Presidio County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Public county materials support narrower county controls: floodplain development permits, OSSF permits and inspections, and certificates of compliance for utility service outside city limits.

Department

County Judge, Presidio County; OSSF Designated Representative for the County of Presidio

Address

Presidio County Courthouse, 300 Highland St., Marfa, TX 79843

Phone

432-729-4452; 432-229-3528

Email

countyjudge@co.presidio.tx.us , pcroadsrucv@co.presidio.tx.us

Website

https://www.co.presidio.tx.us/page/presidio.county.forms.policy

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine which county-controlled approval applies. Main approvals are floodplain development permit, OSSF permit, and certificate of compliance for utility service outside city limits.
2. For floodplain-regulated work, complete the county's Development Permit Application with the property location, development type, and required map information. If the site is in a floodplain, provide one copy of plans and specifications.
3. For an OSSF permit, obtain the county application, have a registered site evaluator perform the mandatory site/soil evaluation, and prepare required planning materials. Some systems require professional design by a registered sanitarian or professional engineer under 30 TAC Chapter 285.
4. Submit the completed OSSF application in the property owner's name with the proper fee, technical information sheet, two copies of planning materials, two copies of the site/soil evaluation, and accurate directions to the site.
5. County staff reviews the OSSF application. Non-standard systems may also be reviewed by TCEQ staff in El Paso or Austin.
6. After OSSF approval, the county issues an Authorization to Construct valid for one year from issuance.
7. Schedule the OSSF installation inspection at least 7 working days before the system will be covered.
8. After a successful inspection, the county issues a Notice of Approval to the owner within approximately 7 working days.
9. For a certificate of compliance for new utility service outside city limits, submit the county application with a deed, approved survey plat, proof of legal water source, proof of septic or city/colonia sewer access, and utility-provider information including the ESID when applicable.

Typical processing time: OSSF: Notice of Approval issued within approximately 7 working days after successful inspection. No public estimate for floodplain permits or certificates of compliance.

Source: County Judge, Presidio County; OSSF Designated Representative for the County of Presidio

General Requirements

Verified county controls are narrower than a municipal building department. Public county approvals include floodplain development permit, OSSF permit and inspection program, and certificate-of-compliance process for utility connections. No countywide general building permit requirement for ordinary unincorporated construction was found.

Required Documents

• Floodplain permit: applicant information, property location, development type, vicinity map, and one copy of plans and specifications if site is in floodplain.
• OSSF: completed application, technical information sheet, fee, two copies of planning materials, two copies of site/soil evaluation, and accurate directions to site.
• Certificate of compliance: deed, approved survey plat with legal description, proof of water source, proof of septic or sewer access, and utility-provider information.

Permit validity

Floodplain development permit is valid for one year from date issued and must be renewed if work is not completed within that period. OSSF Authorization to Construct is valid for one year from issuance.

Building code

No public county adoption of a general building code for all unincorporated construction. Verified frameworks are the local floodplain permit form, the county OSSF order under TCEQ and 30 TAC Chapter 285, and subdivision utility-compliance rules under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232, Subchapter B.

Owner-builder

No public countywide owner-builder summary found for general construction. For OSSF work, the county requires regulated technical roles such as a registered site evaluator and, for some systems, professional design by a registered sanitarian or professional engineer.

Contractor requirements

No public countywide contractor-registration program found for general building contractors. For OSSF work, the county relies on state-regulated roles under 30 TAC Chapter 285, including a registered site evaluator and, where required, a registered sanitarian or professional engineer.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50.00 for county floodplain development permit

Permit fee formula

Flat fees: Floodplain development permit fee is $50.00. OSSF fee is $250.00 for single-family residential systems and $450.00 for all other systems, including commercial and multifamily.

Reinspection fee

OSSF reinspection fee equals one-half of the permit amount for each required reinspection

Payment note

OSSF: all fees are non-refundable and must be paid by personal check, cashier's check, or money order. No cash accepted.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the County Judge, Presidio County; OSSF Designated Representative for the County of Presidio to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• County Office (OSSF) (phone)

Scheduling deadline

For OSSF, contact the county office at least 7 working days in advance to arrange inspection before system is covered.

Typical inspection sequence: OSSF: submit application and technical materials, receive Authorization to Construct, install system, schedule inspection before covering, then receive Notice of Approval after successful inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No public county adoption of a general building code for all unincorporated construction. Verified frameworks are the local floodplain permit form, the county OSSF order under TCEQ and 30 TAC Chapter 285, and subdivision utility-compliance rules under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232, Subchapter B.
• County Judge
• County Forms and Policy
• Floodplain Development Permit
• OSSF Application
• Certificate of Compliance
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Presidio County Building Permit FAQ

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

Verified county controls are narrower than a municipal building department. Public county approvals include floodplain development permit, OSSF permit and inspection program, and certificate-of-compliance process for utility connections. No countywide general building permit requirement for ordinary unincorporated construction was found.

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

The minimum permit fee is $50.00 for county floodplain development permit. Fees are calculated as: Flat fees: Floodplain development permit fee is $50.00. OSSF fee is $250.00 for single-family residential systems and $450.00 for all other systems, including commercial and multifamily..

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

1. Determine which county-controlled approval applies. Main approvals are floodplain development permit, OSSF permit, and certificate of compliance for utility service outside city limits. 2. For floodplain-regulated work, complete the county's Development Permit Application with the property location, development type, and required map information. If the site is in a floodplain, provide one copy of plans and specifications. 3. For an OSSF permit, obtain the county application, have a registered site evaluator perform the mandatory site/soil evaluation, and prepare required planning materials. Some systems require professional design by a registered sanitarian or professional engineer under 30 TAC Chapter 285. 4. Submit the completed OSSF application in the property owner's name with the proper fee, technical information sheet, two copies of planning materials, two copies of the site/soil evaluation, and accurate directions to the site. 5. County staff reviews the OSSF application. Non-standard systems may also be reviewed by TCEQ staff in El Paso or Austin. 6. After OSSF approval, the county issues an Authorization to Construct valid for one year from issuance. 7. Schedule the OSSF installation inspection at least 7 working days before the system will be covered. 8. After a successful inspection, the county issues a Notice of Approval to the owner within approximately 7 working days. 9. For a certificate of compliance for new utility service outside city limits, submit the county application with a deed, approved survey plat, proof of legal water source, proof of septic or city/colonia sewer access, and utility-provider information including the ESID when applicable.

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

Typical processing time is OSSF: Notice of Approval issued within approximately 7 working days after successful inspection. No public estimate for floodplain permits or certificates of compliance..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: County Office (OSSF). For OSSF, contact the county office at least 7 working days in advance to arrange inspection before system is covered..