How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated McMullen County, TX?

The minimum permit fee is $400.00 (floodplain single-family); $500.00 (subdivision); $500.00 (pipeline/road crossing). Fees are calculated as: Floodplain: flat fee of $400.00 for single-family residence and $800.00 for commercial/industrial/other. Subdivision: base fee plus $100.00 per lot or divided part. Pipeline/road crossing: flat $500.00 application fee per application..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated McMullen County, TX?

The following work is generally exempt: For OSSF only: no permit required if the OSSF serves a single-family residence on a tract of 10 acres or more, is not causing a nuisance or polluting groundwater, all parts are at least 100 feet from the property line, effluent is disposed of on the property, and the residence is the only dwelling on the tract.; For OSSF only: emergency repairs such as replacing tank lids, inlet and outlet devices, and repair of solid lines do not require a permit, but must be reported to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin.; For subdivision platting only: McMullen County adopted exceptions including certain agricultural splits, certain family transfers, certain all-lots-over-10-acres divisions with no regulated roads, certain veterans land board transfers, some state-owned land splits, certain political-subdivision floodplain transactions, one retained tract for later subdivision, and certain transfers to adjoining owners. See Exhibit F of the subdivision regulations for exact legal conditions.. Note: No public exempt-work list was found for a general county building permit program because no such countywide general building permit program was publicly documented.

County Building Permits

McMullen County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated McMullen County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of McMullen County. County controls include floodplain development permits, on-site sewage facility (OSSF) permitting, subdivision plat regulation, and pipeline or road-crossing permits affecting county roads. No countywide general building permit program for ordinary residential or commercial construction was publicly identified.

Department: McMullen County Commissioners Court; County Judge (Floodplain Administrator)
Address: McMullen County Courthouse, 501 River Street, Tilden, Texas 78072
Phone: (361) 274-3900; Floodplain: (361) 274-3341; OSSF: (361) 449-8043
Email: Judge.Teal@mcmullencounty.org , countycourt@mcmullencounty.org , Desiree.Berlanga@mcmullencounty.org
Website: https://mcmullencounty.org/

Application Process

Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated McMullen County and determine which county-controlled program applies.
If the project is in or near a mapped special flood hazard area, contact the County Judge / Floodplain Administrator and complete the floodplain development permit application.
If the project involves an on-site sewage facility, complete the county OSSF application, obtain a site and soil evaluation by a certified site evaluator or professional engineer, and assemble planning materials required under TCEQ OSSF rules.
If the project is a subdivision in unincorporated county territory, prepare and submit the subdivision plat application package and fee to the Commissioners Court.
If the project affects a county road with a pipeline or similar crossing, submit the county pipeline or road crossing permit application with required route information.
Submit the applicable paper package, plans, certifications, and fee to the county contact identified in the relevant form. Payment by cashier's check, money order, cash, or check depending on permit type.
Wait for review and approval. For OSSF permits, the permitting authority must approve or deny within 30 days after receipt. For subdivision matters, review runs through Commissioners Court.
Do not start regulated work until the applicable approval is issued.

Typical processing time: OSSF review must be completed within 30 days after receipt according to public septic permitting guidance. No posted processing-time estimate was found for county floodplain, pipeline, or subdivision approvals.

Source: McMullen County Commissioners Court; County Judge (Floodplain Administrator)

General Requirements

No public source was found showing a general county building permit requirement for ordinary residential or commercial construction in unincorporated McMullen County. Publicly verified permit requirements are narrower: floodplain development permit for development in areas of special flood hazard, OSSF permit and approved plan to construct, install, alter, extend, repair, or operate an on-site sewage facility subject to state-law exemptions, subdivision plat approval for regulated subdivision activity, and pipeline or road crossing permit for constructing pipelines across county-jurisdiction road corridors.

Required Documents

Floodplain: county application form, plans drawn to scale showing locations, dimensions, and elevations of proposed work, certifications by a Texas registered professional engineer, architect, or surveyor where required, and hydrologic/hydraulic study for alterations of watercourses.
OSSF: completed county application, site and soil evaluation by a certified site evaluator or professional engineer, planning materials and scaled design under TCEQ Chapter 285, recorded deed copy, and for surface application/aerobic systems, recorded maintenance affidavit and signed maintenance contract.
Subdivision: preliminary plat application materials required by the county subdivision regulations, including plans and utility/drainage information as applicable.
Pipeline/road crossing: county application, route or crossing description, and supporting plans or sections sufficient to describe the work.

Permit validity: No public general county building permit validity rule was found. The county pipeline permit expressly expires 90 days after approval if the pipeline has not been installed. No public expiration period was found in the county floodplain materials reviewed.
Building code: No public countywide adoption of a general building code such as the IRC or IBC was found. Verified adopted programs are narrower: Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance for NFIP floodplain management, Subdivision Regulations for unincorporated county platting and infrastructure standards, and OSSF permitting under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285.
Owner-builder: No countywide owner-builder rule for general construction was publicly found. Public OSSF guidance says a property owner may install an OSSF, but if the owner compensates a person for installation-phase work, that person generally must be a licensed installer of the correct level, subject to limited trade exceptions.
Contractor requirements: No county general contractor licensing program was publicly identified. Floodplain materials require engineering, architectural, or surveying certifications where applicable. OSSF forms require registration-number fields for the site evaluator, designer, and installer, and state law governs those credentials.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $400.00 (floodplain single-family); $500.00 (subdivision); $500.00 (pipeline/road crossing)
Permit fee formula: Floodplain: flat fee of $400.00 for single-family residence and $800.00 for commercial/industrial/other. Subdivision: base fee plus $100.00 per lot or divided part. Pipeline/road crossing: flat $500.00 application fee per application.
Penalty (no permit): Up to $500 per violation under the flood ordinance (misdemeanor). Unauthorized OSSF construction can result in penalties.
Payment note: Floodplain 2026 form: cash, check, or money order payable to McMullen County. Subdivision fees: cashier's check or money order, paid in full at preliminary plat submission. Pipeline permit: flat $500.00 application fee. Note: county updated floodplain form with higher fees in 2026; applicants should confirm current fees with County Judge's office before filing.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-01 (floodplain form)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

For OSSF only: no permit required if the OSSF serves a single-family residence on a tract of 10 acres or more, is not causing a nuisance or polluting groundwater, all parts are at least 100 feet from the property line, effluent is disposed of on the property, and the residence is the only dwelling on the tract.
For OSSF only: emergency repairs such as replacing tank lids, inlet and outlet devices, and repair of solid lines do not require a permit, but must be reported to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin.
For subdivision platting only: McMullen County adopted exceptions including certain agricultural splits, certain family transfers, certain all-lots-over-10-acres divisions with no regulated roads, certain veterans land board transfers, some state-owned land splits, certain political-subdivision floodplain transactions, one retained tract for later subdivision, and certain transfers to adjoining owners. See Exhibit F of the subdivision regulations for exact legal conditions.

Important: No public exempt-work list was found for a general county building permit program because no such countywide general building permit program was publicly documented.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: OSSF: site and soil evaluation, planning materials, application approval, installation, final construction inspection, and then permit to operate after passing inspection. Floodplain: application, county review, permit issuance, and compliance with ordinance standards. Pipeline/road crossing: application and approval before work, then notice before work where required (24-hour notice to Commissioners Court for state highway crossings).

Additional Resources

Building code: No public countywide adoption of a general building code such as the IRC or IBC was found. Verified adopted programs are narrower: Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance for NFIP floodplain management, Subdivision Regulations for unincorporated county platting and infrastructure standards, and OSSF permitting under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285.
County Judge Page
County Departments Directory
County Contact Page
Atascosa and McMullen Counties Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
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 McMullen County Commissioners Court; County Judge (Floodplain Administrator) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

McMullen County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated McMullen County, TX?: No public source was found showing a general county building permit requirement for ordinary residential or commercial construction in unincorporated McMullen County. Publicly verified permit requirements are narrower: floodplain development permit for development in areas of special flood hazard, OSSF permit and approved plan to construct, install, alter, extend, repair, or operate an on-site sewage facility subject to state-law exemptions, subdivision plat approval for regulated subdivision activity, and pipeline or road crossing permit for constructing pipelines across county-jurisdiction road corridors.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated McMullen County, TX?: The minimum permit fee is $400.00 (floodplain single-family); $500.00 (subdivision); $500.00 (pipeline/road crossing). Fees are calculated as: Floodplain: flat fee of $400.00 for single-family residence and $800.00 for commercial/industrial/other. Subdivision: base fee plus $100.00 per lot or divided part. Pipeline/road crossing: flat $500.00 application fee per application..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated McMullen County, TX?: 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated McMullen County and determine which county-controlled program applies. 2. If the project is in or near a mapped special flood hazard area, contact the County Judge / Floodplain Administrator and complete the floodplain development permit application. 3. If the project involves an on-site sewage facility, complete the county OSSF application, obtain a site and soil evaluation by a certified site evaluator or professional engineer, and assemble planning materials required under TCEQ OSSF rules. 4. If the project is a subdivision in unincorporated county territory, prepare and submit the subdivision plat application package and fee to the Commissioners Court. 5. If the project affects a county road with a pipeline or similar crossing, submit the county pipeline or road crossing permit application with required route information. 6. Submit the applicable paper package, plans, certifications, and fee to the county contact identified in the relevant form. Payment by cashier's check, money order, cash, or check depending on permit type. 7. Wait for review and approval. For OSSF permits, the permitting authority must approve or deny within 30 days after receipt. For subdivision matters, review runs through Commissioners Court. 8. Do not start regulated work until the applicable approval is issued.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated McMullen County, TX?: Typical processing time is OSSF review must be completed within 30 days after receipt according to public septic permitting guidance. No posted processing-time estimate was found for county floodplain, pipeline, or subdivision approvals..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated McMullen County, TX?: The following work is generally exempt: For OSSF only: no permit required if the OSSF serves a single-family residence on a tract of 10 acres or more, is not causing a nuisance or polluting groundwater, all parts are at least 100 feet from the property line, effluent is disposed of on the property, and the residence is the only dwelling on the tract.; For OSSF only: emergency repairs such as replacing tank lids, inlet and outlet devices, and repair of solid lines do not require a permit, but must be reported to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin.; For subdivision platting only: McMullen County adopted exceptions including certain agricultural splits, certain family transfers, certain all-lots-over-10-acres divisions with no regulated roads, certain veterans land board transfers, some state-owned land splits, certain political-subdivision floodplain transactions, one retained tract for later subdivision, and certain transfers to adjoining owners. See Exhibit F of the subdivision regulations for exact legal conditions.. Note: No public exempt-work list was found for a general county building permit program because no such countywide general building permit program was publicly documented.

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Important: 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.

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