County Building Permits
Starr County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Starr County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Starr County outside city limits.
- Department
- Starr County Planning Department
- Address
- 401 N. Britton Ave, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
- Phone
- (956) 716-4800
- Website
- https://www.co.starr.tx.us/
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact Starr County Planning Department to determine project type and applicable regulations.
- Confirm whether project requires county approval for floodplain, subdivision, development, or other county controls.
- Prepare required documentation per county guidance.
- Submit application materials and pay applicable fees.
- County staff reviews for compliance with planning, floodplain, and development ordinances.
- Obtain required approvals before commencing work.
Typical processing time: Varies by project type; contact Planning Department for specific timelines.
Source: Starr County Planning Department
General Requirements
County approval may be required for floodplain development, subdivisions, utility extensions, and other development in unincorporated areas. Applicants must confirm with Planning Department whether a project requires county permits or approvals.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Starr County Planning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (956) 716-4800 (phone)
Additional Resources
- Verify contractor license: Texas TRAM License Lookup
- 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 Starr County Planning Department before applying.
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