Bastrop County is in Central Texas, with Bastrop as its county seat. It’s part of the metropolitan statistical area for Austin and Round Rock. The U.S. Census Bureau reports a 2020 census population of 97,216 and a total area of 896 square miles. The county’s major highways are US 290, SH 21, SH 71, SH 95, and SH 304.
The county has three cities: Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville. The rest is unincorporated. Who handles a demolition permit depends on whether your lot is inside a city. Details for each city come from that city’s own documents.
Bastrop
Bastrop is the Bastrop County seat and part of the Lost Pines, where loblolly pines grow in the deep, moist, acidic, sandy soil of the Carrizo Sands formation. Texas Parks and Wildlife places Bastrop State Park 32 miles east of Austin. The City of Bastrop Planning Department handles demolition permits through MyGov, according to its Residential Demolition Checklist.
Elgin
Elgin sits in northern Bastrop County, with part of the city in Travis County. The FY 2025-26 Elgin master fee schedule from the City of Elgin lists a demolition permit at $0.00.
Smithville
Smithville is one of the county’s three cities. The City of Smithville lists a demolition permit at $50.00 in its fee schedule (Resolution 2023-09-513).
Cedar Creek, Paige, McDade, and the rest of the county
Camp Swift, Cedar Creek, Circle D-KC Estates, McDade, Paige, Red Rock, Rosanky, and Wyldwood are census-designated places. Alum Creek, Butler, Hills Prairie, Rockne, Upton, and Utley are smaller communities. All are unincorporated.
Bastrop County Development Services covers development permits, OSSF (septic) permits, and floodplain matters in the unincorporated county. The Bastrop County FAQ says Bastrop County does not issue building permits or Certificates of Occupancy, and the permits guide gives the full rundown.