Outside Hereford, Deaf Smith County publishes no building permit or building code; the permit it does run is for on-site sewage facilities, filed with the County Clerk at the courthouse for $310 on a home or $410 for commercial property. Inside Hereford, the City’s Building & Zoning Department reviews plans, issues permits and inspects all construction.
Who issues building permits in Deaf Smith County?
Hereford (2025 population 14,976) is the only incorporated place in the county, and about four in five county residents live there. The split is simple:
| Location | Who issues permits |
|---|---|
| Inside Hereford city limits | City of Hereford Building & Zoning Department: plan review, building permits and inspections of all construction; also garage sale and itinerant vendor permits. City Hall, 224 N. Lee Avenue, 806-363-7100, weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Unincorporated Deaf Smith County | No county building permit published; on-site sewage (septic) permits through the County Clerk |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Office | Contact |
|---|---|
| County Clerk (septic applications) | 235 East 3rd Street, Room 203, Hereford, TX 79045; 806-363-7077; Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m., open through lunch |
| County Judge | Courthouse, 235 E 3rd St, Hereford; 806-363-7000 |
Septic permits on rural land
A new house, shop or business outside Hereford that is not on a public sewer needs an On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) permit before the system is built. TCEQ lists Deaf Smith County as its septic agent for the entire county, so a Hereford lot that cannot reach the City sewer also comes under this county program. The County’s application is the TCEQ-based “Application for On-Site Sewage Facility New Construction”, which asks for:
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →- The owner’s details and the 911 site address, with directions to the site
- The legal description and acreage, backed by a copy of the deed, plat map or survey
- The water source: private well or a named public water supplier
- For a home, the number of bedrooms and living area; for other buildings, the business type and number of employees or units
- The licensed site evaluator and installer, with licence numbers
- Technical details: whether a professional design is attached, pipe sizes, daily wastewater flow, septic tank or aerobic unit, and the disposal system type
By signing, the owner allows a County official onto the property for the soil and site evaluation. Trade permits for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work are not part of any published County program; inside Hereford they go through the City.
Deaf Smith County septic permit fees
| Project | Fee |
|---|---|
| OSSF permit, new residential construction | $310 |
| OSSF permit, new commercial construction | $410 |
| Re-inspection | $50 |
| OSSF complaint or investigation | $100 |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →The County Clerk also records deeds and plats under a separate schedule of office fees effective January 1, 2024. Building permit fees inside Hereford are set by the City.
Inspections
For a septic system, the County’s inspection role starts with the soil and site evaluation the application authorizes, and a $50 fee applies to each re-inspection. The County publishes no building inspection service for unincorporated land. Inside Hereford, the Building & Zoning Department inspects all construction within the city limits.
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
Rather not deal with the Deaf Smith County building department?
Get a free quote →Deaf Smith County permit search and official resources
- Deaf Smith County Clerk: on-site sewage application and fees
- Application for On-Site Sewage Facility New Construction
- On-site sewage permit fees
- City of Hereford Building & Zoning
- Deaf Smith County official website
- TCEQ on-site sewage facility permits
Deaf Smith County permit FAQ
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Do I need a building permit to build in rural Deaf Smith County?
The County publishes no building permit or building code for land outside Hereford. A septic system needs a County on-site sewage permit.
How much is a septic permit in Deaf Smith County?
$310 for new residential construction and $410 for commercial, with $50 for each re-inspection.
Where do I apply for a septic permit?
At the County Clerk’s office, Room 203 of the courthouse at 235 East 3rd Street in Hereford (806-363-7077).
Who issues building permits in Hereford?
The City of Hereford Building & Zoning Department at City Hall, 224 N. Lee Avenue (806-363-7100).
What does the septic application ask for?
A 911 address, proof of the legal description, the water source, the home’s bedrooms and living area, and the licensed site evaluator and installer.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Deaf Smith County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.