Rusk County, Texas Building Permit Guide

Census Vintage 2025 estimates put Rusk County at 54,854 people, of whom 32,912 live in the unincorporated balance of the county, where no city building code applies. The largest municipalities are Henderson (13,496) and the Rusk County parts of Kilgore (3,376), Overton (2,149) and Tatum (1,216); each city runs its own permits.

This guide covers Rusk County’s septic, subdivision, food and addressing contacts and the City of Henderson.

What requires a permit in Rusk 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.

• Septic (OSSF): inspections are handled by the county’s Designated Representative.
• Subdivisions: Rusk County has adopted Subdivision Regulations covering site-built and manufactured homes, and separate Minimum Infrastructure Standards for rental communities.
• Food businesses: a restaurant, store or other food business needs a food establishment permit from the Rusk County Health Department, except inside the City of Henderson.

Who handles permitting in Rusk County?

Septic: Designated Representative for on-site septic inspection Jeff Harman, Rusk County Courthouse, 115 N. Main, Henderson; 903-854-2760, mobile 903-646-2735.

County regulations: the Commissioners Court page names Patty Sullivan as the contact. Commissioners Court office (903) 657-0326; precinct offices (903) 657-3030 (Pct 1), (903) 836-4347 (Pct 2), (903) 822-3211 (Pct 3) and (903) 854-4627 (Pct 4).

Health Department: County Health Inspector Tammy Honea, 115 N. Main Suite 500A, Henderson; 903-657-3832.

Henderson: Community Development (903) 392-0786; paper applications at the Community Development Help Desk, second floor of the Henderson Municipal Services Complex, 300 West Main Street.

Address numbers and the Rusk County Fire Marshal

The Office of Emergency Management, Rusk County Courthouse, 115 N. Main, Suite 500-A, Henderson (903-657-8571), publishes the county’s guidelines for posting 911 address numbers, issued over the name of Fire Marshal Patrick Dooley. Numbers must be at least 3 inches high, in contrasting colors and reflective, posted on the street side near the main entrance; the guidelines cite section 505.1 of the 2015 International Fire Code. For 911 addressing, the Emergency Management page links to ETCOG 911 Addressing Services.

Building permits in Henderson

Every contractor needing a permit must complete a Contractor Registration Form before applying. Electricians must hold a City license to contract and perform work, while building contractors are not required to be licensed and bonded. The city lists the 2021 International Building Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code, and its residential permit packet asks the owner or contractor for a RES check form showing compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code.

Official Rusk County permitting resources

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

• Rusk County septic inspection
• Rusk County Commissioners Court
• Rusk County 911 address number guidelines
• Henderson permits
• Henderson Building Services

Frequently asked questions

Who inspects septic systems in Rusk County?

The county’s Designated Representative, Jeff Harman, 903-854-2760.

Does Rusk County have a fire marshal?

Yes. The county’s 911 address guidelines are issued over the name of Fire Marshal Patrick Dooley.

Do Henderson building contractors need a license?

No, building contractors are not required to be licensed and bonded, but electricians need a City license and every contractor must register.

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