Dickens County, TX — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 5

§ 01

Permit authority

Dickens County (no countywide general building department identified)

Street address

Dickens County Courthouse, 201 US-82, Dickens, TX 79229

Phone

806-623-5532

dcjudge@co.dickens.tx.us

Coverage

Unincorporated Dickens County outside the incorporated cities of Dickens and Spur. Limited public documentation of general building permit requirements; OSSF/septic work governed by TCEQ Region 2 - Lubbock.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Dickens County

No public county general building permit requirement was found for ordinary construction in unincorporated Dickens County. For OSSF or septic systems, TCEQ states a permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF unless an exemption applies.

Scope of work

Permit?

The 10 acre rule may exempt an OSSF from permitting if all TCEQ conditions are satisfied

Exempt

Emergency repairs do not require a permit if they are reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin

Exempt

Some existing or grandfathered OSSFs may not need a permit if TCEQ's stated conditions are met

Exempt

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

Note: No public exempt-work list was found for a county general building permit program because no countywide general building permit program was identified. The above items apply to OSSF-specific state exemptions verified by TCEQ.

Required documents

For OSSF work: permit application, planning materials tied to the selected system type, and a site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer

Building code: No public countywide building code adoption for all ordinary construction in unincorporated Dickens County was found in the sources reviewed.
Permit validity: No county general building permit validity rule was found. I did not locate a Dickens County-specific OSSF expiration rule in the public sources reviewed.
Owner-builder: TCEQ states an owner may install an OSSF if the permitting authority allows it and the system is for a 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 county general contractor licensing program was found. OSSF installers and related personnel are regulated under TCEQ licensing rules.

Source: Dickens County (no countywide general building department identified) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: TCEQ states the permitting authority must approve or deny OSSF planning materials and permit applications within 30 days of receipt.

01

Verify the parcel is in unincorporated Dickens County and outside Dickens and Spur city limits.
02

Determine whether the project implicates one of the narrower verified permit controls. In the public record reviewed, OSSF or septic work is the only clearly documented construction permitting program for unincorporated Dickens County.
03

Use TCEQ OARS to confirm the permitting authority. The current result for Dickens County points to Region 02 - Lubbock.
04

For OSSF work, prepare the permit application and planning materials required for the selected system type, including a site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer.
05

Submit the application and planning materials to TCEQ Region 2.
06

Wait for approval or denial. TCEQ states the permitting authority must act within 30 days of receipt.
07

Complete any required inspections and approvals under the OSSF permit before use.

Typical processing time: TCEQ states the permitting authority must approve or deny OSSF planning materials and permit applications within 30 days of receipt.

Source: Dickens County (no countywide general building department identified) ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

TCEQ Region 2: 806-796-7092 (phone)
TCEQ OSSF general contact: ossf@tceq.texas.gov (email)

Inspection hours: Dickens County courthouse: Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM, Friday 8 AM to 3 PM

Typical sequence: No public county vertical-construction inspection sequence was found. For OSSF work, inspections follow the approved plan and the permitting authority's process, but the public Region 2 directory page does not publish a step-by-step OSSF inspection sequence.

Source: Dickens County (no countywide general building department identified) ↗

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Dickens County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Dickens County, TX? ▸

02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Dickens County, TX? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Dickens County, TX, follow these steps: 1. Verify the parcel is in unincorporated Dickens County and outside Dickens and Spur city limits. 2. Determine whether the project implicates one of the narrower verified permit controls. In the public record reviewed, OSSF or septic work is the only clearly documented construction permitting program for unincorporated Dickens County. 3. Use TCEQ OARS to confirm the permitting authority. The current result for Dickens County points to Region 02 - Lubbock. 4. For OSSF work, prepare the permit application and planning materials required for the selected system type, including a site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer. 5. Submit the application and planning materials to TCEQ Region 2. 6. Wait for approval or denial. TCEQ states the permitting authority must act within 30 days of receipt. 7. Complete any required inspections and approvals under the OSSF permit before use.

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Dickens County, TX typically run TCEQ states the permitting authority must approve or deny OSSF planning materials and permit applications within 30 days of receipt.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Dickens County, TX? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Dickens 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 they are 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 was found for a county general building permit program because no countywide general building permit program was identified. The above items apply to OSSF-specific state exemptions verified by TCEQ. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Dickens County, TX? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Dickens County, TX via: TCEQ Region 2: 806-796-7092, TCEQ OSSF general contact: ossf@tceq.texas.gov.

last verified April 2026 source Dickens County (no countywide general building department identified) ↗ entry id permits/texas/dickens/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Dickens County (no countywide general building department identified) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.