County Building Permits
Ector County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ector County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Ector County outside City of Odessa and City of Goldsmith limits.
- Department
- Ector County Development Services
- Address
- 1010 E. 8th St., Suite 114, Odessa, TX 79761
- Phone
- 432-498-4241
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-person and online forms • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
Typical processing time: Processing time varies by permit type. Contact county for specific timelines.
General Requirements
Development Structure, Drive Approach, Right-of-Way, Cell Tower, and Septic permits are available through Ector County Development Services for unincorporated-area development activity. Ector County does not operate a full municipal building permit program for all construction types; county permits target development elevation, access, and septic compliance.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Development Structure, Drive Approach, Right-of-Way, and Cell Tower permits: no charge. Septic permit: $250 residential, $450 commercial.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Ector County Development Services to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: Development Structure permits trigger an inspection when forms are set or a mobile home is set.
Additional Resources
- Verify contractor license: Texas License Lookup (TDLR)
- No Zoning Letter / Certificate of Occupancy Form
- 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 Ector County Development Services before applying.
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