City Building Permits

Big Sandy, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Big Sandy, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Texas Upshur County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Applies inside the incorporated city limits of Big Sandy in Upshur County.

Department
City of Big Sandy / City Secretary
Address
119 E Gilmer Street, Big Sandy, TX 75755
Phone
(903) 636-4343

Application Process

  1. Before starting new construction, demolition, remodeling, or installation of a structure in city limits, complete the city building permit application.
  2. Prepare the required package. The application instructions require all application questions to be completed and require an accurate legal description, contractor information, valuation, and two complete plan sets drawn to scale.
  3. Required plans include a site or plat plan, floor plan, foundation plan, elevation plan for all four sides, and a drainage plan.
  4. Submit the original signed application to the City Secretary during City Hall business hours.
  5. The application is reviewed by the Mayor, Public Works Director, and/or the City of Big Sandy Zoning Commission.
  6. If approved, pay the applicable fees and obtain the permit before work starts. Inspections are then arranged with the city.

Typical processing time: Up to 30 days for review and/or approval

Source: City of Big Sandy / City Secretary

General Requirements

A building permit is required before new construction, demolition, remodeling, or installation of a structure within the corporate city limits.

Required Documents

  • Completed application
  • Legal description
  • Contractor information
  • Valuation of work
  • Two complete scaled plan sets including site-plat, floor, foundation, elevation, and drainage plans
Building code
The city code contains building, plumbing, and electrical adoption sections, but the current public sources reviewed did not clearly state the current adopted edition for the building code set. Applicants should confirm the currently enforced code editions with City Hall.
Contractor requirements
The reviewed public pages did not show a general contractor registration program. State licensing still applies to regulated trades. Big Sandy's code also contains separate electrical licensing provisions.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$50 minimum
Permit fee formula
Square-foot based. New construction, additions, accessory buildings, decks, and relocated buildings are $0.15 per square foot, with a $50 minimum.
Reinspection fee
Approximately $100 per inspection
Penalty (no permit)
All building permit fees are doubled if work starts before obtaining a permit
Payment note
Permit issuance upon payment of applicable fees at City Hall. No public online permit payment workflow was identified.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Big Sandy / City Secretary to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours
7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Big Sandy / City Secretary before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Big Sandy Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Big Sandy, TX?
A building permit is required before new construction, demolition, remodeling, or installation of a structure within the corporate city limits.
How much does a building permit cost in Big Sandy, TX?
The minimum permit fee is $50 minimum. Fees are calculated as: Square-foot based. New construction, additions, accessory buildings, decks, and relocated buildings are $0.15 per square foot, with a $50 minimum..
How do I apply for a building permit in Big Sandy, TX?
1. Before starting new construction, demolition, remodeling, or installation of a structure in city limits, complete the city building permit application. 2. Prepare the required package. The application instructions require all application questions to be completed and require an accurate legal description, contractor information, valuation, and two complete plan sets drawn to scale. 3. Required plans include a site or plat plan, floor plan, foundation plan, elevation plan for all four sides, and a drainage plan. 4. Submit the original signed application to the City Secretary during City Hall business hours. 5. The application is reviewed by the Mayor, Public Works Director, and/or the City of Big Sandy Zoning Commission. 6. If approved, pay the applicable fees and obtain the permit before work starts. Inspections are then arranged with the city.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Big Sandy, TX?
Typical processing time is Up to 30 days for review and/or approval.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Big Sandy can be complicated.

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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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