subdivision review, road crossings, or OSSF work..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Crane County, TX?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Crane County and not inside City of Crane limits. 2. Determine which verified county or state approval path applies: subdivision regulation, road-crossing permit, or OSSF/septic permitting through TCEQ. 3. If the project involves a subdivision, prepare a preliminary plat and submit four blueline copies to Crane County Commissioners Court at least 30 days before the meeting where approval is requested. 4. After preliminary plat approval, submit the final plat on mylar plus four blueline copies and the required final-plat checklist items. 5. If the project is a manufactured home rental community, prepare the required Infrastructure Development Plan under Section D of the county subdivision regulations. 6. If the project crosses county road right-of-way, use the county's Road Crossing Permit Application and notify the County Road and Bridge Supervisor at least 24 hours before work begins. 7. If the project involves an OSSF / septic system, confirm the permitting authority through TCEQ and submit the application and planning materials there. 8. Record the approved final plat with the Crane County Clerk within six months of approval.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Crane County, TX?
- Typical processing time is Preliminary plat: deemed approved if Commissioners Court does not approve, disapprove, or request clarification within 30 days. Final plat: final action due within 60 days after a complete application is received. OSSF permits: within 30 days of receipt by permitting authority..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Crane County, TX?
- The following work is generally exempt: Certain divisions into four or fewer parts transferred to relatives within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity; Tracts where all lots are more than 10 acres; Sales through the Veterans' Land Board program; Certain state-owned or political-subdivision-owned land situations; Certain owner-retained / co-owner transfer situations listed in the regulations; OSSF: the 10 acre rule when all TCEQ conditions are satisfied; OSSF: listed emergency repairs if reported in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin; OSSF: certain grandfathered systems if they meet TCEQ's stated conditions. Note: These exemptions apply specifically to subdivision regulation and OSSF-specific state exemptions. Confirm applicability directly with county and applicable permitting authorities.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Crane County, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: County Road and Bridge Supervisor: (432) 220-1962, Crane County Commissioners Court. County road-crossing permit: County Road and Bridge Supervisor must be notified at least 24 hours before work begins..
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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.