County Building Permits
Montgomery County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within unincorporated Montgomery County.
- Department
- Montgomery County Permit Department / Environmental Health / Floodplain Administration
- Address
- Montgomery County Permit Department, 501 N. Thompson, Suite 100, Conroe, TX 77301
- Phone
- 936-539-7836
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County Permit System • Account required: No • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Identify your project type: residential development, floodplain development, or on-site sewage facility (septic).
- For residential development, apply through the Montgomery County Development Permits portal for a Montgomery County Residential Development Structure Permit.
- For floodplain development in mapped flood hazard areas, submit floodplain permit application with proof of compliance.
- For septic systems, submit septic permit application through Montgomery County Environmental Health.
- Submit required supporting documents based on project type.
- County staff reviews for completeness and routes to appropriate review departments.
- Upon approval, obtain permit and proceed with construction in compliance with conditions.
Typical processing time: Variable by project type; typical residential development permits 5-10 business days upon complete submission.
Source: Montgomery County Permit Department / Environmental Health / Floodplain Administration
General Requirements
A development or structure permit is required for most new construction and major alterations in unincorporated Montgomery County. Floodplain permits required for work in designated flood zones. Septic permits required for on-site sewage facilities.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Property survey or plat
- Construction plans (scope dependent)
- Site plan showing setbacks and lot coverage
- Proof of property ownership or authorization
- For septic: soil tests and system design
- Permit validity
- Specific validity periods vary by permit type; confirm with County Permit Department.
- Building code
- Montgomery County adopts the International Building Code series as amended for unincorporated areas.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders may submit their own applications; requirements vary by project type.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors should hold valid Texas licenses (CSLB not applicable in Texas; check with county for any local licensing).
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Variable by project type; contact county for specific fee schedule.
- Payment note
- Payment method details available through County Permit Department.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Montgomery County Permit Department / Environmental Health / Floodplain Administration to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 936-539-7836 (phone)
- Through county portal if available (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, standard business hours
Typical inspection sequence: Inspection requirements vary by project type. Contact County Permit Department for specific sequence.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Montgomery County adopts the International Building Code series as amended for unincorporated areas.
- Montgomery County Main Website
- 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 Montgomery County Permit Department / Environmental Health / Floodplain Administration before applying.
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