County Building Permits
Johnson County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated properties in Johnson County not within incorporated city limits.
- Department
- Johnson County Public Works
- Address
- Johnson County Annex, 2 N Mill St, Suite 305, Cleburne, TX 76033
- Phone
- 817-556-6380
Application Process
- Review Development Permit requirements and fee schedule on the county Public Works website.
- Download and complete the appropriate permit application for your project type (residential, commercial, mobile home, etc.).
- Prepare required supporting documents (site plans, plat, etc.) in PDF format.
- Submit completed application and documents by email to development@johnsoncountytx.org or in person at the Johnson County Annex.
- County staff reviews for completeness and procedural compliance, including FEMA floodplain assessment if applicable.
- Pay the permit fee upon approval notice.
- Obtain the issued Development Permit before beginning construction.
Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity; typically 5-10 business days for complete applications.
Source: Johnson County Public Works
General Requirements
Development Permits are required for new development in unincorporated Johnson County, including mobile homes and certain land-development activities.
Required Documents
- Completed Development Permit application
- Site plan or plat showing property boundaries and proposed work
- Proof of property ownership or authorization
- Floodplain certification if in flood zone
- Building code
- Johnson County does not enforce a comprehensive building code for construction in unincorporated areas; permits are limited to development, floodplain, and OSSF (septic) matters.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- See county fee schedule for Development Permit, OSSF, and other applicable county permit fees.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-03).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Johnson County Public Works to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 817-556-6380 (phone)
- development@johnsoncountytx.org (email)
- Inspection hours
- Standard Johnson County business hours; contact Public Works for specifics.
Typical inspection sequence: Johnson County does not provide building inspections or certificates of occupancy for unincorporated construction. Development Permits are limited to land-development, floodplain, and septic (OSSF) oversight.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Johnson County does not enforce a comprehensive building code for construction in unincorporated areas; permits are limited to development, floodplain, and OSSF (septic) matters.
- Verify contractor license: Texas TDLR License Lookup
- 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 Johnson County Public Works before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Johnson County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, TX?
- Development Permits are required for new development in unincorporated Johnson County, including mobile homes and certain land-development activities.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Johnson County, TX?
- Fees are calculated as: See county fee schedule for Development Permit, OSSF, and other applicable county permit fees..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, TX?
- 1. Review Development Permit requirements and fee schedule on the county Public Works website. 2. Download and complete the appropriate permit application for your project type (residential, commercial, mobile home, etc.). 3. Prepare required supporting documents (site plans, plat, etc.) in PDF format. 4. Submit completed application and documents by email to development@johnsoncountytx.org or in person at the Johnson County Annex. 5. County staff reviews for completeness and procedural compliance, including FEMA floodplain assessment if applicable. 6. Pay the permit fee upon approval notice. 7. Obtain the issued Development Permit before beginning construction.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, TX?
- Typical processing time is Varies by project complexity; typically 5-10 business days for complete applications..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 817-556-6380, development@johnsoncountytx.org.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Unincorporated Johnson County can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works