Bolthole Index

Brazoria County, Texas

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Richwood, Texas

Richwood, Texas requires city building permits for new homes and regulated construction, and Richwood has its own zoning inside city limits.12 In Brazoria County, Environmental Health reviews septic applications; confirm service for your Richwood address before planning an on-site system.3 Richwood also requires city approval for private water wells.4

At a glance

Building permits
City building permits required for new homes and regulated work1
Zoning
Richwood has city zoning2
Septic
Environmental Health reviews Brazoria County OSSF applications; confirm the Richwood address3
Minimum home size
R-1: 1,000 square feet of living space5
Minimum lot size
R-1: 8,400 square feet, with 70-foot frontage and 120-foot depth6
Owner application
A homeowner residing at the property may apply; building permit still required71
Private wells
Permit from the city Public Works director required before drilling4

Who to call

Building permits

Richwood City Hall — Building Permit Applications

City building permit applications and routing questions about city zoning and private-well approval

979-265-2082

[email protected]

1800 Brazosport Blvd N Richwood, TX 77531

Septic permits

Brazoria County Environmental Health Department

OSSF application review and questions about septic service for a Richwood address

979-864-1600

[email protected]

451 N Velasco Suite 270 Angleton, TX 77515

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Richwood 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.

Do you need a building permit in Richwood, TX?

Richwood requires a building permit for new residential construction, additions, structural remodels, foundations, generators and solar panels, along with regulated electrical, mechanical and plumbing work.1 Richwood also requires a driveway permit for driveway construction.8 A one-story detached tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar accessory structure does not require a building permit when its floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.1 That exception describes a small accessory structure, rather than permission to use a shed as a residence; Richwood separately limits guest-house occupancy and R-1 dwelling size.95

Who issues building permits in Richwood, and who should you call?

Richwood City Hall answers questions about which building permit application to use and how to fill it out at 979-265-2082.10 The city publishes residential and commercial building applications for new construction, accessory buildings, concrete work and driveways.10 A Richwood homeowner who resides at the property may apply for a building permit, as may a licensed contractor representing the owner.7 Owner application is a way to obtain approval, not a waiver of Richwood’s building permit requirement.71 For land outside city limits, use the Brazoria County guide, where the county’s building permit thresholds differ.11

Does Richwood have zoning, minimum lot sizes and setbacks?

Richwood has municipal zoning inside city limits, so the parcel’s district matters when choosing a house design.2 In Richwood’s R-1 single-family residence district, the minimum dwelling living space is 1,000 square feet.5 R-1 lots require at least 70 feet of frontage, 120 feet of depth and 8,400 square feet of area.6 R-1 building setbacks are 25 feet at the front, 7.5 feet at the side, 20 percent of lot depth at the rear and 15 feet on the side street.12 Buildings may cover no more than 35 percent of an R-1 lot.13 Ask City Hall to identify the parcel’s district before applying these R-1 dimensions to a purchase.102

How do septic permits work inside Richwood?

Start with Richwood’s sewer requirements: the city may require sewer connection, and HUD-Code manufactured-home parks must discharge toilet, sink, lavatory and shower waste to public sewer.14 Where public sewer is unavailable and a project generates wastewater, Brazoria County’s guidance calls for an on-site sewage facility and warns that soils and water tables restrict conventional septic systems.15 Environmental Health reviews Brazoria County OSSF applications; confirm that office’s jurisdiction for the Richwood address before ordering a design.3 Texas generally requires a septic permit and approved plan, with local requirements potentially stricter than state minimums.16 The county process calls for a signed site evaluation, notarized application, scaled professional design and supporting technical materials; approved systems must pass inspection before covering or use.1718

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Richwood?

We could not confirm private-lot RV occupancy or a separate tiny-home occupancy rule in Richwood; ask City Hall to route the proposed use to the city’s zoning and building officials.102 Richwood’s prohibition on camping covers public property, streets, sidewalks and public parking lots; that rule does not establish permission to camp on private land.19 A tiny house proposed in R-1 must be assessed against the district’s 1,000-square-foot minimum living space.5 Richwood’s guest-house provision allows occasional guest housing without a kitchen and bars permanent occupancy by others as a separate housekeeping unit.9 A backyard guest building therefore is not a ready route to a permanent second residence under that provision.9

Building a home in Richwood: what steps come first?

  1. Ask City Hall to confirm the Richwood parcel’s zoning district, then check the district’s dwelling size, lot dimensions and setbacks before choosing plans.1025612
  2. Resolve sewer connection with the city or septic application review with Environmental Health before committing to a wastewater layout.143
  3. Use Richwood’s residential building application and obtain the required building permit before regulated work begins.101
  4. For new residential construction in a floodplain or floodway, include floodplain information and an elevation certificate; Richwood requires a floodplain development application when applicable.20
  5. Obtain city private-well approval before drilling, and a city driveway permit for driveway construction.48

Watch-outs

  • Richwood’s R-1 dimensions apply to that district; confirm the parcel’s zoning before treating those limits as the rules for another district.26
  • Richwood’s new residential floodplain requirements include an elevation certificate reviewed before framing inspection.20
  • Brazoria County’s published OSSF guidance lists a $210 single-family permit fee including plan review and final inspection; ask Environmental Health for the current charge before applying.2122

Sources

  1. Do I Need A Permit? (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  2. Richwood Code, Appendix A, Sec. 4 (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  3. What Is a Septic System or On-Site Sewage Facility, quoted and re-checked
  4. Richwood Code, Sec. 38-551 (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  5. Richwood Code, Appendix A, Sec. 4 (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  6. Richwood Code, Appendix A, Sec. 4 (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  7. Do I Need A Permit? (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  8. Do I Need A Permit? (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  9. Richwood Code, Appendix A, Sec. 5 (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  10. Richwood City Hall — Building Permit Applications (richwoodtx.gov)
  11. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  12. Richwood Code, Appendix A, Sec. 4 (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  13. Richwood Code, Appendix A, Sec. 4 (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  14. Richwood Charter, Sec. 3.07 (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  15. What Is a Septic System or On-Site Sewage Facility, quoted and re-checked
  16. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. What Is a Septic System or On-Site Sewage Facility — Information Guide, quoted and re-checked
  18. What Is a Septic System or On-Site Sewage Facility, quoted and re-checked
  19. Richwood Code, Sec. 30-120 (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  20. New Residential Building Permit Application (Richwood), quoted and re-checked
  21. What Is a Septic System or On-Site Sewage Facility, quoted and re-checked
  22. Brazoria County Environmental Health Department (brazoriacountytx.gov)

Written October 11, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Richwood

Richwood’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work inside Richwood city limits.

    • The city page lists new residential, commercial, pools over 24 inches, flat work including driveways, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, additions, structural remodels, accessory buildings over 120 square feet, foundations, generators, and solar panels as requiring permits.
    • One-story detached tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and similar accessory structures not exceeding 120 square feet are listed as not requiring a permit.

    small detached accessory-structure threshold: <= 120 square feet (one-story detached tool/storage shed, playhouse, or similar use)

    “Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Residential building permit applications inside Richwood city limits.

    • The homeowner who resides at the property, or a licensed contractor representing the owner, may apply for a building permit.
    “The homeowner who resides at the property, or a licensed contractor representing the owner may apply for a building permit.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Business buildings, occupancy changes, and commercial spaces inside Richwood city limits.

    • A commercial certificate application requires a scaled floor plan, room labels, entrances/exits, and approved final inspections before issuance.
    • The city page states the rule for business occupancy; a universal residential certificate requirement was not established.
    “No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the city has issued a certificate of occupancy.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Richwood city limits.

    “The city is hereby divided into nine use districts:”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R-1 single-family residence zone inside Richwood city limits.

    minimum floor area: >= 1000 square feet

    “The minimum floor area or living space in square feet will be 1,000 square feet.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 single-family residence zone inside Richwood city limits.

    frontage: >= 70 feet · depth: >= 120 feet · area: >= 8400 square feet

    “The minimum lot size is as follows: [1.] Front, 70 feet. [2.] Depth, 120 feet. [3.] Area, 8,400 square feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 single-family residence zone inside Richwood city limits.

    front: >= 25 feet · side: >= 7.5 feet · rear: 20 percent of lot depth · side street: >= 15 feet

    “The minimum building setbacks are as follows: [1.] Front, 25 feet. [2.] Side, 7 ½ feet. [3.] Rear, 20 percent of the lot depth. [4.] Side street, 15 feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1 single-family residence zone inside Richwood city limits.

    maximum lot coverage by building: <= 35 percent

    “The maximum percentage of the lot used for building will be 35 percent of the lot.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping on public property inside Richwood city limits.

    • The rule covers public property, outside public buildings, streets, sidewalks, and public parking lots.
    • The ordinance defines public property to include rights-of-way, parks, government buildings, and government facilities.
    • The cited rule does not establish private-property camping rules.
    “Persons are prohibited from camping on public property; outside of public buildings; and on streets, sidewalks, and public parking lots.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Guest-house or accessory-building occupancy inside Richwood city limits.

    • A guest house must be without a kitchen and may be used only for occasional housing of guests of the main-structure occupants, not permanent occupancy by others as a housekeeping unit.
    “There may also be constructed a guest house (without kitchen) or rooms for guests within an accessory building, provided such facilities are used for the occasional housing of guests of the occupants of the main structure and not for permanent occupancy by others as a housekeeping unit.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Private water wells inside Richwood city limits.

    • Existing private wells must obtain a permit within six months after passage of the originating article.
    • Applications require owner, applicant, landowner, scaled-drawing, nearest-municipal-water-source, and driller information.

    existing well permit deadline: 6 months (after passage of originating article)

    “No water may be drilled without first obtaining a permit therefor from the city public work director. All existing private wells shall be required to obtain a permit within six months after the passage of the article from which this division is derived.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Premises inside Richwood city where the city requires sanitary-sewer connection; HUD-Code manufactured-home parks specifically must use public sewer.

    • The charter authorizes requiring property owners to connect to the sewer system but gives no distance or availability threshold in the cited excerpt.
    • HUD-Code manufactured-home park toilet, lavatory, sink, and shower waste must discharge into public sewer.
    “Waste from all toilets, lavatories, sinks and showers in HUD-Code manufactured home parks shall be discharged into a public sewer.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and platting inside Richwood city limits.

    • The cited zoning definition identifies Code chapter 32 as the city's land-subdivision ordinance, but the complete platting process was not opened.
    “Ordinance Number 193 of the City of Richwood, Texas [now Code ch. 32 ] which is the ordinance governing land subdivision regulations within the city.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveway construction inside Richwood city limits.

    • Driveways are listed among flat-work projects requiring a permit; the city publishes a Driveway Permit Application.
    “Flat Work (driveway, sidewalk patio slab extension)”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New residential construction in a Richwood floodplain or floodway.

    • A site plan must include floodplain information and an elevation certificate within a floodplain or floodway.
    • The elevation certificate is reviewed before framing inspection.
    • Finish floor must be noted at 2.8 feet above base flood elevation or 2 feet above finished lot grade, whichever is higher.
    • A Floodplain Development Permit Application is required when applicable.

    finish-floor elevation above base flood elevation: >= 2.8 feet (or 2 feet above finished lot grade, whichever is higher)

    “Flood plain information: elevation certificate within flood plain or flood way (to be reviewed on Form Survey submitted prior to framing inspection)”

Still unanswered

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

  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Richwood city limits.
  • Who permits septic — On-site sewage facility administration inside Richwood city limits.
  • Septic permit — On-site sewage facility permits inside Richwood city limits.
  • Septic inspection — On-site sewage facility inspections inside Richwood city limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemption from construction or land-use requirements inside Richwood city limits.
1 more unanswered
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Richwood publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Brazoria County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Brazoria County: county rules, score and offices