Camp County, Texas Building Permit Guide

Camp County’s official website lists no county building permit or building inspection for unincorporated land. TCEQ lists the County as the septic (OSSF) permitting agent for the whole county, although the website has no septic page. What it does publish are Commissioners Court rules for subdivision plats and for utility lines in county road right-of-way, both handled through the County Judge’s office at 126 Church Street, Room 303, Pittsburg (903-856-3845). Inside Pittsburg, the City’s Building Services issues building, demolition and moving permits.

Who issues permits in Camp County?

Cities and towns in Camp County

• Pittsburg: the City requires a permit from its code official before anyone builds, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves or demolishes a building, changes its occupancy or works on regulated plumbing. It runs contractor registration, plan examination and a permit fee schedule, and its fire department carries out fire inspections.
• Rocky Mound: the published sources do not say whether this town of about 60 people issues building permits; ask the town before building.

Utility lines, septic systems and trade work

The county’s Road & Bridge rules, adopted February 8, 2023, apply to every paved, gravel and dirt county road. Anyone burying a line along or across a county right-of-way must give written notice, with three sets of drawings and specifications, and get Commissioners Court approval before work starts.

• Depth: at least 36 inches for any buried line; high-pressure gas, petroleum and fiber optic lines 48 inches below the bottom of the ditch; water lines 36 inches with encased crossings; underground power encased, 36 inches under ditches and 60 inches below pavement; cable TV and copper lines 24 inches under ditches or 18 inches below the pavement structure, whichever is greater.
• Placement: lines go in the back slope, never in the center of the ditch or on top of or inside a culvert, and cut brush and rock must be removed.
• Timing: the notice form, filed in duplicate, gives 90 days from approval to finish, and the permit stays in effect until the line is removed. Road damage must be repaired to the precinct Commissioner’s satisfaction.

The county publishes no electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit for rural land. Inside Pittsburg, plumbing and other regulated work is permitted by the City.

Camp County fees and plat filing

The only county permit-related fee the website publishes is the $48 County Clerk filing fee for a plat or replat after Commissioners Court approval. To get a plat on the court’s agenda, deliver these to the County Judge’s office (requirements effective January 1, 2020):

• Two paper plats, 18 by 24 inches
• One Mylar plat, 18 by 24 inches
• One paper plat, 8.5 by 14 inches
• A current tax certificate from the Camp Central Appraisal District

Every plat must carry all required signatures, notarized where needed, except those of the County Judge and Commissioners, before it goes on the agenda. The County Clerk’s office in Room 102 is open Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Inspections in Camp County

The county lists no building inspection program for unincorporated land. For utility lines in the right-of-way, work is carried out as directed by the Commissioner of the precinct, who must be told if the job is not finished within the approved time. Inside Pittsburg, the City’s code official reviews plans and inspects permitted work under the 2018 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Existing Building, Fire, Property Maintenance and Private Sewage Disposal Codes.

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

Camp County permit search and official resources

• Camp County Commissioners Court
• Subdivision plat submission requirements
• Underground utility line regulations (2023)
• Notice of proposed utility installation form
• Camp County Clerk
• City of Pittsburg Building Services
• TCEQ septic permitting authority search by county
• TCEQ: Getting a Septic Permit
• Texas floodplain administrators

Camp County permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Camp County?

The county publishes no building permit for unincorporated land. Inside Pittsburg you need a City permit before building, altering, moving or demolishing a structure.

How do I get a plat approved in Camp County?

Deliver two 18 by 24 inch paper plats, one Mylar, one 8.5 by 14 inch copy and a current tax certificate to the County Judge’s office; after approval, file the plat with the County Clerk for $48.

Can I bury a water or fiber line along a county road?

Only after giving written notice with three sets of drawings and getting Commissioners Court approval. Fiber must be at least 48 inches below the ditch and water lines 36 inches.

What building codes does Pittsburg use?

The 2018 International codes, including the IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC and IFC.

Simplify Camp 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 Camp County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.