What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hockley County, TX?

The following work is generally exempt: OSSF permit may be exempt under the '10 acre rule' if all state criteria are met; Emergency OSSF repairs such as replacing tank lids, inlet and outlet devices, repairing risers and caps, replacing disinfection devices, repairing damaged drip irrigation tubing, and repair of solid lines do not require a permit, but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs have begun. Note: No public county general exempt-work list was found because no public county general building-permit program was identified.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hockley County, TX?

Inspections can be scheduled via: County designated representative: Jason Turner (806-241-5066 or hockleycountyseptic@gmail.com).

County Building Permits

Hockley County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Covers only unincorporated Hockley County outside Anton, Levelland, Opdyke West, Ropesville, Smyer, and Sundown.

Department: Hockley County
Address: Hockley County Courthouse, 802 Houston St, Levelland, TX 79336
Phone: (806) 894-6856
Email: hockleycountyseptic@gmail.com
Website: https://www.co.hockley.tx.us/

Application Process

Verify the parcel is in unincorporated Hockley County and outside all incorporated city limits.
For ordinary building construction, note that no public countywide building-permit program was identified in current county sources.
Determine whether the project instead triggers one of the narrower verified controls, especially septic or OSSF permitting.
For septic or OSSF work, contact Jason Turner, the county's posted designated representative (806-241-5066 or hockleycountyseptic@gmail.com), and submit the application and planning materials required by the permitting authority. TCEQ requires a permit to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF unless an exemption applies.
If the parcel is in a mapped flood-hazard area, confirm floodplain requirements directly with the county before development because FEMA/TWDB lists Hockley County as an NFIP community.
Complete any required septic inspections and obtain approval before use. TCEQ requires the permitting authority to approve or deny an OSSF application within 30 days of receipt.

Typical processing time: OSSF permit review: 30 days under TCEQ guidance. No public county processing-time estimate was found for any other county approval type.

Source: Hockley County

General Requirements

No public county general building-permit requirement was found for ordinary construction in unincorporated Hockley County. Verified narrower control: TCEQ requires an OSSF permit to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF unless an exemption applies. Verified narrower control: county septic inspections are handled through the county's posted designated representative contact. Verified narrower control: floodplain coordination may apply in mapped flood-hazard areas because FEMA/TWDB lists Hockley County as an NFIP community.

Required Documents

For OSSF work, applications and planning materials to be submitted to the permitting authority
Site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer before an OSSF can be constructed, installed, altered, extended, or repaired

Permit validity: No county general building-permit validity rule was found. No county-specific septic permit expiration rule was found.
Building code: No public countywide building-code adoption for general vertical construction in unincorporated Hockley County was identified. The verified county controls are narrower and center on septic administration plus possible floodplain administration.
Owner-builder: TCEQ states an owner may install an OSSF if the permitting authority allows it and the system is for a single-family dwelling the owner owns on property the owner owns, no part of the property will be developed for sale or lease, and all permitting requirements are met.
Contractor requirements: No county general contractor registration program was publicly identified. TCEQ licensing applies for OSSF installers, apprentices, maintenance providers, maintenance technicians, and site evaluators.

Fees

Payment note: No public county permit-payment instructions were found for ordinary construction permitting.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

OSSF permit may be exempt under the '10 acre rule' if all state criteria are met
Emergency OSSF repairs such as replacing tank lids, inlet and outlet devices, repairing risers and caps, replacing disinfection devices, repairing damaged drip irrigation tubing, and repair of solid lines do not require a permit, but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs have begun

Important: No public county general exempt-work list was found because no public county general building-permit program was identified.

Inspections

How to Schedule

County designated representative: Jason Turner (806-241-5066 or hockleycountyseptic@gmail.com) (in-person)

Typical inspection sequence: Verified septic path: application and planning materials to the permitting authority, permitting decision, then required inspection activity under the local or state OSSF program.

Additional Resources

Building code: No public countywide building-code adoption for general vertical construction in unincorporated Hockley County was identified. The verified county controls are narrower and center on septic administration plus possible floodplain administration.
County Home Page
FEMA/TWDB Community Contact Report
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 Hockley County before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hockley County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hockley County, TX?: No public county general building-permit requirement was found for ordinary construction in unincorporated Hockley County. Verified narrower control: TCEQ requires an OSSF permit to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF unless an exemption applies. Verified narrower control: county septic inspections are handled through the county's posted designated representative contact. Verified narrower control: floodplain coordination may apply in mapped flood-hazard areas because FEMA/TWDB lists Hockley County as an NFIP community.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hockley County, TX?: 1. Verify the parcel is in unincorporated Hockley County and outside all incorporated city limits. 2. For ordinary building construction, note that no public countywide building-permit program was identified in current county sources. 3. Determine whether the project instead triggers one of the narrower verified controls, especially septic or OSSF permitting. 4. For septic or OSSF work, contact Jason Turner, the county's posted designated representative (806-241-5066 or hockleycountyseptic@gmail.com), and submit the application and planning materials required by the permitting authority. TCEQ requires a permit to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF unless an exemption applies. 5. If the parcel is in a mapped flood-hazard area, confirm floodplain requirements directly with the county before development because FEMA/TWDB lists Hockley County as an NFIP community. 6. Complete any required septic inspections and obtain approval before use. TCEQ requires the permitting authority to approve or deny an OSSF application within 30 days of receipt.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Hockley County, TX?: Typical processing time is OSSF permit review: 30 days under TCEQ guidance. No public county processing-time estimate was found for any other county approval type..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hockley County, TX?: The following work is generally exempt: OSSF permit may be exempt under the '10 acre rule' if all state criteria are met; Emergency OSSF repairs such as replacing tank lids, inlet and outlet devices, repairing risers and caps, replacing disinfection devices, repairing damaged drip irrigation tubing, and repair of solid lines do not require a permit, but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs have begun. Note: No public county general exempt-work list was found because no public county general building-permit program was identified.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hockley County, TX?: Inspections can be scheduled via: County designated representative: Jason Turner (806-241-5066 or hockleycountyseptic@gmail.com).

Need help with your project?

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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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