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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 Tom Green County.

Tom Green County Environmental Health issues and inspects OSSF permits, reviews subdivisions for septic and floodplain suitability, and regulates new development and substantial improvements in mapped floodplains under its FEMA flood-damage-prevention ordinance and 44 CFR. The county is TCEQ's authorized OSSF agent and incorporates 30 TAC Chapters 30 and 285, including future amendments, through its local order. It publishes no adopted general countywide IRC, IBC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or fire-code edition for ordinary construction outside these programs. Incorporated San Angelo and other municipalities may impose separate building and zoning requirements.

Inspection lane

Submit the completed county OSSF application with the site evaluation, design/planning materials, installer information, and current fee to Environmental Health. Obtain authorization before installation, then call 325-658-1038 to arrange the required inspection before covering or operating the system; a permit to operate is granted only after a successful inspection showing compliance. Contact Senior Environmental Specialist and floodplain administrator Pam Weishuhn at the same office before new development or a substantial improvement in a mapped floodplain.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

Tom Green County expressly does not recognize the state 10-acre OSSF permit exclusion: every OSSF in the county's jurisdiction must be permitted and inspected by the authorized agent. The county publishes no general building-permit exemption list for ordinary cosmetic or structural work outside regulated floodplains, subdivision activity, and septic work. Development outside a mapped regulated floodplain does not require the county floodplain permit, but separate OSSF or subdivision approval may still apply.

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 completed county OSSF application with the site evaluation, design/planning materials, installer information, and current fee to Environmental Health. Obtain authorization before installation, then call 325-658-1038 to arrange the required inspection before covering or operating the system; a permit to operate is granted only after a successful inspection showing compliance. Contact Senior Environmental Specialist and floodplain administrator Pam Weishuhn at the same office before new development or a substantial improvement in a mapped floodplain.

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

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Tom Green County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Tom Green County Environmental Health 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 Health (OSSF, floodplain, and subdivision review): 325-658-1038 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.

How long might review take?

A complete OSSF application and planning materials must be approved or denied within 30 days under the incorporated state rule. For a subdivision plat revision, one copy and supporting documents must reach the plat reviewer at least 30 days before the requested Commissioners Court meeting, and the court has 30 days to act after the application is certified complete. No separate floodplain review target is published.

How are inspections scheduled?

Submit the completed county OSSF application with the site evaluation, design/planning materials, installer information, and current fee to Environmental Health. Obtain authorization before installation, then call 325-658-1038 to arrange the required inspection before covering or operating the system; a permit to operate is granted only after a successful inspection showing compliance. Contact Senior Environmental Specialist and floodplain administrator Pam Weishuhn at the same office before new development or a substantial improvement in a mapped floodplain.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

Tom Green County Environmental Health issues and inspects OSSF permits, reviews subdivisions for septic and floodplain suitability, and regulates new development and substantial improvements in mapped floodplains under its FEMA flood-damage-prevention ordinance and 44 CFR. The county is TCEQ's authorized OSSF agent and incorporates 30 TAC Chapters 30 and 285, including future amendments, through its local order. It publishes no adopted general countywide IRC, IBC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or fire-code edition for ordinary construction outside these programs. Incorporated San Angelo and other municipalities may impose separate building and zoning requirements. Tom Green County expressly does not recognize the state 10-acre OSSF permit exclusion: every OSSF in the county's jurisdiction must be permitted and inspected by the authorized agent. The county publishes no general building-permit exemption list for ordinary cosmetic or structural work outside regulated floodplains, subdivision activity, and septic work. Development outside a mapped regulated floodplain does not require the county floodplain permit, but separate OSSF or subdivision approval may still apply.

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.