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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Somervell County
No clearly documented general county building permit requirement was found for ordinary construction in unincorporated Somervell County. Verified county permit controls include OSSF permits for on-site sewage systems and floodplain management review for development in the county's regulated flood hazard areas. County subdivision and RV park rules may also apply to land development.
- Exempt OSSF on a tract of 10 acres or more where the field line or disposal area is not closer than 100 feet to the property line
- Exempt Emergency repairs may proceed before permitting if notice is given to the permitting authority within 72 hours and the permit application is submitted within 30 days
Note: No public exempt-work list was found for a county general building permit program. Confirm state-law exceptions with Somervell County before relying on them locally.
- Site and soil evaluation
- Completed OSSF application
- House floor plan
- Legal description document (warranty deed, metes and bounds, or survey)
- Scale drawing of the proposed system and surroundings
- For aerobic and non-standard systems: design by a P.E. or R.S., signed maintenance contract, and notarized affidavit with legal description
- Building code
- No public countywide general building-code adoption for ordinary unincorporated construction was identified. The verified county technical regulatory framework is the county OSSF order plus TCEQ OSSF rules under 30 TAC Chapter 285. Floodplain administration is tied to the county's FEMA and NFIP program participation.
- Owner-builder
- For OSSF, the owner signs the application and authorizes the county designated representative to enter the property for site and soil evaluation and inspection.
- Contractor requirements
- For OSSF work, the county forms require licensed site evaluators and installers. Aerobic or non-standard systems must be designed by a P.E. or R.S. where required.
Application process
Typical processing: TCEQ rules require the permitting authority to approve or deny OSSF applications within 30 days after receiving the complete application and fee.
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Somervell County and not inside Glen Rose city limits.
- 02 Determine whether the project triggers a county-controlled approval (documented county permit programs are OSSF permits and floodplain administration).
- 03 For septic or wastewater disposal work, choose a site and soil evaluator; complete the OSSF application; provide house floor plan; provide a legal description; provide a scale drawing showing the system and surroundings; and provide any required professional design, maintenance contract, or affidavit for aerobic or non-standard systems.
- 04 Submit the OSSF application and required supporting materials to the county OSSF office.
- 05 If the property is in a regulated floodplain, contact the county floodplain authority before development.
- 06 Complete installation and obtain final inspection before the system and trenches are covered.
- 07 Do not assume a general county building permit exists for ordinary unincorporated construction.
Typical processing time: TCEQ rules require the permitting authority to approve or deny OSSF applications within 30 days after receiving the complete application and fee.
Fee schedule
Somervell County building permit fees
The county OSSF page publishes online credit-card payment information, but the reviewed public materials did not clearly state whether online payment equals online permit submission.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- OSSF office: (254) 898-3920 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: Inspection sequence includes site and soil evaluation, application and supporting materials, system design as needed, installation, and final inspection before the system and trenches are covered. The OSSF application states the permit to operate will be granted following successful inspection of the installed system.
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Somervell County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Somervell County, TX? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Somervell County, TX? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Somervell County, TX? ▸
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Somervell County, TX? ▸
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Somervell County, TX? ▸
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Somervell County, TX? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Somervell County On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) program; Somervell County Emergency Management / Floodplain Administration before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.