Administrative overview · FIPS 48427
Starr 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
Starr County Planning and Code Enforcement Department / Designated County Floodplain Inspector
For a project in or near Starr 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
956-716-4800; Planning and Code Enforcement extension historically published as 4823
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Starr County Courthouse Annex, 100 N FM 3167, Suite 207, Rio Grande City, TX 78582; county main office: Starr County Courthouse, 401 N Britton Avenue, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Operating hours
County offices: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Planning Department-specific days: N/A
Review expectation
Ask the agency for its current review estimate
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 Starr County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Starr County Planning and Code Enforcement Department / Designated County Floodplain 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 956-716-4800; Planning and Code Enforcement extension historically published as 4823 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.
How long might review take?
A typical review timeline was not verified. Ask the agency for its current completeness and review estimate.
How are inspections scheduled?
Submit rural construction, moving, floodplain, and OSSF inquiries to the Starr County Planning and Code Enforcement Department through 956-716-4800. Building inspectors review submitted plans before permit issuance and perform onsite code-compliance reviews during construction; contact the department to arrange each required inspection because no online scheduler or current inspection sequence is published. OSSF work must receive authorization to construct and the required construction inspection before covering or operating the system.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
N/A - Starr County operates a rural building-permit and code-inspection program and requires new construction in unincorporated areas to meet applicable state minimum standards, but its rebuilt 2026 official website does not publish the currently adopted IRC, IBC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy, or fire-code editions. Floodplain development is administered by the county's designated inspector under its NFIP participation. OSSF permitting is handled through the Planning Department under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285. Municipalities including Rio Grande City, Roma, and La Grulla enforce their own ordinances within their jurisdictions. N/A - no current Starr County list of cosmetic, repair, accessory-structure, agricultural, or permit-size exemptions was published. Confirm all rural construction and moving projects with the Planning Department before work. State OSSF exceptions may apply to a qualifying single-family system on at least 10 acres when every 30 TAC Chapter 285 condition is met, a qualifying grandfathered system, and specified emergency repairs reported in writing within 72 hours.