Nolan County, Texas Building Permit Guide

Nolan County’s website lists no building permit, development permit, floodplain permit or septic program for land outside city limits, so a house in the unincorporated county gets no county building permit or inspection. Inside Sweetwater, the City’s Building Inspections Division at City Hall (200 E 4th Street; 325-236-6313) reviews plans, issues permits and inspects the work. Septic systems anywhere in the county are permitted by TCEQ’s Region 3 office in Abilene, because TCEQ lists no local authorized agent in Nolan County.

Who issues permits in Nolan County?

The Commissioners Court sits at the courthouse, 100 East 3rd Street, and its office number is 325-235-3355.

Cities and towns in Nolan County

• Sweetwater (10,141 residents): the City issues building permits and Certificates of Occupancy, registers contractors and inspects work inside its limits. Its forms include a Building Permit Application, Certificate of Occupancy Application, Contractor Registration Form and plat, rezoning and Board of Adjustments applications, and its permit and inspection fees are set each fiscal year in the Central Rate Schedule.
• Roscoe (1,208): the published sources do not say how building permits are handled. The state floodplain directory lists the City Manager, 325-766-3021, as Roscoe’s floodplain contact.
• Blackwell (246 residents in the Nolan County part): the published sources do not say who issues building permits; ask the city.

Septic and trade work outside the cities

Septic systems: a permit and approved plan are needed to build, alter, repair or extend an on-site sewage facility. TCEQ’s agent search lists no county or city agent in Nolan County, and its Region 3 office in Abilene names the whole county as its own service area: 1977 Industrial Blvd., Abilene, TX 79602; 325-698-9674; weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The regional office must approve or deny a complete application within 30 days.

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work: the county publishes no trade permits for unincorporated land. In Sweetwater, trade work comes under the City’s permits and inspections.

Fees and filing in Nolan County

The county posts no permit fee schedule because it publishes no county construction permit. In Sweetwater, permit and inspection fees are set each fiscal year in the City’s Central Rate Schedule and must be paid before work starts. The FY2027 schedule (Resolution 2026-12, in effect from October 1, 2026) is now posted, although the Building Inspections page still links the 2025–2026 edition. Forms can be handed in at City Hall, emailed to the department named on the form, or mailed to P.O. Box 450.

Inspections in Nolan County

The county runs no building inspection program, so homes in the unincorporated county are not inspected by the county. In Sweetwater, inspections have been by appointment since June 1, 2026: slots run Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon, requests are due by 4:00 p.m. the business day before, and same-day requests are fitted in when there is space. Call the Code Enforcement Office at 325-236-6313, extension 1381.

Lake Sweetwater lots: the lakefront lots are leased from the City, which keeps ownership of the land. Any cabin, deck or fence on a lake lot needs City approval, and leaseholders must maintain their septic systems.

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

Nolan County permit search and official resources

• Nolan County official website
• Nolan County Judge
• City of Sweetwater Building Inspections
• City of Sweetwater permits and forms
• Lake Sweetwater lake lot information
• TCEQ: OSSF (septic) permits
• TCEQ 2025 OSSF authorized agent report
• Texas floodplain administrator directory

Nolan County permit FAQ

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

No. The county publishes no building permit or inspection program for land outside city limits. A septic system still needs a permit from TCEQ’s Abilene regional office (325-698-9674).

Who issues building permits in Sweetwater?

The City of Sweetwater Building Inspections Division at City Hall, 200 E 4th Street (325-236-6313), which reviews plans, issues permits and inspects the work.

How do I schedule an inspection in Sweetwater?

Call 325-236-6313, extension 1381, by 4:00 p.m. the business day before. Inspections run weekday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Who issues septic permits in Nolan County?

TCEQ itself, through its Region 3 office in Abilene (325-698-9674), for the whole county; TCEQ lists no county or city agent here.

Can I build on a Lake Sweetwater lot?

The lots are leased from the City of Sweetwater, and cabins, decks and fences need City approval. Call City Hall at 325-236-6313.

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