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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Harrison County
No official county general building permit requirement was found for ordinary building construction. Verified county permit controls apply to floodplain development, subdivision review, OSSF/septic systems, and certain utility-line installations in county road areas.
Note: No public exempt-work list for a county general building-permit program identified because no county general building-permit program identified. County floodplain, subdivision, and OSSF requirements still apply where triggered.
- Floodplain packet: completed application, scaled site drawing, structure elevation/foundation drawings, FEMA elevation certificate by engineer or surveyor, proof of ownership, and accurate directions.
- OSSF package: application, planning material, site and soil evaluation, directions, affidavit, and service contract where applicable.
- Building code
- No countywide general building code adoption for unincorporated Harrison County identified in reviewed public county materials. Verified county enforcement is narrower and program-specific.
- Permit validity
- Floodplain validity not stated in reviewed materials. OSSF Authorization to Construct valid for one year from issuance.
- Owner-builder
- County Environmental Health states the 10-acre OSSF owner exception only applies to single-family residences meeting TCEQ conditions; if anyone assists with installation, that person must hold the proper installer license.
- Contractor requirements
- OSSF work is tied to TCEQ licensing rules. No county general contractor licensing program for ordinary building permits identified.
Application process
Typical processing: Floodplain permit approval approximately 5 working days after successful inspection and documentation review. OSSF Notice of Approval approximately 5 working days after successful inspection.
- 01 Confirm the site is in unincorporated Harrison County and not inside city limits.
- 02 If the project is in a flood hazard area, submit the Road & Bridge floodplain packet with site plan, structure drawings, elevation certificate, proof of ownership, directions, and fee before work starts.
- 03 If the project involves a new OSSF/septic system, obtain the Environmental Health application, complete the site and soil evaluation, prepare planning materials, and submit the full package with fee in the property owner's name.
- 04 If the project is a subdivision or utility-line installation in county road right of way, use the Road & Bridge subdivision or utility-line forms.
- 05 Schedule the required county inspection before starting floodplain work or before covering an OSSF system.
- 06 Obtain the county permit approval or OSSF authorization before proceeding.
Typical processing time: Floodplain permit approval approximately 5 working days after successful inspection and documentation review. OSSF Notice of Approval approximately 5 working days after successful inspection.
Source: Harrison County Road & Bridge and Environmental Health ↗
Fee schedule
Harrison County building permit fees
Floodplain instructions say checks payable to Harrison County; all reviewed floodplain permit fees are non-refundable
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Road & Bridge: 903-935-4868; Environmental Health: 903-935-4870 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspections generally require at least two working days notice
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Typical sequence: Submit application and supporting materials, county review, initial site inspection, permit approval or OSSF Authorization to Construct, construction, final inspection, final approval or Notice of Approval
Source: Harrison County Road & Bridge and Environmental Health ↗
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Harrison County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Harrison County, TX? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Harrison County, TX? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Harrison County, TX? ▸
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Harrison County, TX? ▸
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Harrison County, TX? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Harrison County Road & Bridge and Environmental Health before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.