Bolthole Index

Crockett County, Texas

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

38Index Score / 100
#228 of 254 in Texas

Crockett County, Texas requires a Floodplain Development Permit before work begins in a mapped floodplain, but we could not confirm a general county permit rule for homes outside floodplains12. Unincorporated land has no county zoning limits on minimum home size, setbacks, RV occupancy or tiny-home occupancy3. TCEQ Region 8 handles septic permitting for Crockett County4.

At a glance

Building permit
Floodplain permit required in mapped flood areas; general home-permit rule outside them not confirmed12
Zoning
No county zoning limits in unincorporated Crockett County3
Septic permits
TCEQ Region 8 is the listed permitting authority for Crockett County45
RV and tiny-home living
Unrestricted by county zoning in unincorporated areas3
Minimum home and lot size
No county zoning minimum in unincorporated areas3
Owner-installed septic
Conditionally allowed for an owner’s single-family home; ask the permitting authority first6
Private wells
Local groundwater-district rules may apply to non-exempt wells7
Septic soils
Only 11.3% of soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field8

Who to call

Floodplain permits

Crockett County Floodplain Administrator

Floodplain Development Permit applications in Crockett County

(325) 392-2965

Online permits →

Septic permits

TCEQ Region 8 OSSF Permitting Office

OSSF permitting for Crockett County

325-655-9479

[email protected]

622 S OAKES ST Ste K, SAN ANGELO, TX 79603 - 7035

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 Crockett County, Texas?

Crockett County requires a Floodplain Development Permit for development in a FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, and no work may begin in a floodplain until the permit is issued9. The permit process covers more than buildings: the county application includes additions, clearing, fill, grading, mining, dredging, drilling, pools and ditches10. Floodplain inspections can occur during the project and at completion11.

For an ordinary home outside a floodplain, we could not confirm either a general residential building-permit requirement or an explicit exemption. The official county material establishes only the floodplain-specific requirement1. Before assuming no permit is needed, call the Crockett County Floodplain Administrator and ask whether the parcel or project triggers another county review12.

Who issues permits in Crockett County, and how do you reach them?

Crockett County does not publish a conventional building-department contact in the available county material, so the confirmed county contact for land development is the Floodplain Administrator at (325) 392-296512. For floodplain work, submit the county application to the Floodplain Administrator; the office reviews the submission, requests anything missing, and issues a conditional approval or denial13. Depending on the project, the office may require an Elevation Certificate, Substantial Improvement Determination, Floodproofing Certificate, or hydraulic analysis and No-Rise Certification14.

Septic permits are separate from the county floodplain process. TCEQ’s directory assigns Crockett County to the Region 8 OSSF permitting office, reachable at 325-655-94794. A driveway connecting to a state highway requires TxDOT’s process rather than a county building permit15.

Does Crockett County have zoning?

Unincorporated Crockett County has no county zoning rule setting minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, building height or zoning districts3. The same county-zoning answer leaves accessory dwellings, manufactured homes, RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy and temporary camping unrestricted by county zoning3.

That zoning answer does not erase separate rules. Development in a floodplain still needs the county floodplain permit2. Septic construction generally needs authorization under the state OSSF system16. Subdividing rural land can trigger county platting under Texas law, while a qualifying agricultural, ranch, wildlife-management or timber-production division can fall within a statutory plat exemption1718. Ask the county about platting before dividing a tract, because we could not confirm a Crockett County subdivision order or local application procedure.

How do septic permits work in Crockett County?

TCEQ Region 8 is the OSSF permitting authority listed for Crockett County, with a published phone number of 325-655-94794. A permit and approved plan are generally required to construct, install, alter, extend or repair an on-site sewage facility16. The permitting authority reviews plans and inspects system installation under the statewide program19.

The state’s narrow permit exemption can apply to a single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres only when every condition is met, including a licensed site evaluation, at least 100 feet between every system part and the property line, on-property effluent disposal, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, and no other dwelling on the tract20. An owner may install a system for the owner’s single-family home only if the permitting authority allows it and the other ownership, skill and non-sale conditions are met6. Only 11.3% of county soils avoid severe limitations for conventional drain fields, so obtain the site evaluation before fixing a house location8.

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

County zoning does not restrict RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home occupancy or temporary camping on unincorporated land in Crockett County3. County zoning also sets no minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size or setback for those uses3.

An RV or tiny home still needs a lawful wastewater plan: on-site sanitation is allowed through an OSSF, but construction and operation ordinarily follow the state permit and planning rules unless a narrow exemption applies21. Floodplain placement or site work also remains subject to the Floodplain Development Permit requirement2. We could not confirm a countywide rule requiring connection to public water or sewer, so ask the relevant utility and TCEQ Region 8 what applies at the parcel before treating an RV as a residence4.

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

  1. Check the parcel against the current flood map and call the Crockett County Floodplain Administrator; mapped floodplain development needs approval before work starts122.
  2. Ask the county whether the specific project needs any review beyond the documented floodplain permit, because a general outside-floodplain permit rule could not be confirmed1.
  3. Arrange the septic site evaluation and contact TCEQ Region 8 before choosing the final house and drain-field locations48.
  4. Check the Crockett County Groundwater Conservation District’s requirements before drilling a non-exempt well7.
  5. If access connects to a state highway, submit TxDOT Form 1058 and wait for an executed permit before building in the right of way22.
  6. If the purchase includes a land division, confirm county platting treatment before closing17.

What should you check before buying land in Crockett County?

Start with water and wastewater. Crockett County averages 18.4 inches of precipitation a year, and severe drought occurs in 19.6% of years2324. Only 11.3% of soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so a parcel’s usable homesite depends heavily on the site evaluation8.

Check flood mapping and legal access before closing, because floodplain development requires a county permit and access to a state highway requires TxDOT approval215. Ask the groundwater district about the proposed well, because district permitting and spacing can apply to non-exempt wells7. The county’s effective property-tax rate is about 0.3%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $466, but verify the actual parcel with the appraisal district2526. Crockett County has about 1 person per square mile, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is roughly 101 miles from the county center, so price contractor travel and material delivery before committing to a remote tract2728.

Watch-outs

  • Do not treat the documented floodplain permit as proof that every home needs a county permit—or that homes outside floodplains are expressly exempt; call the Floodplain Administrator for the parcel-specific answer112.
  • The septic permit exemption for a tract of at least 10 acres applies only when every state condition is satisfied, including the 100-foot property-line separation20.
  • TCEQ’s directory lists a San Angelo street address with a ZIP code associated with another city, so use the published phone or email to confirm the mailing address before sending documents4.

Sources

  1. Floodplain Development Permit Application (2026 county census)
  2. Floodplain Development Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  3. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  4. TCEQ Region 8 OSSF Permitting Office (www6.tceq.texas.gov)
  5. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  7. Groundwater Conservation Districts, quoted and re-checked
  8. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  9. Floodplain Development Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  10. Floodplain Development Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  11. Floodplain Development Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  12. Crockett County Floodplain Administrator (texasflood.org)
  13. Floodplain Development Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  14. Floodplain Development Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  15. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232, County Regulation of Subdivisions, quoted and re-checked
  18. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232, County Regulation of Subdivisions, quoted and re-checked
  19. Basics for Septic Systems (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  21. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  22. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Distance to the nearest metro area: 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

Crockett County in Texas

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

How Crockett County scores

Seclusion89100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1196% ev.
Admin Boringness76100% ev.
Durability34100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost81100% 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 →

$118kTypical home
0.3%Property tax
$1,050Land / acre
18.4"Annual rain
19.6% of yrsSevere drought
47.4 / yr (+34.9)Mid-century 100°F days
33 daysMid-century dry spell
1.44" (+8.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.26×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,174Home insurance / yr
-0.2% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
278Radius comparison (15 mi)
1People / sq mi
0%Federal land
84.1%Land at 15% slope or less
11.3%Septic soil without severe limits
180,100 acWorkable land screen
6.2%Wooded land
2.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
65.8°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Crockett County

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

Crockett County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Development including construction of a new building in a floodplain, including property in a FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, in Crockett County.

    • A Floodplain Development Permit must be obtained before beginning the project if the property is in a FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area.
    • Any development of any kind in a floodplain must be submitted to the local Floodplain Administrator.
    • Additional forms may be required depending on the development.
    • The permit may be issued with conditions or denied.
    • No work of any kind may begin in a floodplain until the permit is issued.
    • The permit will not be issued until any other necessary local, state, or federal permits have been obtained.
    • The permit expires if no work commences within six months of issuance.
    “No work of any kind may begin in a floodplain until a floodplain development permit is issued.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Floodplain development subject to Crockett County's Floodplain Development Permit process.

    • A community official or Floodplain Administrator performs inspections throughout the project and when the project is completed.
    • The applicant consents to reasonable inspections before issuance of a Certificate of Compliance.
    • Inspection requirements apply to compliance with the local ordinance and the floodplain permit.
    “perform inspections throughout the project”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

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

    Water wells within the Crockett County Groundwater Conservation District in Crockett County

    • Texas Water Code Chapter 36 generally requires a district permit for drilling, equipping, operating, completing, or substantially altering a well, subject to Section 36.117 exemptions.
    • The statutory exemption covers a well used solely for domestic use or livestock or poultry water when the tract is larger than 10 acres and the well is incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day.
    • The district's own rules may regulate additional activities, spacing, production limits, waste, completion, capping, and plugging.
    • A state water-well report is still required from registered drillers and landowners who drill their own wells when a new well is drilled.

    domestic/livestock exemption tract size: > 10 acres (the well must also be incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day) · domestic/livestock exemption production capability: <= 25000 gallons per day (tract must be larger than 10 acres)

    “Except as provided by Section 36.117, a district shall require a permit for the drilling, equipping, operating, or completing of wells or for substantially altering the size of wells or well pumps.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in a FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area or any development of any kind in a floodplain in Crockett County, including construction, additions, clearing, fill, grading, mining, dredging, drilling, pools, ditches, and other listed activities.

    • A Floodplain Development Permit must be obtained before beginning a project located in a FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area.
    • For any development of any kind in a floodplain, the applicant must submit the application to the local Floodplain Administrator; additional forms may be required depending on the development type.
    • All new buildings in a Special Flood Hazard Area require an Elevation Certificate documenting that the lowest floor is elevated at or above the base flood elevation.
    • No work of any kind may begin in a floodplain until a floodplain development permit is issued.
    • The permit will not be issued until any other necessary local, state, or federal permits have been obtained.
    • The permit may be revoked for false statements, and work must cease until the permit is re-issued.
    • Development may not be used or occupied until a Certificate of Compliance is issued.
    • The permit expires if no work is commenced within 6 months of issuance.
    • The Floodplain Administrator may issue the permit with conditions or deny it.
    • For structural development, the lowest floor, including utilities, must be elevated at or above the flood protection elevation.
    • A No-Rise Certificate is required if any proposed development is in a regulatory floodway.
    • An elevation study showing base flood elevations is required for developments or subdivisions exceeding 50 lots or 5 acres in Zone A.
    • Floodproofing certification is required for floodproofing a non-residential structure; listed certificates must be completed by a Professional Land Surveyor or Registered Professional Engineer where indicated.

    permit commencement deadline: 6 months from issuance (The permit expires if no work is commenced within this period.) · substantial improvement threshold: >= 50 percent of structure value (If an addition or alteration equals or exceeds 50% of the structure's pre-improvement value, the entire structure is treated as substantially improved.) · Zone A elevation-study threshold: more than 50 lots or 5 acres

    “No work of any kind may begin in a floodplain until a floodplain development permit is issued.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Development in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area or any development of any kind in a floodplain in Crockett County.
      “you MUST obtain a Floodplain Development Permit prior to beginning the project.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Floodplain development permitting in Crockett County, including development in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and other development of any kind in a floodplain.

    • A Floodplain Development Permit must be obtained before beginning a project in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area.
    • For development of any kind in a floodplain, the application must be submitted to the local Floodplain Administrator.
    • Additional forms may be required depending on the development type, including an Elevation Certificate, Substantial Improvement Determination, Floodproofing Certificate, or H&H Analysis and No-Rise Certification.
    • The Floodplain Administrator reviews the submission, determines whether additional information is needed, and may issue the permit with conditions or deny it.
    • No work of any kind may begin in a floodplain until a floodplain development permit is issued.
    • The development may not be used or occupied until a Certificate of Compliance is issued.
    • The permit expires if no work is commenced within 6 months of issuance.
    • The permit will not be issued until any other necessary local, state, or federal permits have been obtained.
    • The application gives the local Floodplain Administrator consent to make reasonable inspections before issuance of a Certificate of Compliance.

    permit commencement deadline: 6 months from date of issue

    “The permit will expire if no work is commenced within 6 months”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Floodplain Development Permit applications for development in Crockett County floodplains, including new buildings, additions, clearing, fill, grading, mining, dredging, drilling, and other listed development.
      “Typically, the Applicant completes Section I of this packet and submits the information to the local FPA. The FPA reviews the submission and determines, then notifies whether or not additional information is needed. Once all required materials have been submitted, the FPA will make a permitting decision and either issue (and may include conditions of approval) or deny the requested permit.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties have no general zoning authority in unincorporated areas and Crockett County lists no zoning or planning department.

    Crockett County, Texas official government website ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner installing an on-site sewage facility for a single-family dwelling in Crockett County, subject to the applicable permitting authority's local requirements.

    • The permitting authority must allow owner installation under its local requirements; otherwise the state page says the owner may install.
    • The owner must have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to do the work.
    • The OSSF must serve a single-family dwelling that the person owns.
    • The person must also own the property.
    • No part of the property may be developed for sale or lease.
    • All permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements of the permitting authority must be met.
    • Some systems may not be purchasable by a homeowner because they must be installed by a factory representative.
    • If another person assists with installation, that person must be a properly licensed installer, subject to the listed licensed-electrician and tank-delivery exceptions.
    “This depends on whether the permitting authority allows this in their local requirements. Otherwise yes”
  • 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

    OSSFs, including septic systems and holding tanks, in Texas and therefore potentially in Crockett County unless a local permitting authority imposes stricter requirements

    • A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, or operate an OSSF.
    • A local permitting authority may impose requirements more stringent than state minimums.
    • A permitting exemption may apply under the 10-acre rule only if the OSSF complies with 30 TAC Chapter 285 planning, construction, and installation standards; receives a site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer; serves a single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres; is not causing a nuisance or polluting groundwater; all OSSF parts are at least 100 feet from the property line; effluent is disposed of on the property; and the single-family dwelling is the only dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs described on the TCEQ page do not require a permit but must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.
    • Grandfathered systems may be exempt if installed before a local program was authorized or before September 1, 1989, whichever is earlier, and the system is not creating a nuisance, is not in need of repair, and has not had a significant increase in use or otherwise been altered.
    • The permitting authority must approve or deny planning materials and the permit application within 30 days of receipt.

    minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (single-family dwelling and all other stated conditions must be met) · minimum setback for 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet from property line (all parts of the OSSF) · emergency-repair reporting deadline: 72 hours after repairs begin (written report to permitting authority) · permit application review period: 30 days from receipt (approval or denial)

    “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

    OSSF system installation and regulated aerobic-system maintenance in Texas, including systems in Crockett County where the applicable permitting authority requires inspection

    • TCEQ describes inspection of system installation as a responsibility of an authorized agent's designated representative.
    • For systems maintained under a maintenance contract, the maintenance provider must inspect system components during each site visit and submit a report to the permitting authority and owner at least once every four months.
    • Reporting may be reduced to once every six months when the system uses an electronic monitor, automatic radio, or telephone system that reports failures and monitors disinfection.
    • Local permitting authorities may adopt more stringent requirements, including homeowner training or prohibiting homeowner maintenance.

    routine maintenance report frequency: 4 months (may be reduced to 6 months with qualifying electronic monitoring) · reduced maintenance report frequency: 6 months (electronic monitor, automatic radio, or telephone notification and disinfection monitoring)

    “Inspect components of the system and note whether or not every component is working during each site visit; [...] Submit a report to the permitting authority and owner at least once every four months”
    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.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Use of an OSSF or septic system instead of a public sewer connection in Texas, including Crockett County where no stricter local requirement applies

    • An OSSF permit and approved plan are generally required to construct, alter, repair, extend, or operate the system.
    • The 10-acre exemption may apply only to a qualifying single-family dwelling and tract meeting all TCEQ conditions, including site evaluation, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, 100-foot property-line separation, on-site effluent disposal, and only one dwelling on the tract.
    • Local permitting requirements may be more stringent than state minimums.
    • A local authority's specific authorization status and any utility-service mandate for Crockett County were not established.

    minimum tract size for potential exemption: >= 10 acres (all TCEQ conditions must be met) · minimum OSSF-to-property-line separation for potential exemption: >= 100 feet (all OSSF parts)

    “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””
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — On-site sanitation through an OSSF or septic system where wastewater is handled on the property rather than through a public sewer connection
      “the effluent is disposed of on the property, AND”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable

    Division of a tract outside municipal limits in Crockett County when the land is primarily agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production land.

    • The tract must be outside the limits of a municipality.
    • The owner must divide the tract into two or more parts without laying out a part intended for public use under 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, Article VIII, Texas Constitution.
    • If the tract ceases to be used primarily for the listed qualifying purposes, the platting requirements apply.
    • The exemption is a prohibition on the county requiring a plat; it does not eliminate other applicable requirements, including recording, wastewater, floodplain, or other state or local requirements that may independently apply.
    • The statute page states that the statutes are current through the 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025.
    “A county may not require the owner of a tract of land located outside the limits of a municipality who divides the tract into two or more parts to have a plat of the subdivision prepared if: (1) the owner does not lay out a part of the tract described by Section 232.001(a)(3); and (2) the land is to 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, Article VIII, Texas Constitution.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land in Crockett County outside municipal limits, under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232.

    • An owner dividing a tract outside municipal limits into two or more parts must generally prepare a plat when Section 232.001 applies.
    • The commissioners court of the county in which the land is located must approve a required plat by an order entered in the court minutes.
    • The agricultural exemption in Section 232.0015(c) applies when the owner does not lay out a part intended for public use under Section 232.001(a)(3) and the land is used primarily for agricultural use or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use.
    • Other statutory exceptions may apply, including certain transfers to relatives within the third degree, divisions where all lots exceed 10 acres, Veterans' Land Board sales, certain state or political-subdivision land, floodplain transfers to adjoining landowners, and specified co-owner or further-subdivision transactions.
    • If a tract qualifying for the agricultural exception ceases to be used primarily for the listed agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production purposes, the platting requirements apply.
    • The statute page states that the statutes are current through the 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025.
    “The owner of a tract of land located outside the limits of a municipality must have a plat of the subdivision prepared if the owner divides the tract into two or more parts to lay out: (1) a subdivision of the tract, including an addition; (2) lots; or (3) streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts of the tract intended by the owner of the tract to be dedicated to public 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
  • 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.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning within Crockett County, including the Ozona area and any other local jurisdiction.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Required connection to public water or sewer utilities in Crockett County
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Crockett County.
  • Permit fees — Fees for county-administered permits in Crockett County, including floodplain development permits.

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 Crockett County, Texas

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

Crockett County scores 38/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 278 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (18.4″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Crockett County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) OSSF Program, Region 8. 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 Crockett County?

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

Land in Crockett County runs about $1,050 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Crockett County?

Crockett County gets about 18.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 19.6% of years.

How remote is Crockett County?

A typical private-land location has about 278 people within 15 miles and 386,495 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Crockett County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Crockett compares in Texas

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