Unincorporated Callahan County has no county building permit or building inspection. Its permits cover land development instead: subdivision plats approved by the Commissioners Court, septic (OSSF) permits through the county’s OSSF designated representative, and permits from the precinct Commissioner for driveways and culverts on county roads. Inside Clyde, building permits come from Clyde City Hall (325-893-4234).
Who issues permits in Callahan County?
| Approval | Issued by | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Subdivision plats, amendments, RV parks and manufactured home rental communities | Commissioners Court; plats filed with the County Clerk | Clerk 325-854-5815; 1257 FM 2047, Baird, TX 79504 |
| Septic (OSSF) permits and subdivision sewage planning, unincorporated county | Callahan County’s OSSF designated representative (TCEQ lists the County as agent outside the towns) | Ask the County Judge’s office, 325-854-5805 |
| Septic permits inside Baird, Clyde, Cross Plains and Putnam | TCEQ’s Region 3 office in Abilene, as no local agent is listed for the towns | TCEQ Region 3 |
| Driveway and culvert on a county road | Commissioner of your precinct | 325-854-5805 |
| Road damage and repair agreements | County Judge and Commissioners | 325-854-5805 |
| Rural addresses | 9-1-1 Addressing | 3702 Loop 322, Abilene; 325-672-8544 |
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Get a free quote →Cities and towns in Callahan County
- Clyde: residents and contractors, including roofers, must get a building permit for new building, upgrades or renovations from Clyde City Hall, 222 Oak Street (325-893-4234). The City publishes residential and commercial permit forms dated March 2022.
- Baird (the county seat), Cross Plains and Putnam: the published sources do not say who issues building permits. Ask city hall: Baird is at 328 Market Street (325-854-1212) and Cross Plains answers on 254-725-6114.
Inside a city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, a plat needs both the city’s and the county’s authorization before the County Clerk will file it, and the city’s rules govern where the two conflict.
What needs county approval in Callahan County?
County approval needed
- Dividing land outside a city into two or more parts for lots, streets, alleys or parks
- Any septic system, new or modified
- A new or rebuilt driveway onto a county road right-of-way
- Utility lines in an accepted county road right-of-way, which need written Commissioners Court permission
- RV parks and manufactured home rental communities
No county permit
- A building permit or building inspection for a house, barn or shop outside the towns
- A county floodplain permit: the 2026 regulations note that the county has no FEMA-authorized floodplain boundary map
Selling lots before the Commissioners Court approves the final plat is unlawful, and a tract subdivided without following the regulations cannot get a septic permit.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Septic systems and lot sizes
Callahan County will not issue a septic permit for a lot in a subdivision whose final plat has not been approved and recorded, or that does not meet the subdivision standards. For a new subdivision on septic, the developer first sends planning materials to the county’s designated OSSF representative: a site plan, topographic map, 100-year floodplain map, soil survey, well locations, easements, a report on the types of systems proposed and a drainage plan. The Commissioners Court and the OSSF representative approve or deny them in writing within 45 days.
- Septic and private well on the lot: at least 1 acre.
- Septic with public water: at least 1/2 acre.
- Community water and sewer: at least 1/2 acre.
- Setbacks: wells and septic systems at least 50 feet from every property line; lots of 1 to 2.99 acres have 25-foot setbacks from the right-of-way and 10 feet from the sides and back.
Lot sizes exclude easements and roads. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work outside the towns has no county permit.
Callahan County fees and filing
- Preliminary plat review: $500, paid to the County Clerk when the preliminary plat is submitted.
- Final plat: one Mylar copy and a filing fee to the County Clerk after Commissioners Court approval, plus a tax certificate and TxDOT sign-off for road access.
- Driveway permit: the owner pays for the culvert and its installation; culverts on subdivision roads must be at least 24 inches across.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →The Commissioners Court meets on the second and fourth Mondays at 9:30 a.m. in the Baird City Council Chambers, 328 Market St.
Inspections in Callahan County
There are no county building inspections. The county inspects driveway and culvert work in its right-of-way: notify the Commissioner’s representative at least 24 hours before construction starts, and build within six months or the driveway permit lapses. Subdivision road base must be inspected and approved by the precinct Commissioner before surfacing, and the OSSF designated representative handles septic review. Inside Clyde, ask City Hall about its inspections.
How to start a project in unincorporated Callahan County
Inside Clyde, go to City Hall; near a town, a plat also needs that town’s sign-off.
A lot in an unapproved subdivision cannot get a septic permit.
Rural addresses come from 9-1-1 Addressing in Abilene.
Ask the County Judge’s office to put you in touch with the OSSF designated representative.
Your precinct Commissioner issues it and sets the culvert requirements.
Give 24 hours’ notice and finish within six months.
Rather not deal with the Callahan County building department?
Get a free quote →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 →Callahan County permit search and official resources
- Callahan County Subdivision Regulations (March 2026)
- Callahan County Clerk
- Callahan County Commissioners Court
- Callahan County office directory
- Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations
- Callahan County RV regulations
- City of Clyde building permits
- TCEQ on-site sewage facilities
Callahan County permit FAQ
Do I need a building permit in Callahan County?
Not from the county for land outside the towns. Inside Clyde, get a building permit at City Hall, 222 Oak Street.
How much land do I need for a septic system?
At least 1 acre if the lot also has a private well, or 1/2 acre if it is on public water, with wells and septic systems 50 feet from property lines.
Who issues driveway and culvert permits?
The Commissioner for your precinct. You pay for the culvert and installation, and the county inspects the work.
How much does it cost to plat a subdivision?
The preliminary plat review fee is $500, paid to the County Clerk, plus the final plat filing fee after approval.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Does Callahan County issue floodplain permits?
The county’s 2026 subdivision regulations state that it has no FEMA-authorized floodplain boundary map.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Callahan County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.