On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Crane County
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.
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
- Exempt Certain divisions into four or fewer parts transferred to relatives within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity
- Exempt Tracts where all lots are more than 10 acres
- Exempt Sales through the Veterans' Land Board program
- Exempt Certain state-owned or political-subdivision-owned land situations
- Exempt Certain owner-retained / co-owner transfer situations listed in the regulations
- Exempt OSSF: the 10 acre rule when all TCEQ conditions are satisfied
- Exempt OSSF: listed emergency repairs if reported in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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.
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Crane County and not inside City of Crane limits.
- 02 Determine which verified county or state approval path applies: subdivision regulation, road-crossing permit, or OSSF/septic permitting through TCEQ.
- 03 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.
- 04 After preliminary plat approval, submit the final plat on mylar plus four blueline copies and the required final-plat checklist items.
- 05 If the project is a manufactured home rental community, prepare the required Infrastructure Development Plan under Section D of the county subdivision regulations.
- 06 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.
- 07 If the project involves an OSSF / septic system, confirm the permitting authority through TCEQ and submit the application and planning materials there.
- 08 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Crane County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Crane County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Crane County, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Crane County, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Crane County, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Crane County, TX, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Crane County, TX? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Crane County, TX typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Crane County, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Crane County, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Crane County, TX 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..
last verified April 2026
source Crane County Commissioners Court / County Judge ↗
entry id permits/texas/crane/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Crane County Commissioners Court / County Judge before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.