County Building Permits

Goliad County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Goliad County. The county maintains specialized permit programs for OSSF/septic systems, subdivision regulation, and floodplain/environmental compliance rather than a general county building permit for all construction.

Department
Office of Emergency Management & Environmental Quality Services
Address
Goliad County Courthouse, 127 N Courthouse Square, Goliad, TX 77963
Phone
361-645-3337

Application Process

  1. Determine whether the project is in unincorporated Goliad County and whether it triggers one of the county's verified permit or approval programs, especially OSSF or subdivision review.
  2. For OSSF work, obtain the county application and have a licensed site evaluator perform the mandatory soil-identification procedure.
  3. Have the appropriate planning materials prepared. Professional design by a registered sanitarian or professional engineer is required for proprietary and non-standard systems.
  4. Submit the completed application and technical information sheet to the Office of Emergency Management and Environmental Services in the property owner's name, together with the fee, planning materials, site and soil evaluation, and accurate directions to the site.
  5. County Environmental Services reviews the submission. Non-standard system plans may also be reviewed by TCEQ staff in Austin.
  6. If approved, the county issues an Authorization to Construct.
  7. After installation begins, request inspection before the system is covered. After successful inspection, the county issues a Notice of Approval.

Typical processing time: The county says the Authorization to Construct is valid for one year from issuance. After successful inspection, the county says a Notice of Approval is issued within approximately 5 business days. The county requires at least 3 business or working days' advance notice to arrange an inspection.

Source: Office of Emergency Management & Environmental Quality Services

General Requirements

No public county source reviewed documents a general building permit requirement for all unincorporated construction. The verified county permit requirement is for OSSF or septic system installation through Environmental Services. The county subdivision regulations also require plat review outside municipalities and state that subdivision plats must comply with floodplain regulations and on-site sewerage facility regulations.

Required Documents

  • Completed OSSF application
  • One copy of the application form
  • Planning materials
  • Site and soil evaluation
  • Accurate directions to the installation site
Permit validity
The county's OSSF permitting process states the Authorization to Construct is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
Building code
No countywide building code adoption or public county general building-code program was identified in the reviewed sources. The verified county regulatory materials instead address OSSF permitting under county Environmental Services and subdivision regulation under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232.
Owner-builder
The county's OSSF process says the application is submitted in the property owner's name.
Contractor requirements
For OSSF, the county requires a licensed site evaluator for the soil-identification procedure and states that proprietary and non-standard systems require professional design by a registered sanitarian (R.S.) or registered engineer (D.E.). The county publishes a list of septic installers and certified OSSF inspectors.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$300
Permit fee formula
Flat-fee OSSF schedule: $300 for single-family residential OSSF sites.
Reinspection fee
Residential site reinspection is $150. Commercial site reinspection is $200.
Penalty (no permit)
Unpaid citations accrue an additional $100 per day after 30 days.
Payment note
All fees must be paid by personal check, cashier's check, or money order payable to Goliad County Environmental Service Department. No cash or credit card payments are accepted.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective March 16, 2026).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Office of Emergency Management & Environmental Quality Services to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Call the Office of Goliad County Environmental Office at 361-405-1874 (Inspector: Maritza Watkins) (phone)
Scheduling deadline
At least 3 business or working days in advance to arrange inspection.
Inspection hours
Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Friday, 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF work, submit application and technical documents, obtain Authorization to Construct, install the system, request inspection before covering, pass inspection, and then receive Notice of Approval.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Office of Emergency Management & Environmental Quality Services before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Goliad County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Goliad County, TX?
No public county source reviewed documents a general building permit requirement for all unincorporated construction. The verified county permit requirement is for OSSF or septic system installation through Environmental Services. The county subdivision regulations also require plat review outside municipalities and state that subdivision plats must comply with floodplain regulations and on-site sewerage facility regulations.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Goliad County, TX?
The minimum permit fee is $300. Fees are calculated as: Flat-fee OSSF schedule: $300 for single-family residential OSSF sites..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Goliad County, TX?
1. Determine whether the project is in unincorporated Goliad County and whether it triggers one of the county's verified permit or approval programs, especially OSSF or subdivision review. 2. For OSSF work, obtain the county application and have a licensed site evaluator perform the mandatory soil-identification procedure. 3. Have the appropriate planning materials prepared. Professional design by a registered sanitarian or professional engineer is required for proprietary and non-standard systems. 4. Submit the completed application and technical information sheet to the Office of Emergency Management and Environmental Services in the property owner's name, together with the fee, planning materials, site and soil evaluation, and accurate directions to the site. 5. County Environmental Services reviews the submission. Non-standard system plans may also be reviewed by TCEQ staff in Austin. 6. If approved, the county issues an Authorization to Construct. 7. After installation begins, request inspection before the system is covered. After successful inspection, the county issues a Notice of Approval.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Goliad County, TX?
Typical processing time is The county says the Authorization to Construct is valid for one year from issuance. After successful inspection, the county says a Notice of Approval is issued within approximately 5 business days. The county requires at least 3 business or working days' advance notice to arrange an inspection..
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Goliad County, TX?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Call the Office of Goliad County Environmental Office at 361-405-1874 (Inspector: Maritza Watkins). At least 3 business or working days in advance to arrange inspection..

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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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