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

The minimum permit fee is $210.00 (OSSF single-family residential); $260.00 (all other type systems). Fees are calculated as: Flat OSSF fees by system type. Public materials reviewed did not publish county fee formulas for general building permits because no general county building-permit program was identified..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Winkler County D.R. (for OSSF). Contact Winkler County D.R. at least 5 working days in advance to arrange inspection.

County Building Permits

Winkler County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Winkler County. County public materials do not support a general countywide building-permit program for ordinary construction. The county's public permits page documents narrower county controls for wastewater management, road boring on county roads, and driveway access on county roads.

Department: Winkler County
Address: Winkler County Courthouse, 100 E Winkler St, Kermit, TX 79745
Phone: 432-586-6658 (County Judge office); 432-889-6853 (Winkler County D.R. for OSSF)
Website: https://www.co.winkler.tx.us/221/Permits

Online Permit Portal

Open Winkler County Permits Page

Platform: CivicPlus • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine whether the project is within unincorporated Winkler County and whether it triggers one of the county's documented permit programs: OSSF/wastewater, road boring on county roads, or driveway access on county roads.
For OSSF, obtain the application package from Winkler County D.R.
Have an appropriate individual who completed a TCEQ-approved site/soil evaluation course perform the mandatory site/soil evaluation.
Submit the complete application and technical information sheet in the property owner's name with all pages intact and the required fee.
Winkler County D.R. reviews the plans and application.
Upon approval, the county issues an Authorization to Construct, valid for one year from issuance.
Construct the system and request inspection before covering it, contacting Winkler County D.R. at least 5 working days in advance.
After successful inspection, the county issues the Notice of Approval/License to Operate, approximately 5 working days later.

Typical processing time: For OSSF, the county issues the Notice of Approval/License to Operate within approximately 5 working days after a successful inspection.

Source: Winkler County

General Requirements

Construction permits are required in Winkler County for wastewater management (OSSF), road boring on county roads, and driveway access on county roads. The county's posted notice states: 'No other permitting required for building or construction at this time.'

Required Documents

For OSSF: county application, technical information sheet, site/soil evaluation, owner information, site/legal-description details, water-source information, designer and installer information, and fee payment
Separate county-road and driveway forms are posted on the county permits page

Permit validity: OSSF Authorization to Construct is valid for one year from issuance.
Building code: No general county building code adoption or countywide general building-permit program was identified in the public materials reviewed.
Owner-builder: OSSF materials require the application and technical information sheet in the property owner's name.
Contractor requirements: For OSSF, the form requires designer license number and installer registration number. No general county contractor-license program for ordinary building construction was found in the public materials reviewed.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $210.00 (OSSF single-family residential); $260.00 (all other type systems)
Permit fee formula: Flat OSSF fees by system type. Public materials reviewed did not publish county fee formulas for general building permits because no general county building-permit program was identified.
Reinspection fee: $75.00 each time the system must be reinspected
Payment note: OSSF fees are nonrefundable and must be paid by personal check, cashier's check, or money order payable to Winkler County. No cash accepted.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Winkler County to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Winkler County D.R. (for OSSF) (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Contact Winkler County D.R. at least 5 working days in advance to arrange inspection

Typical inspection sequence: OSSF: application and review, Authorization to Construct, installation, pre-cover inspection, then Notice of Approval/License to Operate after successful inspection.

Additional Resources

Building code: No general county building code adoption or countywide general building-permit program was identified in the public materials reviewed.
Winkler County Permits
Construction Permits (PDF)
On-Site Sewage Facility Information and Forms (PDF)
Application for Pipeline Construction and Indemnity Template
License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Winkler County before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winkler County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Winkler County, TX?: Construction permits are required in Winkler County for wastewater management (OSSF), road boring on county roads, and driveway access on county roads. The county's posted notice states: 'No other permitting required for building or construction at this time.'
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Winkler County, TX?: The minimum permit fee is $210.00 (OSSF single-family residential); $260.00 (all other type systems). Fees are calculated as: Flat OSSF fees by system type. Public materials reviewed did not publish county fee formulas for general building permits because no general county building-permit program was identified..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Winkler County, TX?: 1. Determine whether the project is within unincorporated Winkler County and whether it triggers one of the county's documented permit programs: OSSF/wastewater, road boring on county roads, or driveway access on county roads. 2. For OSSF, obtain the application package from Winkler County D.R. 3. Have an appropriate individual who completed a TCEQ-approved site/soil evaluation course perform the mandatory site/soil evaluation. 4. Submit the complete application and technical information sheet in the property owner's name with all pages intact and the required fee. 5. Winkler County D.R. reviews the plans and application. 6. Upon approval, the county issues an Authorization to Construct, valid for one year from issuance. 7. Construct the system and request inspection before covering it, contacting Winkler County D.R. at least 5 working days in advance. 8. After successful inspection, the county issues the Notice of Approval/License to Operate, approximately 5 working days later.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Winkler County, TX?: Typical processing time is For OSSF, the county issues the Notice of Approval/License to Operate within approximately 5 working days after a successful inspection..
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Winkler County, TX?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Winkler County D.R. (for OSSF). Contact Winkler County D.R. at least 5 working days in advance to arrange inspection.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated Winkler County 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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