How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated King County, TX?

The minimum permit fee is $200 for single-family dwelling OSSF; $400 for non-single-family OSSF, plus $10 commission fee. Fees are calculated as: Flat fee by OSSF type in TCEQ-administered areas.

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

The following work is generally exempt: For OSSF: single-family dwelling on a tract of 10 acres or more if all 30 TAC 285 criteria are met (site evaluation, minimum setbacks, on-property effluent disposal, dwelling is the only dwelling on tract); For OSSF: emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin; For OSSF: a grandfathered system may not need a permit if installed before the applicable local program date or before September 1, 1989, is not creating a nuisance, is not in need of repair, and has not had a significant increase in use or alteration. Note: No general building permit exemptions list was found because no countywide general building permit program is publicly documented. Exempt from OSSF permit does not mean exempt from other regulatory overlays (floodplain, utility, etc.); confirm edge cases with King County Judge or TCEQ Region 2.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact TCEQ Region 2 or King County Judge directly. For OSSF: permit holder / installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the system is ready for inspection..

County Building Permits

King County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated King County; floodplain development and on-site sewage facility (OSSF) permits. No public countywide general building permit program was found.

Department: King County Judge / Floodplain Administrator; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Region 2 OSSF Program
Address: King County Courthouse, 1667 US-83, Guthrie, TX 79236; TCEQ Region 2, 5012 50th St, Ste 100, Lubbock, TX 79414-3426
Phone: (806) 596-4411; TCEQ Region 2: (806) 796-7092
Email: kcjudge@caprock-spur.com , TCEQ Region 2 OSSF: brent.baker@tceq.texas.gov , ossf@tceq.texas.gov
Website: https://www.co.king.tx.us/page/king.County.Judge

Online Permit Portal

Open TCEQ OARS County Search

Platform: TCEQ Online Application and Reporting System (OARS) • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Verify the parcel is in unincorporated King County.
Determine whether the project involves general building work, floodplain development, or OSSF work.
For floodplain development, contact the King County Judge / Floodplain Administrator if the site is in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area.
For OSSF work, arrange a site evaluation by a licensed Site Evaluator or Professional Engineer.
Complete TCEQ-0235 OSSF permit application and assemble planning materials.
Submit the OSSF application and supporting documents to TCEQ Region 2.
TCEQ reviews the application and must approve or deny within 30 days of receipt.
After authorization to construct is issued, notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the system is ready for inspection.
Upon passing inspection, the permitting authority issues written approval.

Typical processing time: OSSF review must be completed within 30 days of receipt. Floodplain timing not publicly posted.

Source: King County Judge / Floodplain Administrator; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Region 2 OSSF Program

General Requirements

No public countywide general building permit requirement was found for unincorporated King County. Verified controls are narrower: floodplain permits required for development in mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas; OSSF permits required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an on-site sewage facility unless exempt.

Required Documents

For OSSF: TCEQ-0235 permit application, owner information, site address and legal description, water source details, dwelling or business details, site evaluator information, installer information, soil/site evaluation documentation, planning materials if applicable

Permit validity: OSSF authorization to construct is valid for one calendar year from issuance.
Building code: No public countywide adoption of a general building code (IBC/IRC) was found. King County has adopted minimum floodplain regulations under Texas Water Code Section 16.3145 and participates in the NFIP. OSSF work is governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285.
Owner-builder: For OSSF: an owner may install an OSSF for a single-family dwelling the owner owns on property the owner owns, provided the property is not being developed for sale or lease and all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements are met.
Contractor requirements: For OSSF: site evaluations must be performed by a licensed Site Evaluator or Professional Engineer; installation must be performed by a licensed installer of the correct level, except for limited exceptions such as licensed electricians installing electrical components.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $200 for single-family dwelling OSSF; $400 for non-single-family OSSF, plus $10 commission fee
Permit fee formula: Flat fee by OSSF type in TCEQ-administered areas
Reinspection fee: One-half of the original permit fee
Penalty (no permit): Unauthorized construction can result in civil and/or administrative penalties; specific county penalty schedule not publicly available
Payment note: OSSF fee payable when application is submitted to TCEQ regional office by check or money order payable to TCEQ. No online county payment process found.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Per TCEQ RG-472).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

For OSSF: single-family dwelling on a tract of 10 acres or more if all 30 TAC 285 criteria are met (site evaluation, minimum setbacks, on-property effluent disposal, dwelling is the only dwelling on tract)
For OSSF: emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin
For OSSF: a grandfathered system may not need a permit if installed before the applicable local program date or before September 1, 1989, is not creating a nuisance, is not in need of repair, and has not had a significant increase in use or alteration

Important: No general building permit exemptions list was found because no countywide general building permit program is publicly documented. Exempt from OSSF permit does not mean exempt from other regulatory overlays (floodplain, utility, etc.); confirm edge cases with King County Judge or TCEQ Region 2.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Contact TCEQ Region 2 or King County Judge directly (in-person)

Scheduling deadline: For OSSF: permit holder / installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the system is ready for inspection.
Inspection hours: TCEQ Region 2 office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF: site evaluation and planning materials, application review, authorization to construct, construction, notice that system is ready, construction inspection, correction if needed, reinspection if needed, written notice of approval after passing.

Additional Resources

Building code: No public countywide adoption of a general building code (IBC/IRC) was found. King County has adopted minimum floodplain regulations under Texas Water Code Section 16.3145 and participates in the NFIP. OSSF work is governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285.
TCEQ OSSF Rules Compilation (RG-472)
FEMA / TWDB Floodplain Contact List
TWDB Region 1 Floodplain Practices Table
TCEQ Region 2 Directory
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 King County Judge / Floodplain Administrator; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Region 2 OSSF Program before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

King County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated King County, TX?: No public countywide general building permit requirement was found for unincorporated King County. Verified controls are narrower: floodplain permits required for development in mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas; OSSF permits required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an on-site sewage facility unless exempt.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated King County, TX?: The minimum permit fee is $200 for single-family dwelling OSSF; $400 for non-single-family OSSF, plus $10 commission fee. Fees are calculated as: Flat fee by OSSF type in TCEQ-administered areas.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated King County, TX?: 1. Verify the parcel is in unincorporated King County. 2. Determine whether the project involves general building work, floodplain development, or OSSF work. 3. For floodplain development, contact the King County Judge / Floodplain Administrator if the site is in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area. 4. For OSSF work, arrange a site evaluation by a licensed Site Evaluator or Professional Engineer. 5. Complete TCEQ-0235 OSSF permit application and assemble planning materials. 6. Submit the OSSF application and supporting documents to TCEQ Region 2. 7. TCEQ reviews the application and must approve or deny within 30 days of receipt. 8. After authorization to construct is issued, notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the system is ready for inspection. 9. Upon passing inspection, the permitting authority issues written approval.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated King County, TX?: Typical processing time is OSSF review must be completed within 30 days of receipt. Floodplain timing not publicly posted..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated King County, TX?: The following work is generally exempt: For OSSF: single-family dwelling on a tract of 10 acres or more if all 30 TAC 285 criteria are met (site evaluation, minimum setbacks, on-property effluent disposal, dwelling is the only dwelling on tract); For OSSF: emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin; For OSSF: a grandfathered system may not need a permit if installed before the applicable local program date or before September 1, 1989, is not creating a nuisance, is not in need of repair, and has not had a significant increase in use or alteration. Note: No general building permit exemptions list was found because no countywide general building permit program is publicly documented. Exempt from OSSF permit does not mean exempt from other regulatory overlays (floodplain, utility, etc.); confirm edge cases with King County Judge or TCEQ Region 2.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated King County, TX?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact TCEQ Region 2 or King County Judge directly. For OSSF: permit holder / installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the system is ready for inspection..

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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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