Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Bastrop, Texas

Bastrop’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction regulated by Bastrop city building regulations.

  • The IBC is adopted with all appendices except portions deleted, modified, or amended in Chapter 3.

  International Building Code edition: 2018 (Except portions deleted, modified, or amended in Chapter 3.)

  “The International Building Code (IBC) 2018 edition, with all appendices as published by the International Code Council, Inc., is adopted by reference as though copied herein fully, except such portions as are deleted, modified or amended in this chapter.”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  New commercial construction in Bastrop city.

  • Construction must be complete, final inspections must have passed, and required materials must be on file with the Building Department before a CO can be requested.

  “Once construction is complete, final inspections have passed, and all required materials are on file with the Building Department (see below for a comprehensive list of required materials) a Certificate of Occupancy can be requested.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within Bastrop city limits.

  • The city directs applicants to use the current Place Type Zoning Map and Bastrop Development Code for current zoning and associated regulations.

  “Review the current zoning and the associated regulations using the Place Type Zoning Map, Bastrop Development Code, and building codes.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts within Bastrop city limits.

  • The city directs applicants to use the current Place Type Zoning Map and Bastrop Development Code.

  “Review the current zoning and the associated regulations using the Place Type Zoning Map, Bastrop Development Code, and building codes.”

• Camping on your landProhibited

  Camping in city public areas not designated by the city and/or parks department as camping areas.

  • The section does not apply to permitted camping or cooking in a park in compliance with park regulations, sanctioned outdoor cooking events, or the stated affirmative defense for an owner or a person with owner permission unless otherwise prohibited by state or local regulations.

  “Camping is not allowed in public areas. A person commits an offense if the person camps in a public area that is not designated as a camping area by the city and/or parks department.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory dwelling units on residential lots within Bastrop city limits.

  • The impact-fee reduction is limited to one ADU per residential lot.

  ADUs eligible for stated impact-fee reduction: <= 1 ADU per residential lot

  “This provision to reduce impact fees otherwise due at building permit is limited to one ADU per residential lot.”

• Septic permitRequired

  On-site sewage facilities where wastewater service is unavailable within Bastrop city limits.

  • Requirement applies if wastewater service is not available.

  “OSSF: If wastewater service is not available, a septic permit will be needed.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site sanitation for property without wastewater service inside Bastrop city limits.

  • A septic permit is needed if wastewater service is unavailable.

  “OSSF: If wastewater service is not available, a septic permit will be needed.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Driveway culvert installations within Bastrop city limits.

  • The rule applies upon application for a driveway-culvert permit; the requester must pay appropriate fees and secure necessary easements and/or rights-of-way before city installation.

  “The city, upon application for a permit for a driveway culvert, shall provide the requestor with the number and size of the culvert(s) required, along with an estimate of the costs involved for the culvert(s).”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Property in a floodplain within Bastrop city limits.

  • The floodplain development permit is required before approval of any other permits.

  “A floodplain development permit will be required prior to approval of any other permits.”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rentals within Bastrop city limits.

  • A valid city short-term-rental registration issued under Chapter 4.13 is required.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to own or operate a short-term rental within the city without a valid short-term rental registration issued pursuant to this chapter.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City permits and related city services within Bastrop city limits.

  • The schedule is adopted by City Council and updated as needed.

  “The Master Fee Schedule is a comprehensive listing of all fees charged by the City of Bastrop for various services, permits, licenses, and programs.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  City building and development applications within Bastrop city limits.

  • Applications must be submitted through the City's MyGov portal.

  “All applications should now be submitted through the City of Bastrop's MyGov portal. Visit https://public.mygov.us/bastrop_tx to sign up as a Collaborator, and get started today!”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Bastrop or Bastrop County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work within Bastrop city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential zoning districts within Bastrop city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Residential zoning districts within Bastrop city limits.
• Setbacks — Residential zoning districts within Bastrop city limits.
• Lot coverage — Residential zoning districts within Bastrop city limits.

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.