Cameron County, TX Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Article 3, Section C of the county's Flood Damage Prevention and Building Regulations states plainly that 'a Building Permit shall be required to insure conformity with the provisions of this order in connection with any development in the area governed by this order,' and Article 4, Section C sets the process: an application goes to the Floodplain Administrator or Building Official on county forms, available from the Planning and Inspections Division, with scaled plans showing elevations and the location of proposed and existing structures relative to special flood hazard areas.

The applicant must document sewer or septic availability under Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, drinking water under Chapter 341, and electric service meeting NFPA 70 standards. If the lot does not meet the county's Subdivision Rules and Regulations, the applicant is directed to hire a professional engineer or registered surveyor to plat the tract before a permit issues. Temporary structures get their own permits: a Type I permit covers uses of four weeks or less not needing plumbing, electrical or mechanical service, running four weeks and renewable up to six months; a Type II permit runs six months and is likewise renewable on payment of fees and reinspection.

00 per thousand above $1,000,000. 00 for a roofed carport or deck. 00 plan review fee applies per unit, and permits can be renewed, refunded within six months if no work has started, or revoked under Article 4, Section F for licensing or code violations.