Bolthole Index

Bastrop County, Texas

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Bastrop County, Texas

57Index Score / 100
#110 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Bastrop County, Texas does not issue building permits or certificates of occupancy, and it has no general zoning authority outside a small airport-zoning area near Austin Executive Airport12. That doesn't mean anything goes: the county requires a separate development permit before building or placing almost any structure, including manufactured homes, RVs and tiny homes, and it enforces a limited residential building code on new single-family homes and duplexes34. Septic is county-run too: Bastrop County is TCEQ's authorized agent for OSSF permits, and a permit is required with few exceptions, regardless of acreage56.

At a glance

Building permit
Not issued by the county; a separate development permit is required instead, and a limited residential building code applies to new homes and duplexes134
Zoning
None countywide in unincorporated areas, except a small airport-zoning area near Austin Executive Airport; Bastrop, Elgin and Smithville zone inside their own city limits27
Septic permits
Bastrop County Development Services, acting as TCEQ's authorized agent; $600 for a standard residential OSSF permit89
Development permit fee
$225 for a single-family home outside the floodplain, $300 inside it; $50 for a driveway ($75 if built without one first)9
RV / tiny home living
A development permit is required to place one; a private RV park or lodging development of more than 2 units needs Commissioners Court approval310
Owner-builder
Yes: since the county issues no building permit, there is no permit to be exempt from, though state trade licensing for electrical, plumbing and HVAC work can still apply1112
Minimum lot size for septic
1/2 acre with public water, 1 full acre without it, for a single-family lot on individual OSSF13
Well permit
Required for non-exempt wells in the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District portion of the county14

Who to call

Also useful

Bastrop County Development Services

Development permits, floodplain permits, driveway and right-of-way permits, OSSF (septic) permits, and planning & platting for unincorporated Bastrop County; does not issue building permits or certificates of occupancy

(512) 581-7176

[email protected]

211 Jackson Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602

Online permits →

Well permits

Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District

Operating permits for non-exempt water wells in the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District portion of Bastrop County

512-360-5088

317 E. Hempstead St., Giddings, TX 78942

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Bastrop County, Texas?

No, but don't confuse that with a free pass. Bastrop County does not issue building permits or certificates of occupancy anywhere in the unincorporated county1516. What the county does require instead is a development permit before you build or place almost any structure, and a limited residential building code for new single-family homes and duplexes: builders may follow either the International Residential Code as of May 1, 2008, or the code the City of Bastrop uses, and must arrange three private inspections — foundation, framing and mechanical, and completion — through their own contracted inspector rather than the county3417. Interior renovations that don't change the footprint don't need a permit, and a detached accessory building of 25 square feet or less is exempt unless it sits on a foundation or in the floodplain18. A single-family development permit costs $225, or $300 if the parcel is in the mapped floodplain9.

Who is Bastrop County Development Services, and how do you reach them?

Development Services is the one office that touches nearly every land-use question in unincorporated Bastrop County: development permits, floodplain permits, driveway and right-of-way permits, OSSF (septic) permits, and planning and platting all run through it5. The office is at 211 Jackson Street in Bastrop, reachable at (512) 581-7176 or [email protected], and applications go through the MyGovernmentOnline permitting system the county adopted in 20215. Development Services will not issue a permit on non-compliant property unless the department head approves it for a health or safety reason, so resolving any existing violation comes first if one applies to your land18. For a rural water well, the office to call is different: the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, a special-purpose district separate from the county, permits non-exempt wells in its part of Bastrop County19.

Does Bastrop County have zoning?

No, not in unincorporated areas. Bastrop County's own Development Services confirms the county has no general zoning authority outside the incorporated cities, with one narrow exception: a small area in the northwest part of the county near Austin Executive Airport is subject to airport zoning under the state Airport Zoning Act7. The cities of Bastrop, Elgin and Smithville each zone inside their own limits, so land there follows city rules instead of the answers in this guide20. Because the county has no general zoning, it sets no minimum dwelling size, no lot-coverage limit, and no building-height limit for unincorporated land212223. Setbacks, accessory dwellings, manufactured-home occupancy and temporary camping are likewise unrestricted by county zoning, since Texas law only gives counties zoning power over specific areas like Padre Island beaches, not ordinary rural land like Bastrop County's2425. Deed restrictions, subdivision covenants and easements can still limit what you do with a specific parcel even where the county itself imposes nothing7.

How do septic permits work in Bastrop County?

Bastrop County acts as TCEQ's authorized agent for on-site sewage facilities and has adopted TCEQ's rules under Title 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285, plus its own additional requirements26. With few exceptions, a permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend or repair an OSSF, regardless of how many acres the property has, and a standard residential permit costs $60069. The only real exception is for true emergency repairs — replacing tank lids, inlet and outlet devices, or fixing solid lines — which skip the permit but must be reported to Development Services within 72 hours after the repair begins27. Once permitted, a system has one year to be installed, inspected and finally approved under the Permit to Construct, after which the License to Operate lasts for the life of the system unless usage changes significantly28. Lot size matters directly here: a platted or unplatted lot using an individual OSSF must be at least 1/2 acre if served by public water, or a full acre if not, and lots under 1/2 acre need a Registered Sanitarian or Professional Engineer to design the system regardless of type13. Soils make that sizing worth taking seriously: only 19% of Bastrop County's land is free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field29.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Bastrop County?

A development permit is required before placing any structure in unincorporated Bastrop County, and the county's own rules name manufactured homes, recreational vehicles and tiny homes specifically as development that needs one3. If you're setting up a private RV park or lodging development designed for more than two RVs, lodging units, or tiny houses (defined as any residential structure under 400 square feet, on wheels or on a foundation), Bastrop County requires a pre-application meeting, an Infrastructure Development Plan, and final approval from the Commissioners Court before construction, with units kept at least 20 feet apart1030. For a single RV or tiny home on your own land rather than a multi-unit development, the underlying development-permit requirement still applies, but the county's zoning silence means there's no minimum dwelling size or setback standard layered on top of it24. Short-term rentals are allowed without a county permitting process, though Bastrop County still collects Hotel Occupancy Tax, and land inside a city or its extraterritorial jurisdiction follows that city's own rules instead31.

How do you build a home in Bastrop County, step by step?

First, confirm whether your parcel is inside the northwest airport-zoning area or a city's limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction, since Bastrop, Elgin and Smithville zone their own land separately from the rest of the county20. Second, apply for your development permit through Bastrop County Development Services before any external construction begins; budget $225 for a single-family home outside the floodplain, or $300 inside it, and file your OSSF application at the same time if you're not on public wastewater5918. Third, if any part of your property lies in the mapped 100-year floodplain, have a surveyor certify the proposed construction meets the county's Flood Damage Prevention Order before applying32. Fourth, apply for your OSSF permit and design your system around your lot size and soils, since lots under 1/2 acre need a Registered Sanitarian or Professional Engineer regardless of system type13. Fifth, for a new single-family home or duplex, choose either the May 2008 International Residential Code or the City of Bastrop's code, and line up your own contracted inspector for the three required inspection stages4. Sixth, apply separately for a driveway permit ($50, or $75 if you build first and permit later) and, if your driveway connects to a state highway, file TxDOT Form 1058 and give 24-hour notice before construction933. Finally, for a well, check whether your parcel sits inside the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District and whether your use qualifies as exempt before assuming no permit is needed1914.

What should you check before buying land in Bastrop County?

Septic soils deserve early attention: only 19% of Bastrop County is free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, and the minimum lot size for an individual OSSF runs from 1/2 acre with public water up to a full acre without it, so confirm both the acreage and the soil before you commit2913. Check FEMA flood maps directly, since floodplain status changes your development-permit class, your fee, and whether a substantial addition later must be elevated two feet above base flood elevation32. Confirm which groundwater district, if any, covers your specific parcel and whether your intended well use is exempt from Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District permitting14. The terrain itself is easy to build on, with 100% of the county at 15% slope or less, and about a third wooded, but check drought risk too: the county sees severe drought in 20.5% of years against 37.6 inches of typical annual precipitation34353637. Property taxes run higher here than in many rural Texas counties, with an effective rate near 1.5% and a median bill around $4,077 a year against a typical home value of $361,246, reflecting Bastrop's proximity to the Austin metro38394041.

Watch-outs

  • Bastrop County does not issue building permits, but it does require a separate development permit before you build or place almost anything, including an RV or tiny home; don't assume 'no building permit' means 'no permit at all'153.
  • The limited residential building code the county adopted under HB 2833 applies only to new single-family homes, duplexes, and qualifying additions over 50% of existing value or square footage — inspections are arranged and paid for by the builder, not the county, and reports don't have to be filed with the county4.
  • No official source reviewed for this guide addresses off-grid sanitation methods other than OSSF/septic systems, such as composting or incinerating toilets, for Bastrop County specifically6.

Sources

  1. Bastrop County Development Services - Forms & Applications (2026 county census)
  2. Development Services (2026 county census)
  3. Development Services, quoted and re-checked
  4. Development Services, quoted and re-checked
  5. Bastrop County Development Services (bastropcounty.gov)
  6. On-Site Sewage Facilities | Environmental & Sanitation | Bastrop County, quoted and re-checked
  7. Development Services, quoted and re-checked
  8. On-Site Sewage Facilities | Environmental & Sanitation | Bastrop County (2026 county census)
  9. 2025.06.20 Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  10. Bastrop County Infrastructure Requirements for Lodging & RV Park Developments, quoted and re-checked
  11. Development Services (2026 county census)
  12. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  13. On-Site Sewage Facilities | Bastrop County, quoted and re-checked
  14. Well Aware: Permits, Pumps, and Playing by the Rules, quoted and re-checked
  15. Development Services, quoted and re-checked
  16. Development Services, quoted and re-checked
  17. Development Services, quoted and re-checked
  18. Development Services, quoted and re-checked
  19. Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (lostpineswater.org)
  20. Development Services, quoted and re-checked
  21. Development Services | Bastrop County, quoted and re-checked
  22. Development Services | Bastrop County, quoted and re-checked
  23. Development Services | Bastrop County, quoted and re-checked
  24. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  25. Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. On-Site Sewage Facilities | Environmental & Sanitation | Bastrop County, quoted and re-checked
  27. On-Site Sewage Facilities | Environmental & Sanitation | Bastrop County, quoted and re-checked
  28. On-Site Sewage Facilities | Environmental & Sanitation | Bastrop County, quoted and re-checked
  29. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  30. Bastrop County Infrastructure Requirements for Lodging & RV Park Developments, quoted and re-checked
  31. So You’ve Decided to Rent Your Bastrop County Property to Visitors, quoted and re-checked
  32. Floodplain Management, quoted and re-checked
  33. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  34. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  37. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  38. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  39. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  40. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  41. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

County locator

Bastrop County in Texas

57
County map
Bastrop County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Bastrop County scores

Seclusion25100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency53100% ev.
Admin Boringness92100% ev.
Durability51100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost66100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$361kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$6,225Land / acre
37.6"Annual rain
20.5% of yrsSevere drought
38.2 / yr (+27.8)Mid-century 100°F days
25.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.27" (+5.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.43×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,967Home insurance / yr
1.9% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
38,194People within 30 min
9,099,833People within 2 hr
53,468Radius comparison (15 mi)
124.7People / sq mi
2.1%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
19%Septic soil without severe limits
103,311 acWorkable land screen
36.8%Wooded land
17.2 tonsBiomass / forest ac
68.6°FAvg temp

Scout Bastrop County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Bastrop County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Bastrop County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Bastrop County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    County development permits for building or placing structures in unincorporated Bastrop County.

    • A development permit is required before building or placing a structure, including manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, and tiny homes.
    • Class A applies outside the mapped 100-year floodplain; Conditional Class A applies outside the mapped 100-year floodplain but on property within the 100-year floodplain; Class B applies to development partially or wholly within the mapped 100-year floodplain.
    • County permitting requirements are subject to change without notice.
    • The county page states that interior building renovations on existing footprints do not require a permit.
    • A development permit is not required for accessory buildings 25 square feet or less unless placed on a foundation or constructed within the floodplain.

    accessory-building area threshold: <= 25 square feet (Permit not required unless the accessory building is placed on a foundation or constructed within the floodplain.) · development permit expiration: 3 years (Construction must be completed within three years after permit issuance.) · permit extension: 180 days (One-time extension may be granted by the department head if requested 30 days before expiration; extensions are not granted for OSSF permits.)

    “A development permit is required for all development in the unincorporated areas of Bastrop County.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not required — County-issued building permits for development in unincorporated Bastrop County.
      “Bastrop County does not issue building permits or Certificates of Occupancy.”
  • Owner-builder exemption · follows from the permit answerNot needed

    Unincorporated Bastrop County: no county building permit is required, so there is no permit to be exempt from and you may build your own home. State licensing for electrical, plumbing and HVAC work may still apply.

    • This claim concerns Bastrop County building permits; separate development, floodplain, OSSF, driveway, and right-of-way permits may apply.
    • Incorporated municipalities are outside this claim's scope.
    “Bastrop County does not issue building permits or Certificates of Occupancy.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    New single-family houses and duplexes in unincorporated Bastrop County, and additions to existing single-family houses or duplexes when the addition increases the building’s square footage or value by more than 50%.

    • Bastrop County does not issue building permits or Certificates of Occupancy.
    • The county building code applies only to residential single-family homes and duplexes; there are no Bastrop County building codes for other uses.
    • Bastrop County Commissioners Court passed a resolution on September 14, 2009 adopting provisions of HB 2833.
    • Construction must substantially conform to either the International Residential Code published as of May 1, 2008, identified by the county as the 2006 International Residential Code, or the International Residential Code applicable in the City of Bastrop; the builder chooses which code to use.
    • The requirements apply to new single-family or duplex construction and qualifying additions in unincorporated areas.
    • Three inspections are required: foundation before concrete placement; framing and mechanical systems before drywall or other interior wall covering; and completion of construction. Remodeling inspections are performed as necessary based on project scope.
    • The county is not involved in inspections. The builder must contract with an authorized inspector, comply with the requirements, perform the inspections, and maintain inspection reports; reports need not be provided to Bastrop County.
    • The county page states that all development requirements are subject to change without notice and recommends contacting Development Services before submitting an application.
    • Municipal building codes may apply within incorporated municipalities or applicable extraterritorial jurisdictions.

    county resolution adopting HB 2833 provisions: 2009-09-14 · IRC alternative 1 publication date: 2008-05-01 (County page identifies this as the 2006 International Residential Code) · qualifying addition threshold: > 50 percent (Applies when the addition increases existing residential building square footage or value by more than 50%)

    “Bastrop County has limited statutory authority regarding building codes. Bastrop County Building Code only applies to the construction of residential single-family homes and duplexes. There are no Bastrop County Building Codes for any other uses. [...] Bastrop County Commissioners Court passed a resolution on September 14, 2009 adopting provisions of HB 2833. This action restored residential building code requirements for certain structures that are built in the unincorporated areas of Bastrop County.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    New single-family homes, duplexes, and qualifying additions in unincorporated Bastrop County.

    • Requirements apply to a new single-family house or duplex, or an addition increasing the existing residential building's square footage or value by more than 50%.
    • Remodeling inspections for an existing residence are performed as necessary based on the scope of work.
    • The County is not involved in the inspection process.
    • The builder must contract with an authorized inspector and maintain inspection reports; copies need not be provided to Bastrop County.

    required inspection stages: 3 stages (Foundation before concrete placement; framing and mechanical systems before drywall or other interior wall covering; and completion of construction.)

    “There are three required inspections.”
  • Certificate of occupancyNot required

    Certificates of occupancy issued by Bastrop County for development in unincorporated Bastrop County.

    • This claim concerns certificates issued by Bastrop County; another entity may request documentation of compliance with applicable building-code requirements.
    “No, Bastrop County does not issue building permits or Certificates of Occupancy.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    General county zoning authority over land in the unincorporated areas of Bastrop County.

    • A small area in the northwest part of the county is subject to airport zoning near Austin Executive Airport under Chapter 241 of the Texas Local Government Code.
    • Deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, easements, and other private or recorded restrictions may still affect land use.
    • The county states that zoning exists inside the incorporated limits of the Cities of Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville.
    “No, Bastrop County does not have general zoning authority in the unincorporated areas. Under the provisions of the Airport Zoning Act (Chapter 241, Texas Local Government Code) a small area in the northwest part of the county is subject to airport zoning per an Order Regulating and Restricting Use of Property near the Austin Executive Airport.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Bastrop County, including unincorporated areas, the northwest airport-zoning area, and incorporated Cities of Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville; the countywide conclusion aggregates rules administered by the county, airport-zoning authority, and municipalities.

    • General county zoning is absent in unincorporated areas.
    • A small northwest area is subject to airport zoning near Austin Executive Airport under Chapter 241 of the Texas Local Government Code.
    • Zoning exists inside the incorporated limits of Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville.
    • The cited county sources do not identify the detailed municipal zoning districts, dimensional standards, or airport-zoning standards.
    “No, Bastrop County does not have general zoning authority in the unincorporated areas. Under the provisions of the Airport Zoning Act (Chapter 241, Texas Local Government Code) a small area in the northwest part of the county is subject to airport zoning per an Order Regulating and Restricting Use of Property near the Austin Executive Airport. There is zoning inside the incorporated limits of the Cities of Bastrop, Elgin and Smithville.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    General zoning districts and special airport-zoning controls in unincorporated Bastrop County.

    • Bastrop County does not have general land-use or zoning authority in unincorporated areas.
    • A small area in the northwest part of Bastrop County is subject to airport zoning near Austin Executive Airport.
    • The airport zoning is under an Order Regulating and Restricting Use of Property pursuant to Chapter 241 of the Texas Local Government Code.
    • Property owners or agents must research deeds, subdivision covenants, easements, and other public records that may restrict land use.
    • County subdivision, driveway, floodplain, OSSF, manufactured-home-community, lodging, RV-park, and addressing regulations may still require permits or other actions; these are not general zoning districts.
    “However, a small area in the northwest part of Bastrop County is subject to airport zoning”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeNone

    General zoning-based minimum dwelling size requirements in unincorporated Bastrop County.

    • Bastrop County does not have general zoning authority in unincorporated areas.
    • A small area in the northwest part of the county is subject to airport zoning near Austin Executive Airport; the specific airport-zoning standards were not extracted.
    • Incorporated cities, including Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville, may apply their own zoning rules.
    “No, Bastrop County does not have general zoning authority in the unincorporated areas. Under the provisions of the Airport Zoning Act (Chapter 241, Texas Local Government Code) a small area in the northwest part of the county is subject to airport zoning per an Order Regulating and Restricting Use of Property near the Austin Executive Airport.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Platted or unplatted subdivisions of single-family dwellings using individual OSSFs in Bastrop County.

    • Lots served by public water and using individual OSSFs must be at least 1/2 acre.
    • Lots not served by a public water system and using individual OSSFs must be at least one acre.
    • A lot must be large enough to meet required septic setbacks based on system size.
    • For small lots less than 1/2 acre, the system must be designed by a Registered Sanitarian or Professional Engineer, regardless of system type.

    minimum lot size with public water and individual OSSF: >= 0.5 acre · minimum lot size without public water and with individual OSSF: >= 1 acre

    “Platted or unplatted subdivisions of single family dwellings served by a public water supply and using individual OSSFs for sewage disposal, shall have lots of at least 1/2 acre. Platted or unplatted subdivisions not served by a public water system and using individual OSSFs, shall have lots of at least one acre.”
  • Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Bastrop County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Bastrop County has no zoning ordinance. Bastrop County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Lot coverageNone

    General zoning-based lot-coverage limits in unincorporated Bastrop County.

    • Bastrop County does not have general zoning authority in unincorporated areas.
    • A small area in the northwest part of the county is subject to airport zoning near Austin Executive Airport; the specific airport-zoning standards were not extracted.
    • Other development controls, including drainage and floodplain requirements, may affect impervious cover without being zoning-based.
    “No, Bastrop County does not have general zoning authority in the unincorporated areas. Under the provisions of the Airport Zoning Act (Chapter 241, Texas Local Government Code) a small area in the northwest part of the county is subject to airport zoning per an Order Regulating and Restricting Use of Property near the Austin Executive Airport.”
  • Building heightNone

    General zoning-based building-height limits in unincorporated Bastrop County.

    • Bastrop County does not have general zoning authority in unincorporated areas.
    • A small area in the northwest part of the county is subject to airport zoning near Austin Executive Airport; the specific airport-zoning standards were not extracted.
    • Building-code standards may apply to certain residential construction, but no county zoning-based height limit was established.
    “No, Bastrop County does not have general zoning authority in the unincorporated areas. Under the provisions of the Airport Zoning Act (Chapter 241, Texas Local Government Code) a small area in the northwest part of the county is subject to airport zoning per an Order Regulating and Restricting Use of Property near the Austin Executive Airport.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy of recreational vehicles for dwelling or sleeping purposes in a privately owned and operated recreational vehicle park or combined lodging/RV development outside the city limits of a municipality in Bastrop County.

    • The development must be designed to accommodate more than two recreational vehicles, lodging units, tiny houses, or a combination of them.
    • A Bastrop County Infrastructure Development Plan and development application are required before construction.
    • A pre-application meeting with Bastrop County Development Services is required.
    • Final approval or disapproval is by the Bastrop County Commissioners Court; construction may not begin before approval.
    • Specific permitting requirements may be subject to interlocal agreements involving incorporated cities and their extraterritorial jurisdictions.
    • The cited regulations were adopted August 24, 2020 and revised September 12, 2022.

    minimum recreational vehicles for RV park definition: > 2 vehicles; development must accommodate more than this number · minimum separation between each lodging unit or recreational vehicle: >= 20 feet (with slide-outs extended) · RV space hardened area: 12 x 40 feet (compacted crushed road base material)

    “occupied or intended to be occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes for any length of time.”
  • Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Bastrop County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Bastrop County has no zoning ordinance. Bastrop County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny houses under 400 square feet in Bastrop County lodging or recreational vehicle park developments outside municipal city limits.

    • A tiny house is defined as any residential structure under 400 square feet, whether on wheels or secured to a foundation.
    • A tiny house on wheels is treated as a recreational vehicle; a tiny house secured to a foundation is treated as a lodging development unit.
    • The development must accommodate more than two lodging units, recreational vehicles, tiny houses, or a combination.
    • A development permit is required before placing a tiny home in the unincorporated county.
    • A pre-application meeting, Infrastructure Development Plan, county development application, and Commissioners Court approval are required before construction.
    • The cited RV/lodging regulations were adopted August 24, 2020 and revised September 12, 2022.

    maximum tiny-house floor area: < 400 square feet · minimum separation between each lodging unit or recreational vehicle: >= 20 feet (with slide-outs extended)

    “Any residential structure under 400 square feet, whether on wheels or secured to a foundation.”
  • Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Bastrop County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Bastrop County has no zoning ordinance. Bastrop County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Bastrop County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Bastrop County has no zoning ordinance. Bastrop County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site sewage facilities in Bastrop County.

    • Bastrop County acts as the authorized agent for TCEQ.
    • The County has adopted TCEQ rules from Title 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285 and additional county rules.
    “Bastrop County is the "authorized" agent for the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Bastrop County has adopted the TCEQ rules from Title 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    OSSF construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair in Bastrop County.

    • A permit is required with few exceptions.
    • All septic installation and modifications require a permit regardless of acreage.
    • All structures to be used as a residence must obtain an OSSF permit.
    • Emergency repairs are excepted as described in the separate emergency-repair claim.
    • A single-family-residence owner may self-install only after the permitting process is followed and a Permit to Construct is issued.
    • The Permit to Construct lasts one year for installation, inspection, and final approval.

    Permit to Construct term: 1 year (The License to Operate lasts for the life of the system until modification or significant change in water usage.)

    “All septic installation/modifications require a permit, regardless of acreage. [...] With few exceptions, a permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an On-site Sewage Facility (OSSF).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Permitted OSSF systems in Bastrop County.

    • The system must be installed, inspected, and receive final approval during the one-year Permit to Construct term.
    • The county page also states that the License to Operate lasts for the life of the system until modification or significant change in water usage.

    Permit to Construct term for installation, inspection, and final approval: 1 year

    “The term of the Permit to Construct is one year. This means one year is given to have the system installed, inspected and receive final approval.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water wells in the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District portion of Bastrop County.

    • Operating permits are required for all non-exempt wells.
    • Specific exemption criteria include small-scale domestic or livestock use.
    • Drillers and pump installers must confirm that an operating permit has been issued before a non-exempt well is placed into service.
    • Texas state law assigns groundwater regulation to local or regional groundwater conservation districts rather than a state agency.
    “LPGCD requires operating permits for all non-exempt wells, unless they meet specific exemption criteria such as small-scale domestic or livestock use. Drillers and pump installers are responsible for confirming that an operating permit has been issued before any non-exempt well is placed into service.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Structures in subdivisions governed by the Bastrop County Subdivision Regulations.

    • The Bastrop County Commissioners Court may require connection of structures to water and/or wastewater systems.
    • The rule is discretionary and does not establish a universal countywide connection requirement.
    • The cited regulations are identified as revised 04/24/2017; that revision date is not treated as an effective date.
    “The Commissioners Court may require the connection of structures to water and/or waste water systems.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in unincorporated Bastrop County, including development on property partially or wholly within the mapped 100-year floodplain.

    • A development permit is required for all development in unincorporated areas, including manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, and tiny homes.
    • Class A permits are for development outside the mapped 100-year floodplain.
    • Conditional Class A permits are for development outside the mapped 100-year floodplain but on property within the 100-year floodplain.
    • Class B permits are for development on property that lies partially or wholly within the mapped 100-year floodplain.
    • Before applying for development within the floodplain, a surveyor must certify that proposed construction will meet the Flood Damage Prevention Order.
    • If additions, remodels, or repairs exceed 50% of the existing value, residential structures must be elevated two feet above base flood elevation; non-residential structures must be elevated or flood-proofed two feet above base flood elevation.
    • All development must adhere to federal floodplain regulations under CFR 44.

    substantial improvement threshold: > 50 percent of existing value (residential structures must be elevated two feet above base flood elevation; non-residential structures must be elevated or flood-proofed two feet above base flood elevation) · residential elevation requirement: 2 feet above base flood elevation (when addition, remodel, or repairs exceed 50% of existing value) · maximum penalty: 500 USD per day of offense (each day constitutes a separate offense)

    “A development permit is required for all development in the unincorporated areas of Bastrop County.”
  • Short-term rentalsAllowed (with conditions)

    Short-term rental lodging in Bastrop County, including lodging outside city limits and in city extraterritorial jurisdictions.

    • Bastrop County does not have an STR permitting process.
    • Lodging may still require septic, driveway approval, 911 addressing, or other permits and applications.
    • Inside a city limit or city ETJ, the property is subject to city regulations; properties outside city limits but inside an ETJ are subject to the city's application process and Hotel Occupancy Tax.
    • A short-term rental is sleeping accommodation rented for less than 30 consecutive days.
    • Hotel Occupancy Tax must be filed with Bastrop County; county tax rates vary by location.

    short-term rental duration: < 30 consecutive days · county hotel occupancy tax outside city limit and ETJ: 7 percent (state tax also applies at 6%) · county hotel occupancy tax inside city limit or ETJ: 0.75 percent (state tax and city tax also apply)

    “Bastrop County does not have an STR permitting process, but lodging may be subject to other permits and applications”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Bastrop County Development Services permits and related development applications.

    • The fee schedule is identified as adopted 06/20/2025.
    • A check or money order payable to Bastrop County for the appropriate fee(s) must accompany the completed application.
    • Fees are non-refundable.
    • Fees vary by permit type, floodplain status, project size, and unit, slot, or RV-slip count.

    single-family development permit: 225 USD · single-family development permit with floodplain: 300 USD · driveway permit: 50 USD · driveway constructed without a permit: 75 USD · commercial base fee: 500 USD (plus building and paving/parking square-footage charges; maximum $25,000) · standard residential OSSF permit: 600 USD

    “Single Family $225 Single Family (with Floodplain) $300 Driveway $50 Driveway constructed without a permit $75”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    External development and related development permits in unincorporated Bastrop County.

    • Only external development requires a permit; interior building renovations on existing footprints do not require a permit.
    • A development permit is not required for accessory buildings 25 square feet or less unless placed on a foundation or constructed within the floodplain.
    • At minimum, applications require proof of ownership, a dimensioned site plan, and a copy of a survey or plat; additional information may be requested.
    • Permits will not be issued for non-compliant property unless there is a health or public safety reason approved by the department head.
    • When public wastewater is unavailable, Development and OSSF permit applications are submitted concurrently.
    • Lodging and recreational vehicle park developments require pre-development meetings.

    accessory-building exemption threshold: <= 25 square feet (does not apply if placed on a foundation or constructed within the floodplain)

    “Only external development requires a permit. Interior building renovations on existing footprints do not require a permit.”

Texas rules that apply here

  • Driveway accessRequired

    New or modified access driveways connecting property to a Texas state highway right of way.

    • A local public agency may receive access driveway permitting authority for state highways, but TxDOT approval remains required for drainage impacts on the state highway system before local approval.
    • No access driveway is permitted within a flared or widened right-of-way section at an intersection of a state highway with another highway, road, or street.
    • All entrances and exits, including radii, must be confined within the permittee's property frontage.
    • One-way 45-to-90-degree driveways are permitted for connections to one-way frontage roads or lane-divided highways; otherwise the driveway angle must be 75 to 90 degrees.
    • ADAAG and Texas Accessibility Standards apply.

    private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · driveway-to-pavement radius: >= 15 feet

    “A driveway must be constructed in accordance with a fully executed driveway permit”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    Texas counties adopting zoning regulations for specified unincorporated or otherwise specially defined areas.

    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    • Other Chapter 231 subchapters address special areas including the Amistad Recreation Area in Val Verde County, military zones, certain lakes, the El Paso Mission Trail Historical Area, Lake Somerville, and Falcon Lake in Zapata County.
    • The cited statute was enacted effective September 1, 1987; the Falcon Lake subchapter was added effective June 15, 2007, and amended effective September 1, 2009.

    Padre Island distance from publicly owned park or recreational development: <= 2 miles (Area must be outside a municipality and in Cameron or Willacy County.) · Padre Island distance from beach, wharf, or bathhouse: <= 2 miles (The beach, wharf, or bathhouse must be used by at least 500 persons annually.)

    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • county building authorityLimited

    Texas counties adopting and enforcing fire-code building permits for specified buildings in unincorporated areas and applying residential building-code standards in certain counties.

    • Under Section 233.061, the county must have a population over 250,000 or be adjacent to a county with a population over 250,000.
    • Under Section 233.062, the fire code applies only to commercial establishments, public buildings, and multifamily residential dwellings consisting of four or more units constructed in an unincorporated area.
    • The fire code does not apply to an industrial facility having a fire brigade that conforms to Occupational Health and Safety Administration requirements.
    • A covered applicant must submit a plan and a commissioners-court-set application fee; the county must issue or deny the permit within 30 days, and failure to act within 30 days approves the construction for purposes of the subchapter.
    • The fire code must conform to the International Fire Code or Uniform Fire Code as those codes existed on May 1, 2005, or establish protective measures exceeding those standards; later editions may be adopted.
    • Residential standards under Section 233.152 apply only if the county adopts a resolution or order and the county is within 50 miles of an international border or has a population over 100.
    • Those residential standards apply only to new single-family-house or duplex construction beginning after September 1, 2009; manufactured or modular structures governed by Occupations Code Chapters 1201 or 1202 are excluded from the definition of new residential construction.
    • A municipality's building code controls in its extraterritorial jurisdiction, and Section 233.152 does not authorize county prior approval of new residential construction or county zoning regulations.
    • Fire-code inspection and permit fees may be charged under a fee schedule based on building type, limited to amounts necessary to administer and enforce the subchapter; inspection fees must be reasonable and reflect approximate inspection costs.

    county population threshold for fire-code authority: > 250000 persons (A county adjacent to a county over 250,000 also qualifies.) · multifamily residential dwelling threshold: >= 4 units (The fire code applies only to covered buildings constructed in an unincorporated area.) · residential-code border distance: <= 50 miles (Alternative qualification is county population over 100.) · application decision period: 30 days (If the commissioners court does not issue or deny the permit within 30 days after receiving the application and fee, construction is approved for purposes of the subchapter.) · residential standards effective construction date: > 2009-09-01 (Applies only to new residential construction that begins after September 1, 2009.)

    “The commissioners court of a county with a population of over 250,000 or a county adjacent to a county with a population of over 250,000 may adopt a fire code and rules necessary to administer and enforce the fire code. [...] The fire code applies only to the following buildings constructed in an unincorporated area of the county: (1) a commercial establishment; (2) a public building; and (3) a multifamily residential dwelling consisting of four or more units.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation methods other than the documented OSSF/septic systems in Bastrop County.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Bastrop County, Texas

Is Bastrop County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Bastrop County scores 57/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: about 38,194 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Bastrop County, Texas?

Bastrop County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Bastrop County Development Services - Environmental & Sanitation (OSSF). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Bastrop County, Texas?

Land in Bastrop County runs about $6,225 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Bastrop County?

Bastrop County gets about 37.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 20.5% of years.

How remote is Bastrop County?

A representative private-land location has about 38,194 people within a 30-minute drive and 9,099,833 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Bastrop County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

How Bastrop compares in Texas

Compare side-by-side →See all 254 Texas counties ranked →