Pecos County states on its own website that it has no zoning or permitting regulations, no county ordinances, no building code and no fire code. The only permit the county requires is for an on-site sewage facility, handled by the county Health Inspector at the courthouse, 103 W. Callaghan, Fort Stockton (432-290-0299). Inside Fort Stockton and Iraan, the cities set their own rules; Fort Stockton’s Code Enforcement department issues building permits.
What needs a permit in rural Pecos County?
County permit
- An on-site sewage facility (septic system), permitted through Pecos County Health and Sanitation
The county has none
- Building codes or building permits
- Zoning
- A fire code
- County ordinances, including a noise ordinance outside city limits
- Participation in federal flood insurance (listed as not applicable)
The county tells residents that state laws and federal guidelines still apply in the unincorporated area. For questions that are not permits, it names separate contacts: precinct commissioners for crossing county roads, the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District for water wells, and Economic Development for data center, wind and solar projects.
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Get a free quote →Who actually issues the permits?
| Question | Office | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Septic (OSSF) permit, unincorporated county | Health Inspector, Pecos County Health and Sanitation, 103 W. Callaghan St., Fort Stockton | 432-290-0299 |
| Fire code or occupancy questions | Fire Chief / Emergency Management Coordinator | 432-336-3521 |
| Cutting across a county road | Precinct commissioner: Precinct 1, 2, 3 or 4 | 432-336-6261, 432-336-5085, 432-639-2986, 432-336-6281 |
| Data centers, wind and solar projects | Economic Development, or the County Judge’s office | 432-336-3959; 432-336-2792 |
| Water wells | Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District | 432-336-0698 |
Cities in Pecos County
- Fort Stockton (8,027), the county seat: the City’s Code Enforcement department reviews plans, issues building permits and inspects construction inside the corporate limits. Building Inspector Roy Mendoza is at 432-336-8525, and permit, application and contractor questions go to code@fortstockton.gov. City Hall is at 121 W. 2nd Street.
- Iraan (998): the published sources do not say who issues building permits; ask city hall. The state floodplain directory lists Iraan’s City Secretary at 432-639-2301.
Unincorporated communities such as Imperial, Sheffield, Coyanosa, Bakersfield and Belding have no city government, so only the county septic permit applies there.
Septic, fire and other rural approvals
Septic systems: the on-site sewage facility permit is the one county permit, issued through Health and Sanitation. The county does not post its application or fee online; the Health Inspector’s office handles both.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work: no county permit or inspection exists for these trades outside the cities.
Fire and occupancy: with no county fire code, questions about fire safety or occupancy go to the Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator (432-336-3521).
Flood areas: the county lists federal flood insurance as not applicable and has no floodplain permit, although its own October 2026 notice for a water project at Coyanosa describes the site as lying in a federally protected floodplain. Fort Stockton and Iraan are each listed with a floodplain contact in the state directory.
Fees in Pecos County and Fort Stockton
The county publishes no permit fee schedule; ask the Health Inspector for the septic permit fee. In Fort Stockton, building permits are priced per square foot, and every permit carries a $20 administrative fee with a $30 minimum.
| Work | Fort Stockton fee |
|---|---|
| Residential new construction | $0.40 per sq ft |
| Residential remodel | $0.37 per sq ft |
| Commercial construction | $0.44 per sq ft |
| Commercial remodel | $0.41 per sq ft |
| Industrial, first 10,000 sq ft | $0.44 per sq ft |
| Industrial, area over 10,000 sq ft | $0.41 per sq ft |
| Demolition up to 100,000 cu ft | $50 |
| Demolition over 100,000 cu ft | $0.50 per 1,000 cu ft |
| Administrative fee, every permit | $20 |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →A new 2,000 sq ft house in Fort Stockton costs $800 plus the $20 administrative fee, or $820. Starting work before the permit is issued doubles the fee.
How to start a project in Pecos County: 4 steps
Inside Fort Stockton or Iraan, the city’s rules apply; anywhere else in the county, only the septic permit is required.
Call the Health Inspector at 432-290-0299 before installing or changing an on-site sewage system.
Contact the precinct commissioner before cutting across a county road, and the Middle Pecos district about a new water well.
General, carpentry and roofing contractors register with the City each year, then email code@fortstockton.gov to apply; the City asks for 7–10 business days to process a permit.
Rather not deal with the Pecos County building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections and codes
The county carries out no building inspections because it has no building code. The Health Inspector deals with septic systems.
Inside Fort Stockton, Code Enforcement inspects permitted work under the 2021 International Building, Residential, Property Maintenance, Energy Conservation and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes. The City deleted the IRC section that would require fire sprinklers in homes, and local ordinances override the codes where the two conflict.
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 →Pecos County permit search and official resources
- Pecos County Rules, Regulations and Guidelines
- Pecos County Health Inspector
- Pecos County official website
- City of Fort Stockton Code Enforcement
- City of Fort Stockton permit fees
- Texas floodplain administrator directory
- TCEQ: Getting a Septic Permit
Pecos County permit FAQ
Do I need a building permit to build a house in rural Pecos County?
No. The county has no building code or building permit. You do need the county’s on-site sewage facility permit for a septic system.
Who issues septic permits in Pecos County?
The county Health Inspector (Health and Sanitation) at the courthouse, 103 W. Callaghan, Fort Stockton; mobile 432-290-0299.
Does Pecos County have zoning?
No. The county says there are no zoning or permitting regulations outside the cities, apart from the septic permit.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How much is a building permit in Fort Stockton?
For a new home, $0.40 per square foot plus a $20 administrative fee, with a $30 minimum. Remodels are $0.37 per square foot.
How long does a Fort Stockton permit take?
The City asks applicants to allow 7–10 business days for permit processing.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Pecos County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.