Bryan County government does not issue building permits for land outside city and town limits. What the county does regulate is construction in flood hazard areas, through its Floodplain Management Program (580-745-5637), while subdivision plats go to the Board of County Commissioners and septic systems to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. Inside Durant, Calera and several other towns, the town’s own office issues the permits.
Who handles permits in Bryan County?
The Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission’s list of jurisdictions records Bryan County as not issuing permits, so there is no county building inspection for a house or barn in the unincorporated area. The county’s floodplain administrator enforces the Bryan County floodplain management regulations, which cover permits for any structural or non-structural development that would change how land floods.
| Office | Contact |
|---|---|
| Floodplain Management Program | 1901 S 9th Ave, Durant; 580-745-5637 on the county’s page (the Oklahoma Water Resources Board lists 580-924-4687) |
| Board of County Commissioners | 323 W Beech St., Durant, OK 74702; 580-924-2201; 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| County Courthouse | 402 W Evergreen St, Durant, OK 74701 |
The same county floodplain administrator is listed by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for the towns of Calera and Colbert. Durant, Bennington, Bokchito and Caddo have their own accredited floodplain administrators.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Which town permits your project?
Bryan County has 13 incorporated cities and towns. Check whether the lot sits inside one of them, then use this list:
| Town | Building permits | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Durant | City Community Development Department; applications in the City’s MyGov portal | 580-931-6600 |
| Calera | Town permits through the Town Clerk-Treasurer at Town Hall, 110 W Main Street | 580-434-5420 |
| Bokchito | Town code (Chapter 150) adopts the BOCA National Building Code with fees set by the town, and requires a permit from the Town Clerk/Treasurer to place a mobile home | 580-775-2450 ext. 2 |
| Caddo | Town code requires a building permit application and Town Council approval | 580-367-2244 |
| Achille | Town code § 9-1-4 requires a building permit from the town clerk-treasurer to build, enlarge, alter or move a structure, with plumbing and electrical permits as well; fee set by the Board of Trustees (the state commission lists Achille as not issuing permits) | 580-283-3734 |
| Colbert | Town code § 10-1-2 requires a permit from the town clerk when work changes a building’s outside appearance, costs more than $1,000 or moves a building; it covers the initial plumbing and electrical work, and the fee is set by the Board of Trustees (the state commission lists Colbert as not issuing permits) | 580-296-2560 |
| Armstrong, Hendrix | The published sources do not say; ask the town (neither is marked on the state commission’s list) | Armstrong 580-916-1440; Hendrix 580-838-2270 |
| Bennington, Kemp, Kenefic, Mead, Silo | Listed by the state commission as not issuing permits; the published sources say nothing more, so ask the town | Bennington 580-847-2311; Kemp 580-838-2576; Kenefic 580-367-2744; Mead 580-920-5663; Silo 580-931-9838 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Calera publishes residential and commercial building permit applications, a general permit for accessory buildings, driveways, fences, in-ground pools, mobile homes and storm shelters, and a demolition permit. Calera requires a lot survey for new builds, except for lots in a new subdivision with a recorded plat, sends multi-family projects to the State Fire Marshal and charges contractors $50 a year for each licensed trade; its permits expire one year after issue.
Bryan County permit fees
With no county building permit, there is no county building permit fee. Ask the floodplain administrator (580-745-5637) for the floodplain development permit charge before you file. Inside a town, the town’s own fees apply; Calera’s contractor registration, for example, is $50 a year per trade.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and septic work
No county office issues electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits in the unincorporated area. Contractors in those trades are licensed by the Construction Industries Board, and towns that permit construction, such as Durant and Calera, also make them register locally. Septic (on-site sewage) systems are permitted and inspected by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to build in unincorporated Bryan County
If it is inside Durant, Calera, Bokchito, Caddo or another town, follow that town’s permit process.
If the site is in a mapped flood hazard area, get a floodplain development permit from the county floodplain administrator before you build or grade.
Without sewer, apply to the Oklahoma DEQ for the on-site sewage system.
Request a 911 address on the countywide address form; only the owner can apply, with a deed or tax bill as proof.
Dividing land into a new subdivision needs plat approval from the Board of County Commissioners.
Inspections in Bryan County
Outside the towns there are no county building inspections. Floodplain compliance is checked by the county floodplain administrator, septic systems by the Oklahoma DEQ, and everything inside a permitting town by that town’s inspectors.
Rather not deal with the Bryan County building department?
Get a free quote →Local details in Bryan County
Subdivisions: the Board of County Commissioners votes on new subdivision plats in the unincorporated area; in February 2026, for example, it approved a plat on Lone Oak Road.
911 addresses: rural addresses follow a countywide street naming and addressing policy. New street names must be approved by the governing jurisdiction, and a private drive with three or more addresses must be named.
Oklahoma building code
Oklahoma sets statewide minimum codes (the 2024 editions since September 14, 2026) that cities enforce and may strengthen; most counties issue no building permits for unincorporated land, though a few do. Oklahoma rules
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Bryan County permit resources
- Bryan County Floodplain Management Program
- Bryan County Commissioners Office
- Bryan County public meetings (agendas and minutes)
- Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission: jurisdictions that issue permits
- Oklahoma Water Resources Board: floodplain administrators
- Oklahoma DEQ on-site sewage programs
- Bryan County 911 address request form
- City of Durant Community Development
- Town of Calera permit forms
- Town of Caddo Code, Chapter 3 General Building Regulations
- Town of Achille Code of Ordinances (Municipal Code Management)
- Town of Colbert Code of Ordinances (Municipal Code Management)
- Oklahoma Construction Industries Board
Bryan County permit FAQs
Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Bryan County?
No county building permit exists for land outside the towns. You may still need a county floodplain development permit, a DEQ septic permit and a 911 address.
Who issues building permits in Durant and Calera?
Each issues its own: Durant through its Community Development Department (580-931-6600) and MyGov portal, Calera through the Town Clerk-Treasurer at Town Hall (580-434-5420).
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How do I reach the Bryan County floodplain administrator?
The county’s page gives 580-745-5637 and an office at 1901 S 9th Ave, Durant. The state’s floodplain list gives 580-924-4687.
Who approves a septic system?
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality permits and inspects on-site sewage systems.
Do the small towns issue building permits?
Several do under their own codes even though the state commission’s list says otherwise: Achille and Colbert require permits from the town clerk, and Caddo requires a permit application and council approval. The state list shows Bennington, Kemp, Kenefic, Mead and Silo as not issuing permits.
How do I get an address for a new rural home?
Use the countywide 911 address request form; only the property owner can apply, with proof of ownership.
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More Oklahoma permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Bryan County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.