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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Lee County
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.
Individual buildings 100 square feet or less do not require a permit.
- 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.
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
- 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.
- Permit validity
- The development permit is valid for 1 year.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Lee County. If the project is inside Giddings or Lexington city limits, use the city permit process instead.
- 02 Obtain a 9-1-1 address for any new residence or business project before applying for permits. The county says this step comes first.
- 03 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.
- 04 Complete the Development Permit Application covering construction, remodel, placement of manufactured housing, burial, pipeline or cable, drilling, and other development in unincorporated areas.
- 05 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.
- 06 Submit the completed packet to Lee County Development Services or the county code-enforcement function identified on the application.
- 07 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.
- 08 Wait for county review and any required inspections. The development application states the permit is valid for 1 year.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Lee County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25.00 - $100.00 (sources conflict; verify with Development Services)
02
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.
03
Penalty (no permit)
Penalty for not securing application: $250; Penalty within floodplain: $1,000; Driveway-entrance permit penalties: $100 private, $500 commercial
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (979) 212-8070 (phone)
- permitting@co.lee.tx.us (email)
Typical 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Lee County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lee County, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Lee County, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, TX, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lee County, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lee County, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lee County, TX via: (979) 212-8070, permitting@co.lee.tx.us.
last verified April 2026
source Lee County Development Services Department ↗
entry id permits/texas/lee/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Lee County Development Services Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.