County Building Permits
Lee County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Texas Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
County controls in unincorporated Lee County include development permits, floodplain permits or exemptions, 9-1-1 addressing, driveway or entrance permits, subdivision regulation, manufactured-home and RV-community regulation, water-well regulation, and OSSF or septic permitting.
- Department
- Lee County Development Services Department
- Address
- Lee County Annex, 898 East Richmond, Suite 203, Giddings, TX 78942 (temporary); Mailing: 200 South Main, Suite 203, Giddings, TX 78942
- Phone
- (979) 212-8070
- permitting@co.lee.tx.us
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Lee County. If the project is inside Giddings or Lexington city limits, use the city permit process instead.
- Obtain a 9-1-1 address for any new residence or business project before applying for permits. The county says this step comes first.
- For development permits, review the county floodplain map and determine whether the property is outside the floodplain and eligible for a floodplain exemption certificate or whether a floodplain permit package is required.
- Complete the Development Permit Application covering construction, remodel, placement of manufactured housing, burial, pipeline or cable, drilling, and other development in unincorporated areas.
- Attach the required survey and, if any portion of the property is in the 1 percent annual chance floodplain, attach plans or specifications, latitude and longitude on a licensed survey, and an elevation certificate or engineering certification as required by the form.
- Submit the completed packet to Lee County Development Services or the county code-enforcement function identified on the application.
- If the project also needs a driveway or entrance permit, floodplain permit, subdivision approval, or OSSF permit, file those county approvals separately. The county states any and all septic systems must be permitted.
- Wait for county review and any required inspections. The development application states the permit is valid for 1 year.
General Requirements
In the unincorporated areas of Lee County, all development applications must be submitted for residential, commercial, oil and gas pipeline, and water development. A permit is required for any individual structure more than 100 square feet. Any and all septic systems must be permitted.
Required Documents
- Completed development permit form
- Copy of the survey
- Plans or specifications if any portion of the property is in the 1 percent annual chance floodplain
- Latitude and longitude on a licensed land survey if in floodplain
- Elevation certificate or engineering certification if in floodplain
- No-rise demonstration if the site is in a floodway
- Permit validity
- The development permit is valid for 1 year.
- Building code
- I did not find a public county page listing countywide adoption of a full building-code set. The verified county program is framed around development review, floodplain compliance, septic, roadway access, and related county controls.
- Owner-builder
- No public owner-builder rule was found. Texas HB 2833 private-inspection rules may apply on qualifying residential projects.
- Contractor requirements
- No countywide contractor-registration or trade-license rule was clearly posted for the development permit itself. OSSF work separately depends on licensed installers.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $25.00 - $100.00 (sources conflict; verify with Development Services)
- Permit fee formula
- Flat fees by permit category. Residential Application: $100; Commercial Application: $500; Agriculture Application: $20; Residential Add-on Applications: $10; Residential Accessory Structures: $25. Public county sources conflict; verify current fee directly with Development Services before filing.
- Penalty (no permit)
- Penalty for not securing application: $250; Penalty within floodplain: $1,000; Driveway-entrance permit penalties: $100 private, $500 commercial
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Individual buildings 100 square feet or less do not require a permit.
Important: No broader public exempt-work list was found for unincorporated Lee County.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (979) 212-8070 (phone)
- permitting@co.lee.tx.us (email)
Typical inspection sequence: Public sources more clearly document floodplain and OSSF review than a city-style building inspection sequence. Expect floodplain determination first, then permit issuance, then any required county inspection tied to floodplain compliance, septic installation, driveway access, or other county-regulated items.
The development application expressly authorizes the Lee County Floodplain Administrator to enter the property for necessary inspections pertaining to the building permit.
Additional Resources
- Building code: I did not find a public county page listing countywide adoption of a full building-code set. The verified county program is framed around development review, floodplain compliance, septic, roadway access, and related county controls.
- Verify contractor license: Texas TDLR License Lookup
- Lee County Subdivision and Development Regulations
- Lee County Flood Damage Prevention Order
- Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations
- Lodging and Recreational Vehicle Development Regulations
- 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 Lee County Development Services Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lee County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, TX?
- In the unincorporated areas of Lee County, all development applications must be submitted for residential, commercial, oil and gas pipeline, and water development. A permit is required for any individual structure more than 100 square feet. Any and all septic systems must be permitted.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lee County, TX?
- The minimum permit fee is $25.00 - $100.00 (sources conflict; verify with Development Services). Fees are calculated as: Flat fees by permit category. Residential Application: $100; Commercial Application: $500; Agriculture Application: $20; Residential Add-on Applications: $10; Residential Accessory Structures: $25. Public county sources conflict; verify current fee directly with Development Services before filing..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, TX?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Lee County. If the project is inside Giddings or Lexington city limits, use the city permit process instead. 2. Obtain a 9-1-1 address for any new residence or business project before applying for permits. The county says this step comes first. 3. For development permits, review the county floodplain map and determine whether the property is outside the floodplain and eligible for a floodplain exemption certificate or whether a floodplain permit package is required. 4. Complete the Development Permit Application covering construction, remodel, placement of manufactured housing, burial, pipeline or cable, drilling, and other development in unincorporated areas. 5. Attach the required survey and, if any portion of the property is in the 1 percent annual chance floodplain, attach plans or specifications, latitude and longitude on a licensed survey, and an elevation certificate or engineering certification as required by the form. 6. Submit the completed packet to Lee County Development Services or the county code-enforcement function identified on the application. 7. If the project also needs a driveway or entrance permit, floodplain permit, subdivision approval, or OSSF permit, file those county approvals separately. The county states any and all septic systems must be permitted. 8. Wait for county review and any required inspections. The development application states the permit is valid for 1 year.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lee County, TX?
- The following work is generally exempt: Individual buildings 100 square feet or less do not require a permit.. Note: No broader public exempt-work list was found for unincorporated Lee County.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lee County, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (979) 212-8070, permitting@co.lee.tx.us.
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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.