Foard County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Foard County.

Department

Foard County Judge (floodplain); TCEQ Region 3 OSSF Program (septic permitting)

Address

Foard County Courthouse, 101 S Main St, Crowell, TX 79227; TCEQ Region 3 OSSF Program, 1977 Industrial Blvd, Abilene, TX 79602-7833

Phone

(940) 684-1424 (Foard County Judge); (325) 698-9674 (TCEQ Region 3 OSSF)

Email

nathan.helms@tceq.texas.gov (TCEQ Region 3 OSSF)

Website

https://www.foardcounty.texas.gov/

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Foard County and not inside Crowell city limits.
2. For septic work, use TCEQ OARS to confirm the permitting authority. For Foard County, OARS returns Region 03 - Abilene, meaning the TCEQ regional office is the verified OSSF permitting contact.
3. Arrange a site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer and gather planning materials for the proposed system.
4. Complete TCEQ-0235, attach the legal description support, soil/site evaluation, and any required planning materials, and submit the package and fee to TCEQ Region 3.
5. TCEQ must approve or deny the planning materials and permit application within 30 days of receipt.
6. After authorization to construct, the installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the system is ready for inspection.
7. After the system passes inspection, the permitting authority issues written notice of approval. If the parcel is in a flood hazard area, contact the county floodplain authority before work.

Typical processing time: OSSF permit applications must be approved or denied within 30 days of receipt

Source: Foard County Judge (floodplain); TCEQ Region 3 OSSF Program (septic permitting)

General Requirements

No public evidence was found of a countywide general building permit program in unincorporated Foard County. For OSSF work, TCEQ states a permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF. Floodplain approvals should be confirmed with the county floodplain contact for work in flood hazard areas.

Required Documents

• Owner information
• 911 site address
• Legal description support
• Water source documentation
• Site evaluator and installer information
• Soil/site evaluation
• Planning materials as applicable

Permit validity

If the system is not ready for inspection within one year after authorization to construct is issued, the authorization expires and a new application and application fee are required before installation.

Building code

No public evidence found that Foard County has adopted a general countywide building code or general building permit program for all unincorporated construction

Owner-builder

A homeowner may install an OSSF if it is for a single-family dwelling the homeowner owns on property the homeowner owns, the property is not being developed for sale or lease, and all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements are met.

Contractor requirements

Work on an OSSF must be performed by a licensed installer or directly by the homeowner when it is the homeowner's single-family residence. If anyone else assists for pay, that person must be licensed by the state unless a stated exception applies.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$200 plus $10 state fee for single-family dwelling OSSF

Permit fee formula

Flat state OSSF fee of $200 for a single-family dwelling OSSF or $400 for other OSSFs, plus an additional $10 state fee per permit

Reinspection fee

One-half of the permit fee in effect when the original application was submitted; the reinspection fee must be paid before reinspection

Payment note

The fee is payable when the owner or owner's agent applies to the executive director and must be submitted to the appropriate regional office by check or money order payable to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• OSSF systems qualifying for the 10 acre rule (subject to state conditions)
• Certain emergency OSSF repairs (must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin)

Important: No public Foard County exempt-work list for a general building permit program was found because no public countywide general building permit program was located.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Notify TCEQ Region 3 at least five working days before system is ready for inspection (in-person)

Scheduling deadline

Installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the date the system will be ready for inspection

Inspection hours

TCEQ Region 3 office hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm

Typical inspection sequence: Site evaluation and planning materials, permit application review, authorization to construct, construction inspection, correction/reinspection if needed, then written notice of approval after passing inspection

Additional Resources

• Building code: No public evidence found that Foard County has adopted a general countywide building code or general building permit program for all unincorporated construction
• Verify contractor license: TCEQ OSSF License Lookup
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Foard County Website
• Foard County Judge
• TCEQ OARS County Search
• TCEQ Region 3 Contacts
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Foard County Building Permit FAQ

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

No public evidence was found of a countywide general building permit program in unincorporated Foard County. For OSSF work, TCEQ states a permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF. Floodplain approvals should be confirmed with the county floodplain contact for work in flood hazard areas.

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

The minimum permit fee is $200 plus $10 state fee for single-family dwelling OSSF. Fees are calculated as: Flat state OSSF fee of $200 for a single-family dwelling OSSF or $400 for other OSSFs, plus an additional $10 state fee per permit.

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Foard County and not inside Crowell city limits. 2. For septic work, use TCEQ OARS to confirm the permitting authority. For Foard County, OARS returns Region 03 - Abilene, meaning the TCEQ regional office is the verified OSSF permitting contact. 3. Arrange a site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer and gather planning materials for the proposed system. 4. Complete TCEQ-0235, attach the legal description support, soil/site evaluation, and any required planning materials, and submit the package and fee to TCEQ Region 3. 5. TCEQ must approve or deny the planning materials and permit application within 30 days of receipt. 6. After authorization to construct, the installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the system is ready for inspection. 7. After the system passes inspection, the permitting authority issues written notice of approval. If the parcel is in a flood hazard area, contact the county floodplain authority before work.

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

Typical processing time is OSSF permit applications must be approved or denied within 30 days of receipt.

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

The following work is generally exempt: OSSF systems qualifying for the 10 acre rule (subject to state conditions); Certain emergency OSSF repairs (must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin). Note: No public Foard County exempt-work list for a general building permit program was found because no public countywide general building permit program was located.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Notify TCEQ Region 3 at least five working days before system is ready for inspection. Installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the date the system will be ready for inspection.