Bolthole Index

Goliad County, Texas

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

69Index Score / 100
#47 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Goliad County, Texas does not require a building permit for a home, garage, or barn, because Texas law gives counties no general permitting power and Goliad County publishes no residential building-permit program1. The county also has no zoning ordinance, so it sets no minimum home size, no setbacks, and no use restrictions on unincorporated land2. A septic permit is still required through Goliad County Environmental Services for any on-site sewage system3, and most of the county's soils carry severe limits for a conventional drain field, so plan on a site evaluation before you count on a standard system4.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required in unincorporated Goliad County1
Zoning
None countywide2
Septic permits
Required through Goliad County Environmental Services; $175 residential fee35
RV / tiny home living
Unrestricted by county rule; the county has no zoning ordinance to set one6
Minimum lot size
2 acres with a private well and septic, or 1 acre on central water, inside platted subdivisions only78
Water wells
No district permit for a domestic well of 25,000 gallons/day or less; larger wells need a drilling and operating permit9
Owner-builder exemption
Not published by the county; unconfirmed10

Who to call

Septic permits

Goliad County Environmental Services Department

OSSF (septic) permit applications, inspections, and Authorizations to Construct for Goliad County; also serves as the county's Office of Emergency Management

(361) 645-3337

P.O. Box 677, 127 N. Courthouse Square, Goliad, Texas 77963

Well permits

Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District

Water well drilling and operating permits within Goliad County

(361) 645-1716

PO Box 562, 118 S. Market, Goliad, TX 77963

Also useful

Goliad County Judge's Office / Commissioners Court

General county government contact, where septic applications are filed, and subdivision plat approval before Commissioners Court

(361) 645-3337

127 N. Courthouse Sq., Goliad, TX 77963

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 Goliad County, Texas?

Unincorporated Goliad County, Texas does not require a building permit for a house, garage, barn, or other structure1. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 lets counties require building permits only in narrow situations: a fire code covering commercial buildings, public buildings, and multifamily buildings of four or more units applies only to a county over 250,000 people or adjacent to one, and Goliad County's population of 7,144 people falls far short of that threshold1112. A separate state provision lets a county apply residential building-code standards to new single-family and duplex construction, but only if the commissioners court adopts a resolution doing so, and no official Goliad County page confirms that it has11. Goliad County's own website lists septic, floodplain, and subdivision rules but no residential building-permit program1.

Who is the Goliad County building department, and how do you reach them?

Goliad County has no building department because unincorporated land needs no county building permit1. Septic applications, inspections, and Authorizations to Construct go through the Goliad County Environmental Services Department, reached at (361) 645-3337 at the courthouse, 127 N. Courthouse Square, Goliad, Texas13. Applications are filed in person at the office of the Goliad County Judge, which also sits at the courthouse and prepares subdivision plats for Commissioners Court1415. Water well drilling and operating permits go through the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District, a separate district reached at (361) 645-171616.

Does Goliad County have zoning?

Goliad County has no general zoning ordinance over unincorporated land2. Texas law grants county zoning power only for a short list of named places, such as Padre Island in Cameron or Willacy County and the Amistad Recreation Area in Val Verde County, and Goliad County is not among them, so the county cannot adopt zoning districts even if it wanted to17. Because the county has no zoning authority, it sets no minimum dwelling size, no setbacks, no lot-coverage limit, and no building-height limit anywhere in unincorporated Goliad County6. That same lack of zoning authority means Goliad County does not restrict living in an RV, a tiny home, or a manufactured home, or temporary camping, on unincorporated land6. Inside a platted subdivision, the county's own subdivision rules still apply: a lot with an individual well and septic system must be at least two acres with 150 feet of paved street frontage, and a lot on a central water system must be at least one acre with the same frontage78.

How do septic permits work in Goliad County?

Every on-site sewage facility (OSSF) in Goliad County needs a county permit before construction begins3. The Goliad County Environmental Services Officer reviews the site evaluation, application, and technical materials, and issues an Authorization to Construct once approved; the authorization is valid for one year from issuance185. The fee is $175 for a single-family residential site and $250 for a commercial site, payable only by personal check, cashier's check, or money order513. Before the installation is covered, the owner must call Environmental Services at least three business days ahead to schedule an inspection, and a Notice of Approval typically follows in about five business days; a failed inspection adds a $65 residential or $125 commercial re-inspection fee19. Only 22% of Goliad County's soil is rated free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so most building sites should plan for a site evaluation that may call for an alternative or engineered system rather than a standard trench field4. Texas also exempts some large tracts from OSSF permitting: a single-family home on 10 acres or more can skip the state permit if a licensed site evaluator confirms no nuisance or groundwater risk, every part of the system sits at least 100 feet from the property line, effluent stays on the property, and the house is the only dwelling on the tract, though Goliad County has not confirmed on its own site whether it applies this exemption locally20.

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

Yes: unincorporated Goliad County places no zoning restriction on living in an RV, tiny home, or manufactured home on your own land, because the county has no zoning ordinance to set that rule62. Goliad County still requires a septic permit for any wastewater system serving that RV or tiny home, filed with Goliad County Environmental Services the same way as for a house513. A domestic well serving the RV or tiny home is exempt from a Groundwater Conservation District permit as long as it produces no more than 25,000 gallons a day or uses a pump of 17 gallons per minute or less; a larger, non-exempt well needs a drilling permit followed by an operating permit9. If the land sits inside a platted subdivision rather than open acreage, the subdivision's own minimum lot size and utility rules still apply and are worth checking before adding a second living unit on the lot721.

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

  1. Confirm you don't need a county building permit: unincorporated Goliad County has none, so no plan review or inspection applies to the house itself1.
  2. If the lot is inside a recorded subdivision, check its minimum lot size, frontage, and utility rules before you buy or design721.
  3. Get a site and soil evaluation from a licensed site evaluator; only 22% of the county's soil carries no severe limitation for a conventional drain field, so plan the septic budget around that evaluation4.
  4. Apply for an OSSF permit with Goliad County Environmental Services, submitting the application, technical sheet, four copies, and the $175 residential fee135.
  5. Call Environmental Services at least three business days before covering the installed system so it can be inspected1913.
  6. If the well will use a pump larger than 1 HP and produce more than 18 gallons per minute, get a drilling permit and then an operating permit from the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District before drilling916.
  7. If the driveway will connect to a U.S. or state highway, apply to the local TxDOT district office using Form 1058 before building the approach22.
  8. Check whether the parcel sits in a mapped floodplain: Goliad County's subdivision rules bar all development in the floodway and require structures within the floodplain to sit above the base flood elevation23.

What to check before you buy land in Goliad County

Water: subdivisions inside the Goliad County Water Supply Corporation's service territory must use that corporation for water or sewer, since the county itself is not obligated to provide either21. A domestic well is the common alternative, and it needs no district permit if it produces 25,000 gallons a day or less, while a larger-pumped well needs a drilling and operating permit from the Groundwater Conservation District916. Soils: with only 22% of the county's soil rated free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, budget time and money for a site evaluation and possibly an alternative or engineered system4. Flood: Goliad County bars all development in mapped floodways and requires structures within the floodplain to sit above the base flood elevation, though the county's site does not name a floodplain administrator to confirm a parcel's status23. Access: a driveway onto a U.S. or state highway needs a TxDOT permit built to state standards, including a minimum 15-foot radius and a maximum 24-foot width for a private residential drive24. Taxes: Goliad County's effective property tax rate runs about 1%, with a median annual property tax bill of about $1,8922526. Climate and setting: the county averages 34.2 inches of rain a year with severe drought in roughly 21.5% of years, sits about 64 miles from the nearest metro area at a population density of 8.4 people per square mile, and is projected to see about 38 days a year at or above 100°F by mid-century2728293031.

Watch-outs

  • Goliad County's official site does not name a floodplain administrator, so confirm any parcel's flood-zone status and permit needs directly with the County Judge's office before you build1423.
  • No official Goliad County source states an owner-builder exemption from septic licensing rules, so ask Goliad County Environmental Services directly whether a landowner can self-install rather than hire a licensed installer1013.
  • The two-acre and one-acre minimum lot sizes apply only to lots inside a platted Goliad County subdivision, not to raw acreage bought outside a subdivision7.

Sources

  1. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 (2026 county census)
  2. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 (2026 county census)
  3. Septic Permitting Process (2026 county census)
  4. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  5. Septic Permitting Process, quoted and re-checked
  6. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  7. Goliad County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  8. Goliad County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  9. Water Well Information, quoted and re-checked
  10. (2026 county census)
  11. Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. County population: Bolthole Index county data
  13. Goliad County Environmental Services Department (co.goliad.tx.us)
  14. Goliad County Judge's Office / Commissioners Court (co.goliad.tx.us)
  15. Goliad County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  16. Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District (goliadcogcd.org)
  17. Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Septic Permitting Process, quoted and re-checked
  19. Septic Permitting Process, quoted and re-checked
  20. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Goliad County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  22. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Goliad County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  24. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Projected mid-century days at or above 100°F: 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

County locator

Goliad County in Texas

69
County map
Goliad County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Goliad County scores

Seclusion70100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency4796% ev.
Admin Boringness8290% ev.
Durability39100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost7596% ev.

Evidence strength: 97%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$283kTypical home
1%Property tax
$3,741Land / acre
34.2"Annual rain
21.5% of yrsSevere drought
37.9 / yr (+25.2)Mid-century 100°F days
25.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.68" (+6.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.41×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,535Home insurance / yr
-1.7% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
6,194People within 30 min
1,159,662People within 2 hr
6,854Radius comparison (15 mi)
8.4People / sq mi
0.2%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
22%Septic soil without severe limits
119,417 acWorkable land screen
22%Wooded land
12.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac
71.2°FAvg temp

Scout Goliad County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Goliad County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Goliad County

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

Goliad County rules

  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Goliad County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Goliad County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • 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 Goliad County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Goliad County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • 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 sizeSpecified

    Lots in Goliad County subdivisions using an individual water well and individual on-site sewage system, outside municipal corporate limits.

    • Drainage easements and road widening easements are excluded from the two-acre calculation.
    • There must be a 100-foot radius between the well and any on-site sewage system drain field.
    • Goliad County or other federal, state, or local laws or regulations may impose further lot restrictions.
    • The rule is part of the county subdivision regulations and applies to subdivision lots.

    minimum lot size: >= 2 acres · minimum paved street frontage: >= 150 feet (per lot) · well-to-onsite-sewage-drain-field radius: >= 100 feet

    “Minimum lot size shall be two acres with a minimum paved street frontage of 150’ for lots that have an individual water well and individual on-site sewage system. Drainage easements and road widening easements are to be excluded from the two-acre calculation. There shall be a 100-foot radius between the well and any on-site sewage system drain field. The Goliad County or other federal, state, or local laws or regulations may impose further lot restrictions.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Lots in Goliad County subdivisions served by a central water system, outside municipal corporate limits.
      “Minimum one acre lots with a minimum paved street frontage of 150’ a lot must have central water system provided by the Goliad County Water Supply Corporation or some other entity.”
  • Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Goliad County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Goliad County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Goliad County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Goliad County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • 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 Goliad County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Goliad County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • 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 Goliad County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Goliad County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • 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 Goliad County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Goliad County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • 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 Goliad County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Goliad County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • 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 Goliad County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Goliad County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • 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 Goliad County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Goliad County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • 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/septic facilities in Goliad County.

    • The County Environmental Services Officer reviews plans and applications and issues the Authorization to Construct after approval.
    • Non-standard system plans may also be reviewed by TCEQ staff in Austin.
    “Plans and application will be reviewed by the County Environmental Services Officer. Non-standard system plans may also be reviewed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality staff in Austin. After approval by the County Environmental Services Officer, an Authorization to Construct will be issued.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction and operation of an on-site sewage facility in Goliad County.

    • A completed application, technical information, appropriate fee, four application copies, planning materials, a site and soil evaluation, and accurate site directions must be submitted.
    • A licensed site evaluator should perform the mandatory soil-identification procedure.
    • A professional design by an R.S. or D.E. is required for proprietary and non-standard systems.
    • The Authorization to Construct is valid for one year from issuance.
    • Listed fees are $175 for a single-family residential site and $250 for a commercial site; fees must be paid by personal check, cashier's check, or money order, with no cash or credit cards accepted.

    authorization validity: 1 year (from date of issuance) · single-family residential site fee: 175 USD · commercial site fee: 250 USD

    “Authorization to Construct: Granted/Denied [...] NOTICE OF APPROVAL TO OPERATE FACILITY [...] This Permit is issued for the operation of the above identified on-site sewerage facility.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation of an on-site sewage facility in Goliad County.

    • Inspection is required after construction commences and before covering the installation.
    • The Environmental Office must be contacted at least three business/working days in advance.
    • After a successful inspection, a Notice of Approval is issued in approximately five business/working days.
    • Re-inspection fees are $65 per residential site and $125 per commercial site.

    advance inspection notice: >= 3 business/working days · residential re-inspection fee: 65 USD · commercial re-inspection fee: 125 USD · notice of approval timing: 5 business/working days (approximately)

    “After construction commences, an inspection of the installation is required before covering. Contact the office of the Goliad County Environmental Office at least three (3) business/working days in advance to arrange for an inspection.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water wells within the jurisdiction of the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District.

    • A domestic well incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day or 17 GPM or less is identified as exempt.
    • A livestock or poultry well on 10 acres or more incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day is identified as exempt.
    • A well used solely to supply water for an actively drilling oil or gas exploration rig is identified as exempt.
    • A non-exempt well equipped with a pump larger than 1 HP and capable of producing more than 18 GPM must have a drilling permit followed by an operating permit.
    • Replacement of an existing permitted well requires a new permit.
    • Well spacing is based on permitted flow and maximum well size depends on zone location.

    domestic exempt production threshold: <= 25000 gallons/day (domestic well) · domestic exempt flow threshold: <= 17 GPM (domestic well) · non-exempt pump threshold: > 1 HP (well must also be capable of producing more than 18 GPM) · non-exempt production threshold: > 18 GPM (pump larger than 1 HP)

    “A well must be permitted if it is to be equipped with larger than a 1 HP pump capable of producing more than 18 GPM. [...] Must have a drilling permit followed by an operating permit.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Residential subdivisions subject to the Goliad County subdivision regulations.

    • If a subdivision lies within the defined CCN territory of the Goliad County Water Supply Corporation, the developer must deal with that corporation for water and/or sewer utilities.
    • Goliad County is not responsible or obligated to provide water and/or sewer utilities to any subdivision in the county.
    • The cited provision addresses subdivision utility service and does not establish a countywide connection mandate for every parcel.
    “The developer of the subdivision must determine if the subdivision falls within the defined territory and if so deal with the Goliad County Water Supply Corporation for water and/or sewer utilities. [...] Goliad County is not responsible or obligated to provide water and/or sewer utilities to any subdivision in the County.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land in Goliad County outside municipal corporate limits; municipal rules also apply in a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

    • The regulations are established for Goliad County outside municipal jurisdiction.
    • In a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction, the owner must obtain city approval before Goliad County Commissioners' Court approval.
    • If municipal and county regulations conflict in the ETJ, the more stringent provisions prevail.
    • A subdivision plat is not required when an owner divides a tract into two or more parts without laying out streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts intended for public use or for use by purchasers or owners of lots fronting on or adjacent to those areas.
    “The Commissioners Court of Goliad County has the authority to regulate the subdivision process pursuant to Texas Local Government Code, §232.001 et. seq., as amended; [...] These rules have been established for the orderly development of Goliad County, Texas, outside of the jurisdiction of municipalities.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveway access for lots in unincorporated Goliad County subdivisions, including lots fronting U.S. or State highways

    • Lots fronting a U.S. Highway or State Highway require authorization from the appropriate highway official for private driveways.
    • Subdivision plat language may prevent rear driveway access to a street and side driveway access to a major street.
    • Driveway drainage structures must provide sufficient free-flow opening, with the stated minimum opening requirement.

    minimum net drainage opening for driveway structures: >= 1.75 square feet (culverts or bridges must be used for driveways and/or walks)

    “Culverts or bridges must be used for driveways and/or walks.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development governed by the Goliad County Subdivision Regulations within a flood plain or drainage easement, including county subdivision development in unincorporated Goliad County.

    • Development within the flood plain or a drainage easement is allowed only on a case-by-case basis.
    • Structures constructed within the flood plain must be above the base floor elevation.
    • No development whatsoever is permitted in the floodway.
    • All flood plains and concentrated flows for the 100-year storm frequency must be contained within a dedicated drainage easement or right-of-way.
    • Studied floodplains may instead be defined with base flood elevations and established regulatory floodway boundaries without drainage easements.

    storm frequency: 100 year

    “Development will be allowed within the flood plain [...] only on a case by case basis, [...] No development whatsoever will be permitted in the floodway.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Development within flood plains, drainage easements, and floodways in unincorporated Goliad County subdivisions
      “No development whatsoever will be permitted in the floodway.”
  • Building permitNot required

    Under Texas Local Government Code Ch. 233, counties generally cannot require building permits or inspections in unincorporated areas; Goliad County publishes no residential building-permit program (only septic/floodplain).

    Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties have no general zoning authority over unincorporated land; Goliad County regulates septic and floodplain but not zoning districts.

    Texas Local Government Code Chapter 233 ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • 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:”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Constructing a new driveway or revising an existing driveway on the right of way of a Texas state highway.

    • The applicant should contact the local District TxDOT office.
    • The applicant must submit Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way.
    • The application must be for the bona fide purpose of securing or changing access to the owner's property, not parking or servicing vehicles on state highway rights of way.
    • No construction may begin on the right of way until a fully executed driveway permit is received and the applicant gives TxDOT 24-hour notification.
    • The driveway must comply with the executed permit and applicable regulations; TxDOT inspection must find construction satisfactory.
    • Where a local public agency has permitting authority, drainage impacts on the state highway system still require TxDOT approval before local approval.
    • Driveway geometrics, utilities, environmental requirements, wetlands considerations, ADAAG, TAS, and other applicable state and federal laws must be considered.

    required form: Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way · advance notification: 24 hours (Notification to TxDOT is required before construction on the right of way.) · private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · minimum driveway radius to highway pavement: >= 15 feet

    “The applicant shall complete and submit to TxDOT a Form 1058”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — An owner-builder exemption from building permits or building inspections in Goliad County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — A certificate of occupancy for buildings in Goliad County.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across Goliad County, including incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems in Goliad County.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemption from county residential construction, permitting, zoning, or land-use requirements in unincorporated Goliad County.
1 more unanswered
  • 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.

Living off-grid in Goliad County, Texas

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

Goliad County scores 69/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong 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 Goliad County, Texas?

Goliad 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 Goliad County Environmental Services Department. 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 Goliad County?

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

Land in Goliad County runs about $3,741 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Goliad County?

Goliad County gets about 34.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 21.5% of years.

How remote is Goliad County?

A representative private-land location has about 6,194 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,159,662 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 Goliad County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

How Goliad compares in Texas

Compare side-by-side →See all 254 Texas counties ranked →