County Building Permits

Palo Pinto County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Palo Pinto County only. No countywide city-style general building permit program for ordinary construction was identified. Verified county permit and approval authorities are narrower: Floodplain development permits, OSSF permitting, and subdivision regulation.

Department
Palo Pinto County - Multiple Offices (Floodplain, OSSF, Subdivision)
Address
Palo Pinto County Courthouse, 520 Oak Street, Palo Pinto, TX 76484
Phone
Floodplain Administrator / Emergency Management: (940) 325-5762; Palo Pinto County Authorized Agent for OSSF: (940) 659-1240
Website
https://www.co.palo-pinto.tx.us/

Online Permit Portal

Open Palo Pinto County Hazard Mitigation

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

Application Process

  1. Determine whether the project falls into one of the county-regulated categories: floodplain development, OSSF, or subdivision and related development review.
  2. For floodplain work, complete the Palo Pinto County Floodplain Development Permit Application and submit it to the Floodplain Administrator at the Office of Emergency Management.
  3. Provide enough location information to identify the project and submit any required site plan, development plans, specifications, elevation data, subdivision plans, or engineer certifications identified by the Floodplain Administrator.
  4. Wait for the floodplain determination. No work may start until a permit is issued and development may not be used or occupied until a Certificate of Compliance is issued.
  5. For OSSF work in unincorporated county areas, contact Palo Pinto County Authorized Agent and submit the required OSSF application package and supporting materials.
  6. For subdivision and plat matters, submit the required plats, plans, and fees under the county subdivision regulations and wait for county review and approval before construction of county-regulated improvements.
  7. Schedule any required inspections with the county office administering the applicable program.

Typical processing time: The floodplain application states the permit will expire if no work is commenced within six months of issuance. No specific processing time estimate was published for other county programs.

Source: Palo Pinto County - Multiple Offices (Floodplain, OSSF, Subdivision)

General Requirements

No public countywide general building permit requirement for ordinary building construction in unincorporated Palo Pinto County. Verified county permit triggers are narrower: floodplain development in regulated areas, OSSF permitting through the county authorized-agent program, and subdivision and related development approvals under the county subdivision regulations.

Required Documents

  • Floodplain permit application
  • Site plan and project-location information
  • Development plans and specifications as required by the Floodplain Administrator
  • Engineer or surveyor certifications where required by floodplain rules
  • Subdivision or other development plans where applicable
  • For OSSF work, confirm county authorized-agent forms and supporting materials with the county
Permit validity
Floodplain development permit expires if no work is commenced within six months of issuance.
Building code
No public countywide general building code adoption found for unincorporated Palo Pinto County. Verified local programs are the floodplain development permit process, the county OSSF authorized-agent program, and the county subdivision regulations.
Contractor requirements
No separate county general contractor licensing program for ordinary construction. State trade licensing and OSSF licensing rules may apply. Floodplain applications may require engineer or surveyor support depending on the project.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$250.00
Permit fee formula
Subdivision-related and mostly flat-fee based. The county subdivision regulations list flat fees for plats, plat amendments, vacations, cancellations, and road closures. No public valuation-based county general building permit fee formula found because no general county building permit program exists.
Payment note
Subdivision fees are to be submitted to the county before review or consideration. Listed plat, amendment, vacation, cancellation, and road-closure fees are non-refundable.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Palo Pinto County - Multiple Offices (Floodplain, OSSF, Subdivision) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Floodplain Administrator: (940) 325-5762; OSSF: (940) 659-1240 (phone)
  • Floodplain: oem@co.palo-pinto.tx.us; OSSF: david.mcdonald@co.palo-pinto.tx.us (email)
Inspection hours
TCEQ OARS lists Palo Pinto County Authorized Agent office hours as Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Determine whether county floodplain, OSSF, or subdivision review applies; Submit application and supporting documents; County review and permit or approval decision; Construction subject to county inspections where applicable; Floodplain projects require a Certificate of Compliance before use or occupancy.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Palo Pinto County - Multiple Offices (Floodplain, OSSF, Subdivision) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palo Pinto County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Palo Pinto County, TX?
No public countywide general building permit requirement for ordinary building construction in unincorporated Palo Pinto County. Verified county permit triggers are narrower: floodplain development in regulated areas, OSSF permitting through the county authorized-agent program, and subdivision and related development approvals under the county subdivision regulations.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Palo Pinto County, TX?
The minimum permit fee is $250.00. Fees are calculated as: Subdivision-related and mostly flat-fee based. The county subdivision regulations list flat fees for plats, plat amendments, vacations, cancellations, and road closures. No public valuation-based county general building permit fee formula found because no general county building permit program exists..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Palo Pinto County, TX?
1. Determine whether the project falls into one of the county-regulated categories: floodplain development, OSSF, or subdivision and related development review. 2. For floodplain work, complete the Palo Pinto County Floodplain Development Permit Application and submit it to the Floodplain Administrator at the Office of Emergency Management. 3. Provide enough location information to identify the project and submit any required site plan, development plans, specifications, elevation data, subdivision plans, or engineer certifications identified by the Floodplain Administrator. 4. Wait for the floodplain determination. No work may start until a permit is issued and development may not be used or occupied until a Certificate of Compliance is issued. 5. For OSSF work in unincorporated county areas, contact Palo Pinto County Authorized Agent and submit the required OSSF application package and supporting materials. 6. For subdivision and plat matters, submit the required plats, plans, and fees under the county subdivision regulations and wait for county review and approval before construction of county-regulated improvements. 7. Schedule any required inspections with the county office administering the applicable program.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Palo Pinto County, TX?
Typical processing time is The floodplain application states the permit will expire if no work is commenced within six months of issuance. No specific processing time estimate was published for other county programs..
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Palo Pinto County, TX?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Floodplain Administrator: (940) 325-5762; OSSF: (940) 659-1240, Floodplain: oem@co.palo-pinto.tx.us; OSSF: david.mcdonald@co.palo-pinto.tx.us.

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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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