Hockley County government does not publish a building permit or building inspection program, so a house in the unincorporated county has no county building permit. The county’s website lists a septic inspection contact (806-241-5066) and petitions to the Commissioners Court for pipelines or phone lines crossing county roads. Inside Levelland, the City’s Building Department issues permits under the 2021 International codes.
What the county regulates
County items
- Septic system inspections, through the county’s septic inspection contact
- Commissioners Court approval for a pipeline or phone line laid under or across a county road, by petition with a map and specifications
Not offered by the county
- Building, electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits for buildings outside the cities
- A county development, floodplain or subdivision permit page: the county website posts none
A road-crossing petition asks the court for authority to build and maintain the line under the named county roads, with the crossing points shown on a map (Exhibit A) and the general specifications attached (Exhibit B), and commits the petitioner to keep obstruction of traffic to a minimum.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Who issues building permits in each Hockley County town?
The Census lists six incorporated places in Hockley County. Official town sources give these answers:
| Area | Who issues building permits |
|---|---|
| Levelland (about 12,500 residents) | City of Levelland Building Department, part of the Code Enforcement Department, which inspects residential, commercial and industrial construction for the building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes. City Hall 806-894-0113. |
| Ropesville | The City requires a building permit for any new construction and for mobile buildings or structures moved into the city; each permit is approved by City Council at a meeting, with a Citizen Request Form, and the applicant must attend. City Hall, 107 Hockley Main St, 806-562-3531. |
| Smyer | The City posts its own Building Permit Application. City office 806-234-3861, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Anton, Sundown, Opdyke West | The published sources do not say; ask town hall (Anton 806-997-2801, Sundown 806-229-3131, Opdyke West 806-894-1518). |
| Unincorporated county | No county building permit. |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| County Judge | Hockley County Courthouse, 802 Houston Street, Suite 101, Levelland, TX 79336; 806-894-6856 |
| Commissioners (road crossings) | 802 Houston Street, Suite 101; 806-894-4092 |
| Septic permits and inspections, whole county including the towns | 806-241-5066; hockleycountyseptic@gmail.com (TCEQ lists Hockley County as the authorized agent for the entire county) |
Levelland permits and codes
Levelland’s Building Permit Process page offers fillable residential, commercial and mobile home applications, plus guidelines for residential permits; you complete the form and submit it to the Building Department. The City Council adopted the 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Fire Code and 2020 National Electrical Code, among other codes, in Ordinances 1100 to 1110 on December 15, 2025. The Code Enforcement Department also administers Levelland’s zoning and subdivision ordinances and supports the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustments.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to start a project in Hockley County
Levelland, Ropesville, Smyer, Sundown, Anton and Opdyke West are incorporated; the rest of the county is not.
Fill in the City’s residential, commercial or mobile home application and submit it to the Building Department.
Turn in the Builders Permit and a Citizen Request Form at City Hall by 4 p.m. on the Friday before the council meeting, and attend the meeting.
No county building permit is needed; plan the septic system with the county septic inspection contact.
Petition the Commissioners Court with a map and specifications before laying a pipeline or phone line under a county road.
The County Clerk’s online records search shows recorded plats and deeds for the parcel.
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 Hockley County building department?
Get a free quote →Hockley County official resources
- Hockley County website
- Hockley County septic inspection contact (PDF)
- TCEQ authorized agent search
- Commissioners Court and road crossing petitions
- Petition for a pipeline road crossing (PDF)
- Hockley County Clerk records search
- City of Levelland building permit process
- Levelland 2021 building codes ordinances
- City of Ropesville forms and permits
- City of Smyer
- TCEQ on-site sewage facility permits
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Hockley County permit FAQs
Do I need a building permit to build a house in rural Hockley County?
The county does not issue building permits for houses outside the towns. Septic systems are inspected through the county septic contact at 806-241-5066.
Who issues building permits in Levelland?
The City of Levelland Building Department, which works under the 2021 International codes adopted in December 2025. City Hall is 806-894-0113.
How do I get a building permit in Ropesville?
Submit the Builders Permit and a Citizen Request Form to City Hall; the City Council approves each permit at a meeting you must attend.
Who do I call about septic inspections in Hockley County?
The county lists 806-241-5066 and hockleycountyseptic@gmail.com for septic inspection questions. Hockley County is TCEQ’s authorized agent for septic systems everywhere in the county, Levelland and the other towns included.
Do I need county approval to run a line under a county road?
Yes. Pipelines and phone lines crossing county roads need a petition approved by the Commissioners Court.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Hockley County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.