Bee County has no building permit or building inspections for homes outside Beeville. Its Community Affairs Department at 216 S FM 351 in Beeville (361-621-1553) issues the county development permit, a $35 permit whose details the county then emails to the electric company for a new connection, along with floodplain approval and septic permits. Inside Beeville, the City’s Development Services issues building permits.
What needs a county permit in Bee County?
Community Affairs uses one development permit application for new construction, substantial improvements, a house, a mobile home or a commercial building, as well as placing fill or altering a waterway or drainage course. The same application covers a temporary power pole, a new electric service or a connection to an existing one, and the county emails the completed permit to the electric company so power can be connected.
County approvals
- Development permit ($35 processing fee)
- Floodplain review under the Flood Damage Prevention Order (effective May 20, 2010)
- On-site sewage facility (septic) permit: new installation, modification or repair
- 911 address verification, through the Sheriff’s Office
- Subdivision plats under the county’s Model Subdivision Rules
- Mobile food unit and temporary event permits
Not issued by the county
- Building permits and building code inspections for homes in the unincorporated county
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits outside Beeville
- Any permit inside Beeville city limits, which the City issues
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Who issues permits in Bee County?
Community Affairs, led by Director Bobby Jemison, handles development, floodplain and septic permits for the unincorporated county. It is also TCEQ’s authorized septic agent for the unincorporated county, with a designated representative at the same number; TCEQ names no local septic agent inside Beeville, so a septic system there falls to TCEQ’s Region 14 office in Corpus Christi. Staff are often in the field, so the county asks applicants to call ahead before coming in.
| Office | Contact |
|---|---|
| Community Affairs Department | 216 S FM 351, Beeville, TX 78102; 361-621-1553; fax 361-492-5992 |
| Permit hours | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.; no permits accepted after 4 p.m. |
| 911 address verification | Bee County Sheriff’s Office, 1509 Galloway Dr., 361-362-3221 |
| Legal description | Tax Assessor-Collector, 411 E. Houston St., 361-621-1554 |
| Area | Who issues permits |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated Bee County, including Blueberry Hill, Pawnee, Pettus, Skidmore and Tynan | No building permit; Community Affairs development, floodplain and septic permits |
| City of Beeville (the county’s only incorporated city) | City of Beeville Development Services, 400 N. Washington, Room 106, 361-358-4641 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Septic permits and utilities
The septic application, adapted from the state form for TCEQ Region 14, covers new systems and modifications or repairs. It needs proof of the legal description (deed, plat or survey), the water source, the number of bedrooms and living area, and the licensed site evaluator and installer. The site evaluation must include at least two soil borings or pits, dug at least 2 feet below the planned excavation depth, and a site drawing showing any well within 150 feet of the disposal area. Construction may not begin before the county issues an Authorization to Construct, and the system is used only after an Authorization to Operate.
An aerobic system needs an affidavit recorded in the county deed records. It must be under a continuous service policy for its first two years; after that the owner signs a maintenance contract within 30 days or maintains the system personally. A septic permit is valid for one year, and renewing it after that costs a renewal fee.
Water and electricity: in Blueberry Hill, the permit needs proof of a City of Beeville water connection; in Pawnee, El Oso Water Supply Corp.; in Pettus, the Pettus MUD; and in Skidmore and Tynan, proof of water and sewer service from the Skidmore or Tynan water supply corporation. For electricity, AEP customers bring the 17-digit ESID number and choose a retail provider, while San Patricio Electric Cooperative customers call the co-op (361-364-2220).
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Bee County does not permit or inspect electrical, plumbing or air-conditioning work.
How to get a Bee County development permit
For AEP, call 1-877-373-4858 for the ESID number; for San Patricio Electric Cooperative, call the co-op to arrange service.
Ask the Sheriff’s Office 911 addressing staff for a verification form on Sheriff’s Office letterhead.
Take the 911 form to the Tax Assessor-Collector for a copy of the latest tax receipt showing the property description.
Bring proof of water or sewer service in a utility district, and one set of plans if the site is in a floodplain.
Bring the documents and the $35 fee in cash, check or money order; no credit cards are taken. The director may inspect the property.
The county emails the permit details to AEP or SPEC; the owner then follows up to get the service connected.
Rather not deal with the Bee County building department?
Get a free quote →County inspections
Community Affairs inspects septic systems, and every septic inspection must be booked at least three working days ahead by calling 361-621-1553. An inspection result applies only to the date and time it was carried out. For a development permit, the Department Director may decide to inspect the property. There are no county building inspections on houses.
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
Bee County official permit resources
Community Affairs forms and orders, plus the City of Beeville fee page:
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →- Bee County Community Affairs
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- TCEQ on-site sewage facility permits
- Bee County checklist to obtain a development permit
- Bee County development permit application
- Bee County OSSF permit packet (2025)
- Bee County aerobic system (ATU) affidavit
- Bee County Flood Damage Prevention Order
- City of Beeville building inspection fees
Bee County permit FAQ
Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Bee County?
No county building permit exists, but a new house, mobile home or commercial building needs the county development permit, and once it is complete the county emails the details to AEP or San Patricio Electric Cooperative so the service can be set up.
How much is a Bee County development permit?
The processing fee is $35, paid in cash, by check or by money order to Bee County.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Can I pay by credit card?
No. Community Affairs takes only cash, checks and money orders.
How far ahead do I book a septic inspection?
At least three working days.
Who issues building permits in Beeville?
The City of Beeville Development Services, 400 N. Washington, Room 106 (361-358-4641).
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Bee County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.