Cass County’s website lists no county building permit, building inspection, septic permit or floodplain permit for unincorporated land, even though TCEQ names the County as its septic (OSSF) agent for the whole county. The county’s published rules cover filing subdivision plats with the Commissioners Court and County Clerk in Linden and overweight-load permits on county roads. Inside the nine towns, building permits are a town matter; Queen City posts fees of $0.18 per sq ft for homes, and Atlanta runs its own code enforcement.
What needs county approval in Cass County?
County approval
- Dividing a tract outside city limits into multiple lots for sale or development, or to dedicate streets, alleys or parks: a plat approved by the Commissioners Court
- Moving a load heavier than 58,000 lbs gross over a county-owned or maintained road: an overweight load permit from the precinct Commissioner
Not required by the county
- A county building permit or building inspection for a house or outbuilding
- A plat for dividing inherited property or a court-ordered partition
The county’s draft 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan says Cass County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program but has no process yet for substantial-improvement and substantial-damage decisions, and lists a county flood damage prevention ordinance as a planned action.
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Get a free quote →Who issues permits in Cass County?
| Approval | Office | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Plats (Commissioners Court approval) | Commissioners Court; recorded by the County Clerk | Clerk 903-756-5071; 100 E. Houston St., Linden |
| Overweight loads on county roads | Commissioner of the precinct | Pct 1 903-756-5701; Pct 2 903-835-5761; Pct 3 903-796-4502; Pct 4 903-796-2766 |
| County Judge | Cass County Law Enforcement & Justice Center | 604 TX Hwy 8N, Linden, TX 75563; 903-756-5181 |
| Septic (OSSF) permits, whole county including the towns | Cass County, as TCEQ’s authorized agent | The county website posts no septic office or phone |
Cities and towns in Cass County
- Queen City: building permits come from City Hall at $0.18 per sq ft for residential and $0.20 per sq ft for commercial work, with one set of building plans kept on file; fees double if work starts without a permit.
- Atlanta: City Hall is at 315 N. Buckner (903-796-7153) and the City has a code enforcement officer (903-796-7973). The county’s draft hazard plan says Atlanta has building codes and code enforcement, but the City’s website posts no building permit form or fee; ask City Hall.
- Linden (county seat) and Hughes Springs (partly in Cass County): both city websites post no building permit page or fee, so ask City Hall: Linden, 104 S. Main St., 903-756-7502; Hughes Springs, 603 E. 1st St., 903-639-7519.
- Avinger, Bloomburg, Domino, Douglassville and Marietta: the published sources do not say who issues building permits. City office numbers listed by the Texas Municipal League are Avinger 903-562-1000, Bloomburg 903-728-5323, Domino 903-796-2843 and Douglassville 903-846-2029.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →The draft hazard plan lists Atlanta, Bloomburg, Domino, Hughes Springs, Linden and Queen City as taking part in the National Flood Insurance Program, so building in a mapped flood zone in those towns involves their floodplain representative.
Septic, roads and trade work
The county website publishes no electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit and no septic program page, although TCEQ’s agent search and its 2025 agent report both list Cass County itself as the septic permitting authority.
Overweight loads on county roads
Hauling a load over 58,000 lbs gross weight on a county-owned or maintained road needs the county’s overweight load permit, signed by the precinct Commissioner. The application gives the road number, load description, weight and dimensions, and asks whether insurance or a bond covers road damage; the county may require a surety bond. The applicant agrees to repair any damage to the road and to install culvert pipe in the ditch if needed.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to file a plat in Cass County
A plat is required to split land outside city limits into lots for development or sale, or to dedicate streets or parks; inherited-property divisions and court partitions are exempt.
File it at least 15 days before a Commissioners Court meeting with the $5 non-refundable submittal fee, including two paper copies for the court and two for any other agency with jurisdiction.
Each Commissioner gets a copy, and the plat goes on the agenda for preliminary approval, which lasts 12 months.
The County Clerk will not record a plat without an original tax certificate from each taxing unit.
After approval, file it with the County Clerk: $21 for a 9 by 12 inch plat or $31 for 18 by 24 inches.
Inspections in Cass County
With no county building permit, the county does not inspect homes or outbuildings in unincorporated areas. Its published checks are on county roads, where the precinct Commissioner approves overweight-load permits and the hauler is responsible for road and culvert repairs. Inside the towns, inspections are the town’s responsibility.
Rather not deal with the Cass 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
Cass County official permit resources
- Cass County Clerk (plats and road permit)
- Filing plats in Cass County
- Overweight load permit for county roads
- Cass County Commissioners Court
- Cass County Judge
- Cass County 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan (draft)
- City of Queen City permits and fees
- City of Atlanta
- TCEQ septic permitting authority search by county
- TCEQ: Getting a Septic Permit
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Cass County building and development FAQ
Do I need a building permit in Cass County?
The county publishes no building permit for unincorporated land. Inside a town, ask that town; Queen City, for example, charges $0.18 per sq ft for a residential building permit.
How much does it cost to file a plat in Cass County?
A $5 preliminary submittal fee, then $21 to record a 9 by 12 inch plat or $31 for an 18 by 24 inch plat with the County Clerk.
Do I need a plat to divide inherited land?
No. The county’s plat requirements do not apply to divisions of inherited property or court-ordered partitions.
Do I need a permit to haul heavy equipment on county roads?
Yes, for loads over 58,000 lbs gross. The precinct Commissioner issues the overweight load permit, and you must repair any road damage.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Where is the Cass County Judge’s office?
At the Cass County Law Enforcement & Justice Center, 604 TX Hwy 8N, Linden (903-756-5181).
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Cass County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.