Bolthole Index

El Paso County, Texas

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Town of Anthony, Texas

Town of Anthony, Texas has municipal zoning, and the town’s Permits Department is the contact for permit questions and final inspections.12 We could not confirm the general building-permit requirement; ask the town before starting construction.2 Anthony prohibits using an RV as a temporary or permanent residence on land governed by its zoning title.3 For septic inside town limits, confirm whether El Paso County’s OSSF program applies before using the county application.4

At a glance

Building permits
General requirement unconfirmed; ask the town Permits Department2
Zoning
Town zoning applies; uses not listed as permitted are prohibited1
Septic permits
Required when the county/state OSSF program applies; confirm the authority for the address4
RV living
Temporary and permanent RV residences prohibited under the zoning title3
Residential lot size
Minimum 4,000 square feet in residential districts5
Agricultural District
Minimum site area 4 acres and width 300 feet6
Flood-hazard construction
Residential lowest floor must meet the applicable base flood elevation standard7

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Anthony Permits Department

Town permit questions, permit status and final-inspection scheduling; contact for building and zoning questions.

9158863944

401 Wildcat Drive, Anthony, TX 79821

Septic permits

El Paso County Planning and Development Department

County OSSF contact; confirm that the county program serves the proposed Anthony address before applying.

915-273-3330

800 E Overland Suite 200 El Paso TX 79901

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Town of Anthony, TX?

For construction inside Town of Anthony limits, start with the town Permits Department; the department provides a contact for permit questions, permit status and scheduling final inspections.2 We could not confirm a complete general building-permit requirement, adopted building-code edition, owner-builder exemption or certificate-of-occupancy requirement for Anthony; ask the town which approvals apply to your proposed home or remodel.2 Anthony’s zoning rules still control permitted land uses, and uses not listed as permitted are prohibited.1 Do not treat zoning permission as a substitute for confirming the construction approval with the town.12

Who handles building-permit questions in Town of Anthony?

Town of Anthony’s Permits Department is the municipal contact for permit questions and final-inspection scheduling.2 Contact Town Hall at 401 Wildcat Drive, Anthony, TX 79821, using the phone listed in the office card.2 Ask the town to identify the parcel’s zoning district and explain the building application, required plans, fees and inspection stages for your project.28 Keep septic questions separate: the county/state OSSF requirements apply inside Anthony only when that program has jurisdiction over the site, so confirm the address with the town and El Paso County Planning and Development before submitting an OSSF application.49

Does Town of Anthony have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Town of Anthony has its own zoning districts and permitted-use table; an unlisted use is prohibited, and some listed uses require a special use permit or may require site-plan approval.18 In Anthony’s residential districts, the minimum lot area for a one-family or multi-family dwelling is 4,000 square feet.5 In Anthony’s Agricultural District, the minimum site area is 4 acres and minimum width is 300 feet.6 Agricultural District front, side-street and rear setbacks are 50 feet, with a 30-foot setback where the district abuts an R district.10 These Agricultural District dimensions should not be applied to a residential-district parcel.10

How do septic permits work inside Town of Anthony?

When El Paso County’s OSSF program applies to an Anthony address, construction cannot begin until the installer receives written authorization to construct.11 The county application calls for ownership documentation, an official street address, a site evaluation, a narrative, scaled site plans and supporting system materials.11 The published residential OSSF fee is $190, and a failed inspection carries a $75 re-inspection fee.12 Allow 30 days for residential application review; final inspection follows complete installation, and a license to operate concludes the process.1113 Texas’s 10-acre exemption is conditional: a single-family dwelling must be the only dwelling on the tract, a qualified site evaluation is required, all OSSF parts must be at least 100 feet from property lines, disposal must stay on site, and nuisance, groundwater and construction standards still apply.14 Confirm local requirements before relying on the exemption.14

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Town of Anthony?

Town of Anthony prohibits using a recreational vehicle as a residence, temporarily or permanently, on lots or tracts governed by its zoning title.3 Anthony allows construction trailers only during construction in progress; that exception does not establish permission to live in an RV while building.3 Manufactured homes are permitted only in zoning districts where the use table allows them, while the code separately prohibits mobile homes as defined by the Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act.15 Ask the town to classify the proposed unit before arranging delivery.15 We could not confirm Anthony’s tiny-home, accessory-dwelling or minimum dwelling-floor-area rules; ask the town about the specific design and occupancy proposal.2

Building a home in Town of Anthony: what steps come first?

  1. Ask the town to confirm the parcel’s zoning district and whether the proposed dwelling is a permitted use or needs special use or site-plan approval.8
  2. Contact the town Permits Department to establish the building application and inspection requirements before construction.2
  3. Resolve wastewater service; if an OSSF is proposed, confirm the permitting authority and obtain written construction authorization when the county program applies.411
  4. Check flood-hazard requirements before finalizing the foundation design: Anthony requires the lowest floor, including basement, of covered residential construction to be elevated to or above base flood elevation, with professional certification.7
  5. For land outside town limits, use the El Paso County guide for the county’s unincorporated residential-inspection requirements.16

Watch-outs

  • Anthony’s Agricultural District dimensional standards differ from the residential lot-area rule; confirm the district before designing the site.65
  • An RV cannot serve as a temporary residence under Anthony’s zoning title simply because a home is under construction.3
  • We could not confirm private-well or town driveway-access requirements; ask the town Permits Department to identify the responsible office before buying a parcel that depends on either.2

Sources

  1. Town of Anthony, Texas - Municipal Code (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  2. Town of Anthony Permits Department (townofanthonytx.org)
  3. Municipal Code § 17.08.050 - Outbuildings and temporary structures (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  4. El Paso County On-Site Sewage Facility - How to obtain a permit (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  5. Municipal Code § 17.08.120 - Lot area (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  6. Municipal Code § 17.07.030 - Agricultural District dimensional standards (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  7. Municipal Code § 15.24.180 - Specific standards (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  8. Municipal Code § 17.06.010 - Permitted uses (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  9. El Paso County Planning and Development Department (epcounty.com)
  10. Municipal Code § 17.07.030 - Agricultural District dimensional standards (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  11. El Paso County On-Site Sewage Facility - How to obtain a permit (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  12. El Paso County On-Site Sewage Facility - Fees and inspection process (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  13. El Paso County On-Site Sewage Facility - How to obtain a permit (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  14. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Municipal Code § 17.06.010 - Permitted uses (Town of Anthony), quoted and re-checked
  16. Permits, quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Anthony

Town of Anthony’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Anthony town limits; the town's municipal code establishes zoning districts, permitted uses, lot-area and height standards.

    • Uses not listed as permitted are prohibited.
    • The more stringent restriction controls where the zoning chapter conflicts or overlaps with another ordinance, easement, covenant, or deed restriction.
    “The following table presents the zoning district classifications and the permitted uses within those classifications. Uses not listed as "permitted" are prohibited.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Anthony town zoning districts and their permitted uses.

    • The table identifies districts A, OS, R, R2, MH, TC, NC, C, LI, and PD.
    • Uses not listed as permitted are prohibited.
    • A triangle indicates a special use permit is required; an asterisk indicates approval of a site plan may be required.
    “DISTRICTS A OS R R2 MH TC NC C LI PD Residential Uses”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural District (A) inside Anthony town limits.

    minimum site width: >= 300 feet · minimum site area: >= 4 acres

    “Agricultural District: 1. Width: three hundred (300) feet. 2. Area: four (4) acres.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — One-family and multi-family dwelling lots in Anthony's residential districts.
      “The minimum area for a lot shall be four thousand (4,000) square feet for a one-family dwelling and a multi-family dwelling.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural District (A) inside Anthony town limits.

    • A 30-foot setback applies where the Agricultural District abuts an R district.

    front setback: >= 50 feet · side street setback: >= 50 feet · setback abutting R district: >= 30 feet · rear setback: >= 50 feet

    “Minimum required setback distances: Agricultural District: 1. Front (min): fifty (50) feet. 2. Side street setback (min): fifty (50) feet. 3. Setback abutting R district (min): thirty (30) feet. 4. Rear (min): fifty (50) feet.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural District (A) inside Anthony town limits.

    principal structure maximum height: <= 50 feet (maximum three stories) · principal structure maximum stories: <= 3 stories · accessory structure maximum height: <= 50 feet (maximum stories listed as n/a)

    “Structural heights: Agricultural District: 1. Principal structure height - three (3) stories (max), fifty (50) feet (max). 2. Accessory structure height - n/a stories (max), fifty (50) feet (max).”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Use of a recreational vehicle as a residence on lots or tracts governed by Anthony's zoning title.

    • Construction trailers are allowed only during construction in progress.
    • Separate parking restrictions also regulate RV parking on residential property.
    “No trailer, mobile home, camper, recreational vehicle, basement, tent, shack, garage, barn or other outbuildings shall, at any time, be used on any lot or tract of the areas restricted by this title, as a residence, temporarily or permanently, nor shall any residence of a temporary nature be erected or permitted on any lot of the areas restricted by this title. Construction trailers will be allowed only during construction in progress.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes in Anthony zoning districts where § 17.06.010 marks manufactured homes as permitted.

    • The code separately prohibits mobile homes as defined in the Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act.
    • All subdivision, platting, land-use, construction, use, and occupancy requirements apply to mobile homes, mobile home parks, and mobile home subdivisions.
    • Mobile-home placement permits are required for moving a mobile home on or off a lot or tract within town limits.
    “Mobile homes as defined in the Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act are not permitted within the city [town] of Anthony.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Mobile home parks inside Anthony town limits.

    • The quoted rule is specific to mobile home parks and does not establish a general connection mandate for every new single-family home.
    • Plumbing and sewer systems must conform with town ordinances.
    “Provisions shall be made in mobile home parks for public water supply, sanitary sewers, fire protection, refuse collection, and bathing facilities.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision proposals and manufactured-home parks or subdivisions inside Anthony town limits, including proposals in special flood-hazard areas.

    • Subdivision proposals must satisfy §§ 15.24.020 through 15.24.040.
    • Floodplain development permit requirements under §§ 15.24.080, 15.24.150, and Article 5 apply.
    • For development greater than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is lesser, base flood elevation data must be generated if not otherwise provided.
    • Adequate drainage and public utilities must be provided to reduce or eliminate flood damage.

    base flood elevation threshold: > 50 lots (or 5 acres, whichever is lesser)

    “All subdivision proposals including the placement of manufactured home parks and subdivisions shall be consistent with Sections 15.24.020 through 15.24.040 of this chapter.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction, substantial improvements, subdivisions, and manufactured-home placements in Anthony town flood-hazard areas.

    • Residential structures must have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation where the code's base-flood-elevation condition applies.
    • Professional certification is required for the residential elevation standard.
    • Separate standards apply to nonresidential construction, enclosures, and manufactured homes.

    residential lowest-floor elevation: at or above base flood elevation

    “Residential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated to or above the base flood elevation.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Anthony

Town of Anthony does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of an OSSF inside Anthony town limits when the county/state OSSF program applies.

    • A written authorization to construct must be issued before construction begins.
    • Residential and commercial applications should allow 30 days for review; sewage disposal plans should allow 45 days.
    • A permit may be exempt under the state 10-acre rule or other state exemptions, subject to the local permitting authority.

    residential application fee: 190 USD (non-refundable county fee) · commercial application fee: 510 USD (non-refundable county fee) · sewage disposal plan review fee: 300 USD (plus $50 per unit)

    “A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    County-permitted OSSFs inside Anthony town limits.

    • The installer must request final inspection at least two days before inspection is needed.
    • The OSSF must be completely installed before the inspector arrives.
    • A failed inspection requires re-inspection and a $75 re-inspection fee.

    re-inspection fee: 75 USD

    “The Installer shall contact the On-site Sewage Facility Inspection Department to request a final inspection. The request shall be not less than 2 days before the need for inspection.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County OSSF permitting applicable inside Anthony town limits.

    • Fees are non-refundable.
    • A re-inspection fee applies when an OSSF fails inspection.

    residential OSSF fee: 190 USD · commercial OSSF fee: 510 USD · sewage disposal plan review: 300 USD (plus $50 per unit) · re-inspection fee: 75 USD

    “Fees are $190.00 for residential, $510.00 for commercial, and Sewage disposal plans are $300.00 for the review and $50.00 per unit.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County OSSF permits inside Anthony town limits.

    • Submit the application, deed or ownership documentation, official street address, site evaluation, narrative, scaled site plans, plat map, applicable Title 30 TAC tables, tank specifications, and stamped self-addressed envelopes.
    • Construction may not begin until written authorization is issued.
    • Applications are subject to the County Subdivision Model Rules.
    • A license to operate is issued after the process and identifies the inspection date and permit number.

    application review time: 30 days (residential and commercial applications) · sewage disposal plan review time: 45 days · authorization validity: 1 calendar year (except property under enforcement)

    “After reviewing the application and the above criteria are met, a written authorization to construct will be issued to the owner and the OSSF installer. Construction may not begin until the OSSF installer receives the written authorization.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Anthony or El Paso County directly.

  • Building permit — New construction and remodeling inside Anthony town limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction inside Anthony town limits.
  • Building code adopted — Building-code adoption applicable to construction inside Anthony town limits.
  • Inspections — Building construction inside Anthony town limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Anthony town limits.
9 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Lot coverage
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Anthony publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. El Paso County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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