Johnson County, Texas Building Permit Guide

Census Bureau estimates for 2025 put 83,771 Johnson County residents in the unincorporated balance of the county. The largest place is the Johnson County part of Burleson (46,460), followed by Cleburne, the county seat (39,942), and Joshua (9,352). Alvarado, Keene, Godley, Grandview, Rio Vista, Briaroaks, Cross Timber and Coyote Flats are also incorporated, as are the Johnson County parts of Venus, Mansfield, Cresson, Crowley, Grand Prairie and Fort Worth.

Johnson County’s website blocked automated checks, so its septic, floodplain, plat and road rules are not covered here: contact the county directly for work on unincorporated land. This guide covers Cleburne only.

What requires a permit in Johnson County?

Outside city limits, most Texas counties issue no building permits for homes; the state licensing rules for electrical, A/C and plumbing work still apply.

In Cleburne, the Building Inspections Division reviews and issues residential and commercial permits. Every foundation or footing over 400 square feet, and any addition to an existing post-tension foundation, must be designed and sealed by a Texas-registered engineer.

Who handles permitting in Cleburne?

The Building Inspections Division is at City Hall, 10 N. Robinson St. (basement level), Cleburne, according to the City’s October 2025 Quick Guide to Residential Construction (its Building Permits and Services page still lists the Municipal Service Center, 407 N. Main St.); phone 817-556-8891 or 817-645-0955, open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cleburne enforces the 2021 ICC codes and 2020 NEC with NCTCOG amendments (effective Dec. 1, 2022).

Cleburne permit fees

Re-inspection fees are $70 for residential and $85.50 for commercial, plus a $20 administration fee. Online payments go only through the city’s online permitting system.

Inspections in Cleburne

Requests must be in before 4 p.m. for a next-day inspection (through the online permitting system for online permits), and cancellations before 8 a.m. Emergency inspections for an electrical service change, gas test, water or sewer line or on-site sewage are done the same day; the emergency line is 817-645-0955.

Official Johnson County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Cleburne Building Permits and Services
• Apply for a Cleburne building permit

Frequently asked questions

Is Cleburne the largest city in Johnson County?

No. The Johnson County part of Burleson (46,460) is larger than Cleburne (39,942), the county seat.

When must a Cleburne foundation be engineered?

Every foundation or footing over 400 square feet, and any addition to an existing post-tension foundation, must be sealed by a Texas-registered engineer.

Can I get a same-day inspection in Cleburne?

Only emergency inspections: electrical service change, gas test, water or sewer line, or on-site sewage, at 817-645-0955.

Simplify Johnson County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Check whether the site is inside a city or on county land, and which office handles each permit there
• Prepare the county septic, floodplain, plat or road paperwork alongside any city building permit
• Track each approval and inspection through to the final sign-off

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 Johnson County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.