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

The minimum permit fee is $100. Fees are calculated as: Flat-fee or actual-cost based. Floodplain: $100 administrative fee plus actual third-party review cost. ROW: $0 for aerial utility with no new poles, $50 for individual single-family residential, $500 for multiple single-family/subdivision/MHRC/non-residential. OSSF: flat by system type and capacity.. Plan check fee: Floodplain and ROW: actual cost for third-party engineering review. Subdivision and MHRC: actual cost for third-party engineering review and inspection..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Small projects that do not present obstruction to flood flows or alter drainage, such as sign posts or telephone poles (may be exempted from floodplain permitting at Floodplain Administrator's discretion); Ordinary maintenance not considered repair or improvement (does not require ROW permit); Irrigation and ordinary landscaping in county ROW (placed at owner's risk; generally do not require ROW permit, though certain hazardous features may require permitting). Note: No public countywide exempt-work list for ordinary building construction was found because no general county building-permit program was found. Floodplain and ROW exemptions listed above are limited in scope.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Floodplain Administrator (floodplain final notice and inspection), County Engineer (ROW permit inspection), Sanitation Office (OSSF inspections).

County Building Permits

Gillespie County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gillespie County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Gillespie County only. No public countywide general building-permit program was found for ordinary vertical construction in unincorporated areas. County permits are narrower: Development Permit Determination, floodplain development permits, right-of-way permits, subdivision and manufactured home rental community approvals, and OSSF/septic permits.

Department: Engineering Department; Sanitation (On-Site Sewage Facilities) Department, Gillespie County
Address: 101 West Main St., Mail Unit 9, Room B-105, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Phone: 830-307-6196; 830-307-6048
Email: engineering@gillespiecounty.org , meckert@gillespiecounty.org
Website: https://www.gillespiecounty.gov/1198/Engineering-Department

Application Process

Before development in unincorporated Gillespie County, submit the Development Permit Determination Form to the Engineering Department. This is required prior to development, including new construction, grading, and paving.
Engineering reviews the determination form and either returns it marked that no additional permit is required or returns a Development Permit Application with a checklist of required submittals.
If the site is in regulated flood hazard areas, submit the floodplain Development Permit Application with required plans, engineering, other agency permits, and fee payment.
If work will occur in county road right-of-way, request a pre-application or site meeting with the County Engineer, then submit a complete ROW permit application and supporting documents.
If the project needs an on-site sewage facility, obtain the signed Development Permit Determination from the County Engineer's Office, then submit the OSSF permit application and required septic materials to the OSSF office.
Complete required inspections and final notifications with appropriate departments.

Typical processing time: ROW permits: completeness determination within 10 business days, then review within 10 business days. No overall processing-time estimate found for floodplain or OSSF permits.

Source: Engineering Department; Sanitation (On-Site Sewage Facilities) Department, Gillespie County

General Requirements

No public countywide general building permit requirement was found for all unincorporated construction. Verified county permits and approvals include: Development Permit Determination review before development; floodplain Development Permit for regulated flood-hazard-area development; ROW permit for construction in county public right-of-way; subdivision and manufactured home rental community approvals; and OSSF permits for septic systems.

Required Documents

Development Permit Determination Form before any development
For floodplain permitting: application form, plan set, grading and paving information, flood study and digital model files when applicable, drainage report, floodproofing or elevation documentation, copies of other required permits
For ROW permits: signed application, plans, flood-conformance letter when applicable, fee payment, performance bond in some cases
For OSSF permits: septic permit application and county-required septic supporting materials

Permit validity: Floodplain development permit approval expires 1 year from approval if no progress made. ROW permit expires if missing information not submitted within 45 days; after approval, expires 6 months if no progress made. OSSF permit good for 1 year from purchase date.
Building code: No countywide adopted building code for all unincorporated construction was found. Regulatory documents include: Flood Damage and Prevention Ordinance adopted July 28, 2025; Right-of-Way Regulations adopted May 28, 2024; Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations amended December 23, 2024; and OSSF rules effective October 14, 2025.
Owner-builder: No county owner-builder rule for general county building permit was found because no general county building-permit program was found.
Contractor requirements: No countywide general contractor-license program was found. County permit forms may require contractor signatures, engineered plans, bonds, or proof of authority depending on permit type.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $100
Plan check fee: Floodplain and ROW: actual cost for third-party engineering review. Subdivision and MHRC: actual cost for third-party engineering review and inspection.
Permit fee formula: Flat-fee or actual-cost based. Floodplain: $100 administrative fee plus actual third-party review cost. ROW: $0 for aerial utility with no new poles, $50 for individual single-family residential, $500 for multiple single-family/subdivision/MHRC/non-residential. OSSF: flat by system type and capacity.
Reinspection fee: OSSF reinspection fee $150
Penalty (no permit): Floodplain permit fee doubled if construction started before approval. ROW permit fee doubled if construction started before approval.
Payment note: Permit fees must be paid at time of application by personal check, cashier's check, or other method approved by County Treasurer, payable to Gillespie County.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Small projects that do not present obstruction to flood flows or alter drainage, such as sign posts or telephone poles (may be exempted from floodplain permitting at Floodplain Administrator's discretion)
Ordinary maintenance not considered repair or improvement (does not require ROW permit)
Irrigation and ordinary landscaping in county ROW (placed at owner's risk; generally do not require ROW permit, though certain hazardous features may require permitting)

Important: No public countywide exempt-work list for ordinary building construction was found because no general county building-permit program was found. Floodplain and ROW exemptions listed above are limited in scope.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Floodplain Administrator (floodplain final notice and inspection) (other)
County Engineer (ROW permit inspection) (other)
Sanitation Office (OSSF inspections) (other)

Typical inspection sequence: Engineering review starts with Development Permit Determination. Floodplain projects: permit review, possible third-party review, approval, construction, final notice, and final inspection or as-built certification. ROW projects: pre-application meeting, completeness review, approval, construction, final inspection. OSSF projects: signed Development Permit Determination, then OSSF review and inspections.

Additional Resources

Building code: No countywide adopted building code for all unincorporated construction was found. Regulatory documents include: Flood Damage and Prevention Ordinance adopted July 28, 2025; Right-of-Way Regulations adopted May 28, 2024; Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations amended December 23, 2024; and OSSF rules effective October 14, 2025.
Verify contractor license: Texas TDLR License Lookup
Engineering Department
Sanitation (OSSF) Department
Floodplain Permit Information
Right-of-Way Permit Information
OSSF Fee Schedule
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 Engineering Department; Sanitation (On-Site Sewage Facilities) Department, Gillespie County before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gillespie County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Gillespie County, TX?: No public countywide general building permit requirement was found for all unincorporated construction. Verified county permits and approvals include: Development Permit Determination review before development; floodplain Development Permit for regulated flood-hazard-area development; ROW permit for construction in county public right-of-way; subdivision and manufactured home rental community approvals; and OSSF permits for septic systems.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Gillespie County, TX?: The minimum permit fee is $100. Fees are calculated as: Flat-fee or actual-cost based. Floodplain: $100 administrative fee plus actual third-party review cost. ROW: $0 for aerial utility with no new poles, $50 for individual single-family residential, $500 for multiple single-family/subdivision/MHRC/non-residential. OSSF: flat by system type and capacity.. Plan check fee: Floodplain and ROW: actual cost for third-party engineering review. Subdivision and MHRC: actual cost for third-party engineering review and inspection..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gillespie County, TX?: 1. Before development in unincorporated Gillespie County, submit the Development Permit Determination Form to the Engineering Department. This is required prior to development, including new construction, grading, and paving. 2. Engineering reviews the determination form and either returns it marked that no additional permit is required or returns a Development Permit Application with a checklist of required submittals. 3. If the site is in regulated flood hazard areas, submit the floodplain Development Permit Application with required plans, engineering, other agency permits, and fee payment. 4. If work will occur in county road right-of-way, request a pre-application or site meeting with the County Engineer, then submit a complete ROW permit application and supporting documents. 5. If the project needs an on-site sewage facility, obtain the signed Development Permit Determination from the County Engineer's Office, then submit the OSSF permit application and required septic materials to the OSSF office. 6. Complete required inspections and final notifications with appropriate departments.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Gillespie County, TX?: Typical processing time is ROW permits: completeness determination within 10 business days, then review within 10 business days. No overall processing-time estimate found for floodplain or OSSF permits..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Gillespie County, TX?: The following work is generally exempt: Small projects that do not present obstruction to flood flows or alter drainage, such as sign posts or telephone poles (may be exempted from floodplain permitting at Floodplain Administrator's discretion); Ordinary maintenance not considered repair or improvement (does not require ROW permit); Irrigation and ordinary landscaping in county ROW (placed at owner's risk; generally do not require ROW permit, though certain hazardous features may require permitting). Note: No public countywide exempt-work list for ordinary building construction was found because no general county building-permit program was found. Floodplain and ROW exemptions listed above are limited in scope.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Gillespie County, TX?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Floodplain Administrator (floodplain final notice and inspection), County Engineer (ROW permit inspection), Sanitation Office (OSSF inspections).

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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