County Building Permits
Willacy County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Willacy County, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Willacy County areas.
- Department
- Willacy County Building Inspection Department
- Phone
- (956) 966-3393
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Contact Willacy County Building Inspection Department by phone or in person.
- Obtain residential building permit application form.
- Prepare required documents per building permit requirements checklist.
- Submit completed application and documents to the county.
- County staff reviews for compliance with adopted building codes.
- Pay permit fees upon approval.
- Obtain permit and commence work within applicable timeframes.
Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact the department for current estimates.
General Requirements
A building permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, and repairs in unincorporated Willacy County areas.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plan or property description
- Construction plans and specifications
- Proof of property ownership or authorization
- Applicant acknowledgements
- Building code
- 2012 International Building Code, 2012 International Residential Code, 2012 Plumbing Code, 2012 Mechanical Code, 2012 Fuel Gas Code, 2011 National Electrical Code
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Willacy County Building Inspection Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (956) 966-3393 (phone)
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2012 International Building Code, 2012 International Residential Code, 2012 Plumbing Code, 2012 Mechanical Code, 2012 Fuel Gas Code, 2011 National Electrical Code
- Verify contractor license: Texas State Board of Professional Engineers
- Texas Flood Directory
- 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 Willacy County Building Inspection Department before applying.
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