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

The minimum permit fee is OSSF permit: $375.00; subdivision public notice: $100 plus actual cost. Fees are calculated as: Subdivision fees are generally flat-plus-per-lot. Examples: 50 lots or fewer = $3,000 + $150/lot; 51-100 lots = $3,000 + $200/lot; 101-200 lots = $3,000 + $250/lot; 200+ lots = $3,000 + $300/lot. OSSF flat fee: $375.00.. Plan check fee: No separately stated plan-check fee found.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Subdivisions exempt under Texas Local Government Code Section 232.0015; Utility certificates do not apply if each lot is 10 acres or more (per border-county statute limits reproduced on the certificate form). Note: The subdivision rules apply to acts of division not excepted by statute. Some exemptions are tied to relationship transfers and older tracts. Contact county for specific exemption applicability.

County Building Permits

Edwards County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Edwards County only. Does not apply within incorporated Rocksprings town limits or its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

Department: Edwards County Commissioners Court / County Judge (Development and Subdivision Authority)
Address: Edwards County Courthouse, 100 West Main, Rocksprings, TX 78880
Phone: (830) 683-6122
Email: countyjudge@co.edwards.tx.us
Website: https://www.co.edwards.tx.us/

Online Permit Portal

Open Edwards County Official Website

Platform: PDF forms and direct submittal • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the parcel is outside Rocksprings town limits. Verify jurisdiction at parcel level if near city boundary or ETJ.
Determine whether the project triggers one of the county's verified approval programs: subdivision platting, utility certificates of compliance, or OSSF permits. General building permits are not clearly documented by the county.
For subdivision platting: Complete the county Application for Subdivision Approval form and submit to the County Judge.
For preliminary plats: Submit application with seven blackline prints, required supporting restrictions, and utility statement at least 30 days before the applicable Commissioners Court meeting.
For utility service on subdivided land: Submit the county Utility Certificate of Compliance form.
For on-site sewage facilities: Submit the county OSSF permit application and check to the county's designated OSSF representative.
Obtain written county direction before construction if the project may affect subdivision, septic, drainage, floodplain, access, or utility-compliance issues.

Typical processing time: Subdivision materials must be submitted at least 30 days before the applicable Commissioners Court meeting. No general processing-time estimate found for other county approvals.

Source: Edwards County Commissioners Court / County Judge (Development and Subdivision Authority)

General Requirements

No public source establishes a general countywide building-permit requirement for all unincorporated construction. Verified county controls are narrower: subdivision and development regulations, utility certificates of compliance for certain subdivided land, and OSSF permits. Edwards County is not currently participating in the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program).

Required Documents

For subdivision: Application form, subdivision rules compliance information, supporting plans and documents as specified
For OSSF permits: Permit application, soil/site evaluation data, design drawings, related technical materials per TDSHS Chapter 285 requirements

Permit validity: Preliminary plan approval expires if a complete plat application is not submitted to Commissioners Court within 12 months. No general permit-validity rule found because no general building-permit program is documented.
Building code: No general building code adoption found for all unincorporated construction. County regulations rely on Local Government Code, Water Code, Transportation Code, Health and Safety Code, and development standards. OSSF work follows 30 TAC Chapter 285.
Owner-builder: No public county owner-builder rule found.
Contractor requirements: No public countywide contractor licensing requirement found.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: OSSF permit: $375.00; subdivision public notice: $100 plus actual cost
Plan check fee: No separately stated plan-check fee found
Permit fee formula: Subdivision fees are generally flat-plus-per-lot. Examples: 50 lots or fewer = $3,000 + $150/lot; 51-100 lots = $3,000 + $200/lot; 101-200 lots = $3,000 + $250/lot; 200+ lots = $3,000 + $300/lot. OSSF flat fee: $375.00.
Payment note: Subdivision fees are due at time of original plat submittal; if submitting a preliminary plat, the plat fee is due at preliminary plat submittal. OSSF: make check payable to Edwards County and send with application to designated representative address on form.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Subdivisions exempt under Texas Local Government Code Section 232.0015
Utility certificates do not apply if each lot is 10 acres or more (per border-county statute limits reproduced on the certificate form)

Important: The subdivision rules apply to acts of division not excepted by statute. Some exemptions are tied to relationship transfers and older tracts. Contact county for specific exemption applicability.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours: County Judge office: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: No public general building inspection sequence documented. County processes focus on plat review, utility certification, and OSSF site evaluation and design review rather than a posted building inspection ladder.

Additional Resources

Building code: No general building code adoption found for all unincorporated construction. County regulations rely on Local Government Code, Water Code, Transportation Code, Health and Safety Code, and development standards. OSSF work follows 30 TAC Chapter 285.
County Contact Information
Subdivision Rules and Regulations PDF
Edwards County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (Draft)
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 Edwards County Commissioners Court / County Judge (Development and Subdivision Authority) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Edwards County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Edwards County, TX?: No public source establishes a general countywide building-permit requirement for all unincorporated construction. Verified county controls are narrower: subdivision and development regulations, utility certificates of compliance for certain subdivided land, and OSSF permits. Edwards County is not currently participating in the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program).
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Edwards County, TX?: The minimum permit fee is OSSF permit: $375.00; subdivision public notice: $100 plus actual cost. Fees are calculated as: Subdivision fees are generally flat-plus-per-lot. Examples: 50 lots or fewer = $3,000 + $150/lot; 51-100 lots = $3,000 + $200/lot; 101-200 lots = $3,000 + $250/lot; 200+ lots = $3,000 + $300/lot. OSSF flat fee: $375.00.. Plan check fee: No separately stated plan-check fee found.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Edwards County, TX?: 1. Confirm the parcel is outside Rocksprings town limits. Verify jurisdiction at parcel level if near city boundary or ETJ. 2. Determine whether the project triggers one of the county's verified approval programs: subdivision platting, utility certificates of compliance, or OSSF permits. General building permits are not clearly documented by the county. 3. For subdivision platting: Complete the county Application for Subdivision Approval form and submit to the County Judge. 4. For preliminary plats: Submit application with seven blackline prints, required supporting restrictions, and utility statement at least 30 days before the applicable Commissioners Court meeting. 5. For utility service on subdivided land: Submit the county Utility Certificate of Compliance form. 6. For on-site sewage facilities: Submit the county OSSF permit application and check to the county's designated OSSF representative. 7. Obtain written county direction before construction if the project may affect subdivision, septic, drainage, floodplain, access, or utility-compliance issues.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Edwards County, TX?: Typical processing time is Subdivision materials must be submitted at least 30 days before the applicable Commissioners Court meeting. No general processing-time estimate found for other county approvals..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Edwards County, TX?: The following work is generally exempt: Subdivisions exempt under Texas Local Government Code Section 232.0015; Utility certificates do not apply if each lot is 10 acres or more (per border-county statute limits reproduced on the certificate form). Note: The subdivision rules apply to acts of division not excepted by statute. Some exemptions are tied to relationship transfers and older tracts. Contact county for specific exemption applicability.

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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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