Lampasas County does not publish a building permit for rural land. What the county does run, through the County Judge’s office at 501 E. 4th Street in Lampasas (512-556-8271), is the septic (on-site sewage) permit, which is required for every system regardless of lot size and costs $350 for a home, plus culvert approvals, 911 signs and floodplain administration. Inside Lampasas, Copperas Cove, Kempner and Lometa, the city issues building permits.
What the county permits in unincorporated Lampasas County
County approvals
- Septic (OSSF) permit for any new or modified system, on any size of lot
- Culvert under a county road into your property, approved by the precinct commissioner
- Utility installations, on the County’s utility installation form
- Floodplain review through the County’s floodplain administrator
- Subdivision approval under the County’s subdivision rules
- A 911 address (from the Central Texas Council of Governments) and the $20 address sign
Not published by the county
- Building permits or plan review for houses and barns
- Electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits
- Building inspections or certificates of occupancy
The County’s 2025 septic order sets lot sizes for new homes on septic: at least 1 acre of usable area with a public water supply, or 2 acres on a private well. A septic application for a development that breaks the County’s subdivision or manufactured home orders will not be approved until the development complies.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Who issues building permits in Lampasas County?
The Census lists four cities in Lampasas County. Each runs its own building permits:
| Place | Who issues building permits |
|---|---|
| Lampasas (pop. 7,988) | City Building & Planning Department, 312 E. 3rd Street, 512-556-6831 (weekdays 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.). Since March 2025 Bureau Veritas carries out the City’s plan review and inspections; the City uses the 2021 International codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code. |
| Copperas Cove (the 1,083 residents in Lampasas County) | City of Copperas Cove Building Department, 914 S. Main Street, 254-542-3528, which handles plan checks, building permits and inspections. |
| Kempner (pop. 1,297) | City of Kempner, City Hall at 12288 US Hwy 190, (512) 932-2180. Its permit ordinance requires City permits to build, alter, place or demolish any building, structure or pool. |
| Lometa (pop. 794) | City of Lometa, City Hall at 100 E. San Saba Street, 512-752-3331. Building and zoning permits have been required since 2019. |
| Unincorporated county | No county building permit; septic, culvert, floodplain and addressing through the County Judge’s office. |
| Office | Contact |
|---|---|
| County Judge’s office (septic applications, 911 signs, forms) | 501 E. 4th Street, Suite 103, Lampasas, TX 76550; 512-556-8271 |
| Floodplain administrator | 512-663-8364 |
| 911 physical addresses | Central Texas Council of Governments, 254-770-2380 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Septic permits, culverts and city fees
Lampasas County is a TCEQ-authorized agent for septic systems. Its new order, adopted by the Commissioners Court on January 13, 2025 and approved by TCEQ on February 13, 2025, covers all of the county except areas under another order or ordinance, and it is administered by the County’s designated representative. Applications are available in the County Judge’s office or online, along with a separate form to modify or change a system.
| Project | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard (anaerobic) or aerobic system | $350 |
| Commercial, any system | $400 |
| State fee on each OSSF permit (TCEQ account) | $10 |
- Owners who maintain their own aerobic system must complete the Texas A&M AgriLife “Homeowner Maintenance of Aerobic Treatment Units” course or an approved equivalent.
- RV septic designs must use 60 gallons per day.
- Decisions of the designated representative can be appealed to the Commissioners Court.
- Culverts: the precinct commissioner must approve the culvert in advance and set its minimum size; the owner pays for all materials and installation, the County does no work, and the commissioner inspects it afterwards.
Inside the cities, fees are set locally. Kempner charges by building size, from $15 up to 100 sq ft to $100 for 1,701–2,000 sq ft and $300 from 10,000 sq ft, with $25 for patios, carports and sheds, $80 for a pool and $30 for a demolition. Lometa charges a $30 base permit for fences, carports, sheds, remodels, new construction and driveways, plus $20 for each added review or inspection item.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Building on rural land in Lampasas County
If the land is in Lampasas, Copperas Cove, Kempner or Lometa, apply to that city for the building permit.
Allow at least 1 acre of usable area with public water, or 2 acres on a private well, and make sure the lot meets the County’s subdivision rules.
Call the County floodplain administrator (512-663-8364) if the site is near a mapped flood hazard.
Submit the 2025 OSSF application with the $350 residential or $400 commercial fee and the $10 state fee.
Ask the precinct commissioner to approve any culvert, request the 911 address from the Central Texas Council of Governments, and buy the $20 sign at the Treasurer’s office.
Have the licensed installer build the approved system and pass the designated representative’s inspection.
Rather not deal with the Lampasas County building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections
For rural land, the only county inspections published are for septic systems, by the County’s designated representative, and for culverts, by the precinct commissioner after installation. In the City of Lampasas, inspection requests made by 3:30 p.m. go on the next business day’s schedule; permits started on the City’s former MGO portal still take inspection requests there. Lometa reviews residential applications and sends written comments within 10 business days, and it requires the finished floor to sit at least 1 ft above the crown of the road or top of the curb, whichever is higher.
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 →Lampasas County official permit resources
- Lampasas County Judge: septic, culvert, floodplain and 911 information
- Lampasas County OSSF Order and TCEQ approval (2025)
- Application to Construct or Modify an OSSF
- Request to Install Culvert on County Property
- Lampasas County Subdivision Rules and Regulations
- City of Lampasas Building & Planning
- City of Lampasas permit process
- City of Copperas Cove Building Department
- City of Kempner ordinances, including the building permit ordinance
- City of Lometa permits and fees
- TCEQ: Getting a Septic Permit
Lampasas County building and development FAQ
Do I need a building permit for a house in rural Lampasas County?
The County publishes no building permit or building code for unincorporated land. You do need a County septic permit, and possibly culvert and floodplain approvals.
How much is a septic permit in Lampasas County?
$350 for a standard or aerobic system and $400 for any commercial system, plus a $10 state fee. A permit is required regardless of acreage.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →What lot size do I need for a septic system?
At least 1 acre of usable area if the house is on a public water supply, or 2 acres if it uses a private well.
Who issues building permits in the City of Lampasas?
The City’s Building & Planning Department at 312 E. 3rd Street (512-556-6831), with plan review and inspections done by Bureau Veritas since March 2025.
Can I put in a culvert to reach my land from a county road?
Yes, with the prior approval of your precinct commissioner, who sets the minimum size and inspects it; you pay for the culvert and its installation.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Lampasas County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.