Hale County, TX Building Permits, Zoning & Septic

Q: Does Hale County have zoning?

Unincorporated Hale County has no county zoning ordinance. Texas law gives counties zoning power only in narrow, specific circumstances, and Hale County has not adopted a general zoning ordinance, so the county sets no minimum lot size, setback, building-height, or lot-coverage rule, and places no county-level restriction on RVs, tiny homes, manufactured homes, or accessory dwellings. That silence is countywide but not universal: the City of Plainview has its own zoning ordinance and map that apply within its corporate limits, dividing the city into districts that restrict building and land use, though none of it reaches Plainview's extraterritorial jurisdiction. If your land is inside or near Plainview, confirm which side of the city line it sits on before assuming the county's unzoned default applies.

Unincorporated Hale County, Texas does not run a general building-permit program for an ordinary home, but builders and contractors in the county's mapped floodplain must get a Flood Plain Application before construction begins or face fines and penalties¹. There is no county zoning ordinance either, so the county itself sets no minimum lot size, setback, or use restriction, though the City of Plainview zones within its own corporate limits²³. Septic systems go through the Hale County Special Projects Coordinator, and every system must be installed by a licensed installer⁴. Only 14.4% of the county's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so plan for a site evaluation before you build⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required countywide, except a Flood Plain Application is required before construction in mapped floodplain areas¹
Zoning: No county zoning ordinance in unincorporated Hale County; the City of Plainview zones within its own corporate limits²³
Septic permits: Hale County Special Projects Coordinator issues OSSF/septic permits; systems must be installed by a licensed installer⁴
Owner-builder exemption: Not documented; the county doesn't run a general building-permit program to need an exemption from⁶
RVs, tiny homes, setbacks, minimum lot size: No county rule; Texas gives counties zoning power only in limited circumstances and Hale County has no zoning ordinance⁷
Septic 10-acre exemption: A qualifying single-family OSSF on a tract of at least 10 acres can skip planning, permit, and inspection requirements if it meets every Chapter 285 condition⁸
Septic soil difficulty: 14.4% of the county's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field⁵
Driveway onto a state highway: Needs a TxDOT Form 1058 permit before you build or change one⁹¹⁰

Who to call

Septic permits

Hale County Special Projects Coordinator

OSSF/septic permit applications for unincorporated Hale County; every system must be installed by a licensed installer

(806) 288-1541

500 Broadway, Ste. 220, Plainview, TX 79072

Floodplain permits

Hale County Special Projects Coordinator, Floodplain Permits

Flood Plain Application permits for builders and contractors in the unincorporated areas of Hale County, required under FEMA's floodplain program

(806) 288-1541

500 Broadway, Ste. 220, Plainview, TX 79072

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 Hale County, Texas?

Unincorporated Hale County does not run a general building-permit program for an ordinary home¹. The one exception is floodplain-specific: the county's own notice to builders and contractors states that anyone building in the unincorporated areas of Hale County must obtain a Flood Plain Application before construction begins, since the floodplain permit is required under FEMA's floodplain program, and failing to get one results in fines and penalties¹¹. Texas gives counties only limited, subject-specific building and zoning authority rather than a general permit power, and no Hale County resolution or ordinance adopting a broader building-permit or inspection program was found on the county's own site⁷. Inside the City of Plainview, the answer is different: city code creates its own zoning districts and permitting inside the corporate limits, though it does not reach the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction³.

Who handles floodplain, septic and county permits in Hale County, and how do you reach them?

There is no general county building department to call in Hale County; the office that issues both floodplain and septic permits in unincorporated areas is the Hale County Special Projects Coordinator¹⁴. Reach that office at the Hale County Courthouse, 500 Broadway, Ste. 220 in Plainview, at (806) 288-1541¹². Floodplain applications for construction in the unincorporated county go through that same office and must be obtained before construction begins to avoid fines and penalties¹³¹⁴. Permits can be obtained by calling that office directly, or by downloading the application from the county website and bringing it to the Special Projects Coordinator's office in person¹⁵.

Does Hale County have zoning?

Unincorporated Hale County has no county zoning ordinance². Texas law gives counties zoning power only in narrow, specific circumstances, and Hale County has not adopted a general zoning ordinance, so the county sets no minimum lot size, setback, building-height, or lot-coverage rule, and places no county-level restriction on RVs, tiny homes, manufactured homes, or accessory dwellings⁷. That silence is countywide but not universal: the City of Plainview has its own zoning ordinance and map that apply within its corporate limits, dividing the city into districts that restrict building and land use, though none of it reaches Plainview's extraterritorial jurisdiction³. If your land is inside or near Plainview, confirm which side of the city line it sits on before assuming the county's unzoned default applies.

How do septic permits work in Hale County?

Every septic (OSSF) system in unincorporated Hale County needs an application, purchased by the property owner, before installation, and the system must be installed by a licensed installer⁸. The Hale County Special Projects Coordinator is the permitting authority, acting as an authorized agent under Texas's statewide OSSF program⁴¹⁶. A qualifying single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres can skip planning materials, a permit, and inspections entirely if every Chapter 285 condition is met, including keeping all parts of the system at least 100 feet from the property line and disposing of effluent on the property⁸. For systems that do need a permit, the installer must notify the permitting authority at least 5 working days before the system is ready for inspection, and if it fails, a written deficiency letter follows within 7 calendar days¹⁷. Soils are a real constraint here: only 14.4% of Hale County's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so budget for site evaluation and engineering even outside the 10-acre exemption⁵⁸. Boreholes, cesspools, and seepage pits are prohibited outright, regardless of tract size¹⁸.

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

Yes, as far as county rules go. Hale County has no zoning ordinance to restrict RV occupancy, tiny homes, or manufactured-home living on unincorporated land, because Texas gives counties zoning power only in limited circumstances and Hale County has not adopted a general ordinance⁷. That freedom doesn't extend to septic: any permanent living unit not connected to a public sewer still needs a permitted OSSF unless it qualifies for the state's 10-acre single-family exemption, so plan your wastewater system regardless of what you're living in⁸. And it doesn't extend into Plainview: the city runs its own zoning inside its corporate limits, so confirm you're outside the city line before assuming the county's unrestricted default applies³.

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

Confirm your parcel is outside Plainview's corporate limits, since the county's default of no zoning and no general building permit applies only to unincorporated Hale County³.
Check whether your lot is in a mapped floodplain, and if it is, get a Flood Plain Application from the Special Projects Coordinator before construction begins to avoid fines and penalties¹³¹¹.
Arrange a septic site evaluation early, since only 14.4% of the county's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, and either apply for your OSSF permit through the Special Projects Coordinator or confirm your build qualifies for the state's 10-acre single-family exemption⁵¹²⁸.
If your driveway will connect to a state highway, submit TxDOT Form 1058 to the local district office and get a fully executed permit before construction on the right of way⁹¹⁰.
If your septic system needs a construction inspection, give the permitting authority at least 5 working days' notice before it's ready¹⁷.
Build: outside a floodplain and outside city limits, there is no general county building-permit inspection to schedule for an ordinary home¹.

What to check before you buy land in Hale County

Confirm city limits first, since Plainview runs its own zoning and permitting inside its corporate limits, unlike the unincorporated county's default of none³. Budget for a serious septic build: only 14.4% of Hale County's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, and even the state's 10-acre exemption still requires a site evaluation, proper separation distances, and on-property effluent disposal⁵⁸. Check flood maps directly with the Special Projects Coordinator, since builders and contractors in the unincorporated county need a Flood Plain Application before construction begins¹³¹⁴. Terrain is about as flat as it gets: 100% of the land sits at 15% slope or less, with just 0.2% forested and 0.1% federally owned, reflecting the High Plains farmland around Plainview¹⁹²⁰²¹. Carrying costs run moderate: the effective property tax rate is about 1.4%, with a median annual bill near $1,471, against a typical home value around $121,849, and typical home insurance runs about $2,561 a year²²²³²⁴²⁵.

Watch-outs

Plainview runs its own zoning and building rules inside its corporate limits; the unincorporated county's default of no zoning and no general building permit does not apply there³.
Only 14.4% of Hale County's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so budget for a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system⁵.
A Flood Plain Application is required before construction begins anywhere in the unincorporated county's mapped floodplain, and skipping it brings fines and penalties, not just a rejected form¹¹.

Sources

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.

How Hale County scores

Seclusion54100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency1796% ev.

Admin Boringness7290% ev.

Durability34100% ev.

Property Autonomy71100% ev.

Carry Cost80100% 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 →

$122kTypical home

1.4%Property tax

$1,573Land / acre

19.1"Annual rain

39.8% of yrsSevere drought

24.5 / yr (+20.3)Mid-century 100°F days

30.1 daysMid-century dry spell

1.34" (+4.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.26×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$2,561Home insurance / yr

1.1% / yrInsurance growth

0%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

28,640People within 30 min

720,321People within 2 hr

11,243Radius comparison (15 mi)

31.6People / sq mi

0.1%Federal land

100%Land at 15% slope or less

14.4%Septic soil without severe limits

92,347 acWorkable land screen

0.2%Wooded land

6.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac

59.5°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Hale County

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

Hale County rules

Building permitLimited
Construction by builders and contractors in floodplain areas of unincorporated Hale County.
- A Flood Plain Application must be obtained before construction begins.
- The flood plain permit is required under FEMA.
- Failure to obtain the permit results in fines and penalties.
“NOTICE TO ALL FUTURE BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF HALE COUNTY FLOOD PLAIN PERMITS: Builders and contractors must obtain a Flood Plain Application before construction begins. A flood plain permit is required under FEMA which regulates the flood plain program. Failure to obtain the permit will result in fines and penalties.”
Special Projects ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Building height · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hale County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing halecounty.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Who permits septicCounty
OSSF/septic permitting in the unincorporated areas of Hale County.
- The county page directs applicants to the Hale County Special Projects Coordinator for permits.
- The page requires installation by a licensed installer.
“Permits may be obtained by calling: Hale County Special Projects Coordinator”
Special Projects ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of OSSFs/septic systems in unincorporated Hale County.
- Hale County requires an application for all septic systems being installed.
- The county page states installation must be by a licensed installer.
- State exceptions include qualifying single-family dwellings on tracts of at least 10 acres, grandfathered systems, and emergency repairs; local requirements may be more stringent.
- The TCEQ 10-acre exception requires compliance with Chapter 285, a site evaluation, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line, on-site effluent disposal, and only one dwelling on the tract.
- Emergency repairs must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.
10-acre exception tract size: >= 10 acres (Only qualifying single-family-dwelling OSSFs meeting all stated Chapter 285 conditions.) · OSSF separation from property line under 10-acre exception: >= 100 feet (All parts of the OSSF.) · emergency-repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (After repairs have begun; written report to permitting authority.)
“All septic systems being installed are required to have an Application which is to be purchased by the property owner”
Special Projects ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Off-grid domestic wastewater treatment through an OSSF/septic system in unincorporated Hale County.
- Hale County requires an application for all septic systems being installed and requires a licensed installer.
- Qualifying single-family-dwelling OSSFs on tracts of at least 10 acres may be exempt from planning materials, permits, and inspections only if all Chapter 285 conditions are met.
- Boreholes, cesspools, and seepage pits are prohibited for installation or use.
- Systems treating more than 5,000 gallons per day, accepting municipal/agricultural/industrial/other waste, discharging into or adjacent to state waters, or new cluster systems are excluded from Chapter 285 and may require other permits.
qualifying exemption tract size: >= 10 acres (Single-family dwelling and all Chapter 285 conditions must be satisfied.) · property-line separation: >= 100 feet (All parts of the qualifying OSSF.) · excluded-system threshold: > 5000 gallons per day (May require a Chapter 205 or Chapter 305 permit.)
“Boreholes, cesspools, and seepage pits are prohibited for installation or use.”
Special Projects ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Construction by builders and contractors in floodplain areas of unincorporated Hale County.
- A Flood Plain Application must be obtained before construction begins.
- The county page states the floodplain permit is required under FEMA floodplain-program regulation.
- Failure to obtain the permit results in fines and penalties.
“NOTICE TO ALL FUTURE BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF HALE COUNTY FLOOD PLAIN PERMITS: Builders and contractors must obtain a Flood Plain Application before construction begins. A flood plain permit is required under FEMA which regulates the flood plain program. Failure to obtain the permit will result in fines and penalties.”
Special Projects ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Floodplain and septic permit applications in unincorporated areas of Hale County.
- Floodplain permits must be obtained before construction begins.
- The floodplain permit is required under FEMA floodplain-program regulation; failure to obtain it results in fines and penalties.
- Septic applications must be purchased by the property owner and systems must be installed by a licensed installer.
- Permits may be obtained by calling the Special Projects Coordinator or by downloading the application and bringing it to the office in person.
“Permits may be obtained by calling: Hale County Special Projects Coordinator [...] Or by downloading off this website and bringing the application into the Special Projects Coordinator’s office in person.”
Special Projects ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
County-wide zoningAbsent
No county zoning ordinance is described; county land-related permits are limited to floodplain and septic, consistent with Texas counties lacking zoning authority.
Hale County - Special Projects (Permits) ↗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:”
Industrialized Housing and Buildings – Adoption of New Code Editions ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
OSSF construction in Hale County and elsewhere in Texas, subject to applicable state exceptions and authorized-agent requirements.
- The permitting authority must conduct a construction inspection for covered OSSFs.
- The installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the OSSF is ready for inspection.
- If the system fails inspection, it cannot be used until it passes inspection; a written deficiency letter is required within seven calendar days.
- A reinspection fee may be assessed and must be paid before reinspection.
- No planning materials, permit, or inspections are required for a qualifying single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres meeting all Chapter 285 conditions.
- Grandfathered systems and certain other exceptions also apply.
inspection notice: >= 5 working days (Before the OSSF will be ready for inspection.) · deficiency-letter deadline: <= 7 calendar days (After the failed construction inspection.)
“The permitting authority shall conduct a construction inspection.”
Basics for Septic Systems ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — OSSF installation and, where applicable, maintenance inspections in Texas
  “Many times, the AA has a "designated representative" (DR) to assist them with their responsibilities, which include reviewing plans for constructing, altering, extending or repairing each OSSF; issuing permits; and inspecting system installation. [...] If the system uses an electronic monitor, automatic radio or telephone to notify the maintenance provider of system or component failure and to monitor the amount of disinfection in the system, reporting may be reduced to every six months.”
  Basics for Septic Systems ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
New or modified access driveways connecting property to a Texas state highway right of way.
- A local public agency may receive access driveway permitting authority for state highways, but TxDOT approval remains required for drainage impacts on the state highway system before local approval.
- No access driveway is permitted within a flared or widened right-of-way section at an intersection of a state highway with another highway, road, or street.
- All entrances and exits, including radii, must be confined within the permittee's property frontage.
- One-way 45-to-90-degree driveways are permitted for connections to one-way frontage roads or lane-divided highways; otherwise the driveway angle must be 75 to 90 degrees.
- ADAAG and Texas Accessibility Standards apply.
private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · driveway-to-pavement radius: >= 15 feet
“A driveway must be constructed in accordance with a fully executed driveway permit”
Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
county zoning authorityLimited
Texas counties adopting zoning regulations for specified unincorporated or otherwise specially defined areas.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
- Other Chapter 231 subchapters address special areas including the Amistad Recreation Area in Val Verde County, military zones, certain lakes, the El Paso Mission Trail Historical Area, Lake Somerville, and Falcon Lake in Zapata County.
- The cited statute was enacted effective September 1, 1987; the Falcon Lake subchapter was added effective June 15, 2007, and amended effective September 1, 2009.
Padre Island distance from publicly owned park or recreational development: <= 2 miles (Area must be outside a municipality and in Cameron or Willacy County.) · Padre Island distance from beach, wharf, or bathhouse: <= 2 miles (The beach, wharf, or bathhouse must be used by at least 500 persons annually.)
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
county building authorityLimited
Texas counties adopting and enforcing fire-code building permits for specified buildings in unincorporated areas and applying residential building-code standards in certain counties.
- Under Section 233.061, the county must have a population over 250,000 or be adjacent to a county with a population over 250,000.
- Under Section 233.062, the fire code applies only to commercial establishments, public buildings, and multifamily residential dwellings consisting of four or more units constructed in an unincorporated area.
- The fire code does not apply to an industrial facility having a fire brigade that conforms to Occupational Health and Safety Administration requirements.
- A covered applicant must submit a plan and a commissioners-court-set application fee; the county must issue or deny the permit within 30 days, and failure to act within 30 days approves the construction for purposes of the subchapter.
- The fire code must conform to the International Fire Code or Uniform Fire Code as those codes existed on May 1, 2005, or establish protective measures exceeding those standards; later editions may be adopted.
- Residential standards under Section 233.152 apply only if the county adopts a resolution or order and the county is within 50 miles of an international border or has a population over 100.
- Those residential standards apply only to new single-family-house or duplex construction beginning after September 1, 2009; manufactured or modular structures governed by Occupations Code Chapters 1201 or 1202 are excluded from the definition of new residential construction.
- A municipality's building code controls in its extraterritorial jurisdiction, and Section 233.152 does not authorize county prior approval of new residential construction or county zoning regulations.
- Fire-code inspection and permit fees may be charged under a fee schedule based on building type, limited to amounts necessary to administer and enforce the subchapter; inspection fees must be reasonable and reflect approximate inspection costs.
county population threshold for fire-code authority: > 250000 persons (A county adjacent to a county over 250,000 also qualifies.) · multifamily residential dwelling threshold: >= 4 units (The fire code applies only to covered buildings constructed in an unincorporated area.) · residential-code border distance: <= 50 miles (Alternative qualification is county population over 100.) · application decision period: 30 days (If the commissioners court does not issue or deny the permit within 30 days after receiving the application and fee, construction is approved for purposes of the subchapter.) · residential standards effective construction date: > 2009-09-01 (Applies only to new residential construction that begins after September 1, 2009.)
“The commissioners court of a county with a population of over 250,000 or a county adjacent to a county with a population of over 250,000 may adopt a fire code and rules necessary to administer and enforce the fire code. [...] The fire code applies only to the following buildings constructed in an unincorporated area of the county: (1) a commercial establishment; (2) a public building; and (3) a multifamily residential dwelling consisting of four or more units.”
Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026

Inside cities and towns in Hale County

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

Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Zoning within the corporate limits of the City of Plainview, Hale County, Texas.
- The ordinance applies within the City's corporate limits unless otherwise noted.
- No provision of the ordinance applies within the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
- The ordinance divides the City into zones or districts that restrict and regulate building and land-use locations.
“Unless otherwise noted all provisions of this Chapter apply within the corporate limits of the City of Plainview, Texas.”
Plainview, TX Zoning and Sign Ordinances ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing buildings in unincorporated Hale County.
Inspections — Building inspection requirements for construction in unincorporated Hale County.
Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for buildings in unincorporated Hale County.
Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer utility connection requirements in Hale County.
Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemptions from applicable development or construction requirements in unincorporated Hale County.

3 more unanswered

Subdividing land
Short-term rentals
Permit fees

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.

Water rights & wells in Hale County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Texas’s water agency.

Actively managed

This basin is under active state management — new water use is scrutinized, though a domestic well is usually still allowed.

Household wellExempt up to a limit

Texas groundwater is governed by the rule of capture; a Groundwater Conservation District must exempt qualifying domestic/livestock wells and may not restrict their production, but well registration and spacing rules can still apply and the exemption does not cover wells serving a platted subdivision.

Limit: Domestic/livestock well exempt from GCD production permitting if on a tract >10 acres AND incapable of producing >25,000 gal/day (Tex. Water Code §36.117)

Texas Water Code §36.117 / TWDB ↗

Briscoe, Hale & Swisher Counties Priority Groundwater Management Areapartial of county
TCEQ-designated Ogallala/High Plains critical-groundwater area; drives GCD coverage. Domestic/livestock wells remain exempt but spacing/registration may apply.
TCEQ — Priority Groundwater Management Areas ↗

Hybrid state (appropriation + riparian). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Texas state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Hale County, Texas

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

Hale County scores 42/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: thin water margin (19.1″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Hale County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Hale County Special Projects Coordinator (TCEQ OSSF authorized agent). 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 Hale County?

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

Land in Hale County runs about $1,573 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Hale County?

Hale County gets about 19.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 39.8% of years. On water rights, Hale County lies in the Briscoe, Hale & Swisher Counties Priority Groundwater Management Area — TCEQ-designated Ogallala/High Plains critical-groundwater area; drives GCD coverage. Domestic/livestock wells remain exempt but spacing/registration may apply..

How remote is Hale County?

A representative private-land location has about 28,640 people within a 30-minute drive and 720,321 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Building permits, zoning, floodplain and septic rules in Hale County, Texas

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles floodplain, septic and county permits in Hale County, and how do you reach them?

Does Hale County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Hale County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Hale County

Watch-outs

Sources

Hale County in Texas

How Hale County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Hale County

Hale County rules

Texas rules that apply here

Inside cities and towns in Hale County

Still unanswered

Water rights & wells in Hale County

Living off-grid in Hale County, Texas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Hale County, Texas?

What is the water situation in Hale County?

How remote is Hale County?

How Hale compares in Texas