County Building Permits

Nolan County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties in unincorporated Nolan County.

Department
Nolan County (Floodplain contact); TCEQ Region 3 (OSSF permitting authority)
Address
100 East Third, Suite 105, Sweetwater, TX 79556 (County Judge / courthouse); 1977 Industrial Blvd, Abilene, TX 79602-7833 (TCEQ Region 3 OSSF office)
Phone
(325) 235-2263 (County main line); (325) 698-9674 (TCEQ Region 3 OSSF)
Website
https://www.co.nolan.tx.us/

Online Permit Portal

Open Nolan County Official Website

Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Determine whether the parcel is outside all city limits and in unincorporated Nolan County.
  2. For ordinary building construction, do not assume a county building permit exists. No public Nolan County source documents a countywide general building permit program.
  3. If the project is in or near a mapped flood hazard area, contact the Nolan County Judge / floodplain contact before site work or development.
  4. If the project includes an on-site sewage facility or septic system, use the TCEQ OSSF process for Nolan County. TCEQ OARS lists TCEQ Region 3 as the state permitting authority for Nolan County.
  5. For OSSF work, prepare the permit application and planning materials required by TCEQ rules and submit them to the permitting authority.
  6. Wait for approval or denial. TCEQ states the permitting authority must approve or deny OSSF planning materials and the permit application within 30 days of receipt.
  7. Before covering the system, the installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the OSSF is ready for inspection.
  8. Do not place the system into service until inspection and approval are complete.

Typical processing time: OSSF permits: permitting authority must approve or deny application within 30 days of receipt.

Source: Nolan County (Floodplain contact); TCEQ Region 3 (OSSF permitting authority)

General Requirements

No public Nolan County source reviewed here documents a countywide general building permit requirement for ordinary construction in unincorporated areas. Floodplain development controls may apply in mapped flood hazard areas. For OSSF work, TCEQ states almost all on-site sewage facilities require a permit prior to construction, installation, repair, extension, or other alteration unless a specific exception such as grandfathering or the 10-acre rule applies.

Required Documents

  • For OSSF work: owner information, property information, site evaluation, design details, and other materials required under 30 TAC Chapter 285
Permit validity
For OSSF work, TCEQ states an authorization to construct is valid for one calendar year from issuance.
Owner-builder
For OSSF work, TCEQ states work must be performed by a licensed installer or directly by the homeowner when it is their single-family residence.
Contractor requirements
For OSSF work, licensed installer requirements under TCEQ rules apply unless the homeowner exception applies.

Fees

Payment note
Confirm current floodplain and OSSF fee requirements directly with the responsible office because no public Nolan County fee sheet was identified in the reviewed sources.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Nolan County (Floodplain contact); TCEQ Region 3 (OSSF permitting authority) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • (325) 235-2263 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
For OSSF inspections, installer shall notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the OSSF is ready for inspection.
Inspection hours
TCEQ Region 3 OSSF office: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Verify unincorporated county location; confirm whether floodplain review applies; for OSSF work, submit planning materials and permit application; obtain authorization to construct; install system; request inspection at least five working days before ready; receive approval before operation.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Nolan County (Floodplain contact); TCEQ Region 3 (OSSF permitting authority) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nolan County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Nolan County, TX?
No public Nolan County source reviewed here documents a countywide general building permit requirement for ordinary construction in unincorporated areas. Floodplain development controls may apply in mapped flood hazard areas. For OSSF work, TCEQ states almost all on-site sewage facilities require a permit prior to construction, installation, repair, extension, or other alteration unless a specific exception such as grandfathering or the 10-acre rule applies.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Nolan County, TX?
1. Determine whether the parcel is outside all city limits and in unincorporated Nolan County. 2. For ordinary building construction, do not assume a county building permit exists. No public Nolan County source documents a countywide general building permit program. 3. If the project is in or near a mapped flood hazard area, contact the Nolan County Judge / floodplain contact before site work or development. 4. If the project includes an on-site sewage facility or septic system, use the TCEQ OSSF process for Nolan County. TCEQ OARS lists TCEQ Region 3 as the state permitting authority for Nolan County. 5. For OSSF work, prepare the permit application and planning materials required by TCEQ rules and submit them to the permitting authority. 6. Wait for approval or denial. TCEQ states the permitting authority must approve or deny OSSF planning materials and the permit application within 30 days of receipt. 7. Before covering the system, the installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the OSSF is ready for inspection. 8. Do not place the system into service until inspection and approval are complete.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Nolan County, TX?
Typical processing time is OSSF permits: permitting authority must approve or deny application within 30 days of receipt..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Nolan County, TX?
The following work is generally exempt: For OSSF work only: permit may not be required if the system is grandfathered or qualifies under the 10-acre rule. Note: No public Nolan County exempt-work list for a general building permit program was found.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Nolan County, TX?
Inspections can be scheduled via: (325) 235-2263. For OSSF inspections, installer shall notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the OSSF is ready for inspection..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated Nolan County can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works
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.
← Back to Nolan County permit guides