Bolthole Index

Cochran County, Texas

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

38Index Score / 100
#224 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Cochran County, Texas does not require a general building permit and has no county zoning ordinance12. Septic systems generally require authorization under Texas rules, but we could not confirm a local authorized agent for Cochran County; ask the TCEQ OSSF Program which office serves the parcel before applying345. Inside Morton, city building rules apply instead6.

At a glance

Building permit
No general permit required for an ordinary home in unincorporated Cochran County1
Zoning
No county zoning ordinance in unincorporated Cochran County27
Septic (OSSF)
A permit is generally required; confirm the current permitting authority with TCEQ34
RV and tiny-home living
No county zoning restriction in unincorporated areas; Morton has separate city rules78
Minimum home and lot size
No county zoning minimum in unincorporated Cochran County7
Water wells
HPWD permit required at 17.5 gallons per minute or more; lower-producing wells are exempt9
Owner-builder
A conditional state notice-penalty exemption may apply to a person building a primary residence10

Who to call

Also useful

Cochran County Judge's Office

County point of contact for questions about unconfirmed building inspections, occupancy approvals, floodplain development and county-road access

806-266-5508

Room 105 Courthouse, 100 North Main Street, Morton, Texas 79346

Septic permits

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality OSSF Program

Questions about Cochran County's current OSSF permitting authority and Texas septic rules

(512) 239-3799

[email protected]

Well permits

High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1

Water-well permit and registration questions for Cochran County

(806) 762-0181

2930 Ave. Q, Lubbock TX 79411

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 Cochran County, Texas?

An ordinary home in unincorporated Cochran County does not require a general county building permit1. Texas gives counties only limited building-regulation powers, including conditional authority for certain fire-code buildings and residential standards that depend on county action11. We could not confirm that Cochran County has adopted a residential code program, performs building inspections, or issues certificates of occupancy, so ask the County Judge's Office before construction if the project is unusual or occupancy approval matters to financing12.

City limits change the answer. Morton has adopted the International Building Code for buildings and structures within the city, subject to its local amendments6. A Morton parcel should therefore go through the city rather than relying on the unincorporated-county answer. Whiteface requirements were not confirmed; ask that city directly for a parcel inside its limits.

Who handles permits in Cochran County, Texas?

Cochran County does not list a general building department, and unincorporated construction does not require a general county building permit1. The County Judge's Office is the practical county contact for unresolved questions about inspections, occupancy approval, floodplain development, or access from a county road12.

Permits tied to a particular system go elsewhere. Ask the TCEQ OSSF Program to identify the current septic permitting authority before filing35. The High Plains Underground Water Conservation District administers groundwater-well permitting in Cochran County913. For a new or changed driveway connecting to a state highway, submit the state access form to TxDOT and wait for an executed permit before starting work14. Projects inside Morton are governed by Morton's city building code rather than the unincorporated-county framework6.

Does Cochran County, Texas have zoning?

Unincorporated Cochran County has no county zoning ordinance2. As a result, county zoning sets no minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setback, lot-coverage limit, building-height limit, or zoning district on unincorporated land7. Private deed restrictions, easements, septic design, flood risk, and road-access requirements can still constrain a particular tract, so review the recorded documents and site conditions before treating land as build-ready.

Municipal rules are separate. Morton's zoning chapter is reserved, but Morton separately regulates construction through its adopted building code86. The countywide status of municipal zoning beyond that Morton chapter was not confirmed, so buyers inside Morton or Whiteface should ask the relevant city about parcel-specific rules. A qualifying division of rural land used primarily for agriculture, ranching, wildlife management, or timber production may be exempt from the state subdivision-plat requirement, but that exemption does not erase other applicable rules15.

How do septic permits work in Cochran County, Texas?

Texas generally requires a permit and approved plan before an OSSF is constructed, installed, altered, extended, repaired, or operated4. We could not confirm a local authorized agent for Cochran County, so contact the TCEQ OSSF Program to identify the correct permitting office before paying for design work35.

A narrow exemption can remove planning materials, the permit, and inspections for a single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres, but only when every listed condition is met: the system must comply with the remaining state standards, create no nuisance or groundwater pollution, keep every OSSF component at least 100 feet from the property line, dispose of effluent on the tract, and serve the only dwelling there16. Site evaluation still matters. About 82.3% of Cochran County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, but a parcel-level evaluation determines the actual design17.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Cochran County, Texas?

Unincorporated Cochran County has no county zoning restriction on RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home occupancy, accessory dwellings, or temporary camping, and county zoning imposes no minimum dwelling size7. That answer is limited to county zoning; sanitation, access, deed restrictions, and any applicable floodplain requirements remain separate questions. We could not confirm a county certificate-of-occupancy rule, so ask the County Judge's Office if a lender, utility, or insurer needs county documentation12.

Do not carry the unincorporated answer into Morton. Morton's building code governs structures within the city, and its separate building regulations deny permanent-residence permits and city utility service for campers, camper trailers, travel trailers, and recreational vehicles68. Whiteface rules were not confirmed, so contact the city before buying a lot there for RV, tiny-home, or manufactured-home use.

What steps should you follow to build in Cochran County, Texas?

  1. Confirm that the parcel is outside Morton or Whiteface; Morton applies its city building code within city limits6.
  2. Ask the County Judge's Office about any parcel-specific floodplain, county-road access, inspection, or occupancy requirement that could apply12.
  3. Contact the TCEQ OSSF Program to identify the current septic authority, then obtain the required authorization unless the tract satisfies every condition of the state exemption34165.
  4. Contact the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District before drilling; a well expected to produce 17.5 gallons per minute or more requires a district permit, while a lower-producing well is exempt913.
  5. If access connects to a state highway, submit Form 1058 and receive the executed TxDOT permit before right-of-way construction14.
  6. If acting as your own contractor, treat the state owner-builder provision as a conditional notice-penalty exemption, not a blanket waiver of construction rules10.

What should you check before buying land in Cochran County?

Start with water and wastewater. Cochran County receives about 16.9 inches of precipitation annually and has experienced severe drought in 36.3% of years, so verify well feasibility and expected yield with the groundwater district before closing181913. About 82.3% of county soils avoid a severe conventional-drain-field rating, but the exact homesite still needs a septic evaluation17.

Confirm legal access and determine whether the driveway meets a county road or a state highway; state-highway access requires TxDOT approval20. Review the deed, easements, survey, and any recent land division. Agricultural or ranch use can support a conditional plat exemption, but the exemption is not a general release from building, septic, or other requirements15. Floodplain development rules remain unconfirmed, so ask the County Judge's Office before choosing a building pad12. Finally, budget for an effective property-tax rate around 1.2% and a median annual bill near $6842122.

Watch-outs

  • Cochran County's current local septic agent could not be confirmed; ask the TCEQ OSSF Program to identify the permitting authority before hiring a designer or installer35.
  • The county's building-inspection, occupancy-certificate, permit-fee, and floodplain-development requirements could not be confirmed; ask the County Judge's Office about the specific parcel and project12.
  • Morton's city building rules apply inside Morton, and permanent RV residence cannot receive a city residence permit or city utilities68.

Sources

  1. Cochran County, Texas (official) (2026 county census)
  2. Cochran County, Texas (official) (2026 county census)
  3. TCEQ - Getting a Permit for an OSSF (2026 county census)
  4. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  5. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality OSSF Program (tceq.texas.gov)
  6. ARTICLE 3.02: BUILDING CODE - City of Morton, TX, quoted and re-checked
  7. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  8. Chapter 14: Zoning - City of Morton, TX, quoted and re-checked
  9. Well Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  10. Local Government Code Chapter 233. County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures, quoted and re-checked
  11. Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Cochran County Judge's Office (co.cochran.tx.us)
  13. High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 (hpwd.org)
  14. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials, quoted and re-checked
  15. Senate Bill 710, Enrolled Version, quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 285 - On-Site Sewage Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  17. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  18. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials, quoted and re-checked
  21. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Median property tax bill: 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.

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County locator

Cochran County in Texas

38
County map
Cochran County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Cochran County scores

Seclusion79100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1296% ev.
Admin Boringness87100% ev.
Durability28100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost8096% ev.

Evidence strength: 99%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$58kTypical home
1.2%Property tax
$1,417Land / acre
16.9"Annual rain
36.3% of yrsSevere drought
26 / yr (+20.8)Mid-century 100°F days
32.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.28" (+4.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.23×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,481Home insurance / yr
-2.5% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
2,484People within 30 min
592,242People within 2 hr
2,410Radius comparison (15 mi)
3.2People / sq mi
0%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
82.3%Septic soil without severe limits
408,451 acWorkable land screen
0%Wooded land
0.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
59.6°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Cochran County

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

Cochran County rules

  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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.”
  • Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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.”
  • Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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.”
  • Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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 coverage · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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.”
  • Building height · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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.”
  • Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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.”
  • Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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 homes · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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.”
  • Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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 Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us.

    • 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.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Groundwater wells in Cochran County, which HPWD identifies as wholly within its Precinct 2 and service area.

    • A permit is required before drilling and producing water from a well expected to produce 17.5 gallons per minute or more.
    • Wells producing less than 17.5 gpm are exempt from HPWD permitting, though they may be registered.
    • Exemptions also cover qualifying oil-and-gas rig wells, Railroad Commission-authorized or mining wells, and maintenance or repair that does not increase production above the current permitted rate.
    • An exempt well loses the exemption if its use changes so that it no longer qualifies; the owner must notify HPWD in writing within 30 days of facts potentially causing loss of exemption.
    • For a non-exempt well, no person may drill or operate it without first being granted a permit by the Board.
    • The permit application requires applicable forms, required information, a District site inspection, and payment of applicable fees.
    • The 2023 rules state that once the application meets District rules, HPWD will notify the applicant and the applicant may proceed to drill and construct the well; the rules do not establish the previously claimed $250 fee.

    permit threshold: >= 17.5 gallons per minute (Wells producing less than 17.5 gpm are exempt from permitting.) · equivalent exempt production threshold: < 25000 gallons per day (Rule 4.1(b)(1) states less than 25,000 gallons per day, or 17.5 gpm.) · minimum distance to nearest valid well for max production 70 gpm: 100 yards (Ogallala or Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifer table.) · minimum distance to property line for max production 70 gpm: 25 yards (Ogallala or Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifer table.) · minimum distance to nearest valid well for max production 165 gpm: 200 yards (Ogallala or Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifer table.) · minimum distance to property line for max production 165 gpm: 50 yards (Ogallala or Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifer table.) · minimum distance to nearest valid well for max production 265 gpm: 300 yards (Ogallala or Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifer table.) · minimum distance to property line for max production 265 gpm: 75 yards (Ogallala or Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) Aquifer table.)

    “The following activities are exempt from permitting requirements under these rules: 1) Drilling or operating a Well that is completed or equipped to produce less than 25,000 gallons of groundwater per day, or 17.5 gpm;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not required — Water wells in Cochran County within the jurisdiction of the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 producing less than 17.5 gallons per minute.
      “Water wells that produce less than 17.5 gpm do not require a permit from HPWD.”
  • Building permitNot required

    Texas counties generally lack authority to require building permits in unincorporated areas, and Cochran County's official site shows no building/permit department.

    Cochran County, Texas (official) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties have no general zoning authority in unincorporated areas; Cochran County shows no zoning/planning department.

    Cochran County, Texas (official) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Penalty for failure to submit statutory inspection notices for qualifying new residential construction under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233, Subchapter F

    • The new residential construction must be built by the individual or the individual must act as the individual's own contractor.
    • The individual must intend to use the residence as the individual's primary residence.
    • This is an exemption from the penalty under §233.157(c), not a general exemption from applicable construction, inspection, or permitting requirements.
    • Subchapter F applies only to a county that has adopted a resolution or order requiring its application and that is within 50 miles of an international border or has a population of more than 100.
    “An individual who fails to provide proper notice in accordance with Sections 233.154(b) and (c) is not subject to a penalty under this subsection if: (1) the new residential construction is built by the individual or the individual acts as the individual's own contractor; and (2) the individual intends to use the residence as the individual's primary residence.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components governed by the Texas Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.

    • The mandatory state code adoption applies to industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components, not all construction statewide.
    • The effective date is July 1, 2024.
    • The International Existing Building Code applies to alterations of portable industrialized buildings.
    • Manufacturers already certified for Texas must have design-package documents reviewed and approved to the new editions with an approval date on or after July 1, 2024, unless the manufacturer elected to transition before the effective date under Department rule 70.70(a)(5)(B).
    • Construction begun on or after July 1, 2024 must comply with the new code editions and approved design packages.
    • Construction begun before July 1, 2024, or before a manufacturer's effective transition date, must meet the stated completion, inspection, and labeling deadline to remain eligible for a Texas decal.

    effective date: 2024-07-01 · International Building Code: 2021 Edition (including appendices C, F, and K) · International Residential Code: 2021 Edition (including appendices AG, AH, AK, AP, AQ, and AT) · International Fuel Gas Code: 2021 Edition · International Mechanical Code: 2021 Edition · International Plumbing Code: 2021 Edition · International Energy Conservation Code: 2015 Edition · National Electrical Code: 2020 Edition · International Existing Building Code: 2021 Edition (for alterations of portable industrialized buildings)

    “July 1, 2024, all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply with the following codes, as amended in §70.101 of the IHB Rules:”
  • Who permits septicMixed

    On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems, throughout Texas

    • In most areas, local governments act as TCEQ-authorized agents and administer the OSSF program.
    • The TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.
    • Local permitting programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
    “TCEQ is not often the OSSF permitting authority. [...] The TCEQ regional office will be the permitting authority in locations where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    Construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, and operation of OSSFs, including septic systems, in Texas, including Cochran County where no stricter local requirement applies.

    • A permit and approved plan are generally required before constructing, installing, altering, extending, repairing, or operating an OSSF.
    • Local permitting programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
    • The 10-acre exemption requires compliance with all other 30 TAC Chapter 285 planning, construction, and installation standards; a site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed Site Evaluator or Professional Engineer; service of a single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres; no nuisance or groundwater pollution; all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line; effluent disposal on the property; and the single-family dwelling as the only dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.
    • Applications and planning materials must be submitted to the applicable permitting authority; the TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority where no local jurisdiction has been authorized.
    • The permitting authority must approve or deny the application and planning materials within 30 days of receipt.

    minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (Only for a single-family dwelling and all listed conditions.) · minimum OSSF part setback under 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet from property line (All parts of the OSSF.) · emergency-repair reporting deadline: 72 hours after repairs begin (Emergency repairs must be reported in writing.) · permit application review deadline: 30 days from receipt (Permitting authority must approve or deny.)

    “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. Always check with your local permitting authority. Local permitting programs can be more stringent than State minimums.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF in Texas
      “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. [...] An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”:”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Construction inspections for an OSSF serving a single-family dwelling on a qualifying tract of at least 10 acres in Texas, including Cochran County, subject to any stricter local requirement.

    • No planning materials, permit, and inspections are required only when the OSSF complies with all other Chapter 285, Subchapter D planning, construction, and installation standards.
    • The tract must be at least 10 acres and contain a single-family dwelling.
    • The OSSF must not cause a nuisance or pollute groundwater.
    • All parts of the OSSF must be at least 100 feet from the property line.
    • Effluent must be disposed of on the property.
    • The single-family dwelling must be the only dwelling on the tract.
    • The 10-acre exception applies only to planning materials, permits, and inspections; it does not exempt compliance with Chapter 285 Subchapter D standards.

    minimum tract size: >= 10 acres (Single-family dwelling only.) · minimum OSSF part setback: >= 100 feet from property line (All parts of the OSSF.)

    “No planning materials, permit, and inspections [or inspection] are required for an OSSF for a single family dwelling located on a tract of land that is ten acres or larger provided the OSSF complies with all other requirements of Chapter 285, Subchapter D: Planning, Construction, and Installation Standards for OSSFs, and: (A) the OSSF is not causing a nuisance or polluting groundwater; (B) all parts of the OSSF are at least 100 feet from the property line; (C) the effluent is disposed of on the property; and (D) the single family dwelling is the only dwelling located on that tract of land.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — OSSF installation and, where applicable, maintenance inspections in Texas
      “Many times, the AA has a "designated representative" (DR) to assist them with their responsibilities, which include reviewing plans for constructing, altering, extending or repairing each OSSF; issuing permits; and inspecting system installation. [...] If the system uses an electronic monitor, automatic radio or telephone to notify the maintenance provider of system or component failure and to monitor the amount of disinfection in the system, reporting may be reduced to every six months.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Exemption from subdivision-plat preparation for a tract outside municipal limits, including potentially unincorporated Cochran County, when the statutory agricultural or related-use conditions are met.

    • The tract must be outside the limits of a municipality.
    • The owner must divide the tract into two or more parts.
    • The owner must not lay out a part of the tract described by Section 232.001(a)(3).
    • The land must be used primarily for agricultural use as defined by Section 1-d, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, or for farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production use within the meaning of Section 1-d-1, Texas Constitution.
    • If the tract ceases to be used primarily for the qualifying agricultural or related uses, the platting requirements apply.
    • This is an exemption from the statutory subdivision-plat requirement, not a general exemption from building, zoning, septic, or other regulations.
    “A county may not require the owner [...] if: [...] the land is to be used primarily for agricultural use”
  • 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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Constructing a new driveway or revising an existing driveway on the right of way of a Texas state highway.

    • The applicant should contact the local District TxDOT office.
    • The applicant must submit Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way.
    • The application must be for the bona fide purpose of securing or changing access to the owner's property, not parking or servicing vehicles on state highway rights of way.
    • No construction may begin on the right of way until a fully executed driveway permit is received and the applicant gives TxDOT 24-hour notification.
    • The driveway must comply with the executed permit and applicable regulations; TxDOT inspection must find construction satisfactory.
    • Where a local public agency has permitting authority, drainage impacts on the state highway system still require TxDOT approval before local approval.
    • Driveway geometrics, utilities, environmental requirements, wetlands considerations, ADAAG, TAS, and other applicable state and federal laws must be considered.

    required form: Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way · advance notification: 24 hours (Notification to TxDOT is required before construction on the right of way.) · private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · minimum driveway radius to highway pavement: >= 15 feet

    “The applicant shall complete and submit to TxDOT a Form 1058”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Construction of a new driveway or revision of an existing driveway on Texas state highway right-of-way serving property in Cochran County.
      “The applicant shall complete and submit to TxDOT a Form 1058”
  • 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.”

Inside cities and towns in Cochran County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    All buildings and structures within the City of Morton, Texas.

    • The adopted International Building Code is subject to amendments or modifications in the City article.
    • The cited code includes all appendices and governs enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area, and maintenance.

    adopted code: International Building Code (2006 edition, including all appendices)

    “Certain documents, one (1) copy of which shall be placed on file in the office of the city secretary being marked and designated as “International Building Code,” 2006 edition, including all appendices, be and the same are hereby adopted as the code for enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of all buildings or structures in the city; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, conditions and terms of such “International Building Code,” on file in the office of the city secretary are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof as if fully set out in this article except as amended or modified herein.”
  • Local zoningAbsent

    Zoning within the City of Morton, Texas, municipal limits.

    • The conclusion is limited to the City's zoning chapter. Morton's separate building regulations state: “No permit will be issued for permanent residence nor will city utility services be provided for any of the following: campers, camper trailers, travel trailers, or for recreational vehicles.”
    • The City separately regulates construction and manufactured housing under its building code.
    “Chapter 14 Zoning [This chapter reserved for future use.]”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspections in Cochran County, including unincorporated areas
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy or comparable final occupancy/compliance approvals in Cochran County
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation methods in Cochran County, Texas, including septic, holding-tank, composting, or other non-sewer systems.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Requirements to connect to public water or sewer service in Cochran County, Texas.
  • Building in a floodplain — Development in flood-prone areas of Cochran County.
2 more unanswered
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Cochran County, Texas

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

Cochran County scores 38/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (16.9″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Cochran 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 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regional office. 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.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in Cochran County is allowed: Unincorporated Cochran County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cochran County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cochran.tx.us. 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. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Cochran County, Texas?

Land in Cochran County runs about $1,417 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Cochran County?

Cochran County gets about 16.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 36.3% of years.

How remote is Cochran County?

A representative private-land location has about 2,484 people within a 30-minute drive and 592,242 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 Cochran County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Cochran compares in Texas

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