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

The minimum permit fee is $25.00. Fees are calculated as: Flat fees on septic permit fee schedule. $25.00 affidavit fee for aerobic system only; OSSF permit fees are $300.00 residential and $400.00 commercial..

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

Typical processing time is Not publicly documented.

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

The following work is generally exempt: OSSF is exempt from permitting if it serves a single-family residence on a continuous tract of 10 acres or larger, is the only single-family residence on that tract, and is not otherwise required to have a permit from the local permitting authority; Exceptions apply in ANRA areas and within 2000 feet of elevation 286 mean sea level on Lake Nacogdoches and elevation 357 mean sea level on Lake Naconiche. Note: The 10-acre rule has specific exceptions. Verify applicability with county before assuming exemption.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Environmental Services.

County Building Permits

Nacogdoches County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Nacogdoches County. Verified controls include on-site sewage facility (OSSF) permitting, subdivision regulations, and county road specifications.

Department: Environmental Services Department / Environmental Health
Address: 208 W Pilar St, Nacogdoches, TX 75961
Phone: (936) 560-7704
Website: https://www.co.nacogdoches.tx.us/departments/environmentalservices.asp

Application Process

Determine whether the project is in unincorporated county jurisdiction and whether the county issue is OSSF, subdivision, county-road access, or another specific county-controlled topic.
For OSSF work, contact Environmental Services and complete the county Application for On-Site Sewage Facility.
Provide owner, site, legal-description, water-source, use, and licensed site-evaluator, designer, and installer information as required by the county form.
Pay the applicable county OSSF fee.
Allow county entry for lot evaluation and inspection. A permit to operate will be granted after successful inspection showing compliance with TAC Title 30, Chapter 285.
If the tract qualifies for the 10-acre rule, verify whether the exemption applies.

Typical processing time: Not publicly documented

Source: Environmental Services Department / Environmental Health

General Requirements

The county clearly documents an on-site sewage facility (OSSF) permitting program for new construction and existing buildings. No general countywide building permit requirement was found. County authority is narrower and includes OSSF, subdivision regulations, and county road and street specifications.

Required Documents

For OSSF: Owner and property information
For OSSF: Legal description and parcel ID
For OSSF: Water source and use information
For OSSF: Bedroom or employee count
For OSSF: Permit reason
For OSSF: Licensed site evaluator, designer, and installer information

Building code: No countywide general building-code adoption found. Verified county regulations include OSSF administration under TAC Title 30, Chapter 285 and subdivision regulation under Chapter 232 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Owner-builder: No county-specific owner-builder rule found in public materials.
Contractor requirements: OSSF form requires licensed or registered site evaluators, designers, and installers. No countywide building-contractor licensing requirement found.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $25.00
Permit fee formula: Flat fees on septic permit fee schedule. $25.00 affidavit fee for aerobic system only; OSSF permit fees are $300.00 residential and $400.00 commercial.
Reinspection fee: $75.00
Payment note: No public online payment instructions identified

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

OSSF is exempt from permitting if it serves a single-family residence on a continuous tract of 10 acres or larger, is the only single-family residence on that tract, and is not otherwise required to have a permit from the local permitting authority
Exceptions apply in ANRA areas and within 2000 feet of elevation 286 mean sea level on Lake Nacogdoches and elevation 357 mean sea level on Lake Naconiche

Important: The 10-acre rule has specific exceptions. Verify applicability with county before assuming exemption.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Environmental Services (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: For OSSF: lot evaluation and inspection, followed by permit to operate after successful inspection.

Additional Resources

Building code: No countywide general building-code adoption found. Verified county regulations include OSSF administration under TAC Title 30, Chapter 285 and subdivision regulation under Chapter 232 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Septic System Fees
County Subdivision Regulations
Regulations for Subdivision Roads and Streets
10 Acre Rule
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 Environmental Services Department / Environmental Health before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nacogdoches County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX?: The county clearly documents an on-site sewage facility (OSSF) permitting program for new construction and existing buildings. No general countywide building permit requirement was found. County authority is narrower and includes OSSF, subdivision regulations, and county road and street specifications.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX?: The minimum permit fee is $25.00. Fees are calculated as: Flat fees on septic permit fee schedule. $25.00 affidavit fee for aerobic system only; OSSF permit fees are $300.00 residential and $400.00 commercial..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX?: 1. Determine whether the project is in unincorporated county jurisdiction and whether the county issue is OSSF, subdivision, county-road access, or another specific county-controlled topic. 2. For OSSF work, contact Environmental Services and complete the county Application for On-Site Sewage Facility. 3. Provide owner, site, legal-description, water-source, use, and licensed site-evaluator, designer, and installer information as required by the county form. 4. Pay the applicable county OSSF fee. 5. Allow county entry for lot evaluation and inspection. A permit to operate will be granted after successful inspection showing compliance with TAC Title 30, Chapter 285. 6. If the tract qualifies for the 10-acre rule, verify whether the exemption applies.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX?: Typical processing time is Not publicly documented.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX?: The following work is generally exempt: OSSF is exempt from permitting if it serves a single-family residence on a continuous tract of 10 acres or larger, is the only single-family residence on that tract, and is not otherwise required to have a permit from the local permitting authority; Exceptions apply in ANRA areas and within 2000 feet of elevation 286 mean sea level on Lake Nacogdoches and elevation 357 mean sea level on Lake Naconiche. Note: The 10-acre rule has specific exceptions. Verify applicability with county before assuming exemption.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Environmental Services.

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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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