Smith County, Texas Building Permit Guide

Census Vintage 2025 estimates put Smith County at 252,549 people, of whom 107,566 live in the unincorporated balance; Tyler city has 113,723.

This guide covers Smith County’s floodplain, subdivision, utility, septic and fire marshal permits and the City of Tyler.

What requires a permit in Smith 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.

• Floodplain: the Flood Plain Development Permit is required for any development in Zones A or B on the FEMA maps.
• Utility lines: pipe or utility lines in a county road right-of-way need a county utility permit; underground lines go at least 36 inches below the flow line of the adjacent ditch.
• Septic: a system needs a lot of 1/2 acre or larger unless the land was platted before 1989.
• Fire code: the Fire Marshal’s Inspections Division checks that new buildings in the county meet the adopted fire code.

Who handles permitting in Smith County?

Road & Bridge, 135 SSE Loop 323, Tyler (right-of-way, floodplain and subdivision paperwork): 903-590-4801, Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 4 pm. County Engineer Frank Davis: 903-590-4800. It posts the utility permit application, subdivision regulations, ETJ map, flood damage prevention regulations, floodplain development permit and heavy haul permit forms.

Septic: the county’s OSSF program is run by its contractor RTS Environmental LLC (Trace Stanley), 903-630-4234. The county asks owners to call RTS if an installer says a permit is not needed.

Fire Marshal: commercial, new construction and sprinkler/suppression inspections go through Fire Marshal Chad Hogue, (903)590-2657; administration office (903)590-2655, Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm.

Commissioners Court: 200 E Ferguson Street, Tyler; 903-590-4605.

Tyler: building, pool, roof, electrical and plumbing permits are submitted through eTRAKiT after sending a Master Registration Form; Permits and Building Inspections (903) 531-1151, Planning (903) 531-1175.

Floodplain and subdivision standards in Smith County

The floodplain permit is filed with the Director, Smith County Road & Bridge Department, P.O. Box 990, Tyler, Texas 75710, (903)-590-4801. A home’s lowest floor (including basement) must be elevated 2.0 foot above the 100-year flood level, and plans must be sealed by a registered professional engineer or land surveyor.

Under the Subdivision Regulations, lots on rural road sections need an average frontage of at least 100 feet (35 feet on cul-de-sacs), lots on curb and gutter roads at least 50 feet, and driveway culverts must be at least 15 inches in diameter.

Smith County permit costs and fees

County

• Subdivision Regulations (adopted the 23rd day of February, 2009): subdivision with roads $250, with no roads $100; replat (lot line adjustment) $25; manufactured home rental community $100; Flood Plain Development Permit $100
• Commercial OSSF permit: raised from $400 to $600 on October 6, 2026
• Fire Marshal: commercial/retail under 5000 square feet $150.00, over 10,000 square feet $200.00; restaurants $150.00; industrial/warehouse $200.00; fire alarm system $100.00; sprinkler system up to 25 heads $100.00

Tyler

• Residential new construction: $0.47 per square foot (minimum $50.00) plus a plan check fee of 20% of the permit fee
• Commercial (since October 1, 2024): $5.00 per $1,000.00 of estimated construction valuation
• Residential driveway $50.00; floodplain development permit $50.00; certificate of occupancy $80.00

Trade rules in Tyler

Electricians working in Tyler need a state license and city registration; the city has no license of its own.

Official Smith County permitting resources

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

• Smith County Road & Bridge
• Smith County Flood Plain Development Permit
• Smith County On-Site Sewage Facility
• Smith County Fire Marshal inspections
• Tyler schedule of fees

Frequently asked questions

Who runs septic permits in Smith County?

The county’s contractor, RTS Environmental LLC, 903-630-4234.

How high must a home in a Smith County floodplain be?

The lowest floor, including basement, must be 2.0 foot above the 100-year flood level.

Does the Smith County Fire Marshal inspect new buildings?

Yes. Its Inspections Division checks that new buildings in the county meet the adopted fire code.

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