San Jacinto County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated properties in San Jacinto County. The county does not publish a general city-style building department for all construction. Verified county controls are narrower and include development permits, floodplain-related review, OSSF (on-site sewage facility) permits, 911 addressing, utility and pipeline permits, and subdivision/development regulation. County materials expressly tie 911 addressing to active development rather than vacant land.

Department

San Jacinto County Permit Department and 9-1-1 Addressing

Address

1 State Hwy. 150, Room 3, Coldspring, TX 77331

Phone

(936) 653-3823

Email

sjcpermits@san-jac.us

Website

https://www.co.san-jacinto.tx.us/page/sanjacinto.PermitDepartment

Application Process

1. Determine which county control applies: development permit, floodplain verification/development, OSSF, utility, pipeline, or 911 addressing related development.
2. For a development permit, assemble the required packet including a current deed in the applicant's name filed with the county clerk, a recent county tax paper in the applicant's name, a survey/as-built/field notes, and a completed signed development permit application.
3. Add county-required supporting materials if applicable: elevation certificate (floodplain property), current septic inspection from a licensed sanitarian (existing septic system), new survey including needed easements and/or variances (newly divided property), notarized owner permission statement (structure on property not in applicant's name).
4. For commercial development, plans must be reviewed and approved by the county engineer and precinct commissioner before filing a commercial permit.
5. Submit the packet to the county permit office.
6. Wait for individual case-by-case verification. The county states the process takes about 7 to 10 working days.
7. After approval, the county issues the development permit and then provides 911 addressing and utility permitting information tied to that approval.
8. For OSSF permits, obtain the development permit and/or official 911 address first, then submit the OSSF packet. Do not install until the county has approved the permit and issued authorization to construct.
9. For OSSF construction inspections, the installer must notify the permitting office at least 5 days before the construction date, and all excavations must remain open until the inspection is completed.

Typical processing time: 7 to 10 working days for development permits and OSSF verification

Source: San Jacinto County Permit Department and 9-1-1 Addressing

General Requirements

Any enclosed structure with 3 or more exterior walls that is larger than 10 feet by 10 feet, or 100 square feet, being added to property in San Jacinto County must be permitted through the county development permit process. This is narrower than a general city-style building department and is tied to county development controls, addressing, floodplain, and septic review. The county also requires OSSF permits, utility permits, pipeline permits, and floodplain review where applicable.

Required Documents

• Current deed in applicant's name filed with the county clerk
• Recent county tax paper in applicant's name
• Survey/as-built/field notes
• Completed signed development permit application
• Elevation certificate (floodplain property)
• Current septic inspection from licensed sanitarian (existing septic system)
• New survey including easements/variances (newly divided property)
• Notarized owner permission statement (structure on property not in applicant's name)
• OSSF packet materials (owner, site evaluator, designer, and installer information plus system-specific supporting materials)

Permit validity

OSSF authorization to construct letters are valid for 1 year from issuance. County OSSF guidance states all permits are valid for one calendar year from the purchase date. If a system is not installed within that period, a new application and new fees are required.

Building code

No public countywide general building code adoption was found. Verified local county controls are development permit requirements, subdivision/development regulations, floodplain damage ordinance effective November 19, 2021, and OSSF permitting requirements.

Owner-builder

County development materials allow the property owner or designee to authorize county entry and sign the application. HB 2833 private-inspection procedures applicability should be confirmed at the parcel and project level for unincorporated residential work.

Contractor requirements

County OSSF work requires licensed evaluators, sanitarians or engineers, and installers as described in the county OSSF packet. No county general contractor licensing program was found for ordinary building work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25 (911 physical address); $55 (utility permit); $250 (non-floodplain development)

Plan check fee

No separate public plan check fee listed for county development permits. Commercial development requires county engineer and precinct commissioner approval before filing.

Permit fee formula

Flat fees by permit type as posted in the county pricing sheet

Reinspection fee

OSSF reinspection fee equals one-half of the original permit fee and must be paid by the installer each time the system must be reinspected. Unauthorized construction can result in civil and/or administrative penalties.

Payment note

County page directs applicants to contact the office for correct pricing before making online payment through Certified Payments, Bureau Code 6923535

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the San Jacinto County Permit Department and 9-1-1 Addressing to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• County permit office for OSSF inspection scheduling (phone)

Scheduling deadline

For OSSF work, installer must notify the office at least 5 days before the construction date

Inspection hours

Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with staff in the field Friday afternoon

Typical inspection sequence: County development review is case-by-case. For OSSF, the county requires pre-construction approval, authorization to construct, field inspection with excavation left open, then issuance of a notice of approval letter if approved. Floodplain verification uses the county form through the Office of Emergency Management / Flood Plain Administrator.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No public countywide general building code adoption was found. Verified local county controls are development permit requirements, subdivision/development regulations, floodplain damage ordinance effective November 19, 2021, and OSSF permitting requirements.
• Permit Department Page
• Guidelines for Obtaining Permits
• Development Permit Application
• OSSF Permit Application
• Floodplain Verification Form
• Subdivision and Development Regulations
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jacinto County Building Permit FAQ

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

Any enclosed structure with 3 or more exterior walls that is larger than 10 feet by 10 feet, or 100 square feet, being added to property in San Jacinto County must be permitted through the county development permit process. This is narrower than a general city-style building department and is tied to county development controls, addressing, floodplain, and septic review. The county also requires OSSF permits, utility permits, pipeline permits, and floodplain review where applicable.

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

The minimum permit fee is $25 (911 physical address); $55 (utility permit); $250 (non-floodplain development). Fees are calculated as: Flat fees by permit type as posted in the county pricing sheet. Plan check fee: No separate public plan check fee listed for county development permits. Commercial development requires county engineer and precinct commissioner approval before filing..

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

1. Determine which county control applies: development permit, floodplain verification/development, OSSF, utility, pipeline, or 911 addressing related development. 2. For a development permit, assemble the required packet including a current deed in the applicant's name filed with the county clerk, a recent county tax paper in the applicant's name, a survey/as-built/field notes, and a completed signed development permit application. 3. Add county-required supporting materials if applicable: elevation certificate (floodplain property), current septic inspection from a licensed sanitarian (existing septic system), new survey including needed easements and/or variances (newly divided property), notarized owner permission statement (structure on property not in applicant's name). 4. For commercial development, plans must be reviewed and approved by the county engineer and precinct commissioner before filing a commercial permit. 5. Submit the packet to the county permit office. 6. Wait for individual case-by-case verification. The county states the process takes about 7 to 10 working days. 7. After approval, the county issues the development permit and then provides 911 addressing and utility permitting information tied to that approval. 8. For OSSF permits, obtain the development permit and/or official 911 address first, then submit the OSSF packet. Do not install until the county has approved the permit and issued authorization to construct. 9. For OSSF construction inspections, the installer must notify the permitting office at least 5 days before the construction date, and all excavations must remain open until the inspection is completed.

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

Typical processing time is 7 to 10 working days for development permits and OSSF verification.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: County permit office for OSSF inspection scheduling. For OSSF work, installer must notify the office at least 5 days before the construction date.