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

The following work is generally exempt: Single-family residence OSSF installations when performed by the property owner (subject to licensed site and soil evaluation before installation). Note: No public exempt-work list was found for a Dawson County general building-permit program because no public countywide general building-permit program was identified. OSSF-specific owner-installation allowance verified by SPPHD.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (806) 801-3749, (432) 209-3361, or (432) 955-1021.

County Building Permits

Dawson County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Dawson County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Dawson County (areas outside Lamesa, Los Ybanez, Ackerly, and O'Donnell city limits). Verified permit authority identified is OSSF/septic permitting through Dawson County Authorized Agent. No countywide general building-permit program for ordinary vertical construction was found.

Department: Dawson County Authorized Agent / South Plains Public Health District (OSSF permitting)
Address: Dawson County Courthouse, 400 S 1st Street, Lamesa, TX 79331; OSSF permit office: 501 S 1st St, Lamesa, TX 79331
Phone: (806) 329-3313 (general county contact); (806) 559-8895 (Dawson County Authorized Agent / SPPHD)
Email: vbara@spphd.org
Website: https://www.co.dawson.tx.us/

Application Process

Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Dawson County and not inside Lamesa, Los Ybanez, Ackerly, or O'Donnell city limits.
Determine whether the project triggers one of the county's verified permit controls (primarily OSSF/septic permitting).
For on-site sewage facilities, use the Dawson County Authorized Agent process through South Plains Public Health District. TCEQ's OARS lookup identifies Dawson County Authorized Agent for the entire county.
Complete the OSSF application with owner information, legal description, installer information, site and soil evaluator information, water-usage data, site evaluation and soil analysis, and a scale map of the proposed system.
Submit the completed application to South Plains Public Health District. Construction may not begin until the applicant receives authorization to construct.
Schedule inspection with SPPHD / designated representative by calling (806) 801-3749, (432) 209-3361, or (432) 955-1021.
If the owner is self-installing a qualifying single-family system, follow the owner-installation limits and still submit the completed application with site and soil survey before construction.

Typical processing time: TCEQ states the permitting authority must approve or deny an OSSF application within 30 days of receipt.

Source: Dawson County Authorized Agent / South Plains Public Health District (OSSF permitting)

General Requirements

No public Dawson County source was found establishing a countywide general building permit requirement for ordinary construction in unincorporated areas. For OSSF/septic systems, TCEQ states a permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, or operate an OSSF.

Required Documents

OSSF application and authorization to construct form
Installer name and license number (or qualifying owner-installer information)
Site and soil evaluator information and soil analysis
Scale map showing proposed septic system, trenches, wells, property lines, improvements, easements, water features, bore holes, slope, and sizing formula

Permit validity: No Dawson County-specific public expiration rule for OSSF permits was located. No countywide general building permit validity rule found because no public countywide building permit program was identified.
Building code: No public countywide building code adoption or county building-code enforcement page was found. The verified public county permit authority identified is the OSSF program.
Owner-builder: The SPPHD OSSF application states the property owner may install a septic system on the owner's property only if: (1) the owner is the property owner, (2) the project is a single-family residence, and (3) the required site and soil evaluation is performed by a licensed individual before installation. Commercial installations must be performed by a licensed installer.
Contractor requirements: No Dawson County contractor registration program for general building work was found. OSSF installers and evaluators must hold the applicable TCEQ licenses.

Fees

Penalty (no permit): Failure to properly file paperwork before beginning construction may result in penalties, court costs, and fines (amounts not publicly specified)
Payment note: SPPHD form accepts check, cash, and debit card payment in office. No public fee schedule was located.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Single-family residence OSSF installations when performed by the property owner (subject to licensed site and soil evaluation before installation)

Important: No public exempt-work list was found for a Dawson County general building-permit program because no public countywide general building-permit program was identified. OSSF-specific owner-installation allowance verified by SPPHD.

Inspections

How to Schedule

(806) 801-3749, (432) 209-3361, or (432) 955-1021 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: OSSF sequence: (1) Submit completed application and site/soil evaluation, (2) Receive authorization to construct, (3) Construct according to approved site materials and map, (4) Request inspection before covering the system, (5) Obtain final approval from designated representative.

Additional Resources

Building code: No public countywide building code adoption or county building-code enforcement page was found. The verified public county permit authority identified is the OSSF program.
Verify contractor license: TDLR License Lookup
Owner-builder rules: View rules
Dawson County Home Page
Dawson County Contact Page
TCEQ OSSF Homeowner Information
TCEQ OARS County Lookup
South Plains Public Health District Documents
South Plains Public Health District Locations
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 Dawson County Authorized Agent / South Plains Public Health District (OSSF permitting) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dawson County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Dawson County, TX?: No public Dawson County source was found establishing a countywide general building permit requirement for ordinary construction in unincorporated areas. For OSSF/septic systems, TCEQ states a permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, or operate an OSSF.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Dawson County, TX?: 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Dawson County and not inside Lamesa, Los Ybanez, Ackerly, or O'Donnell city limits. 2. Determine whether the project triggers one of the county's verified permit controls (primarily OSSF/septic permitting). 3. For on-site sewage facilities, use the Dawson County Authorized Agent process through South Plains Public Health District. TCEQ's OARS lookup identifies Dawson County Authorized Agent for the entire county. 4. Complete the OSSF application with owner information, legal description, installer information, site and soil evaluator information, water-usage data, site evaluation and soil analysis, and a scale map of the proposed system. 5. Submit the completed application to South Plains Public Health District. Construction may not begin until the applicant receives authorization to construct. 6. Schedule inspection with SPPHD / designated representative by calling (806) 801-3749, (432) 209-3361, or (432) 955-1021. 7. If the owner is self-installing a qualifying single-family system, follow the owner-installation limits and still submit the completed application with site and soil survey before construction.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Dawson County, TX?: Typical processing time is TCEQ states the permitting authority must approve or deny an OSSF application within 30 days of receipt..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Dawson County, TX?: The following work is generally exempt: Single-family residence OSSF installations when performed by the property owner (subject to licensed site and soil evaluation before installation). Note: No public exempt-work list was found for a Dawson County general building-permit program because no public countywide general building-permit program was identified. OSSF-specific owner-installation allowance verified by SPPHD.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Dawson County, TX?: Inspections can be scheduled via: (806) 801-3749, (432) 209-3361, or (432) 955-1021.

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Important: 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.

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