On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Nacogdoches County
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.
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
- 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
- Exempt 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.
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.
Source: Environmental Services Department / Environmental Health ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly documented
- 01 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.
- 02 For OSSF work, contact Environmental Services and complete the county Application for On-Site Sewage Facility.
- 03 Provide owner, site, legal-description, water-source, use, and licensed site-evaluator, designer, and installer information as required by the county form.
- 04 Pay the applicable county OSSF fee.
- 05 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.
- 06 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Nacogdoches County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25.00
02
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.
03
Reinspection fee
$75.00
No public online payment instructions identified
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Environmental Services (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: For OSSF: lot evaluation and inspection, followed by permit to operate after successful inspection.
Source: Environmental Services Department / Environmental Health ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Nacogdoches County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX typically run Not publicly documented. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Nacogdoches County, TX via: Environmental Services.
last verified April 2026
source Environmental Services Department / Environmental Health ↗
entry id permits/texas/nacogdoches/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Environmental Services Department / Environmental Health before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.