Hale County, Texas Building Permit Guide

Hale County does not issue building permits. For land outside city limits, the county’s Special Projects Coordinator (Hale County Courthouse, 500 Broadway, Suite 220, Plainview; 806-288-1541) handles the two permits the county asks builders for: a floodplain application before construction starts and a septic system application. Plainview, Abernathy and Petersburg run their own building permits and inspections inside their limits.

What needs a permit in unincorporated Hale County?

The county’s notice to future builders and contractors in unincorporated areas lists these requirements:

The county also posts its burn ban status and the conditions for burning while a ban is in effect.

Who issues permits in Hale County?

Applications can be picked up from the Special Projects Coordinator, requested by phone, or downloaded and brought to the office in person. The courthouse switchboard is 806-291-5226.

Cities and towns in Hale County

• Plainview: the City’s Building Permits & Inspections office, open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., issues permits inside the city.
• Abernathy (mostly in Hale County, partly in Lubbock County): the City issues its own local building permit and floodplain development permits; its permits expire if work has not started within 180 days, and every special flood hazard area in the city is mapped as Zone A.
• Petersburg: the City Council has adopted the 2018 International Residential Code and International Building Code, and its Building Inspection page refers builders to the city code; City Hall is at 1524 Main Street (806-667-3461).
• Hale Center: the City tells residents who are unsure whether they need a permit to call City Hall at 806-839-2411.
• Edmonson (87 residents): the published sources do not say who issues building permits; the City’s number is 806-292-0815.

Septic systems and floodplain review outside the cities

Septic: the county requires an application for every new septic system. The property owner buys the application from the Special Projects Coordinator, and only a licensed installer may put the system in. The county website does not publish the application fee. TCEQ lists Hale County as the septic authorized agent for the entire county except the City of Plainview, so the towns’ septic systems also go through this office; Plainview has no local agent, and septic permits there come from the TCEQ Region 2 office in Lubbock (806-796-7092).

Floodplain: the floodplain application has to be in place before construction starts on land outside the cities. Its flood damage prevention order and the application fee are not posted on the county website.

Trade work: the county publishes no electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit for unincorporated land. Inside Plainview, Abernathy and the other cities, trade permits come from the city.

How to start a rural Hale County project: 5 steps

Inspections in Hale County

The county lists no building inspection program for unincorporated land, so a rural home is not inspected by the county. Septic and floodplain questions go to the Special Projects Coordinator. Inside Plainview, the City’s Building Permits & Inspections office inspects permitted work.

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

Hale County official permit resources

• Hale County Special Projects (floodplain and septic)
• Hale County official website
• City of Plainview Building Permits & Inspections
• City of Abernathy building permits
• City of Petersburg building inspection
• City of Hale Center
• Texas floodplain administrator directory
• TCEQ: Getting a Septic Permit
• TCEQ authorized agent search

Hale County building and development FAQ

Do I need a building permit to build a house in rural Hale County?

The county does not issue building permits. You do need the county’s floodplain application before construction and a septic application if you are installing a system.

Who handles septic permits in Hale County?

Everywhere except inside Plainview city limits, the Special Projects Coordinator at the courthouse, 500 Broadway, Suite 220, Plainview (806-288-1541); inside Plainview, TCEQ Region 2 in Lubbock. The owner buys the application and a licensed installer builds the system.

Where do I get a building permit in Plainview?

From the City of Plainview Building Permits & Inspections office at 202 W. 5th Street (806-296-1100).

Does Abernathy issue its own building permits?

Yes. Abernathy has its own local building permit and floodplain development permit, and permits expire if work does not start within 180 days.

What building code does Petersburg use?

The 2018 International Residential Code and International Building Code, as adopted by the City Council.

Simplify Hale County permitting with Alliance Permitting

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.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Hale County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.