County Building Permits
McCulloch County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated McCulloch County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated McCulloch County. The county does not have zoning requirements and controls are limited to specific permit-types: OSSF (septic), culvert, and right-of-way permits rather than comprehensive county building code.
- Department
- McCulloch County Permits; OSSF intake routes through County Judge's office
- Address
- McCulloch County Courthouse, 199 Courthouse Square, Brady, TX 76825; OSSF: Room 302
- Phone
- (325) 597-0733; Ext. 4 for OSSF
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County website download page • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine which county permit applies: OSSF (septic), culvert installation, or county road right-of-way work.
- For OSSF: Obtain the county application packet and have required site evaluation and design prepared by a state-qualified professional (Registered Sanitarian, Professional Engineer, or Licensed Installer).
- Complete the application packet in the property owner's name; all pages must be completed and the packet must remain intact.
- Submit the completed application packet and applicable fee to McCulloch County at the address or office indicated on the form.
- County staff reviews the permit packet and issues an Authorization to Construct upon approval.
- For OSSF construction: Schedule inspection before covering the system by contacting the county inspector at least 5 working days in advance.
- For culvert or right-of-way work: Contact the county commissioner for the relevant precinct or the county office as instructed on the form.
- County issues Notice of Approval if the work passes inspection and complies with requirements.
Source: McCulloch County Permits; OSSF intake routes through County Judge's office
General Requirements
McCulloch County does not have zoning requirements but does require permits for: OSSF (on-site sewage facilities/septic systems), culvert installation on county roads, and work in county road right-of-way. No comprehensive countywide general building permit program equivalent to city-style departments was clearly documented.
Required Documents
- OSSF application packet (all pages)
- Owner and property information
- Soil identification procedure report (by Registered Sanitarian, Professional Engineer, or Licensed Installer)
- Septic system design (by qualified professional)
- For aerobic or surface systems: Affidavit to the Public filed with County Clerk and attached to permit
- Culvert permit: requester contact, county road location, directions, culvert size, and commissioner/precinct sign-off
- Right-of-way permit: completed application following county line-crossing guidelines
- Permit validity
- OSSF Authorization to Construct is valid for one year from issuance; after one year a new application and fees are required. No public validity rule found for culvert or right-of-way permits.
- Contractor requirements
- OSSF design and evaluation work must be performed by state-qualified professionals (Registered Sanitarian, Professional Engineer, or Licensed Installer as applicable to the system type). No countywide general contractor license requirement was found.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $360.00 OSSF (residential and commercial)
- Permit fee formula
- Flat fee for OSSF. Culvert and right-of-way fees not clearly published in county materials reviewed.
- Reinspection fee
- $180.00 OSSF reinspection (one-half of permit fee each time)
- Payment note
- OSSF application packet indicates completed submission must include appropriate fee. No public online county payment workflow found; verify current payment method with county office.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the McCulloch County Permits; OSSF intake routes through County Judge's office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Contact county inspector; minimum 5 working days advance notice required (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF: application and technical review, permit issuance, system installation, pre-coverage inspection, then Notice of Approval if compliant. Culvert and right-of-way inspection procedures not clearly published.
Additional Resources
- Verify contractor license: TDLR License Lookup
- County Home
- Subdivision Regulations
- Flood Damage Information
- 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 McCulloch County Permits; OSSF intake routes through County Judge's office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
McCulloch County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX?
- McCulloch County does not have zoning requirements but does require permits for: OSSF (on-site sewage facilities/septic systems), culvert installation on county roads, and work in county road right-of-way. No comprehensive countywide general building permit program equivalent to city-style departments was clearly documented.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX?
- The minimum permit fee is $360.00 OSSF (residential and commercial). Fees are calculated as: Flat fee for OSSF. Culvert and right-of-way fees not clearly published in county materials reviewed..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX?
- 1. Determine which county permit applies: OSSF (septic), culvert installation, or county road right-of-way work. 2. For OSSF: Obtain the county application packet and have required site evaluation and design prepared by a state-qualified professional (Registered Sanitarian, Professional Engineer, or Licensed Installer). 3. Complete the application packet in the property owner's name; all pages must be completed and the packet must remain intact. 4. Submit the completed application packet and applicable fee to McCulloch County at the address or office indicated on the form. 5. County staff reviews the permit packet and issues an Authorization to Construct upon approval. 6. For OSSF construction: Schedule inspection before covering the system by contacting the county inspector at least 5 working days in advance. 7. For culvert or right-of-way work: Contact the county commissioner for the relevant precinct or the county office as instructed on the form. 8. County issues Notice of Approval if the work passes inspection and complies with requirements.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact county inspector; minimum 5 working days advance notice required.
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