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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Glasscock County
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).
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.
- 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.
- Exempt 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.
- Exempt Connecting recreational vehicles or manufactured homes to rental spaces: not considered construction if the existing OSSF system is not altered.
- Exempt 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.
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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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.
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Glasscock County.
- 02 Determine whether the project triggers one of the county's verified permit programs (OSSF, driveway, or pipeline crossing in county right-of-way).
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 Wait for review and approval. OSSF applicant must receive notice of approval before construction. Driveway and pipeline permits are executed once reviewed.
- 06 For OSSF work: Schedule inspection at least 5 working days in advance. Installer must request inspection before covering the system.
- 07 For driveway/pipeline work in right-of-way: Notify the County Commissioner 48 hours before work starts.
- 08 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Glasscock County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$160.00 (OSSF new installation residential permit)
02
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.
03
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.
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Glasscock County permits
01 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).
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Glasscock County, TX 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..
last verified April 2026
source Glasscock County Commissioners Court / County Judge / Precinct Commissioners; Glasscock County OSSF (On-Site Sewage Facility) Program ↗
entry id permits/texas/glasscock/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Glasscock County Commissioners Court / County Judge / Precinct Commissioners; Glasscock County OSSF (On-Site Sewage Facility) Program before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.