How permits work in unincorporated Bastrop County
All development in unincorporated Bastrop County requires permitting, including homes, manufactured homes and accessory structures such as decks, porches and sheds.
Texas counties have limited authority over residential construction. Outside city limits there is generally no county building permit or building inspection, but the work still has to meet the residential building code, and the county does regulate development in the floodplain and every on site sewage facility, which is what most homes outside the cities use. HOAs and deed restrictions also still apply.
What the county requires
- Development and septic permits are filed online through the county's My Government Online portal; septic applications include a recorded deed, a dimensioned site plan, a survey or plat and a site evaluation report.
- In Lost Pines habitat areas, the county does not issue development or septic permits until the lot's residential designation is recorded under the Lost Pines Habitat Conservation Plan.
Bastrop County fees
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single family development permit | $225 ($300 with floodplain review) |
| Standard residential septic permit | $600 |
| Non-standard or aerobic residential septic permit | $700 |
Contact: Development Services, 211 Jackson Street, Bastrop, 512-581-7176.
Planning a project on septic
- Find the existing septic permit and system design; the county uses it to decide whether the system can carry the new work
- Keep additions, pools, decks and driveways clear of the tank, drain field and replacement area shown on the septic site plan
- Budget for a site evaluation and a new design if bedrooms or fixtures are added
- Confirm floodplain status first; a floodplain permit can be required before anything else is approved
Cities in Bastrop County
Inside city limits, the city issues the building permit: Bastrop.
Texas licensing for remodeling trades
| Who | What Texas requires |
|---|---|
| General contractors | Texas has no state license for general contractors; cities register contractors locally (Austin, Cedar Park and Marble Falls, for example). |
| Electricians | Electrical work requires a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (apprentice, residential wireman, journeyman or master, working under a licensed electrical contractor). |
| Plumbers | Plumbing work requires registration or a license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (apprentice, tradesman, journeyman or master). |
| Air conditioning and refrigeration | TDLR registers technicians, certifies technicians who pass an exam, and licenses contractors, who need 48 months of experience and an exam. Registered technicians work under a licensed contractor. Handling refrigerant also requires EPA Section 608 certification. |
| Homeowners | Many cities let homeowners pull permits for their own homestead. In Austin that includes electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, with exceptions such as the main electric service and refrigerant work. |
Sources: TDLR: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors; TDLR: Electricians; Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners; City of Austin Homeowner's Permit.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bastrop County issue building permits?
Texas counties generally do not issue building permits for homes. In unincorporated Bastrop County, the county handles development, floodplain and septic (OSSF) permits instead. All development in unincorporated Bastrop County requires permitting, including homes, manufactured homes and accessory structures such as decks, porches and sheds..
Do I need a septic permit for an addition in Bastrop County?
If the addition adds bedrooms or wastewater fixtures, or changes the footprint over the drain field, expect the county to review whether the existing septic system can support it, and an upgrade may be required.
How do I know if my property is in city limits?
Check the property on the appraisal district map or ask the nearest city. Inside city limits, the city's building permit applies; see our guides for Bastrop.
Sources
- Bastrop County: Development Services fee schedule (June 20, 2025)
- Bastrop County: Flood Damage Prevention pamphlet
Related
General information gathered from official sources on October 18, 2026, not legal advice. We confirm the rules for your address during the free consultation.