Freestone County runs no building department and issues no building permit for houses in the unincorporated county. Its permits cover septic systems, through County Services at the Courthouse in Fairfield ($310 for a single-family system since April 1, 2026), floodplain development ($25), plats and heavy use of county roads. Building inside Fairfield, Teague, Wortham and the other towns is a matter for each town.
What needs a county permit in Freestone County?
County approvals
- On-site sewage facility (septic) permit, design review and inspection
- Floodplain development permit (or exemption certificate) for new homes, mobile homes, substantial improvements, fill and changes to waterways
- Plat or replat approval by the Commissioners Court for land divided outside a city
- Special Road Use Agreement, Contract and Permit, with a surety bond, for heavy commercial use of county roads; separate agreements for pipeline crossings
- Mass gathering permit
- 9-1-1 address, needed for the septic application
Not a county permit
- Building, electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits for homes and buildings outside the towns: the county publishes none
- Work inside an incorporated town
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Who issues permits in each part of Freestone County?
| Area | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Teague | City of Teague: its code adopts the 2015 International Codes and 2014 NEC and lets the City use licensed inspection firms, but says a permit is not required and is issued at the customer’s request; apply through the city secretary |
| Fairfield (county seat) | City of Fairfield: a building permit is required for any building project, from new construction to repairs, moves and demolition. Apply in person or by email at City Hall, 527 E. Commerce St. (903-389-2633), pay the fee once the application is approved, and post the permit card before work starts |
| Wortham | The City’s code adopts the 2015 building and residential codes and creates a building official who takes applications and issues permits; applications go through City Hall, 254-765-3319 |
| Kirvin and Streetman | The published sources do not say who issues permits; ask town hall (Kirvin 903-599-2933, Streetman 903-599-2567) |
| Oakwood (29 of its residents live in Freestone County, the rest in Leon County) | The published sources do not say who issues permits; Leon County names the town office, 903-545-2131, as the contact for floodplain questions |
| Unincorporated county, septic and 9-1-1 addressing | County Services Administrator Steve Black, Courthouse Room 305, 118 E. Commerce, Fairfield, 903-389-8884, county.services@co.freestone.tx.us |
| Septic within 2,000 ft of Richland-Chambers Reservoir | Tarrant Regional Water District, which TCEQ lists as the authorized agent along the reservoir’s flood pool in Freestone and Navarro counties |
| Floodplain | Floodplain Administrator (Emergency Management), Courthouse Room 205, 903-390-8900 |
| Plats and road use agreements | County Judge’s Office, Courthouse Room 205, and the commissioner of the precinct |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →County fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Septic design review, construction permit and inspection, single-family | $310 |
| Septic permit, commercial and other types | $510 |
| Septic re-inspection after a failed inspection | Half the original application fee, paid before each follow-up |
| Floodplain development permit | $25 |
| Plat filing | $105 per plat, plus $10 for each additional page |
| Returned check | $25 |
The septic prices took effect on April 1, 2026. Septic fees are paid to Freestone County at the Treasurer’s Office, Courthouse Room 102 (903-389-2180), by cash, check or money order; cards are not accepted, the fee becomes non-refundable once the design has been reviewed, and non-profit organizations pay nothing. County Clerk recording fees for an approved plat are extra.
What the septic application needs
- The County application form with a 9-1-1 address and property description
- An original site evaluation and soil analysis by a registered site evaluator or professional engineer
- An original system design by a Certified Installer II, registered sanitarian or professional engineer
- For aerobic or other secondary-treatment systems, an affidavit to the public filed with the deed at the Courthouse (copy attached) and a maintenance contract
The County has up to 5 working days to approve or deny the design. A denial letter explains why, and the owner has a year from the application date to correct and resubmit.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get county approval to build outside a town
Bring three notarised copies of the plat, the $105 fee, letters from the water and electric providers, a flood damage prevention permit, a sewage disposal plan certificate and tax certificates to the County Judge’s Office, then attend the Commissioners Court meeting.
File the $25 development permit with the Floodplain Administrator; in a floodplain, include a copy of the plans and specifications.
County Services handles rural addressing and the septic program.
Submit the application, evaluation and design with the fee at the Treasurer’s Office.
The Authorization to Construct is valid for one year; after that, reapply and pay again.
The installer books the final with the County inspector; a Notice of Approval allows the system to be used.
Plats and county roads
The County’s subdivision regulations apply to land outside city limits. Plat and replat applications were updated by the Commissioners Court on May 20, 2026, and approval depends on paying the County Clerk’s recording fees. If the water supply will be groundwater beneath the subdivision, the application must include a statement that enough groundwater is available.
Companies that will run heavy traffic on county roads sign a Special Road Use Agreement, Contract and Permit from the County Judge’s Office, mark the roads on the attached map and post a surety bond in an amount set by the precinct commissioner, for Commissioners Court approval. Pipeline crossings of county roads use a separate agreement.
Rather not deal with the Freestone 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
Freestone County official resources
- Freestone County Services (septic and 9-1-1 addressing)
- On-Site Sewage Facilities Program, April 2026 (PDF)
- County downloadable permits
- Floodplain permit application (PDF)
- Plat, replat and subdivision information
- Plat application, May 2026 (PDF)
- Subdivision regulations (PDF)
- Special road use requirements (PDF)
- City of Teague building codes (eCode360)
- City of Fairfield residential building permit
- Fairfield Code of Ordinances, Article 3.02 Building Permits
- TCEQ on-site sewage facility permits
- TCEQ authorized agent search
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Freestone County permit FAQs
Do I need a building permit for a house in rural Freestone County?
The county does not issue one. You do need a county septic permit for an on-site system and a floodplain development permit or exemption certificate.
How much is a septic permit in Freestone County?
$310 for a single-family home and $510 for commercial and other systems, the prices in effect since April 1, 2026.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How long does septic approval take?
The County has up to 5 working days from the application to approve or deny the design, and the permit to construct then lasts one year.
Does Teague require building permits?
Teague’s code says a permit is not required but can be obtained at the customer’s request, with no permit fee at present.
Who issues building permits in Fairfield?
The City of Fairfield. Applications go to City Hall in person or by email, the fee is paid after approval, and the City’s code lists foundation, frame and final inspections.
How much does it cost to file a plat?
$105 per plat plus $10 for each extra page, and you must attend the Commissioners Court meeting.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Freestone County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.