Blanco County, Texas Building Permit Guide

Blanco County issues no building permit for a house in the unincorporated county. What it does permit is septic systems (through the County Inspector, from $300 for a home), driveways onto county roads, 911 addresses and, under its fire code, new or substantially improved commercial, public and larger multi-family buildings. The City of Blanco and Johnson City issue their own building permits inside their limits.

What needs a county permit in Blanco County?

The county’s own pages list no building or trade permit for homes. Wells are permitted by the Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District, not the county.

Who issues permits in Blanco County?

Development Services uses a temporary office at 200 North Ave. G in Johnson City (mail: P.O. Box 471, Johnson City, TX 78636). The courthouse is at 101 E. Pecan in Johnson City.

Trade permits and inspections inside the cities

Outside city limits there is no county electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit. Inside the cities:

• City of Blanco: lists electrical, plumbing, irrigation, roofing, fence, pool, driveway and demolition permits among its construction permits, with fire plan review handled by the City as well.
• Johnson City: Development Services receives all building and trade applications and books inspections, which Bureau Veritas carries out. Requests made by 4 p.m. are inspected the next business day. Johnson City builds to the 2015 International codes and the 2015 National Electrical Code.

County applications and how they are filed

• Septic (OSSF) application: filed in the owner’s name with the current tax receipt or signed deed, the 911 address, the site evaluation and construction plan with setbacks, a professional design where required, an aerobic maintenance contract where it applies, and a power of attorney if someone else files. Systems that spray effluent need an Affidavit to the Public recorded with the County Clerk ($21) first.
• Fire Code applications: the Fire Code Building Permit, Fire Suppression, System/Special Construction, Business Operational and Mass Gathering forms are posted on the county’s iWorQ portal. Email the completed form and plans to FireMarshal@co.blanco.tx.us; processing takes about 30 days, and the office calls or emails when the permit is ready.
• 911 Address Application: also on the iWorQ portal. The GIS office needs a copy of the driveway access permit before it issues the address.
• Plats and replats: filed with Development Services on the dates in the county’s 2026 drop-off calendar for new development.

Blanco County permit fees

Fire Code permits are priced on project value: $50 up to $1,000; $50 plus $7 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000; $393 plus $6 per $1,000 up to $100,000; $687 plus $5 per $1,000 up to $350,000; and $1,888 plus $4 per $1,000 up to $700,000. Other Fire Marshal fees include $125 for a preliminary plan review, $150 for a change-of-occupancy inspection, $250 plus $0.50 per device over 10 for a fire alarm, $250 plus $0.50 per head over 35 for a sprinkler system, $150 for a kitchen hood system and $300 per aboveground fuel tank. Work started without a required permit is charged double. RV and tiny home parks pay a $2,500 filing fee and $175 per pad.

Inspections and project closeout

Septic: the County Inspector will not enter a property unless the blue 911 address plate is visible from the road. Septic permits are valid for one year, and a failed inspection costs $150 to repeat.

Fire Code buildings: post the permit and the street number where they can be seen from the road. The Fire Marshal may inspect as often as needed. When the building is ready, submit a Request for Final Inspection signed and sealed by a Texas engineer or architect or an ICC-certified building official; buildings with fire protection systems also need the State Fire Marshal’s Form 009. After a passing final, the Fire Marshal issues a Certificate of Compliance and releases utilities, and the building may not be occupied without it.

Permit life: Fire Code work must start within 180 days of issue; the Fire Marshal can grant two 6-month extensions on written request.

Blanco County development rules

Lot size: lots served by a private well and septic need at least 5 acres and 250 feet of road frontage. The septic checklist applies the same 5-acre minimum to land platted after 1998, sets a 1,000-gallon minimum tank, and keeps drain fields 50 feet from property lines in subdivisions platted after 1998.

Setbacks: building sites on state highways and county roads need a 50-foot front setback, with at least 10 feet at the sides and rear. Gates and entrances sit at least 40 feet back from the county right-of-way.

Driveways: private driveways are 10 to 24 feet wide at the right-of-way, with a culvert of at least 15 inches where they cross a ditch. Post the address within 10 feet of the driveway entrance in reflective letters at least 4 inches tall.

Floodplain: any structure in the regulatory floodplain must follow the county’s floodplain regulations, and the septic application asks whether floodplain verification is needed.

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

Blanco County permit search and official resources

County, Fire Marshal and city pages:

• Texas TCEQ OSSF Permits
• Blanco County OSSF Application and Checklist
• Blanco County Development Rules
• Blanco County Government
• Blanco County Development Services
• Blanco County Fire Code and applications
• Blanco County iWorQ permit portal
• Johnson City Development Services
• City of Blanco permits

Blanco County permit FAQs

Do I need a building permit to build a house in unincorporated Blanco County?

No county building permit exists for a house. You will still need a septic permit, a 911 address and, on a county road, a driveway permit.

How much is a septic permit in Blanco County?

$300 for a single-family home, or $375 if the system needs a professional design, plus a $40 or $60 filing fee paid to the County Clerk.

Who needs a Blanco County Fire Code permit?

New or substantially improved commercial buildings, public buildings and multi-family buildings with 4 or more units outside city limits.

How long does a Fire Code permit take?

The county portal says about 30 days, and the code requires the Fire Marshal to issue or deny a complete application within 30 days.

Who issues permits in Johnson City and Blanco?

Each city issues its own. Johnson City’s Development Services uses Bureau Veritas for plan review and inspections; the City of Blanco issues construction, fire and sign permits through City Hall.

Simplify Blanco County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Texas. 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 Blanco County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.