Frio County, TX — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Frio County Road and Bridge Department; Frio County Office of Emergency Management

Street 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

Coverage

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.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Frio County

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.

Note: No public exempt-work list found for unincorporated Frio County. County permit controls are narrower than a full building code (floodplain, OSSF, utility, subdivision-specific). Confirm specific work requirements directly with county Road and Bridge or Emergency Management.

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.

Building code: No countywide adopted general building code verified from public sources for unincorporated construction. County permits are narrower and permit-specific.
Permit validity: Floodplain development permit valid for 1 year from date issued. Must be renewed if work is not completed by expiration.
Owner-builder: Not clearly stated in county sources reviewed.
Contractor requirements: All OSSF installers must be licensed by the state to install septic systems.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not clearly published for most county permit categories. Floodplain permit is valid for 1 year once issued.

01

Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Frio County and not inside Dilley or Pearsall city limits.
02

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).
03

For OSSF or septic work: assemble engineered design, flood study, legal-description backup, site drawings, site evaluation, and licensed installer information.
04

For floodplain-regulated work: complete the floodplain development permit application with plans and supporting floodplain documents.
05

For utility work in county right-of-way: submit the applicable residential or commercial utility permit application.
06

For subdivision activity: submit the plat or subdivision package under county subdivision regulations.
07

Submit application materials to the appropriate county department (Road and Bridge or Emergency Management).
08

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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Frio County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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 must be made to Frio County by money order or cashier's check.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 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.

Source: Frio County Road and Bridge Department; Frio County Office of Emergency Management ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Frio County permits

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

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Frio County, TX? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Frio County, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Frio County, TX? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Frio County, TX, follow these steps: 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.

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Frio County, TX typically run Not clearly published for most county permit categories. Floodplain permit is valid for 1 year once issued.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Frio County, TX via: Frio County Road and Bridge Office, Frio County Emergency Management Office.

last verified April 2026 source Frio County Road and Bridge Department; Frio County Office of Emergency Management ↗ entry id permits/texas/frio/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Frio County Road and Bridge Department; Frio County Office of Emergency Management before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.