In Hardin County, "development" means more than just buildings

On land outside Silsbee, Sour Lake, or Kountze, development is not just a house. Hardin County uses a broad definition. It can include filling, grading, paving, excavation, drilling, buildings, and even storing equipment or materials on the ground.

The permit comes before the work starts. A residential development permit starts at $100 for the initial 1,000 square feet, then $25 for each additional 100 square feet. Subdivisions, commercial jobs, pipeline work, and oil-and-gas activity have their own applications and fees.

If the tract is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the county floodplain order also applies. Call the Floodplain Administrator at (409) 246-5250 early in the project. It is much easier to adjust a plan while the fill, pad, or slab is still on paper.