Menard County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Menard County. Permit authority is limited to OSSF facilities, subdivision plats, manufactured home rental communities, and floodplain administration. General building permit programs typical of incorporated cities are not publicly documented for unincorporated county areas.

Department

Menard County Government (County Judge, County Clerk, OSSF Program, Emergency Management)

Address

Menard County Courthouse, 206 E San Saba Ave, Menard, TX 76859

Phone

(325) 396-4789; County Clerk (325) 396-4682; OSSF Inspector Mike McDougall (830) 864-4167; Floodplain Contact Jeff Whitson (325) 456-1251

Email

countyjudge@co.menard.tx.us , menardemc@co.menard.tx.us

Website

https://www.co.menard.tx.us/

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project is one of the county-regulated categories: OSSF (on-site sewage facility), subdivision platting, manufactured home rental community development, or floodplain-related development review.
2. For OSSF work: Obtain the county OSSF application from the courthouse or county website.
3. Have a licensed soil/site evaluator or state-licensed engineer complete the site evaluation. Standard-system planning materials may be prepared by the owner or OSSF installer; non-standard and proprietary systems must be prepared by a professional engineer or professional registered sanitarian.
4. Submit the completed application, Technical Information Sheets 1 and 2, the soil/site evaluation, planning materials, any required recorded affidavit, any required maintenance contract, site directions, and the permit fee to the county.
5. The designated representative reviews the application and planning materials. If approved, the county issues an Authorization to Construct in writing.
6. Before construction inspection, the installer must notify the local designated representative at least 5 working days in advance. All excavations must remain open until final inspection.
7. If installation passes inspection, the county issues a Notice of Approval to the owner within 7 days. If reinspection is required, an additional fee equal to one-half of the original permit fee must be paid before the Notice of Approval will be issued.
8. For subdivision plats and manufactured home rental communities, submit the required application, plans, and fees to the County Judge at the courthouse address in the regulations. The county reviews and approves or rejects under Texas Local Government Code Chapters 232 and 233.

Typical processing time: OSSF Notice of Approval is issued within 7 days after a successful inspection. No public countywide general building-permit review time estimate available.

Source: Menard County Government (County Judge, County Clerk, OSSF Program, Emergency Management)

General Requirements

No public countywide general building permit requirement was found for ordinary building construction in unincorporated Menard County. Verified county permit and approval triggers are narrower: OSSF new installations and repairs, subdivision plats, manufactured home rental community infrastructure plans, and floodplain-related development controls. For OSSF, a permit is required for all new installations and certain repairs.

Required Documents

• For OSSF: Completed application, Technical Information Sheets 1 and 2, soil/site evaluation, planning materials, any required recorded affidavit, any required maintenance contract, directions to the site, and fee payment.
• For subdivision and MHRC review: Applicable application, plan set, tax-status evidence where required, and related supporting documents.

Permit validity

The OSSF Authorization to Construct is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance.

Building code

No public countywide general building code adoption was found. The verified adopted local programs are the county subdivision and manufactured home rental community regulations and the county OSSF permit program operating under Texas OSSF rules.

Owner-builder

For OSSF permits, standard systems may be prepared by the owner or the OSSF installer. No broader public county owner-builder policy for ordinary building construction was found.

Contractor requirements

OSSF site evaluations must be performed by a licensed soil/site evaluator or state-licensed engineer. Non-standard and proprietary OSSF planning materials must be prepared by a professional engineer or professional registered sanitarian. The OSSF installer or the installer's registered apprentice on record must be present onsite during all OSSF site inspections. No separate county general contractor license requirement was found.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$400.00 for OSSF facility permit; $3,000.00 base for subdivision plat

Permit fee formula

OSSF: Flat $400.00 fee. Subdivision: $3,000.00 base plus $300.00 per lot, space, or divided part, plus filing and recording fees if applicable.

Reinspection fee

OSSF reinspection fee is one-half of the original permit fee each time the system is reinspected

Payment note

OSSF fees are non-refundable and must be paid by check or money order payable to the Menard County OSSF Program; cash is not accepted. Subdivision and MHRC application fees must be paid in full by cashier's check or money order to Menard County at application submission. Certificates of Approved Plat and MHRC Compliance are $50.00 each.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Menard County Government (County Judge, County Clerk, OSSF Program, Emergency Management) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Contact Menard County OSSF Program or designated representative (in-person)

Scheduling deadline

For OSSF inspections, the installer must notify the local designated representative at least 5 working days before the construction inspection.

Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF: Site evaluation and planning, county review, Authorization to Construct, installation, inspection while excavations remain open, then Notice of Approval within 7 days after an approved inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No public countywide general building code adoption was found. The verified adopted local programs are the county subdivision and manufactured home rental community regulations and the county OSSF permit program operating under Texas OSSF rules.
• Texas Flood Floodplain Administrator Directory
• Menard County Chamber of Commerce - Local Government
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Menard County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Menard County, TX?

No public countywide general building permit requirement was found for ordinary building construction in unincorporated Menard County. Verified county permit and approval triggers are narrower: OSSF new installations and repairs, subdivision plats, manufactured home rental community infrastructure plans, and floodplain-related development controls. For OSSF, a permit is required for all new installations and certain repairs.

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

The minimum permit fee is $400.00 for OSSF facility permit; $3,000.00 base for subdivision plat. Fees are calculated as: OSSF: Flat $400.00 fee. Subdivision: $3,000.00 base plus $300.00 per lot, space, or divided part, plus filing and recording fees if applicable..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Menard County, TX?

1. Determine whether the project is one of the county-regulated categories: OSSF (on-site sewage facility), subdivision platting, manufactured home rental community development, or floodplain-related development review. 2. For OSSF work: Obtain the county OSSF application from the courthouse or county website. 3. Have a licensed soil/site evaluator or state-licensed engineer complete the site evaluation. Standard-system planning materials may be prepared by the owner or OSSF installer; non-standard and proprietary systems must be prepared by a professional engineer or professional registered sanitarian. 4. Submit the completed application, Technical Information Sheets 1 and 2, the soil/site evaluation, planning materials, any required recorded affidavit, any required maintenance contract, site directions, and the permit fee to the county. 5. The designated representative reviews the application and planning materials. If approved, the county issues an Authorization to Construct in writing. 6. Before construction inspection, the installer must notify the local designated representative at least 5 working days in advance. All excavations must remain open until final inspection. 7. If installation passes inspection, the county issues a Notice of Approval to the owner within 7 days. If reinspection is required, an additional fee equal to one-half of the original permit fee must be paid before the Notice of Approval will be issued. 8. For subdivision plats and manufactured home rental communities, submit the required application, plans, and fees to the County Judge at the courthouse address in the regulations. The county reviews and approves or rejects under Texas Local Government Code Chapters 232 and 233.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Menard County, TX?

Typical processing time is OSSF Notice of Approval is issued within 7 days after a successful inspection. No public countywide general building-permit review time estimate available..

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Menard County, TX?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact Menard County OSSF Program or designated representative. For OSSF inspections, the installer must notify the local designated representative at least 5 working days before the construction inspection..