Bolthole Index

DeWitt County, Texas

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

62Index Score / 100
#85 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated DeWitt County, Texas has no general building permit or zoning ordinance; the county's own regulatory permits cover only septic systems and development inside flood hazard areas12. Septic (OSSF) permits are processed through the Victoria County Public Health Department as DeWitt County's designated agent, and cost $130 for a new installation34. Only 11.5% of the county's soils carry no severe limits for a conventional drain field, among the tighter shares of any rural Texas county, so test your soil before you buy5.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required in unincorporated DeWitt County; the county regulates only septic and floodplain development1
Zoning
No countywide zoning ordinance in unincorporated areas2
Septic (OSSF) permit
Required, $130 new-installation fee, processed via Victoria County Public Health Dept.4
Floodplain development permit
Required inside a Special Flood Hazard Area; fees run $200-$425 plus possible engineering fees67
Driveway access (county road)
Permit required if the entrance is on a county road and needs a 9-1-1 address8
Water well
Regulated by the Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District; non-exempt wells need a permit9
Subdividing land
Dividing a tract into 2+ parts needs Commissioners Court plat approval, with a 20-foot setback line on all sides of platted lots1011
RV / tiny home / manufactured home
No county zoning restriction on occupancy12

Who to call

Septic permits

Victoria County Public Health Department - Environmental Services (DeWitt County's OSSF designated agent)

Reviews OSSF (septic) permit applications, soil and site evaluations, and final inspections for DeWitt County; the DeWitt County permit fee itself is paid at the DeWitt County Judge's office in Cuero

361-578-6281

2805 N Navarro, Victoria, TX 77901

Also useful

DeWitt County Judge's Office / Commissioners Court

Floodplain development permit applications, county-road driveway access permit applications, OSSF permit fee payment, and subdivision plat submissions to the Commissioners Court

(361) 275-0916

307 N Gonzales St, Cuero, TX 77954 (DeWitt County Courthouse)

Online permits →

Well permits

Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District

Groundwater well permitting and well-spacing/production rules for DeWitt County

(361) 275-8188

1009 N. Esplanade St., Cuero, Texas 77954

Online permits →

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

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

No, not a general one. DeWitt County's own regulatory documents cover only two things: on-site sewage facilities and floodplain development, not a general residential building permit for unincorporated land1. That's consistent with Texas law: counties simply don't have the authority to require general building permits outside of a short list of special statutory situations that don't apply here2. Two things still trigger a county permit regardless of zoning: an OSSF (septic system) always needs one, and any structure built inside a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area needs a floodplain development permit46. None of this applies inside the City of Cuero, which has adopted its own 2021 International Building, Residential and related codes for construction within city limits13.

Who handles septic, floodplain and driveway permits in DeWitt County?

DeWitt County has no building department, so land buyers deal with a small set of specific offices instead of one general permit office. Septic (OSSF) applications, soil and site evaluations, and final inspections are handled by the Victoria County Public Health Department's Environmental Services division, which DeWitt County uses as its designated OSSF agent14. Floodplain development permits, county-road driveway access permit applications, subdivision plat submissions, and OSSF permit fee payments all route through the DeWitt County Judge's Office at the courthouse in Cuero15. If your build depends on a water well, the Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District, which covers all of DeWitt County, handles well permitting separately from the county16.

Does DeWitt County have zoning?

No countywide zoning ordinance applies to unincorporated DeWitt County2. Texas law only grants counties zoning power in narrow, specifically named situations, such as parts of Padre Island in Cameron or Willacy County, none of which cover DeWitt County, so this isn't a gap the county left open by choice12. That absence of zoning leaves minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, lot coverage, building height, accessory dwellings, RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy and manufactured-home occupancy all unrestricted at the county level12. The one place setbacks do apply is inside a platted subdivision: DeWitt County requires a 20-foot building and setback line on the front, sides and rear of every lot or divided part in a subdivision it approves11. That rule only reaches you if your land is being divided into two or more parts, which itself requires a plat approved by the Commissioners Court, subject to statutory exceptions such as agricultural-use divisions10.

How do septic permits work in DeWitt County?

DeWitt County is a TCEQ-authorized agent for OSSF permitting, but it routes the technical work through the Victoria County Public Health Department's Environmental Services division; applicants submit the full application there while the county-side fee is paid at the DeWitt County Judge's office in Cuero3. A new installation permit costs $130, and the permitting authority has up to 30 days to approve or deny it, though most applications are reviewed within a week; the resulting Authorization to Construct is only good for one year4. Once construction is done, you must give the health department at least 24 hours' notice before the required final inspection, and the system generally has to stay uncovered until it's approved17. Soil is the real gatekeeper here: only 11.5% of DeWitt County's soils carry no severe limits for a conventional drain field, so budget for an engineered system on most sites5. If you're buying 10 acres or more for a single-family home, ask about Texas's statewide 10-acre OSSF exemption, which can eliminate the permit requirement entirely if the system sits at least 100 feet from every property line, causes no nuisance or groundwater pollution, and the tract has no other dwelling on it18.

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

As far as county zoning is concerned, yes. Because unincorporated DeWitt County has no zoning ordinance, RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy and manufactured-home occupancy are all unrestricted at the county level12. That doesn't excuse sanitation: you still need an OSSF permit and an approved septic system, or a public sewer connection, before you can legally live on the parcel long-term144. If your land sits inside a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, a floodplain development permit applies to placing a structure there regardless of what kind of dwelling it is6. If you're installing a factory-built modular or industrialized home rather than a conventional RV or tiny home, that's a separate track: Texas requires a residential installation permit and a passed final inspection before you can occupy it19.

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

  1. Have your soil evaluated and apply for an OSSF permit through the Victoria County Public Health Department, or confirm you qualify for the state's 10-acre exemption before you skip it1418.
  2. Check whether your parcel falls inside a Special Flood Hazard Area, and if it does, apply for a floodplain development permit at the DeWitt County Judge's office before you build; expect fees between $200 and $425 depending on the structure, plus a possible $250-per-hour engineering review157.
  3. If your driveway will enter a county road and needs a 9-1-1 address, apply for a county driveway access permit; if it enters a state highway instead, file TxDOT Form 1058 with the district office820.
  4. If you're creating a new lot rather than building on an existing one, get your plat approved by the Commissioners Court, which requires a 20-foot setback line on every side of each platted lot1011.
  5. If you're installing a modular or industrialized home, file the $75 residential installation permit and make sure every required inspection is completed before you move in2119.
  6. Confirm your well plans with the Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District before you drill, since non-exempt wells need a district permit16.

What to check before you buy land in DeWitt County

Get a percolation test before you're under contract: with only 11.5% of county soils free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, a failed test can force an expensive engineered system or push you toward the 10-acre exemption instead518. Check whether the parcel sits in a Special Flood Hazard Area before you assume you can build without a permit6. Confirm road access and whether a driveway permit has already been issued, and separately confirm your well rights with the Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District, which regulates every well in the county16. DeWitt County sits about 63 miles from the nearest metro area, with 21.9 people per square mile, and the county runs dry: severe drought hits about 25.2% of years, well above the more humid Alabama and Georgia counties in this dataset222324. Property taxes run higher here than in many rural counties: the effective rate is about 0.9%, with a median annual bill around $1,4372526. Typical home values run around $224,110 and farmland averages about $3,823 an acre2728.

Watch-outs

  • DeWitt County's own site does not explicitly state whether it has or lacks a general residential building permit outside the floodplain; the census answer reflects that Texas counties generally can't require one, not an explicit county statement, so confirm anything unusual (commercial use, four-plus-unit multifamily) directly with the County Judge's office1.
  • The Victoria County Public Health Department is DeWitt County's official OSSF agent, not a misfiled out-of-county source; DeWitt County's own application packet directs applicants there, and the DeWitt County fee is still paid at the DeWitt County Judge's office in Cuero3.
  • The 20-foot subdivision setback line only applies to platted lots the county approves; it does not by itself restrict setbacks on a single unsubdivided tract you buy and build on1112.

Sources

  1. DeWitt County - official site (Permits/Regulations/Applications) (2026 county census)
  2. DeWitt County - official site (Permits/Regulations/Applications) (2026 county census)
  3. DeWitt County permits, quoted and re-checked
  4. OSSF Application Packet, quoted and re-checked
  5. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  6. Application for Permit to Develop in a Special Flood Hazard Area, quoted and re-checked
  7. De Witt County Floodplain Development Permit Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  8. County Requirements & Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  9. Revised Management Plan, quoted and re-checked
  10. Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations for DeWitt County, Texas, quoted and re-checked
  11. Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations for DeWitt County, Texas, quoted and re-checked
  12. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  13. Adopted Codes | Cuero, TX, quoted and re-checked
  14. Victoria County Public Health Department - Environmental Services (DeWitt County's OSSF designated agent) (vcphd.org)
  15. DeWitt County Judge's Office / Commissioners Court (co.dewitt.tx.us)
  16. Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District (pvgcd.org)
  17. OSSF Application Packet, quoted and re-checked
  18. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. IHB – Residential Installation Permit Application Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  20. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. IHB – Residential Installation Permit Application Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  22. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Population density: 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. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  28. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data

Written September 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

DeWitt County in Texas

62
County map
DeWitt County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How DeWitt County scores

Seclusion60100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency4796% ev.
Admin Boringness87100% ev.
Durability29100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost78100% 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 →

$224kTypical home
0.9%Property tax
$3,823Land / acre
35.4"Annual rain
25.2% of yrsSevere drought
39.3 / yr (+26.5)Mid-century 100°F days
23.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.49" (+4.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.42×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,114Home insurance / yr
0.1% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
12,852People within 30 min
2,615,045People within 2 hr
13,852Radius comparison (15 mi)
21.9People / sq mi
0%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
11.5%Septic soil without severe limits
64,305 acWorkable land screen
22.5%Wooded land
13.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
70.3°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for DeWitt County

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

DeWitt County rules

  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

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

    Lots and other divided parts in subdivisions in the unincorporated area of DeWitt County.

    • Applies to subdivisions governed by the county regulations.
    • The plat must describe and depict the required building and setback lines.
    • The regulations are effective February 8, 2021.

    building and setback line: 20 feet (Applies on the front, sides, and rear of all lots or other divided parts in the subdivision.)

    “the plat shall describe and depict a twenty (20) foot building and set-back line on the front, sides, and rear of all lots or other divided parts in the subdivision.”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated DeWitt County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and DeWitt County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.dewitt.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 DeWitt County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and DeWitt County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.dewitt.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 DeWitt County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and DeWitt County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.dewitt.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 DeWitt County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and DeWitt County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.dewitt.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 DeWitt County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and DeWitt County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.dewitt.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 DeWitt County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and DeWitt County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.dewitt.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 DeWitt County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and DeWitt County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.dewitt.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.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    OSSF permitting in DeWitt County.

    • The county's application packet directs applicants to submit complete applications to Victoria County Public Health Department Environmental Services and identifies DeWitt County permits as paid at the DeWitt County Judge's office in Cuero, Texas.
    • The TCEQ authorized-agent report lists DEWITT COUNTY (DEWITT) as an authorized agent.
    “AUTHORIZED AGENT [...] DEWITT COUNTY (DEWITT)”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New, replacement, or altered on-site sewage facilities in DeWitt County.

    • The application must be complete and include the OSSF application fee.
    • Required materials include the signed construction application, property description, soil and site evaluation, design plan, and applicable floodplain, affidavit, maintenance-contract, well-log, variance, and other forms.
    • Payment of the DeWitt County permit is made at the DeWitt County Judge's office in Cuero, Texas.
    • Payment receipt is not authorization to construct; the permitting authority has 30 days to approve or deny.
    • Authorization to Construct is valid for one year; after one year, a new application and new permit fee are required.
    • The packet states that a homeowner may install a standard septic system only if the owner meets all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements of the permitting authority.

    new installation permit fee: 130 USD · permit decision period: 30 days (Most applications should be reviewed within one week.) · Authorization to Construct validity: 1 year (After one year, a new OSSF application and new permit are required.)

    “Application for a permit shall be made on standard forms provided by the Victoria County Public Health Department Environmental Services and must include the appropriate planning materials”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Final inspection and approval to operate for permitted OSSFs in DeWitt County.

    • After Authorization to Construct, the installer or homeowner must notify Victoria County Public Health Department Environmental Services at least 24 hours before the final inspection.
    • All portions of the OSSF must be uncovered unless prior approval for partial cover-up is granted.
    • An OSSF covered without Designated Representative approval before final inspection will not receive a Notice of Approval to Operate until uncovered; reinspection may be required.
    • The Designated Representative may require demonstration that the system is operating correctly.
    • An Approval to Operate is issued only after the system passes final inspection and updated planning materials are received.

    advance notice for final inspection: >= 24 hours

    “Once Authorization to Construct has been granted, and the installer/homeowner is ready for the final inspection, the installer/homeowner must notify VCPHD at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the inspection.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water-well operation and groundwater production within the Pecan Valley Groundwater Conservation District, whose management plan states that the district is coextensive with DeWitt County.

    • The district has adopted rules regulating groundwater withdrawals through well spacing and production limits.
    • Permit decisions consider Texas Water Code Chapter 36 and district rules.
    • The plan distinguishes exempt and non-exempt wells; the cited material does not establish that every well requires a permit.
    • District rules may differ for critical groundwater depletion areas, aquifer subdivisions, geologic strata, or other geographic areas within the district.
    “Exempt Well Application Form [...] Well permit applications must be filled out and turned into the PVGCD office along with appropriate payments before permits can be issued.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land outside municipal limits in DeWitt County, including divisions into two or more parts for subdivisions, lots, or public-use or purchaser/owner-use streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts.

    • A plat must be prepared and approved by the Commissioners Court when the division falls within the stated rule.
    • The rule applies regardless of whether the division is made by metes and bounds, deed, contract of sale, executory contract, or another method.
    • The rule applies to residential, business, commercial, industrial, or other development.
    • Statutory plat exceptions under Texas Local Government Code § 232.0015 apply; the county states it will not require a plat when an exception exists.
    • The regulations were adopted and effective February 8, 2021.
    • Required review includes completeness, sufficiency, compliance, required fees, and any required bond or financial security; the Commissioners Court may approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove.

    division threshold: >= 2 parts (Subject to statutory exceptions, including the agricultural-use exception in Texas Local Government Code § 232.0015.) · application action deadline for incomplete materials: 10 business days (The county must notify the applicant of missing documents or information within 10 business days after receiving an incomplete application.)

    “of a tract of land in DeWitt County, Texas located outside the limits of a municipality must have a plat of the subdivision prepared, and thereafter approved by the Commissioners Court, 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 to be dedicated to public use or for the use of purchasers or owners of lots fronting on or adjacent to the streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    An entrance on a DeWitt County road that requires a 9-1-1 address.

    • The county driveway permit applies only if the entrance is on a county road and requires a 9-1-1 address.
    • If the entrance is from a state highway, TxDOT regulations apply instead.
    • The permittee must have underground utilities marked before installation; installation will not occur without appropriate markers.
    • Construction is subject to inspection and approval by the County Commissioner or designee.
    • A new permit may be required after a material change in land use or driveway traffic volume or vehicle types.
    • The permit is void if the driveway is not constructed within 90 days of issuance.

    commercial installation reflective address numbers: >= 4 inches minimum height (must be visible to emergency response personnel)

    “COUNTY DRIVEWAY PERMIT (only if Entrance is on a County Road and requires a 911 Address)”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in a designated Special Flood Hazard Area or 100-year floodplain in DeWitt County.

    • The application covers structures, additions, alterations, relocations, replacements, excavation, clearing, fill, grading, mining, drilling, dredging, watercourse alteration, drainage improvements including culvert work, individual OSSF systems, and other development activities.
    • In Zone B or shaded Zone X, a floodplain development permit is required only if the development is a critical facility as defined in the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
    • Flood-proofed nonresidential structures require a flood-proofing certificate.
    • Development in a regulatory floodway requires a no-rise certificate.
    • Subdivisions exceeding 50 lots or 5 acres in Zone A require an elevation study showing base flood elevations.
    • Coastal Zone V construction requires V-zone certification by a registered professional engineer.
    • Other applicable federal, state, and local permits remain the applicant’s responsibility.

    subdivision threshold: 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is less (elevation data must be provided by the developer) · flood-proofing minimum: >= 1 foot above BFE (for flood-proofed structures)

    “The undersigned hereby makes application for a permit to develop in a designated Flood Hazard Area (100 Year Floodplain).”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    DeWitt County floodplain development permits and related pipeline, oil-and-gas, and agricultural irrigation pipeline permits.

    • Inside the SFHA, fees vary by permit category and project type.
    • Commercial structures: $425.00.
    • Residential structures over 2,000 square feet and barns or shops over 2,000 square feet: $225.00.
    • Residential structures under 2,000 square feet, manufactured homes, 1,000-square-foot barns or shops without restrooms, and substantial improvements over 1,000 square feet: $200.00.
    • Smaller barns, shops, portable buildings, and temporary permits have lower listed fees.
    • An engineering fee of $250.00 per hour may apply above and beyond initial review if necessary.
    • Pipeline, oil-and-gas, and agricultural irrigation pipeline fees apply regardless of floodplain status.
    • The schedule states it was approved by Commissioners Court on October 22, 2018 and updated April 14, 2023.

    commercial structure floodplain permit fee: 425 USD (SFHA-1) · residential structure over 2000 sq. ft. floodplain permit fee: 225 USD (SFHA-2) · residential structure under 2000 sq. ft. floodplain permit fee: 200 USD (SFHA-3) · engineering fee above initial review: 250 USD/hour (if necessary) · oil-and-gas well or platform fee: 20 application fee plus 300 permit fee USD (regardless of floodplain status)

    “Floodplain Development Permit Fees for INSIDE the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA):”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County floodplain development permits and access driveways on DeWitt County rights of way.

    • Floodplain applications require project and site information and may require site plans, elevation certificates, flood-proofing certificates, no-rise certificates, elevation studies, V-zone certification, wetlands permits, and other applicable permits.
    • For a county-road driveway, the permit application identifies the road, commissioner precinct, and 9-1-1 address; construction is subject to county inspection and approval.
    • The driveway permit becomes null and void if facilities are not constructed within 90 days from issuance.

    driveway permit construction period: 90 days (from issuance date)

    “This permit will become null and void if the above-referenced driveway facilities are not constructed within ninety (90) days from the issuance date of this permit.”
  • Building permitNot required

    Under Texas law counties cannot require general building permits in unincorporated areas; DeWitt County's own regulatory documents cover only On-Site Sewage Facilities and Flood Damage Prevention (a floodplain-development permit within Special Flood Hazard Areas), not general residential building permits.

    DeWitt County - official site (Permits/Regulations/Applications) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties have no zoning authority in unincorporated areas; DeWitt County regulates only OSSF and flood damage prevention, with no countywide zoning ordinance.

    DeWitt County - official site (Permits/Regulations/Applications) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A homeowner’s own on-site construction work for an industrialized house or residential modular component installed in DeWitt County.

    • The homeowner must purchase an industrialized house or residential modular component for the homeowner’s own use.
    • The homeowner must be responsible for some or all construction related to installation.
    • The homeowner may file for a residential installation permit in lieu of registering as an industrialized builder.
    • The permit does not eliminate applicable local permits.
    • The homeowner must certify compliance with mandatory building codes, engineered foundation and site details, and required inspections.
    • The residential installation permit has a $75 non-refundable registration fee.

    residential installation permit registration fee: 75 USD (Non-refundable)

    “may file for a residential installation permit in lieu of registering as an industrialized builder.”
  • 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:”
  • InspectionsRequired

    On-site construction and installation of industrialized housing in DeWitt County under the Texas Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.

    • The rule applies to industrialized housing and residential modular components covered by the program.
    • The homeowner must certify that all inspections required by the governing rules will be completed.
    • Outside the jurisdiction of a municipality, all required inspections must be completed and a final on-site inspection report issued with no outstanding violations.
    “all inspections shall be completed as required by § 70.73 [...] Homeowners may not occupy the housing until the successful final inspection has been completed.”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    Texas counties adopting zoning regulations for specified unincorporated or otherwise specially defined areas.

    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    • Other Chapter 231 subchapters address special areas including the Amistad Recreation Area in Val Verde County, military zones, certain lakes, the El Paso Mission Trail Historical Area, Lake Somerville, and Falcon Lake in Zapata County.
    • The cited statute was enacted effective September 1, 1987; the Falcon Lake subchapter was added effective June 15, 2007, and amended effective September 1, 2009.

    Padre Island distance from publicly owned park or recreational development: <= 2 miles (Area must be outside a municipality and in Cameron or Willacy County.) · Padre Island distance from beach, wharf, or bathhouse: <= 2 miles (The beach, wharf, or bathhouse must be used by at least 500 persons annually.)

    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • county building authorityLimited

    Texas counties adopting and enforcing fire-code building permits for specified buildings in unincorporated areas and applying residential building-code standards in certain counties.

    • Under Section 233.061, the county must have a population over 250,000 or be adjacent to a county with a population over 250,000.
    • Under Section 233.062, the fire code applies only to commercial establishments, public buildings, and multifamily residential dwellings consisting of four or more units constructed in an unincorporated area.
    • The fire code does not apply to an industrial facility having a fire brigade that conforms to Occupational Health and Safety Administration requirements.
    • A covered applicant must submit a plan and a commissioners-court-set application fee; the county must issue or deny the permit within 30 days, and failure to act within 30 days approves the construction for purposes of the subchapter.
    • The fire code must conform to the International Fire Code or Uniform Fire Code as those codes existed on May 1, 2005, or establish protective measures exceeding those standards; later editions may be adopted.
    • Residential standards under Section 233.152 apply only if the county adopts a resolution or order and the county is within 50 miles of an international border or has a population over 100.
    • Those residential standards apply only to new single-family-house or duplex construction beginning after September 1, 2009; manufactured or modular structures governed by Occupations Code Chapters 1201 or 1202 are excluded from the definition of new residential construction.
    • A municipality's building code controls in its extraterritorial jurisdiction, and Section 233.152 does not authorize county prior approval of new residential construction or county zoning regulations.
    • Fire-code inspection and permit fees may be charged under a fee schedule based on building type, limited to amounts necessary to administer and enforce the subchapter; inspection fees must be reasonable and reflect approximate inspection costs.

    county population threshold for fire-code authority: > 250000 persons (A county adjacent to a county over 250,000 also qualifies.) · multifamily residential dwelling threshold: >= 4 units (The fire code applies only to covered buildings constructed in an unincorporated area.) · residential-code border distance: <= 50 miles (Alternative qualification is county population over 100.) · application decision period: 30 days (If the commissioners court does not issue or deny the permit within 30 days after receiving the application and fee, construction is approved for purposes of the subchapter.) · residential standards effective construction date: > 2009-09-01 (Applies only to new residential construction that begins after September 1, 2009.)

    “The commissioners court of a county with a population of over 250,000 or a county adjacent to a county with a population of over 250,000 may adopt a fire code and rules necessary to administer and enforce the fire code. [...] The fire code applies only to the following buildings constructed in an unincorporated area of the county: (1) a commercial establishment; (2) a public building; and (3) a multifamily residential dwelling consisting of four or more units.”

Inside cities and towns in DeWitt County

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

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building, residential, and related construction within the City of Cuero, DeWitt County, Texas

    • This claim applies to the City of Cuero and does not establish building-code adoption by DeWitt County for unincorporated areas.

    building code: 2021 International Building Code · residential code: 2021 International Residential Code · existing building code: 2021 International Existing Building Code · electrical code: 2020 National Electrical Code · plumbing code: 2021 International Plumbing Code · mechanical code: 2021 International Mechanical Code · fire code: 2021 International Fire Code · gas code: 2021 International Fuel Gas Code · energy code: 2021 International Energy Conservation Code · property maintenance code: 2021 International Property Maintenance Code

    “The City of Cuero uses the following standard codes: Building: 2021 International Building Code Existing Building: 2021 International Existing Building Code Residential: 2021 International Residential Code Electrical: 2020 National Electrical Code Plumbing: 2021 International Plumbing Code Mechanical: 2021 International Mechanical Code Fire: 2021 International Fire Code Gas: 2021 International Fuel Gas Code Energy: 2021 International Energy Conservation Code Property Maintenance: 2021 International Property Maintenance Code”

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for residential construction in unincorporated DeWitt County.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across DeWitt County municipalities and unincorporated areas
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems in DeWitt County.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water and wastewater utility connection requirements in DeWitt County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals in DeWitt County, Texas.

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 DeWitt County, Texas

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

DeWitt County scores 62/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

DeWitt County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by DeWitt County (OSSF authorized agent under TCEQ), administered via Victoria County Public Health Department Environmental Services. 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 DeWitt County?

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

Land in DeWitt County runs about $3,823 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in DeWitt County?

DeWitt County gets about 35.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 25.2% of years.

How remote is DeWitt County?

A representative private-land location has about 12,852 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,615,045 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How DeWitt compares in Texas

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