County Permit SearchU.S. compliance directory
← Burnet County overview

Codes, exemptions & field inspections

Build to the adopted code. Verify every exception.

This guide translates the available agency record into a preconstruction checklist for structural scope, minor work, and inspection release. The adopted code and the issuing official control when a field condition is disputed.

Regulatory framework

The code baseline for Burnet County.

Burnet County requires a building/development permit for county projects, with Class A for work outside a designated flood hazard boundary and Class B for work in a flood zone. All floodplain development, including new construction, filling, grading, paving, and substantial improvements at 50% or more of market value, requires a permit and inspections. The county flood order uses FEMA FIS/FIRM data dated November 1, 2019 and requires one-foot freeboard for new and substantially improved structures, with a two-foot recommendation in A zones. Burnet County adopts 30 TAC Chapters 30 and 285 for OSSF and applies more stringent local rules.

Inspection lane

Submit the building application and supporting flood-zone documentation to Development Services; floodplain work requires pre-pour and finished-construction inspections. For OSSF, submit the county septic application with a licensed site evaluation, soil test, design, and any required affidavits or maintenance contracts; construction cannot start until the Designated Representative approves and issues the permit to construct. The permitting authority may enter the property during daylight for inspection.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

Class A permits require no structural inspections; Class B flood-zone permits require elevation or engineer/site-plan documentation. No broad cosmetic-work exemption list was published. Burnet County's OSSF order expressly requires permitting and inspection of all on-site systems regardless of tract size, so the usual state 10-acre exemption is not available within the county's jurisdiction unless the county confirms otherwise. Development outside the designated flood hazard area does not require a floodplain permit, but the county's building permit may still be required.

Field rule

A permit exemption generally addresses one narrow construction trigger. It does not automatically waive zoning, land-use, floodplain, shoreline, fire, energy, electrical, utility, septic, or right-of-way requirements. Obtain written confirmation when the project involves a new structure, structural alteration, change in occupancy, or concealed work.

Inspection pipeline

Keep the work visible at every release point.

  1. 1

    Request with lead time

    Submit the building application and supporting flood-zone documentation to Development Services; floodplain work requires pre-pour and finished-construction inspections. For OSSF, submit the county septic application with a licensed site evaluation, soil test, design, and any required affidavits or maintenance contracts; construction cannot start until the Designated Representative approves and issues the permit to construct. The permitting authority may enter the property during daylight for inspection.

  2. 2

    Preserve access

    Do not cover framing, reinforcement, wiring, piping, damp-proofing, or life-safety work until the required inspection has been completed and documented.

  3. 3

    Close the record

    Retain the approved plans, inspection approvals, correction responses, and final certificate or occupancy release with the property file.

Contractor verification

Verify the builder before the contract is signed.

Use the state licensing system to verify active registration, trade credentials, bond status, and liability coverage where available. Match the legal business name to the proposal and permit application.

Verify contractor ↗

Planning reference

Keep the parcel rules beside the building plans.

A building permit is only one part of statutory compliance. Check the local zoning, ordinance, map, or land-use reference before finalizing setbacks, height, lot coverage, access, drainage, or accessory structure placement.

Open planning reference ↗

Source trail

Official sources for this profile

Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.

Agency websiteOpen official source ↗Application instructionsOpen official source ↗Fee scheduleOpen official source ↗Planning or zoning referenceOpen official source ↗Contractor license lookupOpen official source ↗

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Burnet County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Burnet County Development Services Department / Environmental Services and OSSF Permitting is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.

How should I begin an application?

No verified online portal was located in the reviewed public materials. Contact 512-756-5445 (permit/flood-hazard verification); 512-715-5260 (Development Services flood assistance); 512-756-5420 (county courthouse) and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.

How long might review take?

N/A; Burnet County publishes application requirements and fees but no standard review timeline.

How are inspections scheduled?

Submit the building application and supporting flood-zone documentation to Development Services; floodplain work requires pre-pour and finished-construction inspections. For OSSF, submit the county septic application with a licensed site evaluation, soil test, design, and any required affidavits or maintenance contracts; construction cannot start until the Designated Representative approves and issues the permit to construct. The permitting authority may enter the property during daylight for inspection.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

Burnet County requires a building/development permit for county projects, with Class A for work outside a designated flood hazard boundary and Class B for work in a flood zone. All floodplain development, including new construction, filling, grading, paving, and substantial improvements at 50% or more of market value, requires a permit and inspections. The county flood order uses FEMA FIS/FIRM data dated November 1, 2019 and requires one-foot freeboard for new and substantially improved structures, with a two-foot recommendation in A zones. Burnet County adopts 30 TAC Chapters 30 and 285 for OSSF and applies more stringent local rules. Class A permits require no structural inspections; Class B flood-zone permits require elevation or engineer/site-plan documentation. No broad cosmetic-work exemption list was published. Burnet County's OSSF order expressly requires permitting and inspection of all on-site systems regardless of tract size, so the usual state 10-acre exemption is not available within the county's jurisdiction unless the county confirms otherwise. Development outside the designated flood hazard area does not require a floodplain permit, but the county's building permit may still be required.

Field sequencing matters

The inspector needs to see the work at the right moment.

Code compliance is not only a plan-review exercise. Footings, reinforcement, framing, fireblocking, wiring, piping, insulation, weather protection, and life-safety systems each have points where the work must remain accessible. Build the inspection calendar into the trade schedule instead of treating it as a final administrative step.

When a project qualifies for a narrow minor-work exemption, keep a written explanation of why it qualifies and confirm that related zoning, utility, fire, energy, or environmental rules do not create a separate approval requirement.

Closeout file

Keep the approved plan set, inspection approvals, correction responses, contractor license verification, final certificate, and any occupancy release together. A clean record protects the owner, builder, lender, insurer, and future buyer.