What is an Authorization to Construct, and what happens at final inspection / license to operate?

The "permit" is really two documents: the authorization to construct (written permission to construct, including the approved planning materials) and the notice of approval (written permission to operate) (30 TAC §285.2). The permitting authority must approve or deny the application within 30 days; if approved it issues the authorization to construct, which is valid for one calendar year and expires if the installer does not request a construction inspection within that year (after which a new application and fee are required) (30 TAC §285.3). The installer must give at least five working days' notice before the system is ready; if it fails, the authority must state deficiencies at the close of inspection and issue a deficiency letter within seven calendar days (a reinspection fee may apply and must be prepaid), and within seven calendar days after the system passes, the authority issues a written notice of approval with a unique ID number in the owner's name (30 TAC §285.3). Locally this final document is usually called the "License to Operate" — Comal County issues a "Permit of License to Operate" after all inspections and requires it before the system is used (Comal County), Brazos County mails the License to Operate within 7 business days of final approval (Brazos County Health District), and Burleson County tells owners to keep it as proof the system is legal and to call within 7 days if it does not arrive (Burleson County).

Reviewed August 2026. Links go to the sources this answer was checked against.