County Building Permits
Frio County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Frio County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Frio County only. Does not apply within city limits of Dilley or Pearsall. County controls cover floodplain development, OSSF/septic systems, underground utilities in county rights-of-way, subdivision review, and RV/manufactured-home regulations.
- Department
- Frio County Road and Bridge Department; Frio County Office of Emergency Management
- Address
- Road and Bridge Department, 2207 BI 35 E, Pearsall, TX 78061; Emergency Management, 101 N. Commerce St., Suite 111, Dilley, TX 78017
- Phone
- Road and Bridge 830-505-7402; Emergency Management 830-326-3281
- frioemc@friocounty.org
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Frio County and not inside Dilley or Pearsall city limits.
- Identify the county control that applies: floodplain permits (Emergency Management), OSSF/septic work (Road and Bridge), utility permits in county right-of-way (Road and Bridge), subdivision review (Road and Bridge), or RV/manufactured-home regulations (Road and Bridge).
- For OSSF or septic work: assemble engineered design, flood study, legal-description backup, site drawings, site evaluation, and licensed installer information.
- For floodplain-regulated work: complete the floodplain development permit application with plans and supporting floodplain documents.
- For utility work in county right-of-way: submit the applicable residential or commercial utility permit application.
- For subdivision activity: submit the plat or subdivision package under county subdivision regulations.
- Submit application materials to the appropriate county department (Road and Bridge or Emergency Management).
- Wait for county review and pay required fees. No work may start until permit is issued.
Typical processing time: Not clearly published for most county permit categories. Floodplain permit is valid for 1 year once issued.
Source: Frio County Road and Bridge Department; Frio County Office of Emergency Management
General Requirements
Permits required for floodplain development (all development within the Frio County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance area), OSSF/septic systems, underground utilities in county rights-of-way, subdivision activity, and RV/manufactured-home placement. No blanket county general building permit program verified for all unincorporated construction.
Required Documents
- Floodplain applications: project location information and plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing location, dimensions, elevations, structures, and landscape alterations.
- OSSF applications: engineered design, flood study, legal description backup, site plan showing proposed septic system and improvements, licensed installer information, and site evaluation materials.
- Utility permits: documentation per county forms.
- Subdivision applications: plat and supporting subdivision documents per county regulations.
- Permit validity
- Floodplain development permit valid for 1 year from date issued. Must be renewed if work is not completed by expiration.
- Building code
- No countywide adopted general building code verified from public sources for unincorporated construction. County permits are narrower and permit-specific.
- Owner-builder
- Not clearly stated in county sources reviewed.
- Contractor requirements
- All OSSF installers must be licensed by the state to install septic systems.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $150 (Residential underground utility); $200 (OSSF residential)
- Permit fee formula
- Flat fees: Residential underground utility $150; OSSF residential $200; OSSF commercial/aerobic $450.
- Penalty (no permit)
- Not more than $500 per violation per Frio County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
- Payment note
- Payment must be made to Frio County by money order or cashier's check.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Frio County Road and Bridge Department; Frio County Office of Emergency Management to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Frio County Road and Bridge Office (in-person)
- Frio County Emergency Management Office (in-person)
- Inspection hours
- Emergency Management: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Road and Bridge hours not clearly published.
Typical inspection sequence: For floodplain permits: application, floodplain determination, any additional submittals, permit determination, inspections for compliance, and certificate of compliance. For OSSF permits: county permit review after design and site materials are submitted.
Additional Resources
- Building code: No countywide adopted general building code verified from public sources for unincorporated construction. County permits are narrower and permit-specific.
- Frio Floodplain Ordinance
- Subdivision Regulations
- RV and Manufactured Home Regulations
- 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 Frio County Road and Bridge Department; Frio County Office of Emergency Management before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frio County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Frio County, TX?
- Permits required for floodplain development (all development within the Frio County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance area), OSSF/septic systems, underground utilities in county rights-of-way, subdivision activity, and RV/manufactured-home placement. No blanket county general building permit program verified for all unincorporated construction.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Frio County, TX?
- The minimum permit fee is $150 (Residential underground utility); $200 (OSSF residential). Fees are calculated as: Flat fees: Residential underground utility $150; OSSF residential $200; OSSF commercial/aerobic $450..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Frio County, TX?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Frio County and not inside Dilley or Pearsall city limits. 2. Identify the county control that applies: floodplain permits (Emergency Management), OSSF/septic work (Road and Bridge), utility permits in county right-of-way (Road and Bridge), subdivision review (Road and Bridge), or RV/manufactured-home regulations (Road and Bridge). 3. For OSSF or septic work: assemble engineered design, flood study, legal-description backup, site drawings, site evaluation, and licensed installer information. 4. For floodplain-regulated work: complete the floodplain development permit application with plans and supporting floodplain documents. 5. For utility work in county right-of-way: submit the applicable residential or commercial utility permit application. 6. For subdivision activity: submit the plat or subdivision package under county subdivision regulations. 7. Submit application materials to the appropriate county department (Road and Bridge or Emergency Management). 8. Wait for county review and pay required fees. No work may start until permit is issued.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Frio County, TX?
- Typical processing time is Not clearly published for most county permit categories. Floodplain permit is valid for 1 year once issued..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Frio County, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Frio County Road and Bridge Office, Frio County Emergency Management Office.
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