Census Bureau estimates for 2025 put 29,181 Cherokee County residents outside any city. Jacksonville is the largest city (14,658), followed by Rusk (5,568) and Alto (1,063); New Summerfield, Wells, Gallatin and Cuney, and the Cherokee County parts of Bullard, Reklaw and Troup, are the other incorporated places.
This guide covers Cherokee County’s right-of-way application and the City of Jacksonville. The right-of-way application is the only county permit form covered here; ask the Commissioners Court about any other county approval.
What requires a permit in Cherokee County?
Outside city limits, most Texas counties issue no building permits for homes; the state licensing rules for electrical, A/C and plumbing work still apply.
Placing a line across or beside a Cherokee County road takes an Application to Dig in County R.O.W. Inside Jacksonville, Development Services handles building permits, inspections, platting and zoning.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Who handles permitting in Cherokee County?
Commissioners Court: County Judge, 135 S. Main, 3rd Floor, Rusk, 903-683-2324. Precinct Commissioners: Pct. 1 903-683-5060, Pct. 2 936-858-4785, Pct. 3 903-586-5811, Pct. 4 903-842-3535.
County Health Department: the county website lists Cherokee County Public Health, 1502 South Bolton Street, Jacksonville, Texas 75766, (903) 586-6191.
Jacksonville: Development Services, 215 E Rusk St, 903-589-3510, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Digging in Cherokee County road right-of-way
The application is addressed to the Commissioners Court at 135 S Main St, Rusk TX 75785, with a map or drawing of the installation attached. The county’s rules:
- Installations sit at least five (5) feet from the edge of the road surface and at least thirty six (36) inches deep.
- Crossings of paved or oiled roads must be bored.
- The precinct Commissioner can waive all or part of these requirements, and can stop construction that does not conform.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Building permits in Jacksonville
Jacksonville issues electrical permits only to a master electrician with a $5,000 bond or a homestead homeowner, and plumbing and gas permits only to a master plumber with $300,000 state insurance or a homestead homeowner. The city moves to the 2024 International Building Codes on October 1, 2026. An application to the Board of Adjustment and Appeals costs $350.
Cherokee County permit costs and fees
- Jacksonville new residential construction: base fee $400, plus $0.20 per square foot over 2000 sf
- Jacksonville residential remodel: $150
- Jacksonville certificate of occupancy: $100
How to get a permit in Cherokee County
Inside Jacksonville, start with Development Services; on county roads, with the Commissioners Court.
File the Application to Dig in County R.O.W. with a map or drawing.
Master electricians and plumbers, or a homestead homeowner, pull the trade permits.
Call the city, or notify the precinct Commissioner for road work.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Inspections in Cherokee County
For work in county right-of-way, the contractor notifies the precinct Commissioner when the project begins and again on completion so the road can be inspected. In Jacksonville, request inspections by calling 903-589-3510 or in person at 215 E Rusk St.
Official Cherokee County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Rather not deal with the Cherokee County building department?
Get a free quote →- Cherokee County Application to Dig in County R.O.W.
- Cherokee County Commissioners Court
- Cherokee County Health Department
- Jacksonville Development Services
- Jacksonville building permit fees
Frequently asked questions
What does Cherokee County permit itself?
Its published permit form is the Application to Dig in County R.O.W., for placing a line across or beside a county road.
How deep must a line in Cherokee County right-of-way be?
At least thirty six (36) inches deep and five (5) feet from the edge of the road surface, unless the precinct Commissioner waives it.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Who can pull an electrical permit in Jacksonville?
A master electrician with a $5,000 bond, or a homestead homeowner.
Simplify Cherokee County permitting with Alliance Permitting
- Check whether the site is inside a city or on county land, and which office handles each permit there
- Prepare the county septic, floodplain, plat or road paperwork alongside any city building permit
- Track each approval and inspection through to the final sign-off
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →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.
Ready to break ground in Cherokee County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Cherokee County permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Cherokee County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.