McCulloch County, TX — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

McCulloch County Permits; OSSF intake routes through County Judge's office

Street address

McCulloch County Courthouse, 199 Courthouse Square, Brady, TX 76825; OSSF: Room 302

Phone

(325) 597-0733; Ext. 4 for OSSF

Coverage

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.

Online portal

County Permits Page

County website download page

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for McCulloch County

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.

Note: No public exempt-work list for unincorporated McCulloch County was found in county permit materials reviewed. County controls are limited and permit-specific rather than based on comprehensive building code.

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.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Determine which county permit applies: OSSF (septic), culvert installation, or county road right-of-way work.
02

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).
03

Complete the application packet in the property owner's name; all pages must be completed and the packet must remain intact.
04

Submit the completed application packet and applicable fee to McCulloch County at the address or office indicated on the form.
05

County staff reviews the permit packet and issues an Authorization to Construct upon approval.
06

For OSSF construction: Schedule inspection before covering the system by contacting the county inspector at least 5 working days in advance.
07

For culvert or right-of-way work: Contact the county commissioner for the relevant precinct or the county office as instructed on the form.
08

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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

McCulloch County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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)

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Contact county inspector; minimum 5 working days advance notice required (phone)

Typical 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.

Source: McCulloch County Permits; OSSF intake routes through County Judge's office ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated McCulloch County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX, follow these steps: 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.

04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated McCulloch County, TX via: Contact county inspector; minimum 5 working days advance notice required.

last verified April 2026 source McCulloch County Permits; OSSF intake routes through County Judge's office ↗ entry id permits/texas/mcculloch/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with McCulloch County Permits; OSSF intake routes through County Judge's office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.