Freestone County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Freestone County. County controls include OSSF (on-site septic system) permitting and inspection, floodplain administration, subdivision regulation, and other county regulatory functions. No countywide general building-permit program for ordinary vertical construction was clearly documented.

Department

Freestone County Environmental Health Office

Address

Freestone County Environmental Health Office, 440 E. Main, Box 4, Fairfield, TX 75840

Phone

903-389-1227; floodplain contact 903-389-3335

Website

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

Application Process

1. Determine whether the tract is in unincorporated Freestone County rather than inside a city limit.
2. For an OSSF (on-site septic system) permit, complete the county application and gather a 911 address, property description, original site evaluation and soil analysis, and an original septic design by the state-qualified professional identified in the county packet.
3. Submit the OSSF materials and fee to the Freestone County Treasurer's Office, Room 102, in the courthouse.
4. The county reviews the application and, if approved, issues an Authorization to Construct permit.
5. After installation, the installer contacts the county inspector for the final inspection. If the system passes, the county issues a Notice of Approval.
6. For floodplain work, contact the county flood administrator before development.

Typical processing time: Up to 5 working days from the date of application to approve or deny the permit

Source: Freestone County Environmental Health Office

General Requirements

No public source reviewed established a countywide general building permit requirement for all unincorporated construction. Verified county permit control is clear for OSSF work. Floodplain development control is also verified. The county website also publishes subdivision regulations.

Required Documents

• OSSF application form
• 911 site address
• Property description
• Original site evaluation and soil analysis
• Original septic system design (by state-qualified professional)
• For systems requiring secondary treatment: filed affidavit and maintenance contract

Permit validity

OSSF Authorization to Construct is valid for 1 year from the date of authorization

Building code

No public source reviewed showed countywide adoption of a general building code for all unincorporated construction

Contractor requirements

OSSF packet requires use of the state-qualified design and evaluation roles identified in the packet

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$210.00 (OSSF single family residential)

Plan check fee

OSSF design review appears included in the listed application fee; no separate plan-check line item

Permit fee formula

Flat fees: $210.00 single family residential; $410.00 commercial and other types

Reinspection fee

OSSF reinspection is one-half of the original application fee

Penalty (no permit)

Returned-check fee is $25.00

Payment note

Credit cards are not accepted; payment must be by cash, check, or money order; fee is non-refundable once system review is complete

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Freestone County Environmental Health Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Contact county inspector (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF: Application review, Authorization to Construct, installation, final inspection, then Notice of Approval if compliant

Additional Resources

• Building code: No public source reviewed showed countywide adoption of a general building code for all unincorporated construction
• County Home
• Subdivision Regulations
• FEMA/TWDB Community Contact Report
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Freestone County Building Permit FAQ

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

No public source reviewed established a countywide general building permit requirement for all unincorporated construction. Verified county permit control is clear for OSSF work. Floodplain development control is also verified. The county website also publishes subdivision regulations.

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

The minimum permit fee is $210.00 (OSSF single family residential). Fees are calculated as: Flat fees: $210.00 single family residential; $410.00 commercial and other types. Plan check fee: OSSF design review appears included in the listed application fee; no separate plan-check line item.

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

1. Determine whether the tract is in unincorporated Freestone County rather than inside a city limit. 2. For an OSSF (on-site septic system) permit, complete the county application and gather a 911 address, property description, original site evaluation and soil analysis, and an original septic design by the state-qualified professional identified in the county packet. 3. Submit the OSSF materials and fee to the Freestone County Treasurer's Office, Room 102, in the courthouse. 4. The county reviews the application and, if approved, issues an Authorization to Construct permit. 5. After installation, the installer contacts the county inspector for the final inspection. If the system passes, the county issues a Notice of Approval. 6. For floodplain work, contact the county flood administrator before development.

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

Typical processing time is Up to 5 working days from the date of application to approve or deny the permit.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact county inspector.