Culberson County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Culberson County outside Van Horn town limits. No countywide general building permit program found.

Department

No countywide general building department found; see specialized permit authorities (OSSF, floodplain, 911 addressing)

Address

Culberson County Courthouse, 300 La Caverna St, Van Horn, TX 79855

Phone

432-283-2058

Website

https://www.co.culberson.tx.us/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Culberson County outside Van Horn town limits.
2. Determine which narrow verified permit or approval program applies: OSSF/septic work, floodplain-regulated development, or 911-address assignment.
3. For OSSF work, use TCEQ's OARS county search. Current OARS result identifies Region 06 - El Paso as the authorized permitting agent.
4. Submit OSSF planning materials and permit application to the permitting authority.
5. For floodplain-regulated development, contact the county floodplain administrator listed in Texas Flood before any land disturbance.
6. For a new 911 address, use the Emergency Management page's 911-address application form and coordinate with Culberson County Emergency Management.
7. Await agency or county review and complete any required inspections or approvals before use.

Typical processing time: OSSF: 30 days for permitting authority approval or denial of planning materials and permit application; 911 addressing and floodplain review: no public estimate found

Source: No countywide general building department found; see specialized permit authorities (OSSF, floodplain, 911 addressing)

General Requirements

No public countywide general building permit requirement found for ordinary construction. OSSF/septic systems require TCEQ permit. Floodplain-regulated development must be verified with county. 911-address request process available through Emergency Management.

Required Documents

• No county general building permit checklist found
• For OSSF work: permit application, planning materials tied to system type, and site evaluation by licensed site evaluator or professional engineer
• For 911 addressing: English and Spanish 911-address application forms
• For floodplain work: verify required plans and supporting documents directly with county floodplain administrator

Permit validity

No countywide general building permit validity rule found. No Culberson County-specific public OSSF expiration rule located.

Building code

No public countywide building-code adoption found for ordinary construction in unincorporated Culberson County.

Owner-builder

Owner may install OSSF if permitting authority allows it and system is for single-family residence the owner owns on property the owner owns, with no intent to develop for sale or lease, and all permitting-authority requirements are met.

Contractor requirements

No Culberson County general contractor-license or contractor-registration program found. OSSF installers and related personnel regulated through TCEQ licensing rules.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Not publicly identified; verify with TCEQ Region 6 for OSSF fees

Plan check fee

Not publicly identified

Permit fee formula

Not publicly identified

Trade permit fee

Not publicly identified

Reinspection fee

Not publicly identified

Penalty (no permit)

Not publicly identified

Payment note

Verify any current OSSF fees directly with TCEQ Region 6 before filing.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• The 10-acre rule may exempt an OSSF from permitting if all TCEQ conditions are satisfied
• Emergency repairs do not require a permit if reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin
• Some existing or grandfathered OSSFs may not need a permit if TCEQ's stated conditions are met

Important: No public exempt-work list for countywide general building permit because no countywide general building permit program identified. OSSF-specific state exemptions verified by TCEQ are listed.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• TCEQ Region 6 - El Paso (for OSSF work) (in-person)
• TCEQ Region 6 OSSF: 915-834-4949 (phone)
• TCEQ Region 6 OSSF: arturo.leyva@tceq.texas.gov (email)
• County floodplain administrator (phone: 432-284-0156) (in-person)

Inspection hours

TCEQ Region 6 office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mountain Time

Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF work, inspections follow the approved plan and the permitting authority's process. Floodplain review procedures not published in packet form on county website.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No public countywide building-code adoption found for ordinary construction in unincorporated Culberson County.
• Culberson County Home Page
• Culberson County Emergency Management
• Culberson County Contact Page
• TCEQ OSSF Permits Page
• TCEQ OARS County Search
• TCEQ Region 6 OSSF Contacts
• Texas Flood - Floodplain Administrators Directory
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Culberson County Building Permit FAQ

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

No public countywide general building permit requirement found for ordinary construction. OSSF/septic systems require TCEQ permit. Floodplain-regulated development must be verified with county. 911-address request process available through Emergency Management.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Culberson County, TX?

The minimum permit fee is Not publicly identified; verify with TCEQ Region 6 for OSSF fees. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly identified. Plan check fee: Not publicly identified.

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Culberson County outside Van Horn town limits. 2. Determine which narrow verified permit or approval program applies: OSSF/septic work, floodplain-regulated development, or 911-address assignment. 3. For OSSF work, use TCEQ's OARS county search. Current OARS result identifies Region 06 - El Paso as the authorized permitting agent. 4. Submit OSSF planning materials and permit application to the permitting authority. 5. For floodplain-regulated development, contact the county floodplain administrator listed in Texas Flood before any land disturbance. 6. For a new 911 address, use the Emergency Management page's 911-address application form and coordinate with Culberson County Emergency Management. 7. Await agency or county review and complete any required inspections or approvals before use.

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

Typical processing time is OSSF: 30 days for permitting authority approval or denial of planning materials and permit application; 911 addressing and floodplain review: no public estimate found.

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

The following work is generally exempt: The 10-acre rule may exempt an OSSF from permitting if all TCEQ conditions are satisfied; Emergency repairs do not require a permit if reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin; Some existing or grandfathered OSSFs may not need a permit if TCEQ's stated conditions are met. Note: No public exempt-work list for countywide general building permit because no countywide general building permit program identified. OSSF-specific state exemptions verified by TCEQ are listed.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: TCEQ Region 6 - El Paso (for OSSF work), TCEQ Region 6 OSSF: 915-834-4949, TCEQ Region 6 OSSF: arturo.leyva@tceq.texas.gov, County floodplain administrator (phone: 432-284-0156).