Erath County does not issue building permits or inspect home construction and remodeling outside city limits. Rural projects instead need a septic permit from county Environmental Health (from $250) and, in a FEMA flood zone, a floodplain development permit through Land Development before work starts. Stephenville, Dublin and Hico issue their own building and trade permits.
What needs a county permit in Erath County?
County approval needed
- A septic system (on-site sewage facility) for any building that uses one
- Any construction in a FEMA-recognized flood zone, before work starts
- Subdividing land, through the county plat process
- A 9-1-1 address for a new rural home or business
- Manufactured home communities, under their own county regulations
No county permit
- Building or remodeling a home in the unincorporated county
- Building inspections
- Certificates of Occupancy
- Zoning permits
- Fire Marshal inspections of private homes or businesses
The county says it has no building inspector and, as a rural county under 50,000 people, is not required by state law to issue Certificates of Occupancy or zoning permits. Breaking the county’s development regulations is a misdemeanor.
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Get a free quote →Who issues permits in Erath County?
| Area or work | Who issues permits |
|---|---|
| Stephenville | The City’s Development Services: building permit (combined), separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical and sign permits; Building Official Robert Turk, 254-918-1214; permits and inspections 254-918-1224 |
| Dublin | The City’s Code Enforcement/Development Services issues building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and sign permits; City Hall, 213 E Blackjack St., 254-445-3331 |
| Hico (the city is almost entirely in Hamilton County) | The City permits and inspects work; City Hall, 120 W 1st Street, 254-796-4620 |
| Unincorporated county: floodplain and subdivisions | Erath County Land Development, Director Jason Gardner, 254-434-5019 |
| Unincorporated county: septic systems | Erath County Environmental Health, 254-965-1414 |
| Rural 9-1-1 addresses | 9-1-1 Addressing, in the Land Development office, 254-434-5019 |
| Plats in the Stephenville and Dublin ETJs | Erath County reviews them, and the Commissioners Court approves them |
Land Development, Environmental Health and 9-1-1 Addressing all work from the Erath County Courthouse, 100 W Washington, Stephenville, TX 76401. The Land Development fax is 254-965-1466.
Septic permits and county fees
Environmental Health permits and inspects new and existing septic systems in the unincorporated county, keeps the permit and maintenance records, and investigates failing systems. TCEQ lists the County as its septic agent for the unincorporated area only and names no agent inside Stephenville, Dublin or the Erath County part of Hico, so a septic system in those cities is permitted by TCEQ’s Region 4 office. Fees from the County’s application requirements sheet:
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Permit or review | Fee |
|---|---|
| Septic permit, standard system | $250 |
| Septic permit, system requiring maintenance | $450 |
| Commercial septic, standard / requiring maintenance | $550 / $750 |
| Septic re-inspection | Half the permit fee, paid by the installer |
| Final plat, part A | $500 + $30 per lot |
| Final plat, part B | $500 + $1 per ft of road + $25 per lot |
| Construction plan review | $30 per lot + $1 per ft of road |
| Replat or plat amendment | $500 |
| Variance or exemption | $250 each |
Septic fees are non-refundable and paid to Erath County by cash, check or money order. The county posts no fee for a floodplain development permit or a 9-1-1 address. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work in the unincorporated county has no county permit.
How to get county approvals for a rural build
If the land is in Stephenville, Dublin or Hico, go to that city. Otherwise ask the county Floodplain Administrator, through Land Development, whether any part of the site is in a FEMA flood zone.
A licensed site evaluator tests the soil and site and writes the report the septic application needs.
The owner or installer can prepare plans for a standard system; non-standard and proprietary systems must be designed by a professional engineer or sanitarian.
Submit the application, technical information sheet, site evaluation, plans, fee and any recorded affidavit or maintenance contract, with directions to the site.
Apply to the Floodplain Administrator with scaled plans and the lowest-floor elevation before construction starts.
The owner applies in person at the courthouse with a site sketch showing the house, driveway and property lines.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →County inspections
Septic: once the county approves the plans it issues an Authorization to Construct, valid for one year; sorting out problems with an application can take up to 30 days. Non-standard designs may also be reviewed by TCEQ’s regional office in Fort Worth. The installer must notify the county inspector at least 5 working days before the construction inspection and leave every excavation open until it is done. When the installation passes, the owner receives a Notice of Approval.
Floodplain: new homes and substantially improved homes in a flood hazard area must have the lowest floor, including any basement, at or above the base flood elevation, and a registered engineer, architect or land surveyor must certify it to the Floodplain Administrator. The ordinance dates from October 24, 2011.
There are no county building, electrical or plumbing inspections, and the County Fire Marshal does not inspect private homes or businesses.
Rather not deal with the Erath County building department?
Get a free quote →Local Erath County details
Rural addresses: addresses are set by the location of the primary driveway, so moving a driveway means a new address. Only the owner can apply; bring an easement copy if the land is reached across another property, and a copy of the TxDOT driveway permit if access is from a state highway or farm-to-market road. An older county FAQ still sends address requests to the Erath County Appraisal District, but the 9-1-1 Addressing page says to apply at the courthouse.
Subdivisions: the Subdivision Regulations took effect on April 29, 2024. Plats in the Stephenville and Dublin ETJs are reviewed by the county under interlocal agreements and approved by the Commissioners Court, and plats are recorded by the County Clerk at Annex III, 222 E College, Stephenville.
Burning and water: call Erath County Dispatch at 254-965-3318 before any outdoor burning, and check the Fire Marshal’s page for burn bans. Water well questions go to the Middle Trinity Groundwater district at 254-965-6705.
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 →Erath County official permit resources
- Erath County Land Development
- Erath County Environmental Health (septic)
- Septic permit application requirements and fees
- Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (2011)
- Subdivision Regulations (effective April 29, 2024)
- 9-1-1 Addressing and Maps
- Erath County Clerk
- City of Stephenville permitting
- City of Dublin Code Enforcement/Development Services
- City of Hico permits and inspections
Erath County permit FAQ
Do I need a building permit to build a house in rural Erath County?
No. The county does not issue building permits or inspect homes, but you need a county septic permit if the house uses one and a floodplain permit if it is in a FEMA flood zone.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How much is a septic permit in Erath County?
$250 for a standard residential system and $450 for a system that needs maintenance; commercial systems are $550 and $750.
Who issues building permits in Stephenville?
The City of Stephenville. Its Building Official can be reached at 254-918-1214, and the permit office at 254-918-1224.
Does Erath County issue Certificates of Occupancy?
No. The county does not require Certificates of Occupancy or zoning permits outside the cities.
How do I get a rural address?
The property owner applies in person at the 9-1-1 Addressing office in the courthouse, with a site sketch of the house, driveway and property lines.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Erath County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.