County Building Permits
Henderson County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Henderson County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Outside municipal limits only. County provides development and floodplain administration for land outside municipalities, and OSSF permitting through Septic Services.
- Department
- Development and Floodplain Administration Office
- Address
- 100 E. Tyler St, Room 302, Athens, TX 75751
- Phone
- 903-677-7242
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Henderson County and not inside a city or ETJ.
- If the project involves land division, subdivision, replatting, or development in a Special Flood Hazard Area, contact the Development and Floodplain Administration Office.
- If the project involves a septic system, use the county OSSF permit application through Septic Services.
- For floodplain development, obtain the county floodplain permit and any supporting materials the office requests.
- Confirm directly with the county which approvals apply to your project.
Typical processing time: No public processing time found for general development or floodplain permits
General Requirements
County controls verified are for OSSF permits, floodplain development permits, and subdivision or development administration outside city limits. No blanket general building permit requirement documented.
- Building code
- No countywide general building code adoption documented
- Owner-builder
- No public county owner-builder rule found
- Contractor requirements
- No countywide local contractor registration program for general building work identified
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Development and Floodplain Administration Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Additional Resources
- Building code: No countywide general building code adoption documented
- Development and Floodplain Administration Office
- Septic Services
- County Clerk
- 911 Addressing
- 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 Development and Floodplain Administration Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Henderson County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Henderson County, TX?
- County controls verified are for OSSF permits, floodplain development permits, and subdivision or development administration outside city limits. No blanket general building permit requirement documented.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Henderson County, TX?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Henderson County and not inside a city or ETJ. 2. If the project involves land division, subdivision, replatting, or development in a Special Flood Hazard Area, contact the Development and Floodplain Administration Office. 3. If the project involves a septic system, use the county OSSF permit application through Septic Services. 4. For floodplain development, obtain the county floodplain permit and any supporting materials the office requests. 5. Confirm directly with the county which approvals apply to your project.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Henderson County, TX?
- Typical processing time is No public processing time found for general development or floodplain permits.
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