Garza County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Garza County. County permit requirements apply primarily to subdivisions. A countywide city-style building permit program for all unincorporated property was not clearly documented. County controls are narrower: subdivision-based construction permitting, county road right-of-way permitting, and OSSF/septic administration as an authorized agent under TCEQ.

Department

Garza County Clerk / Garza County Building Inspection Department

Address

Garza County Courthouse, 300 West Main Street, Post, TX 79356

Phone

806-495-4425 main county line; 806-495-4430 for clerk office questions

Email

terri.laurence@co.garza.tx.us

Website

https://www.garzacounty.gov/page/clerk.permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the tract is in unincorporated Garza County and within a subdivision, because the county permit page states the county construction permit requirements apply only to subdivisions.
2. Obtain the residential or commercial permit packet from the County Clerk's office or download it from the county permit page.
3. Complete the application and assemble the required plans and supporting documents. The packets say to submit the completed application to the county clerk or directly to the inspector.
4. Wait for county review. The packets say permit processing is expedited as workload allows and that review time varies with work volume.
5. After approval, the County Clerk contacts the contractor when the permit fee is determined.
6. Pay the permit fee at the County Clerk's office and obtain the permit.
7. Keep the approved plans and permit on site during construction.
8. Contact the county inspector before each inspection. The public packets say the inspector is available Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
9. After final inspection, the inspector submits the request for a certificate of occupancy to be issued to the property owner.

Typical processing time: No fixed turnaround published. Review time varies with work volume.

Source: Garza County Clerk / Garza County Building Inspection Department

General Requirements

County permit requirements apply primarily to subdivisions. For subdivision areas, a permit is required before construction begins for a habitable structure, new or added onto for living space; commercial structures and other structures for public use; and any other construction project not defined by the International Residential Code or the Commercial Construction Provision. The county page also states this includes operations within a county road right-of-way.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Survey certificate for new construction
• Floodplain elevation certificate if the tract is in a FEMA special flood hazard area
• TCEQ Notice of Intent form when required
• Two complete sets of construction documents
• Site plan, floor plan, foundation plan and details, elevations, and energy-code compliance materials
• For commercial: sealed design documents where required, TDLR Texas Accessibility Standards project number for certain projects, fire sprinkler and fire alarm plans where applicable, and wastewater survey information for nonresidential establishments

Permit validity

No public permit-expiration rule was found in the county permit materials reviewed.

Building code

Garza County operates under the 2003 code approved by Commissioners Court on May 8, 2006. Packets also reference the International Residential Code, the Commercial Construction Provision, the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code, and for commercial alterations the 1996 International Mechanical Code amendment fee schedule.

Owner-builder

No separate county owner-builder handout was found. The county packets are contractor-oriented and require identification of builder and trade contractors, with Texas master license numbers requested for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work. Applicants should confirm how current county practice interacts with Texas HB 2833 private-inspection rules.

Contractor requirements

Texas master license numbers and expiration dates required for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contractors. The new-residence checklist also requires contractor registration with Building Inspection and a certificate of insurance naming Garza County, Texas, with stated liability coverages.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$30 for residential and electrical/plumbing permits; $30 for commercial alterations

Plan check fee

Residential: plan check included in bundled inspection rates. Commercial: initial review fee equals 25% of the master permit fee; one correction resubmittal allowed without additional review fees; later reviews are 5% of master permit fee with $30 minimum; advance fee of 10% of master permit fee at original submission with $30 minimum and $100 maximum.

Permit fee formula

Residential new-residence: $0.10 per square foot with $30.00 minimum. Electrical and plumbing: $0.05 per square foot with $30.00 minimum. Commercial alterations: $1.50 per $1,000 valuation with $30.00 minimum.

Reinspection fee

Reinspections not included in bundled rates. No public standalone reinspection amount was found.

Payment note

County Clerk contacts the contractor when the fee is determined. Payment is made at the County Clerk's office. No public online payment portal for permits was identified.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2021).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Garza County Clerk / Garza County Building Inspection Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Contact county inspector prior to each inspection (phone)

Inspection hours

Tuesday and Thursday evenings

Typical inspection sequence: Residential and commercial rate sheets show footing, slab, plumbing rough, framing, mechanical rough, electrical rough, plumbing top-out, and final inspections for building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, with plan check included.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Garza County operates under the 2003 code approved by Commissioners Court on May 8, 2006. Packets also reference the International Residential Code, the Commercial Construction Provision, the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code, and for commercial alterations the 1996 International Mechanical Code amendment fee schedule.
• County Clerk - Public Records
• TCEQ OSSF Reporting System
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Garza County Building Permit FAQ

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

County permit requirements apply primarily to subdivisions. For subdivision areas, a permit is required before construction begins for a habitable structure, new or added onto for living space; commercial structures and other structures for public use; and any other construction project not defined by the International Residential Code or the Commercial Construction Provision. The county page also states this includes operations within a county road right-of-way.

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

The minimum permit fee is $30 for residential and electrical/plumbing permits; $30 for commercial alterations. Fees are calculated as: Residential new-residence: $0.10 per square foot with $30.00 minimum. Electrical and plumbing: $0.05 per square foot with $30.00 minimum. Commercial alterations: $1.50 per $1,000 valuation with $30.00 minimum.. Plan check fee: Residential: plan check included in bundled inspection rates. Commercial: initial review fee equals 25% of the master permit fee; one correction resubmittal allowed without additional review fees; later reviews are 5% of master permit fee with $30 minimum; advance fee of 10% of master permit fee at original submission with $30 minimum and $100 maximum..

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

1. Confirm whether the tract is in unincorporated Garza County and within a subdivision, because the county permit page states the county construction permit requirements apply only to subdivisions. 2. Obtain the residential or commercial permit packet from the County Clerk's office or download it from the county permit page. 3. Complete the application and assemble the required plans and supporting documents. The packets say to submit the completed application to the county clerk or directly to the inspector. 4. Wait for county review. The packets say permit processing is expedited as workload allows and that review time varies with work volume. 5. After approval, the County Clerk contacts the contractor when the permit fee is determined. 6. Pay the permit fee at the County Clerk's office and obtain the permit. 7. Keep the approved plans and permit on site during construction. 8. Contact the county inspector before each inspection. The public packets say the inspector is available Tuesday and Thursday evenings. 9. After final inspection, the inspector submits the request for a certificate of occupancy to be issued to the property owner.

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

Typical processing time is No fixed turnaround published. Review time varies with work volume..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact county inspector prior to each inspection.