County Building Permits
Leon County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Leon County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Leon County only. Verify that the parcel is not inside a city limit.
- Department
- Leon County permits program (County Judge's office and 911 Addressing / EOC office)
- Address
- 155 N. Cass, Centerville, TX 75833, 3rd Floor (911 Addressing / EOC permit intake)
- Phone
- (903) 536-2331
- Permits@co.leon.tx.us
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County website with downloadable forms and payment links • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Verify that the property is in unincorporated Leon County and not inside a city limit.
- Determine which county permit applies. The county publicly supports floodplain permits, electric release permits, and septic permits.
- For floodplain work, verify the 911 physical address first, then complete the floodplain permit and submit it by email to Permits@co.leon.tx.us, by fax to (903) 536-1021, or in person at the 911 Addressing / EOC office.
- For electric service in unincorporated areas, verify the 911 physical address first, then complete the electric permit and submit it by email, fax, or in person. Electric permits are required only in unincorporated Leon County.
- For septic work, contact the Leon County OSSF Compliance Program and obtain the septic permit through the county program or County Judge's office.
- Pay the applicable county fee using the posted payment link or the in-person county intake process.
- Wait for written county authorization before starting development covered by the county permit program.
Source: Leon County permits program (County Judge's office and 911 Addressing / EOC office)
General Requirements
Floodplain determination and development permit is required for new construction, manufactured home placement, and substantial improvements in regulated flood areas because Leon County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Electric permit is required only within unincorporated areas of Leon County. Septic permits are required through the Leon County OSSF Compliance Program.
Required Documents
- Verified 911 physical address before floodplain or electric permit filing
- Completed county floodplain or electric permit form
- Additional project details requested by the county form or the OSSF program
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $20
- Permit fee formula
- Floodplain determination fee: $20.00 (flat fee unless property is in SFHA flood zone, then call for guidance). Electric permit fee: $30.00 (flat fee).
- Payment note
- County permit pages provide payment links for floodplain and electric permit payments. Applicants may also submit by email, fax, or in-person.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Leon County permits program (County Judge's office and 911 Addressing / EOC office) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: permit category determination, address verification, form submission, county review and written authorization, separate OSSF review for septic where applicable.
Additional Resources
- County Permits Menu
- Floodplain Permit Page
- Electric Permit Page
- New Resident Guide
- 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 Leon County permits program (County Judge's office and 911 Addressing / EOC office) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leon County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Leon County, TX?
- Floodplain determination and development permit is required for new construction, manufactured home placement, and substantial improvements in regulated flood areas because Leon County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Electric permit is required only within unincorporated areas of Leon County. Septic permits are required through the Leon County OSSF Compliance Program.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Leon County, TX?
- The minimum permit fee is $20. Fees are calculated as: Floodplain determination fee: $20.00 (flat fee unless property is in SFHA flood zone, then call for guidance). Electric permit fee: $30.00 (flat fee)..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Leon County, TX?
- 1. Verify that the property is in unincorporated Leon County and not inside a city limit. 2. Determine which county permit applies. The county publicly supports floodplain permits, electric release permits, and septic permits. 3. For floodplain work, verify the 911 physical address first, then complete the floodplain permit and submit it by email to Permits@co.leon.tx.us, by fax to (903) 536-1021, or in person at the 911 Addressing / EOC office. 4. For electric service in unincorporated areas, verify the 911 physical address first, then complete the electric permit and submit it by email, fax, or in person. Electric permits are required only in unincorporated Leon County. 5. For septic work, contact the Leon County OSSF Compliance Program and obtain the septic permit through the county program or County Judge's office. 6. Pay the applicable county fee using the posted payment link or the in-person county intake process. 7. Wait for written county authorization before starting development covered by the county permit program.
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