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§ TX Jeff Davis County
County building permits

Unincorporated Jeff Davis County

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Office of the County Judge (Floodplain Administration) and TCEQ Region 6 (OSSF Permitting)

Street address
Jeff Davis County Courthouse, 100 Court Avenue, Fort Davis, TX 79734
Phone
(432) 426-3968
Email
ossf@tceq.texas.gov (TCEQ OSSF)
Coverage
All unincorporated areas of Jeff Davis County, including Fort Davis CDP and surrounding unincorporated territory. Floodplain administration through County Judge; OSSF permitting through TCEQ Region 6 (El Paso office) where no local jurisdiction is authorized.
Online portal
TCEQ OARS Permitting Authority Lookup
TCEQ OARS (for OSSF only)
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Jeff Davis County

No public county general building permit requirement was found for ordinary construction in unincorporated Jeff Davis County. OSSF/septic systems require a permit and approved plan to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate. Floodplain permits are administered by the County Judge.

The 10 acre rule may exempt some OSSF systems if all TCEQ conditions are met
Emergency OSSF repairs may not require a permit if reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin
Some grandfathered OSSFs may not need a permit if they meet TCEQ stated conditions
  • Exempt The 10 acre rule may exempt some OSSF systems if all TCEQ conditions are met
  • Exempt Emergency OSSF repairs may not require a permit if reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin
  • Exempt Some grandfathered OSSFs may not need a permit if they meet TCEQ stated conditions

Note: No public exempt-work list was found for general county construction because no public countywide building permit program was identified. OSSF exemptions are limited and condition-based under TCEQ rules.

Required documents
  • For OSSF: Application and planning materials submitted to the applicable TCEQ permitting authority, plus a site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer
Building code
No public countywide building code adoption was found on the official county website.
Permit validity
No county general building permit rule found. No county floodplain permit validity rule found. OSSF permit validity rules are set by the applicable permitting authority.
Owner-builder
TCEQ states an owner may install their own OSSF only if the permitting authority allows it, the system serves a single-family dwelling the owner owns, the owner also owns the property, no part of the property will be developed for sale or lease, and all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements are met.
Contractor requirements
No county contractor registration or contractor license program was found. OSSF installers are regulated under state licensing rules.

Source: Office of the County Judge (Floodplain Administration) and TCEQ Region 6 (OSSF Permitting) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 30 days for OSSF permit review. No county floodplain processing-time estimate was found.

  1. 01
    Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Jeff Davis County and not inside the Town of Valentine.
  2. 02
    Determine whether the work is ordinary vertical construction, floodplain-related, or OSSF/septic work. The county does not publish a clear general building permit program for ordinary construction.
  3. 03
    For floodplain questions, contact the County Judge (listed floodplain administrator). No public floodplain permit form or ordinance is published on the county website.
  4. 04
    For OSSF work, identify the permitting authority through TCEQ OARS or county-region lookup. TCEQ Region 6 (El Paso office) is the permitting authority where no local jurisdiction has been authorized.
  5. 05
    For OSSF applications, submit the application and planning materials to the applicable permitting authority. Arrange a required preconstruction site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer.
  6. 06
    The OSSF permitting authority must approve or deny the application within 30 days of receipt.

Typical processing time: 30 days for OSSF permit review. No county floodplain processing-time estimate was found.

Source: Office of the County Judge (Floodplain Administration) and TCEQ Region 6 (OSSF Permitting) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Jeff Davis County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
No public county general building, floodplain, or OSSF fee schedule was published.
§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Inspection hours
County Judge office hours: Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM; Friday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM; Friday afternoon by appointment.

Typical sequence: No public county building inspection sequence was found. No public county floodplain inspection sequence was found. OSSF inspections depend on the applicable permitting authority and the approved system plan.

Source: Office of the County Judge (Floodplain Administration) and TCEQ Region 6 (OSSF Permitting) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Jeff Davis County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, TX? ▸
No public county general building permit requirement was found for ordinary construction in unincorporated Jeff Davis County. OSSF/septic systems require a permit and approved plan to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate. Floodplain permits are administered by the County Judge.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: No public county general building, floodplain, or OSSF fee schedule was published..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, TX, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Jeff Davis County and not inside the Town of Valentine. 2. Determine whether the work is ordinary vertical construction, floodplain-related, or OSSF/septic work. The county does not publish a clear general building permit program for ordinary construction. 3. For floodplain questions, contact the County Judge (listed floodplain administrator). No public floodplain permit form or ordinance is published on the county website. 4. For OSSF work, identify the permitting authority through TCEQ OARS or county-region lookup. TCEQ Region 6 (El Paso office) is the permitting authority where no local jurisdiction has been authorized. 5. For OSSF applications, submit the application and planning materials to the applicable permitting authority. Arrange a required preconstruction site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer. 6. The OSSF permitting authority must approve or deny the application within 30 days of receipt.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, TX? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, TX typically run 30 days for OSSF permit review. No county floodplain processing-time estimate was found.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, TX. The following work is generally exempt: The 10 acre rule may exempt some OSSF systems if all TCEQ conditions are met; Emergency OSSF repairs may not require a permit if reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin; Some grandfathered OSSFs may not need a permit if they meet TCEQ stated conditions. Note: No public exempt-work list was found for general county construction because no public countywide building permit program was identified. OSSF exemptions are limited and condition-based under TCEQ rules. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026 source Office of the County Judge (Floodplain Administration) and TCEQ Region 6 (OSSF Permitting) ↗ entry id permits/texas/jeff-davis/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Office of the County Judge (Floodplain Administration) and TCEQ Region 6 (OSSF Permitting) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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