Wood County, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated portions of Wood County. No general county building permit program identified for ordinary construction; verified controls are floodplain development permits, subdivision review, county-lake structure permissions, and septic-related controls.

Department

County Office Manager, Subdivision Coordinator, Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Office

Address

Wood County Courthouse, 100 S. Main Street, Quitman, TX 75783

Phone

903-763-1236; Subdivision Coordinator 903-760-1007; Floodplain Administrator / Emergency Management 903-763-2356

Website

https://www.mywoodcounty.com/page/subdivision_info

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Wood County and not inside any city limits.
2. If the project is in a mapped flood hazard area, submit the Wood County Development Permit Application to the Floodplain Administrator with one copy of plans, specifications, and elevation certificate.
3. If the project involves subdivision or replatting activity, submit the Wood County subdivision application, plats, fees, and checklist items to the Subdivision Coordinator.
4. If the project is on county-owned lake property or affects septic facilities at the county lakes, obtain the county permissions required by the Wood County Lake Rules and Commissioners Court.
5. If on-site sewage facilities are involved, verify the applicable county and TCEQ process before work.

Typical processing time: Floodplain permit is valid for 1 year once issued. Subdivision revisions typically take about 6-8 weeks once all paperwork is submitted.

Source: County Office Manager, Subdivision Coordinator, Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Office

General Requirements

No county-issued general building permit requirement was identified for ordinary building construction in unincorporated Wood County. Publicly verified permit controls apply to floodplain development, subdivision activity, and certain county-lake structures and septic facilities.

Required Documents

• Floodplain permit application, plans/specifications, and elevation certificate for floodplain work
• Subdivision application, plats, fees, tax certificates, adjacent-owner list, and other checklist items for subdivision matters

Permit validity

Floodplain permit is valid for 1 year from issuance and must be renewed if work is not completed in that time.

Building code

No county-adopted general building code was identified for unincorporated Wood County.

Owner-builder

No county owner-builder packet was found. Texas HB 2833 private-inspection rules may be relevant for residential work in unincorporated areas.

Contractor requirements

No countywide general contractor licensing program was identified for ordinary unincorporated construction.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25 floodplain development permit fee

Permit fee formula

Floodplain permit is a flat $25 fee. Subdivision revision: $550.

Payment note

Credit card processors may charge convenience fees.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the County Office Manager, Subdivision Coordinator, Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: No county building inspection process for ordinary construction was identified. Floodplain review is permit-based; subdivision review is application and Commissioners Court based.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No county-adopted general building code was identified for unincorporated Wood County.
• County Commissioners Court
• Emergency Management
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood County Building Permit FAQ

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

No county-issued general building permit requirement was identified for ordinary building construction in unincorporated Wood County. Publicly verified permit controls apply to floodplain development, subdivision activity, and certain county-lake structures and septic facilities.

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

The minimum permit fee is $25 floodplain development permit fee. Fees are calculated as: Floodplain permit is a flat $25 fee. Subdivision revision: $550..

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Wood County and not inside any city limits. 2. If the project is in a mapped flood hazard area, submit the Wood County Development Permit Application to the Floodplain Administrator with one copy of plans, specifications, and elevation certificate. 3. If the project involves subdivision or replatting activity, submit the Wood County subdivision application, plats, fees, and checklist items to the Subdivision Coordinator. 4. If the project is on county-owned lake property or affects septic facilities at the county lakes, obtain the county permissions required by the Wood County Lake Rules and Commissioners Court. 5. If on-site sewage facilities are involved, verify the applicable county and TCEQ process before work.

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

Typical processing time is Floodplain permit is valid for 1 year once issued. Subdivision revisions typically take about 6-8 weeks once all paperwork is submitted..