County Building Permits
Glasscock County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Glasscock County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Texas Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Glasscock County. No countywide general building-permit program for ordinary vertical construction was publicly identified. Verified permit authorities cover OSSF systems, county right-of-way driveway and pipeline crossing permits, and subdivision/manufactured home rental community regulations.
- Department
- Glasscock County Commissioners Court / County Judge / Precinct Commissioners; Glasscock County OSSF (On-Site Sewage Facility) Program
- Address
- Glasscock County Courthouse, 117 E. Currie, Garden City, TX 79739
- Phone
- 432-354-2639
- Website
- https://www.co.glasscock.tx.us/
Online Permit Portal
Platform: None (forms-based) • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Glasscock County.
- Determine whether the project triggers one of the county's verified permit programs (OSSF, driveway, or pipeline crossing in county right-of-way).
- For OSSF systems: Complete the county OSSF application package with site evaluation materials, planning materials, and test results. Email to alan.dierschke@co.glasscock.tx.us and send payment to Glasscock County, P.O. Box 249, Garden City, TX 79739.
- For driveway or pipeline permits: Submit the appropriate form with sketch and location information to the County Commissioner for the precinct or to the County Judge.
- Wait for review and approval. OSSF applicant must receive notice of approval before construction. Driveway and pipeline permits are executed once reviewed.
- For OSSF work: Schedule inspection at least 5 working days in advance. Installer must request inspection before covering the system.
- For driveway/pipeline work in right-of-way: Notify the County Commissioner 48 hours before work starts.
- Upon successful inspection or approval, obtain final approval document or executed permit.
Typical processing time: OSSF approval/denial: 30 days from application receipt (per TCEQ rule); final approval 5 working days after successful inspection. Driveway and pipeline permits: no public processing time estimate available.
General Requirements
No countywide general building-permit requirement for ordinary vertical construction was publicly identified. Permits are required for: (1) OSSF installations (state-regulated via county as authorized agent); (2) Any access, driveway, approach, or improvement in county road right-of-way; (3) Pipeline installation in county road right-of-way; (4) Subdivision and manufactured home rental community regulations (effective August 12, 2013).
Required Documents
- For OSSF: Application in owner's name, technical information sheet, planning materials, site and soil evaluation, accurate directions to site, and any required professional design or aerobic-system attachments.
- For residential driveway permit: Application, location information, and sketch showing location and description of proposed driveway.
- For commercial/heavy-duty driveway permit: Application, location information, sketch, and landowner acknowledgement.
- For pipeline crossing permit: Application, road and precinct location, GPS coordinates, and sketch showing location and description of proposed pipeline.
- Permit validity
- OSSF authorization to construct: valid one year from date of issuance. Residential driveway permit: maximum 30 days unless extended by Commissioners Court. Commercial/heavy-duty driveway permit: maximum 30 days unless extended by Commissioners Court. Pipeline crossing permit: maximum two weeks unless extended by Commissioners Court.
- Building code
- No countywide building code adoption found. Verified technical regimes: TCEQ OSSF rules (30 TAC Chapter 285), county right-of-way driveway policies (effective October 12, 2010, revised November 9, 2020 for commercial form), and county pipeline crossing policy (adopted September 27, 2010, revised November 13, 2018, revised December 9, 2019, and revised September 8, 2025).
- Owner-builder
- OSSF applications are submitted in the property owner's name and require owner authorization for county and TCEQ site entry and inspection. No county owner-builder program for general building permits was identified.
- Contractor requirements
- No Glasscock County contractor registration or local contractor license program found for general building work. OSSF designers, site evaluators, installers, and personnel are governed by state licensing and registration rules. Right-of-way permits submitted by property owner, primary operator, or authorized representative.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $160.00 (OSSF new installation residential permit)
- Permit fee formula
- OSSF new installation residential: flat fee $160.00. Residential driveway: no fee. Commercial/heavy-duty driveway: no fee. Pipeline crossing: no public fee identified.
- Reinspection fee
- $80.00 per reinspection (one-half of OSSF permit fee) for OSSF systems; reinspection fee must be paid before notice of approval is issued.
- Payment note
- All OSSF fees are non-refundable. Payment payable to Glasscock County, P.O. Box 249, Garden City, TX 79739. No online payment portal identified.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- OSSF serving a single-family dwelling on a tract of ten acres or larger: no planning materials, permit, or inspection required if all TCEQ rule conditions are met.
- Certain pre-1989 or otherwise grandfathered OSSFs: may fall under rule exceptions if system has not been altered, is not in need of repair, and meets stated conditions.
- Connecting recreational vehicles or manufactured homes to rental spaces: not considered construction if the existing OSSF system is not altered.
- No public exempt-work list found for county driveway or pipeline crossing permits.
Important: Exempt from specific permit does not mean exempt from zoning, subdivision, or other county regulations. Confirm edge cases with county staff before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Contact county office at least 5 working days in advance (OSSF) (phone)
- County Commissioner notification 48 hours prior (driveway/pipeline) (in-person)
- Scheduling deadline
- OSSF: contact at least 5 working days in advance. Driveway/pipeline: notify County Commissioner 48 hours before work starts.
Typical inspection sequence: OSSF: submit application and supporting materials, receive authorization to construct, install system, request inspection before covering, pass inspection, then receive notice of approval and permit. Driveway/pipeline: submit form and sketch, obtain executed permit, notify County Commissioner before construction, county may inspect during construction and thereafter.
Additional Resources
- Building code: No countywide building code adoption found. Verified technical regimes: TCEQ OSSF rules (30 TAC Chapter 285), county right-of-way driveway policies (effective October 12, 2010, revised November 9, 2020 for commercial form), and county pipeline crossing policy (adopted September 27, 2010, revised November 13, 2018, revised December 9, 2019, and revised September 8, 2025).
- County Home Page
- County Contact Page
- County Judge Page
- County Treasurer Page
- Public Notices Page
- TCEQ OSSF Permits
- TCEQ OSSF Rules Compilation
- TCEQ Authorized Agent Report (2023)
- 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 Glasscock County Commissioners Court / County Judge / Precinct Commissioners; Glasscock County OSSF (On-Site Sewage Facility) Program before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Glasscock County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX?
- No countywide general building-permit requirement for ordinary vertical construction was publicly identified. Permits are required for: (1) OSSF installations (state-regulated via county as authorized agent); (2) Any access, driveway, approach, or improvement in county road right-of-way; (3) Pipeline installation in county road right-of-way; (4) Subdivision and manufactured home rental community regulations (effective August 12, 2013).
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX?
- The minimum permit fee is $160.00 (OSSF new installation residential permit). Fees are calculated as: OSSF new installation residential: flat fee $160.00. Residential driveway: no fee. Commercial/heavy-duty driveway: no fee. Pipeline crossing: no public fee identified..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Glasscock County. 2. Determine whether the project triggers one of the county's verified permit programs (OSSF, driveway, or pipeline crossing in county right-of-way). 3. For OSSF systems: Complete the county OSSF application package with site evaluation materials, planning materials, and test results. Email to alan.dierschke@co.glasscock.tx.us and send payment to Glasscock County, P.O. Box 249, Garden City, TX 79739. 4. For driveway or pipeline permits: Submit the appropriate form with sketch and location information to the County Commissioner for the precinct or to the County Judge. 5. Wait for review and approval. OSSF applicant must receive notice of approval before construction. Driveway and pipeline permits are executed once reviewed. 6. For OSSF work: Schedule inspection at least 5 working days in advance. Installer must request inspection before covering the system. 7. For driveway/pipeline work in right-of-way: Notify the County Commissioner 48 hours before work starts. 8. Upon successful inspection or approval, obtain final approval document or executed permit.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX?
- Typical processing time is OSSF approval/denial: 30 days from application receipt (per TCEQ rule); final approval 5 working days after successful inspection. Driveway and pipeline permits: no public processing time estimate available..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX?
- The following work is generally exempt: OSSF serving a single-family dwelling on a tract of ten acres or larger: no planning materials, permit, or inspection required if all TCEQ rule conditions are met.; Certain pre-1989 or otherwise grandfathered OSSFs: may fall under rule exceptions if system has not been altered, is not in need of repair, and meets stated conditions.; Connecting recreational vehicles or manufactured homes to rental spaces: not considered construction if the existing OSSF system is not altered.; No public exempt-work list found for county driveway or pipeline crossing permits.. Note: Exempt from specific permit does not mean exempt from zoning, subdivision, or other county regulations. Confirm edge cases with county staff before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact county office at least 5 working days in advance (OSSF), County Commissioner notification 48 hours prior (driveway/pipeline). OSSF: contact at least 5 working days in advance. Driveway/pipeline: notify County Commissioner 48 hours before work starts..
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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.