County Building Permits

Kenedy County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Kenedy County. Publicly verified controls are narrower than city-style general building permits: pipeline/utility-line permits for work affecting county roads, telecommunications antenna/tower permits, floodplain administration, and OSSF authorized-agent status. Applicants should confirm project-specific jurisdiction and applicable overlays.

Department
Kenedy County Commissioners Court / County Judge (no general county building department publicly identified)
Address
Kenedy County Courthouse, 101 East La Parra Avenue, Sarita, TX 78385
Phone
(361) 294-5224
Website
https://www.kenedycountytx.gov/

Application Process

  1. Determine whether the project falls within one of the documented county permit programs: pipeline/utility-line permits, telecommunications antenna/tower permits, floodplain permits, or OSSF permits.
  2. For pipeline/utility-line installations: Complete the county Notice of Proposed Utility Line Activity form; gather Texas Railroad Commission permit, owner/contractor information, and route plan showing compliance with each county road/street/intersection to be bored under. Separate applications required for each opened county road, street, or intersection crossing.
  3. For telecommunications antenna/tower installations: Submit the county form with FCC/FAA licenses or permits, owner/contractor contact information, plan/map, blueprints, start and completion dates, and site-specific information.
  4. Submit completed form(s) and required documentation to the Kenedy County Commissioners Court (in person at the courthouse).
  5. County Commissioners Court considers and acts on the application at a regular or special meeting.
  6. Upon approval, submit the applicable permit fee to the County Judge.
  7. For antenna/tower work, notify the County Judge 48 hours before construction starts.
  8. Proceed with approved work subject to permit conditions.

Typical processing time: Depends on Kenedy County Commissioners Court meeting schedule; no numeric turnaround time was publicly posted.

Source: Kenedy County Commissioners Court / County Judge (no general county building department publicly identified)

General Requirements

No comprehensive county building-permit requirement for ordinary construction was found. Publicly verified permits are limited to: (1) Pipeline/utility-line permits when installation affects opened county roads, streets, or intersections and is regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission; (2) Telecommunications antenna/tower permits for FCC/FAA-licensed installations; (3) Floodplain permits where NFIP applies (Kenedy County is listed as an NFIP community); (4) OSSF permits (Kenedy County is a TCEQ authorized agent). Confirm project-specific requirements with county staff.

Required Documents

  • Completed county permit form (pipeline, antenna/tower, floodplain, or OSSF)
  • For pipeline permits: Texas Railroad Commission permit, owner and contractor contact information, facility size, and plan/map showing compliance
  • For antenna/tower permits: FCC/FAA licenses or permits, owner and contractor contact information, plan/map, blueprints, start and completion dates, location and description of work, and site-specific spacing/distance information
  • For OSSF permits: Site evaluation, soil analysis, septic design, and 911 address (details depend on county application packet)
  • For floodplain permits: Elevation certificate and site-specific documentation (details depend on county application packet; not published online during research)
Permit validity
No general county building permit validity period was found in public records.
Contractor requirements
No general county contractor licensing program identified. Published forms require owner/contractor identification. Separate state or federal requirements may apply by trade or facility type (e.g., TCEQ rules for OSSF work).

Fees

Permit fee formula
Flat fees where documented: Pipeline/utility-line permit: $1,500.00 for each utility facility under each opened county road, street, or intersection. Telecommunications antenna/tower permit: $1,500.00 per permit after approval.
Payment note
Payment submitted to the County Judge upon permit approval. No online payment method was publicly identified; confirm payment options with the county.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Kenedy County Commissioners Court / County Judge (no general county building department publicly identified) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Contact County Judge or Commissioners Court (in-person)
Scheduling deadline
For antenna/tower work: Notify County Judge 48 hours prior to start of construction.

Typical inspection sequence: No public county inspection sequence was found for general construction. For antenna/tower permits, the form requires 48-hour advance notice before work begins.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Kenedy County Commissioners Court / County Judge (no general county building department publicly identified) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenedy County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Kenedy County, TX?
No comprehensive county building-permit requirement for ordinary construction was found. Publicly verified permits are limited to: (1) Pipeline/utility-line permits when installation affects opened county roads, streets, or intersections and is regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission; (2) Telecommunications antenna/tower permits for FCC/FAA-licensed installations; (3) Floodplain permits where NFIP applies (Kenedy County is listed as an NFIP community); (4) OSSF permits (Kenedy County is a TCEQ authorized agent). Confirm project-specific requirements with county staff.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Kenedy County, TX?
Fees are calculated as: Flat fees where documented: Pipeline/utility-line permit: $1,500.00 for each utility facility under each opened county road, street, or intersection. Telecommunications antenna/tower permit: $1,500.00 per permit after approval..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kenedy County, TX?
1. Determine whether the project falls within one of the documented county permit programs: pipeline/utility-line permits, telecommunications antenna/tower permits, floodplain permits, or OSSF permits. 2. For pipeline/utility-line installations: Complete the county Notice of Proposed Utility Line Activity form; gather Texas Railroad Commission permit, owner/contractor information, and route plan showing compliance with each county road/street/intersection to be bored under. Separate applications required for each opened county road, street, or intersection crossing. 3. For telecommunications antenna/tower installations: Submit the county form with FCC/FAA licenses or permits, owner/contractor contact information, plan/map, blueprints, start and completion dates, and site-specific information. 4. Submit completed form(s) and required documentation to the Kenedy County Commissioners Court (in person at the courthouse). 5. County Commissioners Court considers and acts on the application at a regular or special meeting. 6. Upon approval, submit the applicable permit fee to the County Judge. 7. For antenna/tower work, notify the County Judge 48 hours before construction starts. 8. Proceed with approved work subject to permit conditions.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Kenedy County, TX?
Typical processing time is Depends on Kenedy County Commissioners Court meeting schedule; no numeric turnaround time was publicly posted..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Kenedy County, TX?
The following work is generally exempt: Pipeline installations that do not cross any opened county road, street, or intersection do not require a county permit (unopened roads exempt).. Note: No comprehensive exempt-work list for unincorporated Kenedy County was found. County controls are limited to specific permit programs rather than a comprehensive building code with exemptions.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Kenedy County, TX?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact County Judge or Commissioners Court. For antenna/tower work: Notify County Judge 48 hours prior to start of construction..

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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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