Comanche County, Oklahoma Building Permit Guide

Comanche County does not have county zoning, and it does not issue or administer building permits, fire safety permits, health permits or certificates of occupancy. The county says building codes, construction permits and commercial certificates of occupancy it does not administer may fall under the Oklahoma Office of the State Fire Marshal or the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board. What the county does require is floodplain review.

This guide covers the county’s floodplain requirements and the City of Lawton, the county seat.

What requires a permit in Comanche County?

Every construction project in the county’s jurisdiction must complete a Floodplain Discovery with the County Floodplain Administrator before construction. That includes garages, outbuildings and other standalone structures, driveway installations and tinhorn installations. If the site is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, a Floodplain Development Permit is also needed before work starts.

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

Who handles permitting in Comanche County?

Floodplain: the Office of Floodplain Management (Comanche County Floodplain Authority), 315 SW 5th Street, Suite 107, Lawton OK 73501, (580) 355-0535.

State agencies: for building codes, construction permits and commercial certificates of occupancy the county does not administer, the county points to the Oklahoma Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board.

Lawton: the License and Permits Division, 212 SW 9th Street, Lawton OK 73501, 580-581-3360, open Monday through Friday 8 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm, handles building permits, trade licenses and inspections.

Comanche County floodplain development permits

A floodplain development permit is not issued until any other required local, state or federal permits have been obtained, and an elevation certificate is required for all structures. The permit expires if no work starts within 1 year of issuance, and the development may not be used or occupied until the county issues a Certificate of Compliance.

Trade work and contractors in Lawton

In Lawton, all electrical, mechanical and plumbing work must be done by a licensed contractor in that trade. Only contractors licensed with the City of Lawton may request inspections; the exception is an owner who did the work.

The trades are permitted separately and done by Construction Industries Board licensees. Oklahoma rules

How to get a permit in Comanche County

Inspections in Comanche County

County floodplain: the elevation certificate must be submitted before the slab pour and again before occupancy, and the development may not be used until a Certificate of Compliance is issued.

Lawton: requests are left on the inspection line, 580-581-3362, which takes messages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Requests called in before 9 am are normally inspected the same day; most later requests go on the next business day’s log. Inspections not called in on the line will not be conducted. Most commercial building final inspections are scheduled with the Fire Marshal’s Office, usually within 3 business days of the request.

Official Comanche County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Comanche County zoning and permitting information
• Comanche County Floodplain Management
• Comanche County floodplain development permit
• Lawton License and Permits
• Lawton Inspection Services

Frequently asked questions

Does Comanche County issue building permits?

No. The county has no zoning and does not issue or administer building permits, fire safety permits, health permits or certificates of occupancy.

Which projects need a Floodplain Discovery?

All construction projects in the county’s jurisdiction, including garages, outbuildings, driveway installations and tinhorn installations.

How do I get a same-day inspection in Lawton?

Call the request in to 580-581-3362 before 9 am; most later requests go on the next business day’s log.

Simplify Comanche County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm whether the parcel is inside a city or on county land, and which office has it
• Line up floodplain, right-of-way and driveway approvals before the building permit
• File in the right county or city portal and schedule inspections against each office’s cut-off

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Oklahoma. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Comanche County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.