County Building Permits

Schleicher County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Schleicher County outside the City of Eldorado. County jurisdiction covers subdivision regulations, county-road pipeline/utility crossings, county-road access driveway permits, and OSSF/septic permitting. No general county building permit program for ordinary vertical construction identified.

Department
Schleicher County Commissioners Court / County Offices; Schleicher County Authorized Agent for OSSF
Address
Schleicher County Courthouse, 2 S Divide, Eldorado, TX 76936; OSSF mailing address: PO Box 53, Voca, TX 76887-0053
Phone
(325) 853-2593; OSSF: (325) 456-4607
Website
https://www.schleichercounty.gov/

Application Process

  1. Verify the parcel is in unincorporated Schleicher County and outside Eldorado city limits.
  2. Determine whether the project triggers one of the county's published permit programs: subdivision regulations, county-road pipeline/utility crossing permits, county-road access driveway permits, or OSSF/septic permitting.
  3. For OSSF/septic work, contact the Schleicher County Authorized Agent and submit planning and permit application materials required by TCEQ and the local authorized-agent program.
  4. For a county-road pipeline or utility crossing, submit the county application identifying the road location, include required map/location description. Form states $500 permit fee, requires 8-1-1 confirmation, and requires notification 48 hours prior to installation.
  5. For a county-road access driveway, submit the driveway permit form and design sketch. All construction and materials are subject to county inspection and approval.
  6. For subdivision activity, comply with the county subdivision regulations before proceeding.
  7. Wait for approval before beginning the covered work.
  8. Complete required inspection steps: OSSF work subject to permitting-authority review and inspection; driveway applicants must contact county at least 24 hours before work begins; pipeline applicants must give 48 hours notice before installation.

Typical processing time: OSSF: TCEQ requires approval or denial within 30 days of receipt. No public processing-time estimate for subdivision, driveway, or pipeline permits.

Source: Schleicher County Commissioners Court / County Offices; Schleicher County Authorized Agent for OSSF

General Requirements

No general county building permit program for ordinary vertical construction identified. Permits required for: OSSF/septic construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation; county-road pipeline or utility crossings; new county-road access driveways requiring ditch work and/or culvert installation; and subdivision activity.

Required Documents

  • OSSF: application and planning materials with site evaluation by TCEQ licensed site evaluator or professional engineer
  • Pipeline/utility crossing: county application, road location, description and location details, and map; signed policy required
  • Access driveway: county permit form with project details and sketch/design information
  • Subdivision: compliance with posted county subdivision regulations
Permit validity
OSSF: authorization to construct valid for one calendar year from issuance. Pipeline/utility crossing: valid for 90 days, subject to extension. Access driveway: becomes null and void if not constructed within six months from issuance.
Building code
TCEQ OSSF rules under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285 apply. County right-of-way policies for access driveways and pipeline/utility crossings and county subdivision regulations also apply. No general county building code adoption identified.
Owner-builder
OSSF: owner may install OSSF for single-family dwelling the owner owns on property the owner owns if local requirements allow and state conditions are met.
Contractor requirements
OSSF installers, site evaluators, and related personnel governed by state licensing rules under TCEQ OSSF program.

Fees

Payment note
Pipeline/utility crossing permit: $500.00 flat fee, may be refundable if applicable. No public fee amounts found for driveway permits, subdivision filings, or local OSSF permits. Access driveway: if improper install or culvert malfunction not corrected within 10 days of notification, county may perform corrective action for charge not to exceed $500.00.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • OSSF systems meeting the 10-acre rule
  • Certain emergency repairs not requiring permit if reported in writing within 72 hours after repairs have begun

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • OSSF: (325) 456-4607 (phone)
  • Access driveway: contact county representative at least 24 hours prior to beginning work (in-person)
  • Pipeline/utility crossing: notification 48 hours prior to installation and 8-1-1 service confirmation required (phone)
Inspection hours
OSSF office hours: Monday through Friday, 9AM - 12PM and 1PM - 5PM

Typical inspection sequence: OSSF: submit permit materials, receive approval, install system, request inspection at least five working days before system ready, obtain final approval if system passes. Access driveway: submit permit, receive authorization, notify county before work, complete work subject to county inspection. Pipeline/utility crossing: submit application, obtain approval, give 48 hours notice, perform installation subject to county policy conditions.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Schleicher County Commissioners Court / County Offices; Schleicher County Authorized Agent for OSSF before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schleicher County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Schleicher County, TX?
No general county building permit program for ordinary vertical construction identified. Permits required for: OSSF/septic construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation; county-road pipeline or utility crossings; new county-road access driveways requiring ditch work and/or culvert installation; and subdivision activity.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Schleicher County, TX?
1. Verify the parcel is in unincorporated Schleicher County and outside Eldorado city limits. 2. Determine whether the project triggers one of the county's published permit programs: subdivision regulations, county-road pipeline/utility crossing permits, county-road access driveway permits, or OSSF/septic permitting. 3. For OSSF/septic work, contact the Schleicher County Authorized Agent and submit planning and permit application materials required by TCEQ and the local authorized-agent program. 4. For a county-road pipeline or utility crossing, submit the county application identifying the road location, include required map/location description. Form states $500 permit fee, requires 8-1-1 confirmation, and requires notification 48 hours prior to installation. 5. For a county-road access driveway, submit the driveway permit form and design sketch. All construction and materials are subject to county inspection and approval. 6. For subdivision activity, comply with the county subdivision regulations before proceeding. 7. Wait for approval before beginning the covered work. 8. Complete required inspection steps: OSSF work subject to permitting-authority review and inspection; driveway applicants must contact county at least 24 hours before work begins; pipeline applicants must give 48 hours notice before installation.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Schleicher County, TX?
Typical processing time is OSSF: TCEQ requires approval or denial within 30 days of receipt. No public processing-time estimate for subdivision, driveway, or pipeline permits..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Schleicher County, TX?
The following work is generally exempt: OSSF systems meeting the 10-acre rule; Certain emergency repairs not requiring permit if reported in writing within 72 hours after repairs have begun.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Schleicher County, TX?
Inspections can be scheduled via: OSSF: (325) 456-4607, Access driveway: contact county representative at least 24 hours prior to beginning work, Pipeline/utility crossing: notification 48 hours prior to installation and 8-1-1 service confirmation required.

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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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