Aransas County does not publish a building permit or a building inspection programme for the unincorporated county. Instead, every new structure there needs a floodplain development permit from the county’s certified floodplain managers at Road & Bridge ($50 in Zone X, $150 in a special flood hazard area) and a septic permit or sewer confirmation from Environmental Health. Rockport, Fulton and Aransas Pass each issue their own building permits inside their limits.
What needs a county permit in unincorporated Aransas County?
Road & Bridge
- New Floodplain Development Permit for any new structure, with form board and final inspections
- Repair/Improvement Permit for repairs, additions and improvements to an existing structure (no fee)
- Development Permit for Fill before placing fill on a lot
- Driveway permit, with a county-set culvert elevation
- Temporary RV permit
- Plats, stormwater management plans and subdivision infrastructure review
Environmental Health
- Septic (OSSF) permits, inspections and complaints
- OSSF verification for an existing system
- Tree plan review on properties over 1 acre
- Food establishment permits
- Code enforcement complaints in the unincorporated area
A repair or improvement worth 50% or more of the structure’s value triggers a FEMA substantial damage or substantial improvement determination when the work is finished, and an addition may need a septic verification or system changes.
Who issues permits in each part of Aransas County?
The U.S. Census lists four incorporated places that reach into the county. Each city or town runs its own building permits, and the county’s floodplain programme covers the unincorporated area. Septic is different: TCEQ lists Aransas County Environmental Health as its septic agent for the entire county, Rockport and Fulton included, and the City of Aransas Pass, a separate agent, has its program administered by Aransas and San Patricio Counties.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Place | Who issues building permits |
|---|---|
| Rockport (11,348 residents) | City of Rockport Building and Development Department, 2751 SH 35 Bypass, 361-790-1125: plan review, building permits, inspections and certificates of occupancy |
| Fulton (1,647) | Town of Fulton Development Services, which has a Building Official: 361-729-5533, ext. 103 |
| Aransas Pass, Aransas County portion (856) | City of Aransas Pass Building Department, Building Official 361-758-3111, option 3; applications in OpenGov |
| Corpus Christi, Aransas County portion (no residents) | City of Corpus Christi Development Services, through its Dynamic Portal |
| Unincorporated county | No county building permit. Floodplain, fill, repair and driveway permits: Road & Bridge, 1931 FM 2165, Rockport, 361-790-0152, roadbridge@aransascounty.org. Septic: Environmental Health, 870 Airport Rd., Rockport, 361-790-0121 |
The county’s floodplain checklist warns that land within 1 mile of Rockport’s city limits may also need permits from the City of Rockport. Road & Bridge is open 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, closed from noon to 1:00 p.m.; Environmental Health is open 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
County permit fees
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Floodplain development permit, Zone X or shaded X | $50 |
| Floodplain development permit, special flood hazard area (Zones A, AE, AO, V, VE) | $150 |
| Repair/improvement permit | No fee |
| Driveway permit | $50 |
| New residential septic (OSSF) installation permit | $400 |
| Multi-unit, rental community or commercial septic permit | $500 |
| OSSF verification | $80 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Review | Fee |
|---|---|
| Sketch plan meeting | No charge |
| Master plan | $150 |
| Conceptual plan or final plat | $50 plus $5 per lot |
| Minor or amended plat | $100 |
| Planned unit development | $200 plus $10 per acre |
| Stormwater management plan not tied to a plat | $50 plus $10 per acre, $100 minimum |
| Subdivision infrastructure inspection | 0.50% of construction cost up to $500,000, 0.25% above, $100 minimum |
How to get a floodplain development permit
Get an approved septic design or septic verification from Environmental Health, or proof of sewer service.
Zone X lots need the application only; lots in Zones AE, AO or VE also need engineered plans with a site plan, a cross-section showing the floor elevation and a floor plan.
Submit the package and fee to Road & Bridge. Applications are handled in the order they are received once complete and paid, and the certified floodplain managers have 30 days to process them.
For a slab-on-grade foundation, call after the forms are set and before the pour, allowing 24 hours.
The final inspection follows completion; in a special flood hazard area a final elevation certificate is also required.
The county sends the power request to AEP once the permit is approved, and permanent power is not released without an approved septic system; give the ESID number to your electricity provider and allow AEP 24 hours.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →The permit is valid for 12 months from approval; development after that needs an extension application.
Elevation rules and county inspections
The county’s Amended Floodplain Management and Watershed Protection Order (O-23-2019) applies to all unincorporated land. In special flood hazard areas the lowest living floor, or the lowest horizontal beam where that applies, must be at least 18 inches above the base flood elevation; the permit form sets 18 inches of freeboard for living quarters and restrooms and 6 inches for garages and storage. In Zone X and shaded Zone X a new or substantially improved home must sit 18 inches above the highest adjacent natural ground, or 18 inches above the road centreline where a road intercepts the drainage downstream.
Structures in a special flood hazard area may need flood vents or breakaway walls, manufactured and prefabricated homes need a Form T or tie-down certification before power is released, and permanent RVs are not allowed in special flood hazard areas. The county’s inspections cover the form board, the final, and fill and repair permits; septic systems are inspected by Environmental Health as the TCEQ-designated representative under OSSF Order O-07-02.
Rather not deal with the Aransas County building department?
Get a free quote →Driveways, trees and fill
Driveways: mark the location with stakes, flags or paint and call 811 for locates 48 hours before the county sets the culvert elevation hub, which takes 3 to 5 business days. Culverts must be reinforced concrete pipe at least 15 inches across, laid to the hub’s flow line; driveways must be at least 18 ft wide, end 5 ft or more from the property line, cover no more than 75% of the frontage, and have a clean-out box if longer than 50 ft. Paved driveways need a 4-ft expansion joint over the culvert, and culverts installed wrong are removed at the owner’s cost.
Trees: properties over 1 acre must complete a tree plan review with Environmental Health under the county Tree Order (O-27-2023).
Fill: raising a lot needs a Development Permit for Fill showing the fill depth, the FEMA zone and the elevations before and after.
Texas building code
Texas has no single statewide building code: state law makes the International Residential Code the base code for homes in cities and the International Building Code the base for commercial buildings, with each city choosing the edition and its own amendments, while the National Electrical Code and the energy code apply statewide. Outside city limits most counties issue no building permits for homes. Texas building code rules
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Aransas County official permit resources
- Aransas County Road & Bridge
- New floodplain development permit and checklist (PDF)
- Repair/improvement permit (PDF)
- Development permit for fill (PDF)
- Driveway permit, 2026 (PDF)
- Floodplain Management and Watershed Protection Order O-23-2019 (PDF)
- Development review fees (PDF)
- Aransas County Environmental Health
- Environmental Health fees 2026 (PDF)
- City of Rockport Building and Development Department
- Town of Fulton Development Services
- City of Aransas Pass Building Department
Aransas County permit FAQs
Does Aransas County issue building permits?
The county publishes no building permit for unincorporated land, but new structures need a county floodplain development permit and septic approval.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How much is a floodplain development permit in Aransas County?
$50 in Zone X or shaded Zone X and $150 in a special flood hazard area; repair and improvement permits are free.
How high must a new house be built?
At least 18 inches above the base flood elevation in a flood hazard area, or 18 inches above the highest adjacent natural ground in Zone X.
Who issues building permits in Rockport and Fulton?
Each town does: Rockport’s Building and Development Department (361-790-1125) and Fulton’s Development Services (361-729-5533, ext. 103).
How much is a septic permit?
$400 for a new residential system and $500 for multi-unit, rental or commercial systems, from Environmental Health.
How long does the county take to process a floodplain permit?
Its certified floodplain managers have up to 30 days after payment.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Aransas County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.