Cottle County, TX Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Cottle County, Texas has no building permit and no zoning ordinance¹². Septic (OSSF) permits go through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's regional office in Abilene, since no local agency here is TCEQ-authorized³. A permit and approved plan are still required to build, alter or repair a system, though a single home on 10 acres or more can qualify for the state's site exemption⁴. Because the county has no zoning, there is no county-set rule on RVs, tiny homes or manufactured-home occupancy⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required in unincorporated Cottle County¹
Zoning: No county zoning ordinance²
Septic permit: Required; issued by TCEQ's Abilene regional office, not a county office³⁴
RV / tiny home living: No county occupancy rule; no zoning to set one⁵
Owner-builder exemption: Not documented; there is no county permit program to exempt from⁶
Minimum home size: No county minimum; no zoning to set one⁵
Wells: No state permit; governed by the rule of capture outside a groundwater conservation district⁷
Driveway on a state highway: TxDOT Form 1058 permit required for a new or modified driveway⁸

Who to call

Also useful

Cottle County Clerk's Office

Recording deeds, plats and land records for Cottle County; who to ask before subdividing a tract

806-492-3823

Cottle County Courthouse, 815 9th Street, Paducah, TX 79248

Also useful

Cottle County Judge's Office

General county administration and Commissioners Court; the default contact for anything Cottle County has no dedicated department for, including roads and emergency management

806-492-3613

Cottle County Courthouse, 815 9th Street, Paducah, TX 79248

Septic permits

TCEQ Region 3 Office (Abilene)

OSSF (septic) permitting authority for Cottle County, since no local jurisdiction has been authorized to run the program here

325-698-9674

1977 Industrial Blvd, Abilene, TX 79602-7833

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 24, 2026.

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

Unincorporated Cottle County does not require a residential building permit¹. Cottle County's official site lists no building or code-enforcement department, and Texas law gives most counties no general power to require one¹⁵. Texas does let a handful of large counties adopt a fire code covering commercial buildings, public buildings and multifamily buildings of four or more units, but only where the county's population tops 250,000 or borders one that does⁹. Cottle County's population of 1,294 people is nowhere near that threshold, so this option does not apply here and has no bearing on a single-family home, barn or shed¹⁰⁹. Land inside the city limits of Paducah, the county's only incorporated town, can be a different matter: city rules never apply to unincorporated county land, but they do apply inside Paducah itself, so confirm with the city if a parcel sits inside town limits¹.

Who issues permits in Cottle County, and how do you reach the county?

Cottle County has no building department, because unincorporated land here needs no county building permit¹. For anything that does need county sign-off, from indigent-care questions to roads and precincts, the County Judge's Office is the general point of contact and sits at the Cottle County Courthouse in Paducah¹¹. The County Clerk's Office, in the same courthouse, records deeds, plats and land documents and is who to call before subdividing a tract or filing paperwork on one¹². Septic (OSSF) permits do not run through either county office; applications instead go to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's regional office in Abilene, because Cottle County has no local agency authorized to run the OSSF program³¹³. The courthouse address is worth keeping handy for any of these offices: 815 9th Street, Paducah, TX 79248¹².

Does Cottle County have zoning?

Cottle County has no zoning ordinance, and no zoning or planning department appears on the county's official site². Texas law does not give counties general zoning power; state law grants it only for a handful of narrow situations, such as certain coastal recreation areas, so a rural county like Cottle simply has none⁵. Without zoning, Cottle County sets no minimum home size, no minimum lot size, no setback and no building-height limit⁵. The same absence of zoning means the county places no occupancy restriction on RVs, tiny homes, manufactured homes or accessory dwellings, though a subdivision's own deed restrictions can still apply, and Paducah's separate city rules can still apply to land inside its limits⁵. No source confirms whether a formal subdivision plat is required to split a tract in Cottle County; check with the County Clerk's Office before dividing land¹².

How do septic permits work in Cottle County?

A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair or extend a septic system (OSSF) anywhere in Texas, including Cottle County⁴. Because no local agency in Cottle County has been authorized to run the OSSF program, applications go to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's regional office in Abilene rather than a county health department³¹³. A single-family home on a tract of 10 acres or more can skip the permit under the state's site exemption, but only if a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or engineer confirms the system will sit at least 100 feet from every property line, cause no nuisance or groundwater pollution, and serve as the only dwelling on the tract⁴. Soils here matter for that decision: only 22.2% of Cottle County land is free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so a percolation test before you buy is worth the money even on a large tract¹⁴. Grandfathered systems and TCEQ-listed emergency repairs follow separate rules; ask the Abilene regional office directly if either applies to a property you are considering¹³.

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

Cottle County places no zoning-based restriction on living in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home on your own land, because the county has no zoning ordinance to set one⁵. That is not the same as no rules at all: a septic permit still applies once a system is installed to serve any dwelling, RV included⁴. No source confirms a Cottle County short-term-rental ordinance, registration rule or fee, so silence should not be read as permission; call the County Judge's Office to ask before listing a property¹¹. A driveway that connects to a state highway needs a TxDOT Form 1058 access permit regardless of what sits on the land, so budget time for that step if a state route is the only road frontage⁸.

Building a home in Cottle County: the steps, in order

Confirm the tract is outside Paducah's city limits; this guide covers unincorporated Cottle County, and Paducah's own rules can differ².
Order a soils test before closing: only 22.2% of Cottle County land lacks severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so many tracts need an engineered system¹⁴.
Contact the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Abilene regional office for a septic (OSSF) permit and site evaluation; a permit and approved plan are required before construction¹³⁴.
Ask whether a tract of 10 acres or more, with a single home and no other dwelling, can qualify for the state's site exemption from septic permitting; a licensed evaluator has to confirm the 100-foot setbacks first⁴.
If the access road is a state highway, apply to TxDOT for a Form 1058 driveway permit before construction starts⁸.
Record any new deed, plat or land document with the County Clerk's Office at the Cottle County Courthouse¹².
Call the County Judge's Office with anything county government has no dedicated department for, since Cottle County has no building or zoning office to route the question to instead¹¹¹.

What to check before you buy land in Cottle County

Water in Cottle County comes from private wells, and Texas gives no state agency authority to regulate groundwater outside a groundwater conservation district, so the rule of capture governs unless a tract sits inside one⁷. Drought is a real risk to plan around: Cottle County has spent 43.1% of recent years in severe drought, with average annual precipitation of only 23.6 inches¹⁵¹⁶. Flood exposure has not been confirmed for Cottle County: no floodplain ordinance, floodplain administrator page or development standard was found on the county's official site, so ask the County Judge's Office directly if a tract sits near a creek or draw¹¹. Access matters too: a driveway onto a state highway needs a TxDOT Form 1058 permit, so confirm which road serves a tract before counting on a quick connection⁸. Property taxes run an effective 1.2% rate with a median annual bill of $623, and Cottle County's typical home value of $72,533 sits far below the national norm¹⁷¹⁸¹⁹. Farmland here averages $1,059 an acre, well under the price of land closer to a metro area, and the nearest metro is 98 miles away²⁰²¹.

Watch-outs

Subdivision and platting rules for splitting a tract in Cottle County were not confirmed on the county's official site; check with the County Clerk's Office before dividing land¹².
Floodplain development rules for Cottle County were not confirmed online; ask the County Judge's Office before building near a creek or low-lying draw¹¹.
Short-term-rental rules for Cottle County were not confirmed online; silence is not permission, so ask the County Judge's Office before listing a property¹¹.

Sources

Written September 24, 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.

How Cottle County scores

Seclusion90100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency1696% ev.

Admin Boringness8290% ev.

Durability23100% ev.

Property Autonomy71100% ev.

Carry Cost8196% ev.

Evidence strength: 97%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$73kTypical home

1.2%Property tax

$1,059Land / acre

23.6"Annual rain

43.1% of yrsSevere drought

56.9 / yr (+33.2)Mid-century 100°F days

31 daysMid-century dry spell

1.79" (+5.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.31×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$2,595Home insurance / yr

-3.7% / yrInsurance growth

0%Nonrenewal rate

single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis

71,241People within 2 hr

1,211Radius comparison (15 mi)

1.4People / sq mi

0%Federal land

92.7%Land at 15% slope or less

22.2%Septic soil without severe limits

127,817 acWorkable land screen

9.8%Wooded land

3.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac

63.1°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Cottle County

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

Cottle County rules

Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Building height · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Building permitNot required
Cottle County's official site lists no building-permit or code-enforcement department, consistent with Texas statute under which counties generally cannot require residential building permits in unincorporated areas.
Cottle County, Texas (official county website) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked
County-wide zoningAbsent
No zoning or planning department appears on the county's official site; Texas counties generally lack zoning authority in unincorporated areas.
Cottle County, Texas (official county website) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

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:”
Industrialized Housing and Buildings – Adoption of New Code Editions ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
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.”
Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- State (with conditions) — Cottle County locations where no local jurisdiction has been authorized to administer the OSSF program.
  “The TCEQ regional office will be the permitting authority in locations where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.”
  Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF in Texas
- A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
- A 10-acre exemption may apply only if all listed conditions are met: site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer; single-family dwelling on at least 10 acres; no nuisance or groundwater pollution; all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line; effluent disposed of on the property; and the single-family dwelling is the only dwelling on the tract.
- Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin.
- Grandfathered systems may also be exempt if the stated conditions are met.
minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (single-family dwelling and all other TCEQ conditions must be met) · minimum OSSF distance from property line for 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet (all parts of the OSSF) · emergency repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (after repairs have begun; written report to permitting authority)
“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”:”
Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF, including a septic system, in Cottle County.
  “A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
  Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Septic inspectionLimited
OSSF installation and, where applicable, maintenance inspections in Texas
- Authorized agents or their designated representatives inspect system installation.
- Some permitting authorities impose more stringent requirements.
- Maintenance-provider inspection and reporting requirements apply to systems and circumstances governed by 30 TAC §285.91(4).
- Electronic monitoring may reduce reporting to every six months where the stated monitoring conditions apply.
reduced maintenance reporting interval with qualifying electronic monitoring: 6 months (only where the system uses the specified electronic monitoring, automatic notification, and disinfection monitoring)
“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.”
Basics for Septic Systems ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Well permitLimited
Groundwater production and use in Texas, including Cottle County, subject to applicable local or regional groundwater conservation district rules.
- State law does not provide any state agency with authority to regulate groundwater use or production.
- Where land is not within a groundwater conservation district, the rule of capture applies; this does not eliminate other applicable well-drilling, construction, reporting, or licensing requirements.
“State law does not provide any state agency with the authority to regulate the use or production of groundwater. Groundwater production and use is managed and regulated by local or regional groundwater conservation districts (GCDs).”
Groundwater Regulation for Private Well Owners ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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”
Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — New or modified access driveways for property in Cottle County that abut a state highway or use state-highway right of way.
  “A completed Permit Form 1058 is necessary whenever new access driveways are constructed or existing access driveways are modified.”
  General Access Driveway Policy ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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”
Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from residential construction permitting, inspection, or occupancy requirements in unincorporated Cottle County, Texas.
Inspections — Building inspections for residential construction in unincorporated Cottle County, Texas.
Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy or certificates of compliance for residential buildings in unincorporated Cottle County, Texas.
Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning within Cottle County, including the incorporated Town of Paducah and unincorporated areas
Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid domestic sanitation methods, including septic or other on-site sewage facilities, in Cottle County.

6 more unanswered

Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Subdividing land
Building in a floodplain
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 Cottle County, Texas

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

Cottle County scores 42/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,211 people within 15 miles and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: thin water margin (23.6″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Cottle 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) OSSF Program (TCEQ Region 3 Abilene serves absent a confirmed county authorized agent). 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 Cottle County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Cottle County is allowed: Unincorporated Cottle County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Cottle County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.cottle.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 Cottle County, Texas?

Land in Cottle County runs about $1,059 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Cottle County?

Cottle County gets about 23.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 43.1% of years.

How remote is Cottle County?

A typical private-land location has about 1,211 people within 15 miles and 569,474 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who issues permits in Cottle County, and how do you reach the county?

Does Cottle County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Cottle County?

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

Building a home in Cottle County: the steps, in order

What to check before you buy land in Cottle County

Watch-outs

Sources

Cottle County in Texas

How Cottle County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Cottle County

Cottle County rules

Texas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Cottle County, Texas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Cottle County, Texas?

What is the water situation in Cottle County?

How remote is Cottle County?

How Cottle compares in Texas