Shelby County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Shelby County only. No clearly documented general county building-permit program exists.

Department

Shelby County Emergency Management (floodplain contact); Angelina and Neches River Authority OSSF Program (septic); Shelby County 9-1-1 Addressing

Address

Shelby County Courthouse, 200 San Augustine Street, Center, TX 75935

Phone

Shelby County Emergency Management/Floodplain: (936) 598-3664; Tax Office: (936) 598-4441; ANRA OSSF Program: (936) 632-7795

Email

Tax Office: shelbytax@co.shelby.tx.us , ANRA OSSF: ossf@anra.org

Website

https://www.co.shelby.tx.us/

Application Process

1. Verify the parcel is outside all municipal limits and therefore in unincorporated Shelby County.
2. Do not assume a general county building permit is required. No clearly documented public Shelby County general building-permit program was found.
3. If the project involves an on-site sewage facility, follow the ANRA OSSF process and obtain a Permit to Construct before installation, alteration, repair, extension, or operation.
4. If the site may be in a mapped flood hazard area, contact Shelby County Emergency Management (county floodplain contact per FEMA/TWDB report).
5. If the tract needs a new situs address, coordinate with Shelby County 9-1-1 Addressing through county offices.
6. If access to a county road, subdivision platting, utility extension, or state highway access is involved, confirm whether separate county, utility, or TxDOT approvals are required.

Typical processing time: ANRA: OSSF permit processing usually completed within a matter of days, though state law allows up to 30 days.

Source: Shelby County Emergency Management (floodplain contact); Angelina and Neches River Authority OSSF Program (septic); Shelby County 9-1-1 Addressing

General Requirements

No public Shelby County general building permit requirement exists for ordinary construction in unincorporated areas. ANRA requires OSSF permitting for applicable on-site sewage facilities. Floodplain review may apply in mapped flood hazard areas.

Required Documents

• For OSSF work: ANRA Permit to Construct packet and related site/design materials
• For county floodplain matters: direct contact with county emergency management for specific requirements

Permit validity

ANRA OSSF Permit to Construct is valid for one calendar year from issuance.

Building code

No public countywide general building-code adoption for unincorporated Shelby County found.

Contractor requirements

No county general contractor licensing program found. For OSSF work, ANRA requires licensed and registered providers for regulated septic roles.

Fees

Payment note

ANRA OSSF fees: transfer fee $35.00; new single-family residential OSSF total fee $435.00 effective May 1, 2025. See ANRA OSSF fee page for reinspection and redesign fees.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Shelby County Emergency Management (floodplain contact); Angelina and Neches River Authority OSSF Program (septic); Shelby County 9-1-1 Addressing to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• For OSSF work, installer must request closing inspection (direct-contact)

Scheduling deadline

For OSSF work, installer must request OSSF inspection at least five working days before the system will be ready.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: confirm the site is unincorporated, determine whether floodplain review is needed, if septic is needed obtain ANRA Permit to Construct, install the system, request ANRA closing inspection, receive ANRA License to Operate after satisfactory inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No public countywide general building-code adoption for unincorporated Shelby County found.
• Shelby County website
• County contact page
• FEMA/TWDB community contact report
• ANRA OSSF overview
• ANRA OSSF permits and licensing
• ANRA authorized installers and providers
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Shelby County Building Permit FAQ

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

No public Shelby County general building permit requirement exists for ordinary construction in unincorporated areas. ANRA requires OSSF permitting for applicable on-site sewage facilities. Floodplain review may apply in mapped flood hazard areas.

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

1. Verify the parcel is outside all municipal limits and therefore in unincorporated Shelby County. 2. Do not assume a general county building permit is required. No clearly documented public Shelby County general building-permit program was found. 3. If the project involves an on-site sewage facility, follow the ANRA OSSF process and obtain a Permit to Construct before installation, alteration, repair, extension, or operation. 4. If the site may be in a mapped flood hazard area, contact Shelby County Emergency Management (county floodplain contact per FEMA/TWDB report). 5. If the tract needs a new situs address, coordinate with Shelby County 9-1-1 Addressing through county offices. 6. If access to a county road, subdivision platting, utility extension, or state highway access is involved, confirm whether separate county, utility, or TxDOT approvals are required.

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

Typical processing time is ANRA: OSSF permit processing usually completed within a matter of days, though state law allows up to 30 days..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: For OSSF work, installer must request closing inspection. For OSSF work, installer must request OSSF inspection at least five working days before the system will be ready..