Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of White Deer, Texas

Town of White Deer’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, constructing or adding buildings or structures inside White Deer town

  • Permit issued by the city secretary
  • Listed activities: new home construction; remodeling that alters walls; permanent fences over three feet kept more than six months; outbuildings over 120 square feet; other IRC-regulated items
  • Building without a permit (but conforming to other codes) is subject to a $100.00 fine

  outbuilding permit threshold: > 120 sq ft

  “no person shall erect, construct or add any building or structure without first applying and obtaining a permit from the city secretary.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Building, plumbing and electrical construction inside White Deer town

  • 2018 edition of the International Residential Code; a copy is on file at city hall

  adopted code: International Residential Code 2018

  “the international residential code, 2018 edition, is the official and adopted building, plumbing and electrical code for the city of white deer and its terms and provisions shall govern all relevant activities. a complete copy of the international residential code is on file at city hall.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Construction in progress inside White Deer town

  • Inspection frequency is 'as often as practical'
  • All plumbing work is also subject to inspection by the licensed plumbing inspector (section 3-10(b))

  “the designated building inspector shall inspect, as often as practical, construction in progress to see that all provisions of this article are being complied with.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning district designations named on the White Deer permit form

  • Only district names appear on the application form; no district map or use schedule was found

  “zoning district: residential business industrial agricultural fire district”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Septic tank in place of sewer connection inside White Deer town

  • Only when the property is more than 300 feet from a sewer main or lateral
  • Septic tank must meet minimum standards approved or established by the Texas state health department

  minimum distance from sewer: > 300 feet

  “is located further than 300 feet from any main or lateral sewer line of said city, then such property may be connected to a septic tank constructed and maintained in accordance with minimum standards approved or established by the state department of health of the state of texas.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  New buildings used for human habitation inside White Deer town

  • Septic tank allowed only if property is further than 300 feet from any main or lateral sewer line
  • Each water customer must sign a retail service agreement before service begins

  distance beyond which septic is allowed: > 300 feet

  “shall be connected to the sanitary sewer system of said city, except as elsewhere provided hereby.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit application inside White Deer town

  • Customer service inspection for new plumbing is billed separately at the inspector's cost
  • Code section 3-8 refers other permit fees to the official fee schedule

  application fee: 25 USD (plus customer service inspection cost)

  “an application fee of $25.00 is required. payment can be made once you have completed the application.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit applications inside White Deer town

  • Online application with site plan upload
  • Texas customer service inspection (30 TAC 290.46(j)) before continuous water service for new construction

  “no construction, improvement or modification to property may begin until this permit is authorized and signed by the city of white deer superintendent or other authorized officer”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of White Deer or Carson County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside White Deer town
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside White Deer town
• Local zoning — Zoning inside White Deer town limits
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size, residential district, inside White Deer town
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size, residential and agricultural districts, inside White Deer town

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.