Grimes County, TX — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Grimes County Development Services; Floodplain Administrator; Environmental Services for OSSF

Street address

270 FM 149 W., Anderson, TX 77830

Phone

936-873-6465

GCPermits@grimescountytexas.gov

Coverage

Unincorporated Grimes County. County controls are limited and permit-specific (floodplain development, subdivision plats, driveway/culvert, OSSF, residential IRC notices, commercial site review, right of way utilities) rather than based on comprehensive county building code.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Grimes County

Grimes County regulates floodplain development, subdivision plats, driveway and culvert installation on county roads, residential IRC 2021 construction and inspection notices, utilities in county right of way, all work in county right of way, and high-speed rail facilities. The county does not regulate general building codes except for requiring IRC 2021 compliance notices for residential structures.

Note: No public exempt-work list for unincorporated Grimes County. County authority is limited to specific permit-controlled subjects rather than comprehensive county building department with standard exempt-work list.

Required documents

Administratively complete subdivision documents with surveyor or engineer seal where required
Floodplain development permit application
Residential Notice of Residential Construction and Notice of Residential Inspection forms
Commercial-development submittals under the Infrastructure Regulations
OSSF septic permit application for onsite sewage facilities

Building code: International Residential Code 2021 adopted December 18, 2024, for all new residential construction in unincorporated Grimes County. Commercial development reviewed under Infrastructure Regulations.
Owner-builder: For unincorporated residential work, Grimes County does not inspect residential structures. File Notice of Construction and Notice of Inspection filings instead.
Contractor requirements: State-licensed or sealed design professionals required where county application materials call for surveyor or engineer certification.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Identify which county-controlled issue applies: floodplain development, subdivision platting, commercial development review, residential IRC notice filing, OSSF, driveway/culvert, or right of way work.
02

For Development Services filings, submit documents by email to GCPermits@grimescountytexas.gov or in person at 270 FM 149 W., Anderson, TX 77830.
03

For subdivision applications, submit all administratively complete documents, including surveyor or engineer sealed materials as required, and pay county fees before review.
04

For floodplain work, file the Grimes County Floodplain Development Permit application.
05

For new residential construction in unincorporated Grimes County, file Notice of Residential Construction and Notice of Residential Inspection forms with the county.
06

For commercial development, submit site-plan materials under the Infrastructure Regulations for county review.
07

For OSSF, use the county's septic-permit path through Environmental Services.

Source: Grimes County Development Services; Floodplain Administrator; Environmental Services for OSSF ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Grimes County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

County fee structure appears permit-type based rather than single valuation table. Consult posted county Fees document for specific permit class.

Development Services links to Certified Payments: https://certifiedpayments.net

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

County offices (in-person)

Inspection hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical sequence: For residential IRC compliance, file notice forms rather than expect county building inspections. For commercial and subdivision review, county review follows administratively complete submittal. Floodplain, driveway/culvert, OSSF, and right of way matters have their own county workflows.

Source: Grimes County Development Services; Floodplain Administrator; Environmental Services for OSSF ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Grimes County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Grimes County, TX? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Grimes County, TX? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Grimes County, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: County fee structure appears permit-type based rather than single valuation table. Consult posted county Fees document for specific permit class..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grimes County, TX? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grimes County, TX, follow these steps: 1. Identify which county-controlled issue applies: floodplain development, subdivision platting, commercial development review, residential IRC notice filing, OSSF, driveway/culvert, or right of way work. 2. For Development Services filings, submit documents by email to GCPermits@grimescountytexas.gov or in person at 270 FM 149 W., Anderson, TX 77830. 3. For subdivision applications, submit all administratively complete documents, including surveyor or engineer sealed materials as required, and pay county fees before review. 4. For floodplain work, file the Grimes County Floodplain Development Permit application. 5. For new residential construction in unincorporated Grimes County, file Notice of Residential Construction and Notice of Residential Inspection forms with the county. 6. For commercial development, submit site-plan materials under the Infrastructure Regulations for county review. 7. For OSSF, use the county's septic-permit path through Environmental Services.

04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Grimes County, TX? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Grimes County, TX via: County offices.

last verified April 2026 source Grimes County Development Services; Floodplain Administrator; Environmental Services for OSSF ↗ entry id permits/texas/grimes/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Grimes County Development Services; Floodplain Administrator; Environmental Services for OSSF before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.