Bolthole Index

Ellis County, Texas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Alma, Texas

The Town of Alma, in Ellis County, Texas, has its own zoning ordinance1 and requires a city permit before anyone builds a home or commercial building inside town limits2. Septic permits are a separate question: we could not confirm who issues them inside Alma, so ask the county's Department of Development before you buy3.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, Alma adopted its own zoning ordinance1
Building permit
Required from the city for homes and commercial buildings inside town limits2
Building code
2015 International Building Code adopted by the city4
R-1 minimums
1 acre lot, 1,250 sq ft dwelling56
Manufactured homes
Prohibited in the R-1 district7
Septic
Not confirmed inside town limits; the county handles septic in unincorporated Ellis County3

Who to call

Building permits

City of Alma, City Secretary

Town hall contact for building permit applications and fees; the city secretary's page lists issuing permits among the office's duties

469-881-1405

104 Interurban Road, Alma, TX 75119

Septic permits

Ellis County Department of Development

On-site sewage (septic) permits for unincorporated Ellis County; the first call to confirm who covers a lot in Alma

972-825-5200

[email protected]

302 N. Monroe St. Waxahachie, TX 75165

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

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Alma, TX have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The Town of Alma adopted a zoning ordinance for land inside town limits1. The ordinance divides the town into 9 districts, and the official zoning map is kept at the City Secretary's office for public inspection8.

Rules differ by district. In the R-1 Single-Family Residential District, a new home needs a lot of at least 1 acre5 and a dwelling of at least 1,250 square feet6. R-1 setbacks are 25 feet in front, 25 feet in the rear and 10 feet on the sides, with more required on corner lots and next to streets9. Impervious cover in R-1 is capped at 25 percent10, and buildings top out at 35 feet11. In the AG Agricultural District, a new dwelling also needs at least 1,250 square feet12.

Manufactured homes are prohibited in the R-1 District; the ordinance also creates separate manufactured-home park and subdivision districts7. We could not confirm Alma's rules for RVs, tiny homes or accessory dwellings, so ask the City Secretary before planning one.

Do you need a building permit in Alma, and who issues it?

Yes. Alma requires a permit from the city before anyone erects, alters or locates a building designed for residential occupancy, or any commercial building, inside town limits2. Auxiliary buildings not meant for commercial use or residential occupancy are exempt2.

The application must include plans, drawings or a description showing the type of structure, its location on the property and its intended use13. Fees are paid to the city secretary before the permit is issued2, and the fee schedule is Appendix A of the town code14. The town has adopted the 2015 International Building Code4, and the building official inspects and approves work as needed15.

Start at Alma City Hall16. Ellis County's Department of Development serves unincorporated land, not lots inside Alma.

How do septic permits work inside Alma?

We could not confirm who issues septic permits for a lot inside Alma town limits, or whether a septic permit and inspection requirement appears in the town's code. The county's septic order covers the unincorporated areas of Ellis County, with the Department of Development as the authority there3, and a permit is required for construction, alteration, extension or repair of a system in that jurisdiction17.

Texas requires a permit and approved plan to build, alter, repair or extend an on-site sewage facility18. Where no local agent is authorized, the state environmental agency's regional office is the permitting authority19. Call the Ellis County Department of Development20 and Alma City Hall16 and ask which of them handles a septic permit for your specific lot. Also ask whether the town offers sewer service, since we could not confirm a utility connection rule.

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

We could not confirm an answer. The zoning ordinance defines recreational vehicles, but we found no verified rule on living in one on private land inside Alma, and no tiny-home or temporary-camping rule. Because Alma zones its land1, do not assume the county's open rules for unincorporated land apply; county rules do not govern lots inside town limits. Ask the City Secretary16 in writing and keep the reply.

Building a home in Alma: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Alma City Hall which zoning district the lot is in; the official zoning map is at the City Secretary's office816.
  2. Check the district's lot, dwelling-size and setback standards, such as the R-1 rules above6.
  3. Confirm whether the lot is already platted; subdivision of land is regulated by the town21.
  4. Settle septic: call the Ellis County Department of Development20 to learn who permits it for the lot.
  5. Submit the building permit application with plans, drawings or a description, and pay the fee to the city secretary213.
  6. Schedule inspections with the building official15.

What stays with Ellis County, and what to check before you buy in Alma

For land outside Alma's limits, the county's rules apply instead; see the Ellis County page. Ellis County has not adopted a residential building code for unincorporated areas22, which is a different rule from Alma's.

Groundwater wells in Ellis County fall under the Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District's rules23; we could not confirm a well rule specific to Alma. Floodplain matters too: Alma's subdivision rules prohibit subdividing unprotected flood-hazard land24.

County-level figures: Ellis County's effective property tax rate is 1.5%25, and USDA rates only 2.5% of its soils as not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so expect a site evaluation or an engineered system26.

Watch-outs

  • Alma's zoning bars manufactured homes from the R-1 District, so check the lot's district before buying with a manufactured home in mind7.
  • We could not confirm Alma's driveway-approach permit rules; the town's fee schedule lists such a permit, so ask the City Secretary before paving an entrance14.
  • We could not confirm who permits septic systems or wells inside town limits; call the Ellis County Department of Development20 and Alma City Hall16 before you close.

Sources

  1. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  2. Division 2 Building Code - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  3. Order Adopting Rules of Ellis County, Texas, for On-Site Sewage Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  4. Division 2 Building Code - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  5. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  6. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  7. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  8. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  9. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  10. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  11. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  12. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  13. Division 2 Building Code - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  14. Appendix A Fee Schedule - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  15. Division 2 Building Code - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  16. City of Alma, City Secretary (cityofalmatx.gov)
  17. Order Adopting Rules of Ellis County, Texas, for On-Site Sewage Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  18. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Ellis County Department of Development (ellispermits.com)
  21. Chapter 10 Subdivision Regulation - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  22. Notice Regarding Inspections & Certificates of Occupancy in the Unincorporated Areas of Ellis County, quoted and re-checked
  23. Well Permits, quoted and re-checked
  24. Chapter 10 Subdivision Regulation - City of Alma, TX (Town of Alma), quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Alma

Town of Alma’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Residential-occupancy and commercial buildings erected, constructed, altered, or located inside Alma town limits.

    • Auxiliary buildings not intended for commercial use or residential occupancy are exempt.
    • A permit application must include plans, drawings, or a description showing the structure type, location, and intended use.
    • Fees must be paid to the city secretary before permit issuance.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct, alter, or locate upon any property, any building designed for residential occupancy or any commercial building in the city without first obtaining a permit from the city.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside Alma town limits.

    • City ordinances prevail over the adopted code in a conflict; between ordinances, the more stringent provision prevails.

    adopted code edition: 2015 International Building Code

    “The International Building Code, 2015 edition, is herewith adopted by reference for the city.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Work subject to Alma building regulations.

    • The building official performs inspections and approvals on an as-needed basis under the arrangement the city council determines is in the city's best interests.
    “Building regulations shall be enforced by the building official, who shall issue permits and inspect and approve work, on an as-needed basis”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Alma town limits.

    • The ordinance was adopted by Ordinance 2021-5-1 on May 25, 2021.
    “This ordinance shall be known as the "City of Alma Zoning Ordinance."”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land inside Alma town limits under the City's official zoning map.

    • The official zoning map is kept in the City Secretary's office and is available for public inspection.

    number of established districts: 9

    “For the purpose of this ordinance, the City is hereby divided into NINE (9) districts as follows:”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    HUD-code manufactured homes inside Alma town limits.

    • Manufactured homes are prohibited from occupying R-1 sites.
    • The zoning ordinance also establishes MH-1 Manufactured Home Park and MH-2 Manufactured Home Subdivision districts.
    “Manufactured homes are prohibited from occupying sites in the R-1 District.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and property development inside Alma town limits.

    • The chapter also states that its purpose extends to Alma's extraterritorial jurisdiction; this claim is limited to land inside town limits.
    “The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide for the orderly, safe, and healthful development of the area within the City and within the area of extraterritorial jurisdiction surrounding the City”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Subdivision land in flood-hazard areas inside Alma town limits.

    • The cited subdivision provisions regulate subdivision development; this claim does not establish a separate general floodplain-development permit requirement for every project.
    “Protect individuals from buying lands which are unsuitable for intended purposes because of flood hazards by prohibiting the subdivision of unprotected flood hazard lands”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building, development, and miscellaneous permits inside Alma town limits.

    • Building-permit fees are collected before issuance and are set in Appendix A.
    • The schedule contains separate residential construction, remodel, mobile-home, certificate-of-occupancy, driveway, and plat fee headings.
    “ARTICLE A1.000 BUILDING, DEVELOPMENT, AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building-permit applications inside Alma town limits.

    • The cited provision describes required application contents but does not establish a complete processing timeline or checklist.
    “Each application for a building permit shall be accompanied by plans, drawings or description showing the exact type of structure or building to be erected, the location of the building upon the property and the purpose for which same is to be used.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Alma

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

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    New residential construction in Alma's AG Agricultural District.

    • The zoning schedule identifies new construction as a dwelling newly built on a previously vacant lot which will be or becomes occupied.

    minimum dwelling unit size: 1250 sq ft

    “AG | 1 Acre | 1,250 Sq. Ft. | 200 Ft. | 200 Ft. | 50 Ft. | 50 Ft. | 20 Ft. | 3 stories/35 Ft. | 25%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — New residential construction in Alma's R-1 Single-Family Residential District.
      “R-1 | 1 Acre | 1,250 Sq. Ft. | 100 Ft. | 150 Ft. | 25 Ft. | 25 Ft. | 10 Ft. | 2.5 stories/35 Ft. | 25%”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    New residential construction in Alma's R-1 Single-Family Residential District.

    minimum lot area: 1 acre

    “R-1 | 1 Acre | 1,250 Sq. Ft. | 100 Ft. | 150 Ft. | 25 Ft. | 25 Ft. | 10 Ft. | 2.5 stories/35 Ft. | 25%”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    New residential construction in Alma's R-1 Single-Family Residential District.

    • Additional side and rear setback distance is required for corner lots, lots adjacent to a street, or lots adjacent to a more restrictive district.

    minimum front yard: 25 ft · minimum rear yard: 25 ft · minimum side yard: 10 ft

    “R-1 | 1 Acre | 1,250 Sq. Ft. | 100 Ft. | 150 Ft. | 25 Ft. | 25 Ft. | 10 Ft.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    New residential construction in Alma's R-1 Single-Family Residential District.

    • The schedule labels the measure as maximum impervious cover.

    maximum impervious cover: 25 percent

    “R-1 | 1 Acre | 1,250 Sq. Ft. | 100 Ft. | 150 Ft. | 25 Ft. | 25 Ft. | 10 Ft. | 2.5 stories/35 Ft. | 25%”
  • Building heightSpecified

    New residential construction in Alma's R-1 Single-Family Residential District.

    maximum building height: 35 ft (Maximum is also 2.5 stories.)

    “R-1 | 1 Acre | 1,250 Sq. Ft. | 100 Ft. | 150 Ft. | 25 Ft. | 25 Ft. | 10 Ft. | 2.5 stories/35 Ft. | 25%”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Alma town limits.
  • Living in an RV — Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land inside Alma town limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Alma town limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Alma town limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Alma town limits.
9 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Alma publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Ellis County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Ellis County: county rules, score and offices