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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 Martin County.

Martin County administers OSSF construction under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285, requires county-road driveway/access permits, and requires 911 addressing for new houses and related septic/building/driveway permitting. The Texas Floodplain Management Association directory identifies the County Judge as Martin County's floodplain contact, but current state transportation plans state that no FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps exist for the county's unincorporated areas. No countywide ICC structural building-code edition, general building-permit program, or zoning code was found.

Inspection lane

For OSSF work, submit the owner-signed application, technical information, licensed site/soil evaluation, installer drawing, planning materials, fee, and site directions. Construction may begin only after Authorization to Construct. Contact the County Judge/OSSF office at least 24 hours before the system is ready for inspection and leave every part uncovered; a Notice of Approval follows a satisfactory inspection and payment of all fees. Martin County reserves the right to inspect driveway work during construction and afterward and may require changes, maintenance, or repairs needed to protect life and property.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

No county cosmetic-building-work exemption list is published. Martin County's residential county-road driveway permit has no fee, but every new, rebuilt, relocated, enlarged, or otherwise modified access connection in county right-of-way still requires the permit. State OSSF rules exempt limited emergency component repairs from advance permitting when reported in writing within 72 hours after work begins, and may exempt a single-family system on a tract of at least 10 acres only when all statutory separation, retained-effluent, nuisance, and groundwater-protection conditions are met; confirm applicability with the county before work.

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

    For OSSF work, submit the owner-signed application, technical information, licensed site/soil evaluation, installer drawing, planning materials, fee, and site directions. Construction may begin only after Authorization to Construct. Contact the County Judge/OSSF office at least 24 hours before the system is ready for inspection and leave every part uncovered; a Notice of Approval follows a satisfactory inspection and payment of all fees. Martin County reserves the right to inspect driveway work during construction and afterward and may require changes, maintenance, or repairs needed to protect life and property.

  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.

No verified planning reference link is listed; ask the agency for the parcel-specific source.

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 ↗Contractor license lookupOpen official source ↗

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Martin County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Martin County Judge's Office and On-Site Sewage Facility Program 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 County Judge/Commissioners Court: 432-607-3535 or 432-607-3536; 911 Addressing: 432-607-3599; Road & Bridge: 432-459-2405 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.

How long might review take?

The county publishes no standard OSSF review duration; nonstandard systems may receive additional TCEQ review. An OSSF Authorization to Construct is valid for one year. Commercial/heavy-duty driveway permits have a maximum 30-day construction period unless Commissioners Court specifically authorizes longer.

How are inspections scheduled?

For OSSF work, submit the owner-signed application, technical information, licensed site/soil evaluation, installer drawing, planning materials, fee, and site directions. Construction may begin only after Authorization to Construct. Contact the County Judge/OSSF office at least 24 hours before the system is ready for inspection and leave every part uncovered; a Notice of Approval follows a satisfactory inspection and payment of all fees. Martin County reserves the right to inspect driveway work during construction and afterward and may require changes, maintenance, or repairs needed to protect life and property.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

Martin County administers OSSF construction under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285, requires county-road driveway/access permits, and requires 911 addressing for new houses and related septic/building/driveway permitting. The Texas Floodplain Management Association directory identifies the County Judge as Martin County's floodplain contact, but current state transportation plans state that no FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps exist for the county's unincorporated areas. No countywide ICC structural building-code edition, general building-permit program, or zoning code was found. No county cosmetic-building-work exemption list is published. Martin County's residential county-road driveway permit has no fee, but every new, rebuilt, relocated, enlarged, or otherwise modified access connection in county right-of-way still requires the permit. State OSSF rules exempt limited emergency component repairs from advance permitting when reported in writing within 72 hours after work begins, and may exempt a single-family system on a tract of at least 10 acres only when all statutory separation, retained-effluent, nuisance, and groundwater-protection conditions are met; confirm applicability with the county before work.

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.