Crosby County, TX: No Building Permit, No Zoning

Q: Does Crosby County have zoning?

Unincorporated Crosby County has no county zoning program. County zoning therefore sets no minimum home size, minimum lot size, setback, building-height limit or use district, and does not restrict RV or tiny-home occupancy on rural land. The rural county answer does not settle building-permit or zoning requirements inside city limits; ask the applicable city before choosing a house or use. Septic approval remains a separate question for the OSSF authority serving the parcel. We could not confirm countywide floodplain-development, short-term-rental or utility-connection rules; ask the County Judge’s Office about the proposed parcel and use. Agricultural land divisions outside municipal limits can qualify for a state platting exception when the land remains in a qualifying agricultural, ranch, wildlife-management or timber use and no streets or other purchaser-use areas are laid out.

Unincorporated Crosby County, Texas does not require a general building permit for a home and has no county building department¹. Crosby County has no county zoning¹. For septic permits, start with the Crosby County OSSF Authorized Agent, administered by Garza County; confirm that the parcel lies within its approved service area^2,3. City building-permit and zoning questions need a separate answer from the applicable city⁴.

At a glance

Building permit: No general county permit for a home in unincorporated Crosby County¹
County zoning: No county zoning in unincorporated Crosby County¹
Septic permits: Start with the Garza County-administered Crosby County authorized agent; confirm parcel coverage^2,3
RV / tiny home: No county zoning restriction in unincorporated areas; septic approval remains separate^5,6
Minimum size / setbacks: No county zoning standard in unincorporated areas⁵
Owner-installed septic: Potentially allowed for an owner-occupied single-family property, subject to the permitting authority's requirements⁶
Water wells: HPWD covers part of Crosby County; exempt wells still face district spacing and construction rules^7,8

Who to call

Septic permits

Crosby County OSSF Authorized Agent (administered by Garza County)

OSSF permit administration for Crosby County; the record separately lists the permit office at 201 W Aspen St, Crosbyton, TX, 79322

(806) 990-4810

david.graves@co.garza.tx.us

412 E 15TH ST POST, TX, 79356 - 2716

Well permits

High Plains Water District, Lubbock Office

Water-well permits and registration within the district's portion of Crosby County

806.762.0181

2930 Avenue Q Lubbock, TX 79411-2499

One more officeAlso useful

Also useful

Crosby County Judge's Office

County-level questions when no specialized building, zoning, floodplain or road office is published

806-675-2011

judge@crosbycountytx.com

201 W Aspen St Crosbyton, TX 79322

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

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

No general residential building permit is required for an ordinary home in unincorporated Crosby County, and the county publishes no building department.

No general residential building permit is required for an ordinary home in unincorporated Crosby County, and the county publishes no building department¹. Texas county building authority is limited to specified circumstances; we could not confirm a Crosby County residential code, building-inspection program or certificate-of-occupancy process, so ask the County Judge’s Office before construction^4,9. A factory-built modular project is different: industrialized housing and building components must meet the statewide codes governing that program¹⁰. For land inside city limits, ask the applicable city about building permits and inspections; septic applications go to the OSSF permitting authority for the parcel, starting with the Garza County-administered Crosby County agent^2,3,4.

Who issues building permits in Crosby County?

Crosby County has no general residential building-permit or zoning program for unincorporated land and publishes no building or planning department.

Crosby County has no general residential building-permit or zoning program for unincorporated land and publishes no building or planning department¹. For county floodplain-development or county-road-access questions, start with the Crosby County Judge’s Office; we could not confirm a specialized county process⁹. TCEQ lists the Crosby County OSSF Authorized Agent, administered by Garza County, with a permit-office location in Crosbyton². That agent reviews septic applications, conducts inspections and investigates complaints within its approved jurisdiction; TCEQ’s regional office handles areas without an authorized local program^3,11. City building-permit and zoning questions are separate from OSSF jurisdiction^3,4. High Plains Water District handles regulated wells in only part of Crosby County^7,12. A driveway connecting to a state highway requires the TxDOT driveway-permit process¹³.

Does Crosby County have zoning?

Unincorporated Crosby County has no county zoning program.

Unincorporated Crosby County has no county zoning program¹. County zoning therefore sets no minimum home size, minimum lot size, setback, building-height limit or use district, and does not restrict RV or tiny-home occupancy on rural land⁵. The rural county answer does not settle building-permit or zoning requirements inside city limits; ask the applicable city before choosing a house or use⁴. Septic approval remains a separate question for the OSSF authority serving the parcel³. We could not confirm countywide floodplain-development, short-term-rental or utility-connection rules; ask the County Judge’s Office about the proposed parcel and use⁹. Agricultural land divisions outside municipal limits can qualify for a state platting exception when the land remains in a qualifying agricultural, ranch, wildlife-management or timber use and no streets or other purchaser-use areas are laid out¹⁴.

How do septic permits work in Crosby County?

Start a Crosby County septic application with the Garza County-administered OSSF authorized agent and confirm parcel coverage; local programs may be stricter than state minimums.

Start a Crosby County septic application with the Garza County-administered OSSF authorized agent and confirm parcel coverage; local programs may be stricter than state minimums^2,3. Submit the site evaluation, planning materials and septic-permit application before construction; the authority must approve or deny the application within 30 days of receipt and explain a denial in writing⁶. For installations requiring inspection, the installer must give at least 5 working days’ notice; a failed system cannot be used until it passes³. The state exception waives planning materials, septic permits and inspections for a single-family home on at least 10 acres only when all conditions are met: a licensed site evaluation, every OSSF part at least 100 feet from the property line, on-property effluent disposal, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, no other dwelling, and compliance with applicable construction standards^3,6. Only 34.9% of Crosby County soils avoid severe conventional-drain-field limitations, so evaluate the site before fixing the house location¹⁵. Owner installation depends on local permission and compliance with the authority’s requirements⁶.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Crosby County?

Crosby County’s lack of county zoning leaves no county zoning barrier to RV or tiny-home occupancy on unincorporated land.

Crosby County’s lack of county zoning leaves no county zoning barrier to RV or tiny-home occupancy on unincorporated land¹. Sewage disposal still needs an answer before occupancy: an OSSF generally requires a septic permit and approved plan for construction and operation unless a stated exception applies⁶. On land without public sewer service, an OSSF must handle sewage produced on the site and meet state construction rules; septic eligibility does not establish permission to replace available public sewer service¹⁶. Ask the septic authorized agent about sewer-connection requirements and any proposed composting or incinerating toilet; we could not confirm unrestricted use of those alternatives^2,6,16. A tiny home classified as industrialized housing must meet that state program’s codes¹⁰. Inside city limits, ask the city separately about building permits and zoning approval⁴.

What are the steps to build a home in Crosby County?

Confirm city limits: Crosby County’s general home-building-permit and zoning answers apply to unincorporated land; ask the applicable city about building permits and zoning approval inside its limits.

Confirm city limits: Crosby County’s general home-building-permit and zoning answers apply to unincorporated land; ask the applicable city about building permits and zoning approval inside its limits^1,4.

Ask the County Judge’s Office about floodplain development and county-road access; we could not confirm either county process⁹.

Confirm septic jurisdiction with the Garza County-administered authorized agent, then submit the site evaluation, planning materials and septic-permit application unless the authority confirms an exception^2,3,6. Have the installer give at least 5 working days’ inspection notice; the construction authorization expires after 1 calendar year if no inspection is requested³.

Check the HPWD boundary before drilling: non-exempt wells need a district permit, while exempt wells still face spacing and construction requirements⁸. Drillers and owners drilling their own wells must file a state water-well report¹⁷.

For state-highway access, submit TxDOT Form 1058 and obtain an executed driveway permit before right-of-way construction¹³.

Proceed with the applicable approvals; an ordinary rural home needs no general Crosby County residential building permit¹.

What should you check before buying land in Crosby County?

Water and septic feasibility deserve early attention in Crosby County.

Water and septic feasibility deserve early attention in Crosby County. Annual precipitation is about 20.7 inches, and severe drought occurs in 40.2% of years¹⁵. Only 34.9% of the county's soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field¹⁵. Within HPWD’s portion of Crosby County, wells producing less than 17.5 gallons per minute are exempt from district permitting, but spacing and construction rules still apply; a changed use can end the exemption and trigger written notice within 30 days^7,8. The terrain is generally gentle, with 95% of land at a slope of 15% or less, but wooded cover is only 0.5%¹⁵. Confirm legal access, floodplain status, utility availability, deed restrictions and city limits before closing. For budgeting context, the typical home value is about $82,679, the effective property-tax rate is about 1.8%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,345¹⁵.

Watch-outs

We could not confirm Crosby County’s floodplain-development or county-driveway requirements; ask the County Judge’s Office about the parcel and road⁹.
HPWD covers only part of Crosby County, and a well exempt from its permit requirement still faces spacing and construction rules^7,8.
The statewide septic fee schedule applies when TCEQ is the direct permitting authority, not necessarily when Garza County administers the local program; ask the authorized agent for current local fees^2,3.

Sources

17 official pages, each quoted and re-checked · written October 10, 2026

Written October 10, 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.

Off-grid gear

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

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Crosby County has no countywide zoning.

Rule	Crosby County	Floyd County	Garza County	Lubbock County	Dickens County	Hale County	Motley County
Building permit	Not required	Not required	Limited	Not required	Not required	Limited	Not required
County zoning	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Septic permits	Garza County	Not published	Garza County	County Public Works	TCEQ Region 2	County Special Projects Coordinator	Not published

Answers from the rulebook for Crosby County

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

Crosby County rules

Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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 Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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 Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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 Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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 Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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 Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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 Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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 Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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 Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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 Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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 Crosby County: no county rule sets this, because Crosby County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.crosby.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
Well permitLimited
Water wells in the portion of Crosby County within the jurisdiction of High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1.
- A permit is required before drilling or operating a well that is not exempt under HPWD Rule 4.1.
- Wells producing less than 17.5 gallons per minute, or less than 25,000 gallons per day, are exempt from HPWD permitting but may be registered.
- An exempt well loses its exemption if the nature of its use changes so that it no longer qualifies; the owner must notify the District in writing within 30 days of facts that may cause loss of exemption.
- HPWD rules also impose well-spacing and construction requirements, including requirements that apply regardless of whether a District permit is required.
- The exact parcel-level applicability within Crosby County should be confirmed against the HPWD boundary map.
permit threshold: >= 17.5 gallons per minute (wells below this threshold are exempt from HPWD permitting) · permit threshold: > 25000 gallons per day (HPWD Rule 4.1 exempts wells producing less than this amount) · notice of changed exemption circumstances: 30 days (written notice to HPWD)
“No Person may drill or operate a Well that is not exempt from permitting under Rule 4.1”
Well Registration ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Water wells in the portion of Crosby County within High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1
  “Groundwater owners are required to apply for a permit prior to drilling and production of water from any well expected to produce 17.5 gallons of water per minute or more.”
  Elections - High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
County-wide zoningAbsent
Texas counties lack zoning authority in unincorporated areas; Crosby County's official site shows no planning/zoning department.
Crosby County, Texas official website ↗From the county’s own site, awaiting a second reviewer

Texas rules that apply here

Building permitLimited
Industrialized housing or buildings installed in Texas, including purchasers or lessees acquiring a unit for their own or their company’s use.
- A person purchasing or leasing an industrialized house or building for their own use or their company’s use may file for an installation permit instead of registering as an industrialized builder.
- A person responsible for assembly, connection, and on-site construction for persons other than themselves must be registered as an industrialized builder.
- Municipalities may require applicable local permits and licenses before construction begins when the municipality regulates the installation.
“A person who is a retailer of industrialized housing or buildings, or who is responsible for the assembly, connection, and on-site construction and erection of an industrialized house or building for persons other than themselves, must be registered as an industrialized builder. Subcontractors do not require the registration unless required by other applicable state laws. For example, electricians, HVAC contractors, and plumbers must be licensed in accordance with the applicable state law. If you are purchasing or leasing an industrialized house or building for your own use, or your company's use, you may file for an installation permit in lieu of registering as an industrialized builder.”
tdlr.texas.gov ↗Re-checked Oct 1, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionConditional
An owner installing an on-site sewage facility (OSSF) for a single-family dwelling in Texas, including Crosby County, subject to the local permitting authority's requirements.
- The local permitting authority must allow owner installation under its local requirements.
- The owner must have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to perform the installation.
- The OSSF must be for a single-family dwelling that the owner owns.
- The owner 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 available for homeowner purchase because they must be installed by a factory representative.
- If another person assists during any phase of installation, that person must be a licensed installer of the correct level, except for a licensed electrician installing electrical components or a person delivering a treatment or pump tank and setting the tank or tanks into an excavation.
“This depends on whether the permitting authority allows this in their local requirements.”
Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Conditional — An owner performing electrical, plumbing, or air-conditioning and refrigeration work on the owner's own residence or homestead in Texas.
  “A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed as electricians.”
  Exemptions to Electrician Licensing ↗Re-checked Oct 3, 2026
- Conditional — Electrical work on a dwelling owned and occupied by the property owner in Texas.
  “A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed”
  Exemptions to Electrician Licensing ↗Re-checked Oct 4, 2026
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
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Partial — Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components located in Crosby County and elsewhere in Texas under the Texas Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.
  “Effective 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 11, 2026
- Partial — Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components built for Texas under the Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.
  “Effective 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 Oct 5, 2026
InspectionsLimited
Construction and first installation of industrialized housing and permanent industrialized buildings in Texas; on-site inspections outside a municipality or in a jurisdiction without a building-inspection department are addressed by the Texas Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.
- Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1202 requires the department to inspect industrialized housing and buildings for compliance with mandatory building codes or approved designs, plans, and specifications; approved third-party inspectors may be designated under commission rules.
- For first installation, site inspections are required for all industrialized housing and permanent industrialized buildings, except unoccupied industrialized buildings not open to the public, such as communication-equipment shelters, when they are not also classified as a hazardous occupancy by the mandatory building code.
- For industrialized construction located in a municipality, the statute assigns on-site inspection to the municipal building official; outside a municipality, an approved third-party inspector performs on-site inspections of industrialized housing.
“Site inspections are required for the first installation of all industrialized housing and permanent industrialized buildings.”
Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1202: Industrialized Housing and Buildings ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Industrialized housing and buildings subject to the Texas Industrialized Housing and Buildings rules, where a local building official administers certificate-of-occupancy rules.
- The certificate of occupancy is issued by the local building official in accordance with locally adopted rules and regulations.
- A building or structure may not be used or occupied, and its occupancy classification may not be changed, until the local building official issues a certificate of occupancy under those locally adopted rules.
- The state rule provision does not itself create a uniform certificate-of-occupancy process for all Texas construction; local adoption and administration control for this industrialized-housing/buildings provision.
“The local building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy in accordance with the locally adopted rules and regulations.”
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Industrialized Housing and Buildings Justification for Administrative Rule Adoption ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)
Texas OSSF permitting and administration framework applicable to Crosby County
- TCEQ authorizes local governmental entities to administer OSSF programs within their approved areas of jurisdiction.
- An authorized agent reviews OSSF permit applications, conducts inspections, investigates complaints, and administers the program under the TCEQ-approved order, ordinance, or resolution.
- The official state licensing page states that site evaluators must be TCEQ-licensed or Texas Professional Engineers; OSSF installers must be licensed or registered by TCEQ.
- The reviewed official pages did not publish a Crosby County-specific OSSF permit fee or establish whether Crosby County's entire unincorporated area is administered by an authorized agent.
“The authorized agent is responsible for the proper implementation of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 366, 30 TAC Chapter 285, including reviewing OSSF permit applications, conducting inspections, investigating complaints, and more. The agent also administers the OSSF program according to the OSSF order, ordinance, or resolution approved by the executive director within the agent's area of jurisdiction.”
How to Become a Texas On-Site Sewage Facility (Septic System) Authorized Agent ↗Re-checked Oct 10, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Mixed (with conditions) — OSSF permitting and administration in Texas, including Crosby County
  “The executive director is the permitting authority unless a local governmental entity has an OSSF order, ordinance, or resolution approved by the executive director. In areas where the executive director is the permitting authority, the staff from the appropriate regional office shall be responsible for the proper implementation of this chapter.”
  On-Site Sewage Facility Rules Compilation ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Mixed — On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems, throughout Texas
  “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
- Mixed (with conditions) — OSSF permitting, inspection, and administration throughout Texas.
  “The authorized agent is responsible for the proper implementation of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 366, 30 TAC Chapter 285, including reviewing OSSF permit applications, conducting inspections, investigating complaints, and more.”
  How to Become a Texas On-Site Sewage Facility (Septic System) Authorized Agent ↗Re-checked Oct 5, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, and operation of OSSFs in Texas, subject to stated exemptions and local requirements.
- A permit and approved plan are required for construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of an OSSF.
- A permit is generally required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF.
- A local permitting authority must be checked because local programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
- The 10-acre exemption requires compliance with 30 TAC Chapter 285 planning, construction, and installation standards; a site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer; service to a single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres; no nuisance or groundwater pollution; all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line; on-site effluent disposal; and the single-family dwelling must be the only dwelling on the tract.
- Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.
- Grandfathered systems may be exempt if installed before the local program was authorized or before September 1, 1989, whichever is earlier, and if they are not creating a nuisance, are not in need of repair, and have had no significant increase in use or other alteration.
- 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 OSSF setback under 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet from property line (all parts of the OSSF) · emergency repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (after repairs have begun) · permit application decision deadline: <= 30 days (from receipt by permitting authority)
“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 Oct 5, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Required — On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems, located in Crosby County.
  “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.”
  Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Oct 7, 2026
- 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”:”
  Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Construction inspection of an OSSF in Crosby County under 30 TAC Chapter 285, subject to listed exemptions.
- The authorization to construct is valid for one calendar year; if the installer does not request a construction inspection within that year, the authorization expires and a new application and application fee are required before installation, unless the owner decides not to install an OSSF.
- The installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the OSSF will be ready for inspection.
- If the OSSF fails inspection, it cannot be used until it passes; the permitting authority must provide written deficiencies within seven calendar days.
- A reinspection fee may be assessed and must be paid before reinspection.
- No planning materials, permit, or inspection are required for a single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres if the OSSF is not causing a nuisance or polluting groundwater, all 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.
- Certain grandfathered systems are exempt if they meet the rule's conditions.
inspection-notice period: 5 working days · authorization-to-construct validity: 1 calendar year (unless the owner decides not to install an OSSF) · written deficiency notice deadline: 7 calendar days
“The installer shall notify the permitting authority at least five working days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) before the date the OSSF will be ready for inspection. The permitting authority shall conduct a construction inspection.”
On-Site Sewage Facility Rules Compilation ↗Re-checked Oct 6, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Required — Construction inspection of OSSFs in Crosby County under Texas OSSF rules.
  “The permitting authority shall conduct a construction inspection.”
  Chapter 285 - On-Site Sewage Facilities, adopted rule text ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- 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.”
  Basics for Septic Systems ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
- Limited — OSSFs using secondary treatment or drip irrigation in Texas.
  “A system using secondary treatment or drip irrigation must be inspected by a valid maintenance company once every four months, or be maintained by the single family homeowner, where allowed.”
  Advice for an Owner of an On-Site Sewage Facility (Septic System) ↗Re-checked Oct 5, 2026
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Off-grid wastewater sanitation through an OSSF in Texas.
- An OSSF generally requires a permit and approved plan before construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, or operation.
- A qualifying single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres may use the 10-acre permitting exemption only if every stated site-evaluation, setback, nuisance, groundwater, on-site disposal, and single-dwelling condition is met.
- Local permitting authorities may impose requirements more stringent than state minimums.
- Emergency repairs are exempt from permitting only for the listed repair types and must be reported in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.
10-acre exemption tract size: >= 10 acres (all TCEQ conditions must be satisfied) · 10-acre exemption OSSF setback: >= 100 feet from property line (all parts of the 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 Oct 5, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Limited — Use of an on-site sewage facility, including a septic system, for domestic sewage disposal on property in Crosby County that is not served by a public sewer system.
  “No planning materials, permit, and inspections [or inspection] are required for an OSSF for a single family dwelling located on a tract of land that is ten acres or larger provided the OSSF complies with all other requirements of Chapter 285, Subchapter D: Planning, Construction, and Installation Standards for OSSFs, and:”
  Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Limited — Off-grid domestic sewage sanitation using an OSSF in Crosby 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 Oct 6, 2026
- Limited — Composting toilets used as on-site sewage facility treatment systems in Texas.
  “Composting toilets will be approved by the executive director provided the system has been tested and certified under NSF International Standard 41 (1999) or under any other standards approved by the executive director.”
  Chapter 285 — On-Site Sewage Facilities ↗Re-checked Oct 5, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)
Utility service to subdivided land in a county any part of which is within 100 miles of an international border, contains the majority of the area of a municipality with a population greater than 250,000, and is not a county within 50 miles of an international border, where Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232, Subchapter B applies.
- The utility must receive either a commissioners-court certificate under Local Government Code §232.028(a), or a commissioners-court determination under §232.028(b)(1) that the plat has been reviewed and approved.
- The operative restriction excepts Local Government Code §232.0291(d) and §232.037(c).
- The underlying subchapter applies only to land subdivided into two or more lots intended primarily for residential use in the county's jurisdiction; a lot of five acres or less is presumed residential.
- The underlying subchapter does not apply if the subdivision is a qualifying gift between relatives within the third degree, if all subdivision lots exceed 10 acres, or to a county to which Subchapter G applies.
- For this subchapter, county jurisdiction means land in the county outside municipal corporate limits, except where a municipal-county agreement under Local Government Code §242.001 authorizes municipal plat and permit regulation in the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
“Except as provided by Subsection (d) or Section 232.037(c), a utility may not serve or connect any subdivided land with water or sewer services unless the utility receives a certificate issued by the commissioners court under Section 232.028(a) or receives a determination from the commissioners court under Section 232.028(b)(1) that the plat has been reviewed and approved by the commissioners court.”
Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 232 ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Water and sewer (with conditions) — Utility service to subdivided land in a county any part of which is within 50 miles of an international border, where Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232, Subchapter B applies.
  “Except as provided by Subsection (c) or Section 232.037(c), a utility may not serve or connect any subdivided land with water or sewer services unless the utility receives a certificate issued by the commissioners court under Section 232.028(a) or receives a determination from the commissioners court under Section 232.028(b)(1) that the plat has been reviewed and approved by the commissioners court.”
  Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 232 ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Texas professional-engineering licensing for a person or entity constructing or preparing plans for a private building used exclusively for farm, ranch, or agricultural purposes, or storage of raw agricultural commodities.
- The person or entity must not make or imply a representation that engineering services have been or will be offered to the public.
- The building must be private and used exclusively for farm, ranch, or agricultural purposes, or for storage of raw agricultural commodities.
- This is an exemption from Chapter 1001 engineering-licensing requirements, not an affirmative exemption from locally administered building permits, zoning, septic, floodplain, well, or other requirements.
- The Section 1001.056 exemption does not apply to engineering design or inspection necessary for residential-dwelling windstorm certification under Insurance Code Chapter 2210, Subchapter F.
- The Section 1001.056 exemption does not apply to engineering design for a residential-dwelling slab on qualifying expansive soil unless the work meets IRC requirements as applied in the jurisdiction where the dwelling is located.
“exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter if: [...] (E) a private building to be used exclusively for: (i) farm, ranch, or agricultural purposes”
Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1001, Section 1001.056 ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Available (with conditions) — Agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production land outside municipal limits that is divided into two or more parts in Texas, including Crosby County.
  “A county may not require [...] a plat of the subdivision prepared if: [...] the land is to be used primarily for agricultural use”
  capitol.texas.gov ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Shed and accessory-building permit exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Texas professional-engineering licensing for a garage or other structure pertinent to a qualifying private dwelling or limited-size apartment building.
- The person or entity must not make or imply a representation that engineering services have been or will be offered to the public.
- The accessory structure must be a garage or other structure pertinent to a private dwelling, a one-story apartment building with no more than eight units, or an apartment building no more than two stories high with no more than four units.
- This is an exemption from Chapter 1001 engineering-licensing requirements, not an affirmative exemption from locally administered building permits, zoning, septic, floodplain, well, or other requirements.
- The Section 1001.056 exemption does not apply to engineering design or inspection necessary for residential-dwelling windstorm certification under Insurance Code Chapter 2210, Subchapter F.
- The Section 1001.056 exemption does not apply to engineering design for a residential-dwelling slab on qualifying expansive soil unless the work meets IRC requirements as applied in the jurisdiction where the dwelling is located.
“exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter [...] (D) a garage or other structure pertinent to a building described by Paragraph (A), (B), or (C);”
Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1001, Section 1001.056 ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 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
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
OSSF permit applications submitted to the TCEQ executive director in Crosby County or elsewhere in Texas where TCEQ is the permitting authority.
- The source states that local permitting programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
- The cited rule provides $200 for an OSSF serving a single-family dwelling and $400 for all other OSSFs.
- A $10 fee is also collected for each OSSF permit for the commission.
- Fees are payable when the owner or owner's agent applies; payment is submitted to the appropriate regional office by money order or check payable to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
- The re-inspection fee equals one-half of the permit fee in effect when the original application was submitted.
- Application-fee refunds are not granted.
single-family OSSF application fee: 200 USD · other OSSF application fee: 400 USD · commission fee per OSSF permit: 10 USD · re-inspection fee: one-half of the permit fee in effect at original application USD
“(1) $200 for an OSSF serving a single family dwelling; or (2) $400 for all other types of OSSFs.”
On-Site Sewage Facility Rules Compilation ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Variable (with conditions) — Municipal building-permit fees for constructing, renovating, or remodeling structures in Texas municipalities.
  “In this section, "building permit fee" means a fee charged by a municipality as a condition to constructing, renovating, or remodeling a structure.”
  Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 214 ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
- Published (with conditions) — A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation residential or commercial installation permit for each building containing industrialized-housing or industrialized-building modules or modular components.
  “Residential and Commercial Installation Permit | $75 for each building containing industrialized housing or buildings modules or modular components | Installation permit is in lieu of an industrialized builder’s registration in accordance with rule §§ 70.20 and 70.25.”
  Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Industrialized Housing and Buildings Fee Schedule ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
On-site sewage facility permitting for OSSF construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, and operation in Crosby County, subject to the applicable local permitting authority.
- A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
- Applicants must check with the local permitting authority; local permitting programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
- Applications and planning materials must be submitted to the applicable permitting authority. The TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority where no local jurisdiction has been authorized.
- The permitting authority must approve or deny the planning materials and permit application within 30 days of receipt and must provide a written explanation if denied; denial may be appealed to the permitting authority's supervisory authority.
- An OSSF may be exempt under the 10-acre rule only if it complies with all other requirements, including 30 TAC Chapter 285 planning, construction, and installation standards; has 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 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 listed by TCEQ may proceed without a permit but must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.
- An OSSF may be grandfathered if installed before a local program had an authorized program or before September 1, 1989, whichever is earlier, and it is not causing a nuisance, is not in need of repair, and has had no significant increase in use or otherwise been altered.
- Homeowner installation depends on whether the permitting authority allows it locally. Otherwise, the homeowner must have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to perform the installation; the OSSF must serve a single-family dwelling the homeowner owns; the homeowner must own the property; no part of the property may be developed for sale or lease; and all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements of the permitting authority must be met.
- If anyone else assists during any phase of installation, that person must be a licensed installer of the correct level, except for a licensed electrician installing electrical components or a person delivering and setting treatment or pump tanks into an excavation.
- Some systems may not be available for homeowner purchase because they must be installed by a factory representative.
permit application review deadline: 30 days (Within 30 days of receipt) · 10-acre exemption tract size: >= 10 acres (Single-family dwelling and all other stated conditions must be satisfied) · OSSF property-line setback for 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet (All parts of the OSSF) · emergency-repair reporting deadline: 72 hours (After repairs have begun; written report to the permitting authority)
“A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. [...] Local permitting programs can be more stringent than State minimums.”
Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Oct 6, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Published (with conditions) — Constructing a new driveway or revising an existing driveway on the right of way of a Texas state highway.
  “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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — County zoning authority over unincorporated land in Texas, where a specific statutory grant applies.
  “As you suggest, a county has very limited and specific zoning authority, and none that may be used to regulate construction or operation of the proposed facility.”
  Morales Letter Opinion No. 97-085 ↗Re-checked Oct 5, 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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — County fire-code adoption and building-permit authority for specified buildings in unincorporated areas of qualifying Texas counties, including multifamily residential dwellings of four or more units.
  “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.”
  Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 233 ↗Re-checked Oct 5, 2026

Inside cities and towns in Crosby County

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

Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Zoning within the incorporated City of Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas.
- The official city council minutes identify a zoning ordinance and a zoning variance process.
- The cited minutes state that the zoning ordinance would need amendment to include spot zoning and that a zoning variance request was denied for lack of legal basis under the Code of Ordinances.
“Bryan Guymon, Attorney at Law with Underwood Law Firm (via teleconference), explained that the zoning ordinance would need to be completely amended in order to include spot zoning.”
City of Crosbyton City Council Public Hearing/Regular Meeting Minutes, March 18, 2025 ↗Re-checked Oct 10, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Building in a floodplain — Floodplain-development requirements in Crosby County.
Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Crosby County.

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 Crosby County, Texas

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

Crosby County scores 41/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and deep seclusion — about 1,033 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: thin water margin (20.7″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

How much does land cost in Crosby County, Texas?

Land in Crosby County runs about $1,357 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Crosby County?

Crosby County gets about 20.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 40.2% of years.

How remote is Crosby County?

A representative private-land location has about 1,033 people within a 30-minute drive and 438,696 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

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