Hiring local businesses in Odessa

The Building Inspection Division issues permits and inspects construction and unsafe buildings throughout the City of Odessa. Applications run through MGO Connect, an online system where you apply, upload documents and track a permit from start to finish. When a contractor tells you a job needs a permit, ask for the permit number and find it there before work starts.

Before you sign, ask the Building Inspection Division whether the trade you're hiring has to register with the city. The state license checks on each service page below still apply either way.

Odessa electricity and retail choice

PowerToChoose shows ZIP 79761 as a retail-choice area: Oncor Electric Delivery Company owns the lines and delivers the power, and you choose a retail electric provider. Other parts of the city may differ, so enter your own ZIP before comparing plans.

Odessa water and watering days

The City of Odessa Utilities Department delivers treated water and treats wastewater at the Bob Derrington Water Reclamation Plant. The water itself comes from CRMWD, the regional wholesale supplier for several Permian Basin communities. The city says recent taste or odor changes come from naturally occurring minerals and that the water meets state and federal standards. For the current watering schedule or drought stage, call Utilities at 432-335-4627 before you plant, refill a pool or book exterior washing.

Odessa property in Ector County is appraised by the Ector County Appraisal District at 1301 E. 8th St. (ectorcad.org, 432-332-6834). The Midland County part of the city falls under the Midland Central Appraisal District instead. The Ector County Tax Assessor-Collector does not collect property taxes, so contact the appraisal district about paying them as well as valuing them.

Most Texas value protests are due by May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal district mails its notice, whichever is later. The 30 days run from the date the district mails the notice.

The Ector County District Clerk is listed at the Ector County Courthouse, 300 N. Grant Ave. The county also lists a courthouse construction project, so check the office location before you go.

The Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 estimate puts Odessa at 122,707 residents as of July 1, 2025. Each service guide below pairs the state license check with an Odessa permit, utility or county detail.

Home systems in Odessa

• AC repair: TDLR license checks and city permits.
• Plumbers: TSBPE license, the Responsible Master Plumber and city plumbing permits.
• Electricians: TDLR license checks and city permits.

Outdoor work in Odessa

• Roofers: city permits and the insurance deductible rules.
• Pest control: TDA licenses by category.
• Tree removal: crews, permits and work near power lines.
• Pool service: sales tax and the watering schedule.

Moving, cleaning and professionals in Odessa

• Movers and cleaning services for a move in or out.
• Attorneys, dentists and real estate agents, checked against their state boards.
• Gyms and membership contracts.

Odessa is part of our West Texas coverage. Nearby, see Midland, and Abilene. The lists on each page are ranked as described in our terms of service.