Jackson County issues no building code permit, but its Office of Permitting & Inspection in Edna (361-782-7552) must clear every development outside the cities for floodplain status, and it is the TCEQ agent for septic permits. A floodplain determination for a home outside the flood zone costs $20, and a residential septic permit $250. Edna and Ganado issue their own building permits.
What needs a county permit in Jackson County?
In the unincorporated county, any development needs the county’s floodplain determination first. The county defines development broadly: buildings and other structures, placing a manufactured home or RV, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling, and storing equipment or materials.
County approvals
- Determination of Floodplain Application, for every development site
- Floodplain development permit when the site is in a special flood hazard area
- On-site sewage facility (septic) permit
- Commercial development permit and drainage review
- Pipeline permits
- Subdivisions, RV parks and manufactured home placement under county regulations
Not a county permit
- Building code permits and inspections for houses
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits
- Water wells (Texana Groundwater Conservation District, 361-781-0624)
- Anything inside Edna, Ganado or La Ward city limits
Who issues permits in each part of Jackson County?
The county’s Office of Permitting, Inspection and Floodplain Administration enforces the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (signed February 25, 2013) and the county’s septic rules (adopted July 14, 2014), under which Jackson County is TCEQ’s authorized agent.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Area | Who issues permits |
|---|---|
| Edna (pop. 6,088) | City of Edna, which posts its own building permit form. City Hall, 126 W. Main Street; 361-782-3122. |
| Ganado (pop. 2,009) | City of Ganado: building, demolition, moving, manufactured home, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permit forms. City Hall, 112 E. Putnam; 361-771-2232. |
| La Ward (pop. 210) | The published sources do not say; the City’s number is 361-872-2362. |
| Unincorporated county | No building permit; floodplain, development and septic permits from the county Office of Permitting & Inspection. |
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 411 N. Wells, Room 130, Edna, TX 77957 |
| Phone / fax | 361-782-7552 / 361-782-0500 |
| Hours | Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to noon |
| Commercial and pipeline permits | Same office and number |
Septic permits in Jackson County
The county will not issue a septic permit until the floodplain determination, and any flood hazard permit, has been granted; a permit for a replacement system is the exception. If a property already has a septic system, it must have a current permit, or a new permitted system is required.
About 95% of the county’s soil is class IV clay, so most sites cannot use a standard drain field, and the site and soil evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or engineer decides which system may be installed. Anyone paid to do part of the installation, including digging, must hold the right TCEQ installer licence; licensed electricians and the person delivering the tank are the exceptions. The office keeps a list of licensed installers registered in the county. TCEQ’s records show 64 septic authorizations to construct issued by Jackson County in 2025.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →The county issues no electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits; inside Ganado, the City has its own forms for each trade.
Jackson County permit fees
From the county’s 2024 Development (Building) Permit and Septic Permit Fee Schedule. Fees are paid by cash or check to “Jackson County Permitting”; credit cards are not accepted.
| Project | Fee |
|---|---|
| Floodplain determination, outside the flood zone (Zone X) | $20 |
| In a flood hazard area: building under 400 sq ft without a restroom, or an RV for under 180 days | $25 |
| In a flood hazard area: barn or shop under 1,000 sq ft, or substantial improvement under 1,000 sq ft | $50 |
| In a flood hazard area: home under 2,000 sq ft, manufactured home placement, or substantial improvement over 1,000 sq ft | $75 |
| In a flood hazard area: home, barn or shop over 2,000 sq ft | $100 |
| Commercial development (any flood zone) | $320 |
| Commercial drainage review, up to 10 acres | $3,500, plus $100 per additional acre |
| Septic permit, residential / commercial | $250 / $450 |
| Septic re-inspection | $100 |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a Jackson County development permit
Call Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission rural addressing at 361-578-1587, option 2; the permit cannot be completed without it.
Send the application with the recorded deed or tax statement, site GPS coordinates, any survey or plat, construction plans and the $20 fee. An agent filing for the owner adds a copy of the owner’s driver’s licence and signature.
The county issues an exemption from the floodplain development permit, an official determination letter and a utility permit.
Book a consultation, submit an elevation certificate and obtain the development permit.
Name the licensed installer and provide the site and soil evaluation.
Electric providers such as Jackson Electric Cooperative ask for the county’s utility permit before connecting service.
Inspections and occupancy
The county inspects septic systems (re-inspections cost $100) but makes no building code inspections on houses. In a flood hazard area, nobody may occupy a new structure until all permits are released; the county issues a certificate of occupancy once the final elevation certificate shows the required elevations were met.
Rather not deal with the Jackson County building department?
Get a free quote →Flood rules: homes may not be built in a floodway without a No Impact Certificate and study. When an addition, remodel or repair costs more than half the home’s value, the whole home must be raised to or above the base flood elevation. Accessory buildings in the flood zone must be low-cost, unoccupied, anchored, vented and built to resist flood damage, with elevated utilities.
Penalties: breaking the flood or septic rules is a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500 a day, and the county may order unpermitted work removed. Property owners associations such as Cape Carancahua and Tri-County Point ask for copies of county permits before building or placing a home.
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 →Jackson County permit search and official resources
- Jackson County Septic and Development Permitting
- Jackson County development and septic fee schedule (2024)
- Jackson County development rules for non-commercial structures
- Jackson County Determination of Floodplain Application
- Jackson County commercial development permit application
- Jackson County septic information and guidelines
- Jackson County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
- City of Edna
- City of Ganado permit forms
Jackson County permit FAQ
Does Jackson County issue building permits?
Not building code permits. Outside the cities, every development needs the county’s floodplain determination and, where needed, floodplain and septic permits.
How much is a floodplain determination?
$20 for a site outside the flood zone. Inside a flood hazard area, permits run from $25 to $100 depending on the building; commercial development is $320.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How much is a septic permit?
$250 for a residential system and $450 for a commercial system.
Who issues building permits in Edna and Ganado?
Each city. Edna City Hall is at 361-782-3122 and Ganado City Hall at 361-771-2232.
Do I need a county permit to place a manufactured home or RV?
Yes. Placing a manufactured home or RV counts as development and needs the floodplain determination.
Where do I get a water well permit?
From the Texana Groundwater Conservation District (361-781-0624), not the county.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Jackson County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.