Culvert Permit Guide: Kaufman County, TX
Installing a culvert in a Kaufman County road ditch requires a driveway access permit from the county. Here is what the process involves and what you need before work starts.
Do You Need a Permit for a Driveway Culvert in Kaufman County?
If your driveway crosses a roadside drainage ditch along a Kaufman County road, you are working in the county road right-of-way. The Kaufman County Commissioners Court requires a driveway access permit before any culvert is installed in that right-of-way. This applies to new culvert installations and to the replacement of existing culverts that are being changed in size or relocated.
The permit requirement exists for practical reasons: an undersized or improperly installed culvert can back water onto the road during a storm, creating a hazard and potentially flooding neighboring properties. The permit process verifies that the installation meets minimum standards before it goes in the ground.
For driveways on private property that do not cross a county road right-of-way, no county permit is required for a culvert. However, if your property is within any incorporated city in Kaufman County (Forney, Terrell, Kaufman, etc.), the city's building or public works department may have separate requirements for drainage work within city limits.
- County road right-of-way culverts: permit required from Kaufman County precinct office
- Private property drainage crossings (not in right-of-way): no county permit required
- Within city limits: contact the city public works department separately
- Replacement culverts (same size, same location): typically require permit renewal
Kaufman County Precinct Offices
Kaufman County is divided into four precincts, and the permit is issued by the precinct office that covers the road where your driveway is located. The precinct boundaries roughly correspond to the four geographic quadrants of the county.
| Precinct | General Area | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Precinct 1 | Kaufman city area | Kaufman County Courthouse, Kaufman TX |
| Precinct 2 | Terrell area, east county | Terrell TX area precinct barn |
| Precinct 3 | Forney area, west county | Forney TX area precinct barn |
| Precinct 4 | North county, Combine area | North county precinct barn |
Contact the Kaufman County main offices at kaufmancounty.net for current contact information and precinct boundaries. Precinct staff can confirm which office covers your specific road.
What the Permit Process Involves
The driveway access permit process in Kaufman County is generally straightforward for standard residential driveways. The key steps are:
Identify which precinct covers the road where your driveway will be. Call or visit the precinct office to get the current permit application and requirements. Staff can also tell you if your intended culvert size meets the minimum requirement for the ditch at your location.
Provide your property address, the road name, the proposed culvert pipe size (diameter and length), and a sketch or description of the installation location. Some precincts may request a simple site sketch showing the ditch and driveway relationship.
Driveway access permits in Kaufman County typically carry a nominal fee in the range of $25 to $75. Fees may vary by precinct and are subject to change. Confirm the current fee with the precinct office.
Some precincts require an inspection after installation to verify the culvert was installed correctly. Others simply issue the permit and trust the property owner to comply. Ask the precinct office whether an inspection is required for your installation.
Culvert Size Requirements
Kaufman County precincts generally require a minimum 12-inch diameter culvert for residential driveway applications. Larger ditches may require 15-inch, 18-inch, or larger pipe. The precinct office can advise on the minimum required size for the ditch at your specific location, but the size you install should be based on the actual drainage area, not just the minimum required.
Undersizing is the most common culvert mistake and the one most likely to cause problems. An undersized culvert backs water against the road during heavy rain, which can flood your property, erode the fill over the pipe, and create a drainage problem for your neighbors downstream. We size culverts for the actual drainage area, not the minimum that will pass the permit.
State and Federal Considerations
Most residential driveway culverts in Kaufman County do not require state or federal permits. Culverts placed in perennial streams or wetlands may require permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Section 404 of the Clean Water Act) or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Roadside drainage ditches along county roads are typically not regulated waterways, but if you are installing a culvert in a named creek crossing or an area with visible wetland indicators, check with TCEQ and the Corps before proceeding.
For TCEQ information relevant to Texas drainage work, see the TCEQ website at tceq.texas.gov. The Kaufman County Floodplain Administrator at the county courthouse can advise on whether any portion of your property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, which may impose additional requirements on drainage modifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to install a driveway culvert in Kaufman County TX?
How much does a Kaufman County culvert permit cost?
Which Kaufman County precinct office handles driveway permits?
Do I need a state or federal permit for a driveway culvert in Kaufman County?
We Handle Kaufman County Culvert Jobs Regularly
Forney Gravel Co. installs culverts throughout Kaufman County. We are familiar with the permit process in all four precincts and can advise you on what your specific installation requires. Contact us for a free estimate.