County Permit SearchU.S. compliance directory
← Real 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 Real County.

Real County's floodplain development-permit system applies to all new construction, additions to existing structures, manufactured homes, travel trailers, and subdivision proposals under its Flood Damage Prevention Order and National Flood Insurance Program standards. Projects outside the floodplain require an Exemption Certificate; projects in the floodplain require an Elevation Certificate. The county's December 2024 subdivision and land-development regulations govern plats, roads, drainage, manufactured-home rental communities, infrastructure, groundwater certification, and wastewater. They require every subdivision septic system to meet state and county rules and be permitted and inspected before, during, and after construction by the County OSSF Inspector. No general county structural building-code edition was published for 2026.

Inspection lane

Contact Floodplain Coordinator Vick Jones at 830-279-5822 before starting any new construction, addition, manufactured-home or travel-trailer placement, or subdivision proposal and obtain the required Exemption or Elevation Certificate. For subdivision OSSF work, coordinate the required pre-, during-, and post-construction inspections with the County OSSF Inspector through the County Judge's office. Manufactured-home rental community applicants must arrange a preconstruction meeting with the County Engineer; final inspection occurs no later than the second business day after written completion notice.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

No minor-structure or cosmetic-work exemption list was published. Development outside the mapped floodplain is not exempt from county review; it requires a $50 Exemption Certificate. Floodplain development requires a $100 Elevation Certificate. State OSSF exceptions may apply only where all 30 TAC Chapter 285 conditions are met, including the strict 10-acre single-family rule or qualifying emergency repairs; obtain a county determination before relying on an exception.

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

    Contact Floodplain Coordinator Vick Jones at 830-279-5822 before starting any new construction, addition, manufactured-home or travel-trailer placement, or subdivision proposal and obtain the required Exemption or Elevation Certificate. For subdivision OSSF work, coordinate the required pre-, during-, and post-construction inspections with the County OSSF Inspector through the County Judge's office. Manufactured-home rental community applicants must arrange a preconstruction meeting with the County Engineer; final inspection occurs no later than the second business day after written completion notice.

  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 ↗Fee scheduleOpen official source ↗Planning or zoning referenceOpen official source ↗Contractor license lookupOpen official source ↗

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Real County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Real County Floodplain Coordinator, Commissioners Court, and OSSF Inspector 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 Real County Judge: 830-232-5304; Floodplain Coordinator Vick Jones: 830-279-5822; County Clerk: 830-232-5202 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.

How long might review take?

No general floodplain or OSSF review time was published. For a manufactured-home rental community infrastructure development plan, the Commissioners Court must approve or reject within 60 business days. Final inspection is due by the second business day after written completion notice, and a compliance certificate is due within five business days after final inspection, or after the completion letter if no inspection is required.

How are inspections scheduled?

Contact Floodplain Coordinator Vick Jones at 830-279-5822 before starting any new construction, addition, manufactured-home or travel-trailer placement, or subdivision proposal and obtain the required Exemption or Elevation Certificate. For subdivision OSSF work, coordinate the required pre-, during-, and post-construction inspections with the County OSSF Inspector through the County Judge's office. Manufactured-home rental community applicants must arrange a preconstruction meeting with the County Engineer; final inspection occurs no later than the second business day after written completion notice.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

Real County's floodplain development-permit system applies to all new construction, additions to existing structures, manufactured homes, travel trailers, and subdivision proposals under its Flood Damage Prevention Order and National Flood Insurance Program standards. Projects outside the floodplain require an Exemption Certificate; projects in the floodplain require an Elevation Certificate. The county's December 2024 subdivision and land-development regulations govern plats, roads, drainage, manufactured-home rental communities, infrastructure, groundwater certification, and wastewater. They require every subdivision septic system to meet state and county rules and be permitted and inspected before, during, and after construction by the County OSSF Inspector. No general county structural building-code edition was published for 2026. No minor-structure or cosmetic-work exemption list was published. Development outside the mapped floodplain is not exempt from county review; it requires a $50 Exemption Certificate. Floodplain development requires a $100 Elevation Certificate. State OSSF exceptions may apply only where all 30 TAC Chapter 285 conditions are met, including the strict 10-acre single-family rule or qualifying emergency repairs; obtain a county determination before relying on an exception.

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.