Outside its towns, Young County has no building permit or building inspection. The County’s 911 Addressing and Permitting office, in Room B5 of the courthouse at 516 Fourth Street, Graham (940-549-7911), handles septic permits as the state’s authorized agent, entry culverts and utility crossings of county roads, and new rural addresses. Building permits inside Graham and Olney come from the cities.
Who issues permits in each part of Young County?
| Area or approval | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Graham, the county seat (about 8,800 residents) | City of Graham Building Inspections, City Hall, 612 Elm Street; 940-549-3322; Monday to Thursday 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. |
| Olney (about 3,000 residents) | City of Olney, City Hall, 201 E. Main St.; 940-276-2011. The City publishes a permit application, a permit fee ordinance, contractor registration and a homeowner’s guide to building permits. |
| Newcastle (about 540 residents) | The published sources do not say who issues building permits; ask town hall |
| Unincorporated county, buildings | No county building permit or inspection |
| Septic systems, culverts, road crossings | 911 Addressing and Permitting office, 516 Fourth Street, Room B5, Graham (P.O. Box 607); 940-549-7911 |
| Flood zones | The County Judge or the Judge’s designee is the floodplain administrator |
| New rural addresses | Nortex Regional Planning Commission, 4309 Jacksboro Hwy., Wichita Falls; 940-322-5281 |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Graham’s commercial building permit package includes the application, submittal requirements, building and plan review fees, contractor registration and the certificate of occupancy application.
County permits outside the towns
County permits
- On-site sewage facility (septic) permit for a new or modified system
- Entry culvert in a county road ditch
- Pipeline or utility crossing or running along a county road
- Floodplain development permit for building or other development in a special flood hazard area
- A rural 9-1-1 address for a new home
Not a county permit
- Building, electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits for rural homes
- Work inside Graham or Olney, which the cities permit
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Septic permits in Young County
Young County is the TCEQ-authorized septic agent for the entire county, Graham, Olney and Newcastle included, so it issues septic permits itself. The exception is the Possum Kingdom Lake regulated area, where TCEQ lists the Brazos River Authority; its Lake Office (940-779-2321) takes the septic licence applications there. The application asks for the number of bedrooms and living area, the water source, whether a public sewer is within 300 feet, and the names of the designer (a professional engineer or registered sanitarian) and the registered installer. A soil and site evaluation and planning materials must be attached. Construction may not begin until the application is approved, and the County inspects the installed system before granting the permit to operate. Systems that need an affidavit to the public must turn in the original, and the County posts a list of local septic installers.
County road and flood rules
Entry culverts: a culvert in a county road ditch needs a permit approved by Commissioners Court and submitted by the commissioner for your precinct, who sets the required diameter and length. The permit is valid for 90 days, and the culvert must be marked at both ends.
Utility and pipeline crossings: the permit costs $500 (it may be waived or refunded for a bore-only crossing) and is valid for 90 days. Lines must be at least 3 feet below the lowest point of the right-of-way, the Court must receive confirmation of an 8-1-1 locate and 48 hours’ notice before installation, and signs go on each side of the road or every 300 feet along a parallel line.
Flood zones: the County’s flood damage prevention ordinance, last amended November 24, 2008, uses flood maps dated January 2, 1991 and requires a floodplain development permit in special flood hazard areas, with plans in duplicate showing the lowest floor elevation.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Precinct offices: Precinct 1, 940-549-0337; Precinct 2, 940-362-4301; Precinct 3, 940-564-0198; Precinct 4, 940-873-3333.
How to start a rural build in Young County
Inside the cities, building permits come from City Hall.
Send the New Address Form to the Nortex Regional Planning Commission.
File the application with the soil evaluation and planning materials at the 911 Addressing and Permitting office, and wait for approval before installing.
Ask your precinct commissioner to submit the culvert permit to Commissioners Court.
In a special flood hazard area, apply to the floodplain administrator before you build.
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
Rather not deal with the Young County building department?
Get a free quote →Young County official resources
- Young County 911 Addressing and Permitting
- Septic (OSSF) permit application (PDF)
- Brazos River Authority Possum Kingdom Lake permits, including septic
- Local septic installers
- Culvert permit
- Road crossing permit
- Flood damage prevention ordinance, 2008 (PDF)
- Young County Commissioners Court
- City of Graham City Hall
- City of Olney permitting rates and forms
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Young County permit FAQs
Do I need a building permit in rural Young County?
The County issues no building permit. You need a county septic permit for a new system, and a culvert permit if the driveway needs a culvert in a county road ditch.
Who issues septic permits in Young County?
The County’s 911 Addressing and Permitting office in Graham (940-549-7911), as TCEQ’s authorized agent, except in the Possum Kingdom Lake regulated area, where the Brazos River Authority’s Lake Office (940-779-2321) handles them.
How much is a permit to cross a county road with a utility line?
$500, valid for 90 days; it may be waived or refunded for a bore-only crossing.
Where do I get a building permit in Graham?
From Building Inspections at Graham City Hall, 612 Elm Street (940-549-3322).
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How do I get a new rural address?
Submit the County’s New Address Form to the Nortex Regional Planning Commission in Wichita Falls.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Young County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.