Reeves County, Texas Building Permit Guide

Reeves County issues no building permits; the Town of Pecos City permits buildings inside its limits. In the unincorporated county, the Road & Bridge Permits Department handles septic, driveway, utility right-of-way and subdivision permits, and since January 1, 2026 original applications must be mailed to the County Treasurer’s Office. A single-family septic permit costs $210, and permits are being processed within 1 to 2 weeks.

What the county permits outside Pecos

The county will not issue a septic or development permit for a lot in a subdivision created without an approved, recorded plat.

Who issues permits in Reeves County?

Pecos holds about 10,400 of the county’s 12,138 residents, and fewer than 1,300 people live outside a city or town.

Building and trade permits in Pecos

Inside Pecos, the Town requires a permit to build, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a building or change its use, and for regulated electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing work. Only contractors registered with the City of Pecos may do permitted work, and general contractors, electricians, plumbers, mechanical contractors and house movers must each register with a certificate of insurance of at least $1,000,000. The Town builds to the 2021 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Fire and Energy Conservation Codes.

Two plan sets go to the Chief Building Official: architectural plans for a home, stamped engineered plans for commercial work. Each set includes a site plan, foundation and floor plans, roof and wall sections, four elevations, an electrical riser plan and a registered surveyor’s certificate of the slab elevation. The Town gives out its fee schedule on request at City Hall.

The county issues no electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits outside Pecos.

Reeves County permit fees

Fees are non-refundable and payable to Reeves County; cards are accepted by phone or in the office with a convenience fee. Septic fees must be paid by personal check, cashier’s check or money order, not cash, before the notice of approval is issued.

Septic and driveway inspections

Septic systems: Reeves County is TCEQ’s septic agent for the whole county, and it also runs the septic program inside Pecos on the Town’s behalf. A licensed site evaluator assesses the site, and the application, in the owner’s name, goes in with the technical sheet, site evaluation, planning materials, directions to the site and proof of the legal description. The county’s designated representative reviews it and issues an Authorization to Construct, valid for one year; building the system before approval can bring civil or administrative penalties. Book the inspection at least 5 working days ahead, before the system is covered. The owner receives a notice of approval within 7 calendar days of a passed inspection.

Lot rules for septic: under the 2017 subdivision regulations, a lot created since January 1, 1988 with its own well and septic system must be at least 1 acre, unless an engineer or sanitarian prepares site-specific plans, and the plat must show a 150-foot sanitary easement around each well.

Driveways and utilities: an access driveway permit is good for 6 months, and the drive must be finished by the 91st calendar day after construction starts. Tell the county’s representative at least 24 hours before work begins, use traffic control that meets the Texas manual, and repair any damage to roads, ditches or culverts within a week. The county asks applicants to print its Outdoor Lighting Ordinance with the utility and driveway forms.

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

Reeves County official resources

• Reeves County permits and regulations
• Reeves County permit fee schedule
• Reeves County septic (OSSF) application, revised October 2024
• Reeves County driveway and culvert policy and access permit
• Reeves County utility facilities policy
• Reeves County Subdivision Regulations (2017)
• Reeves County manufactured home rental community regulations
• Reeves County 911 address request form
• Town of Pecos City permits

Reeves County permit FAQ

Does Reeves County issue building permits?

No. Outside Pecos, the county permits septic systems, driveways, utility lines in county right-of-way and subdivisions, but not buildings.

Where do I send a Reeves County permit application?

Since January 1, 2026, mail the original to Reeves County, Attn: Treasurer’s Office (Permits), 1714 Schmidt Dr., Pecos, TX 79772.

How much is a septic permit in Reeves County?

$210 for a single-family home and $410 for any other system, with re-inspections at $100 or $200.

How long do county permits take?

The county says permits are being processed within 1 to 2 weeks.

How much is a driveway permit onto a county road?

$250 for a residential or agricultural drive and $500 for a commercial one.

Who issues building permits in Pecos?

The Town of Pecos City permits office (432-445-2421, ext. 2201), using contractors registered with the City.

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