Administrative overview · FIPS 48185
Grimes County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Grimes County Development Services and Environmental Services Division
For a project in or near Grimes County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
Environmental Services: 936-873-4495; Development Services: 936-873-6465; County Engineer/Floodplain Administrator: 936-873-4436
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Grimes County Environmental Services, 1170 CR 280, Annex Building, Suite ENV105, Anderson, TX 77830; Development Services, 270 FM 149 W., Anderson, TX 77830
Operating hours
Environmental Services: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. County general office hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Review expectation
N/A for general development review. TCEQ rules require the permitting authority to approve or deny complete OSSF planning materials and applications within 30 days; the county’s seven-step guide does not state a shorter county review time.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →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.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Grimes County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Grimes County Development Services and Environmental Services Division 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 Environmental Services: 936-873-4495; Development Services: 936-873-6465; County Engineer/Floodplain Administrator: 936-873-4436 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.
How long might review take?
N/A for general development review. TCEQ rules require the permitting authority to approve or deny complete OSSF planning materials and applications within 30 days; the county’s seven-step guide does not state a shorter county review time.
How are inspections scheduled?
Submit Development Permit materials by email to GCPermits@grimescountytexas.gov or in person at 270 FM 149 W. OSSF applicants submit a site/soil evaluation, design, application, and fee; the county issues an Authorization to Construct, then a licensed TCEQ installer builds to the approved plans. The county inspects before backfill and issues a Notice of Approval; the residential application requests at least 24 hours’ notice for inspection. Floodplain development requires the floodplain application, and Zone A/1% BLE work requires survey/elevation or engineer materials and inspection. OSSF fees are $420 residential, $624 commercial, and $307 modification for 2026.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Grimes County Commissioners Court adopted the 2021 International Residential Code on December 18, 2024, for new residential construction in unincorporated Grimes County. A Development Permit is required for all development, and residential builders must submit Notices of Construction and Inspection, although the county states it does not inspect residential structures. Commercial review follows the 2025 Grimes County Infrastructure Regulations, including drainage, civil, road-use, emergency-access, and fire-protection review. OSSF work follows TCEQ 30 TAC Chapter 285 and county requirements. Grimes County states that a Development Permit is required for all development. The January 2026 floodplain order excludes routine maintenance and repairs, accessory structures outside Zone A under 150 square feet, certain agricultural activities that do not cause flooding or other impacts, and insignificant temporary material storage in Zone X. These exclusions are subject to the County Engineer’s determination and do not eliminate OSSF, subdivision, utility, or other applicable requirements.