Building permits, zoning and land rules in Hartley County, Texas
36Index Score / 100 #238 of 254 in Texas
Unincorporated Hartley County, Texas requires no building permit and enforces no zoning on rural land12. Texas gives counties no general zoning power, so the county sets no minimum lot size, setback or building-height rule outside the City of Dalhart3. Septic is different: Hartley County itself administers on-site sewage facility (OSSF) permits through the County Judge's office, rather than delegating to a neighboring county or the state45. Dalhart, the county's only incorporated city, enforces its own 2015 International Building Code with its own permit fees6.
At a glance
Building permit
Not required in unincorporated Hartley County; the county has no building department1
Zoning
None countywide; the City of Dalhart sets its own building and permit rules inside city limits2
Septic (OSSF)
Hartley County's own County Judge's office permits every system: $225 for residential, $330 for commercial5
RV, tiny home & manufactured home living
Unrestricted by county rule outside Dalhart, since Texas gives the county no general zoning power3
Minimum lot size / setbacks
None set by the county; state law doesn't give Texas counties general zoning authority3
OSSF 10-acre exemption
Available for a single-family home on a 10+ acre tract if every TCEQ site condition is met7
Water wells (North Plains GCD)
Domestic/livestock wells under 25,000 gallons a day are exempt from a well permit but must still register8
General county government contact at the Hartley County Courthouse; the county has no separate building or planning department to direct land-use questions to
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 Hartley County, Texas?
No, not on unincorporated land. Texas counties generally have no authority to require residential building permits outside city limits, and Hartley County lists no building-inspection department1. Texas law would let commissioners court adopt residential building standards by resolution, but only for new single-family or duplex construction started after September 1, 2009, and Hartley County's official site shows no such resolution9. That's different inside the county's one incorporated city: Dalhart's Code Department requires plans to comply with the 2015 International Building Codes, with a $0.15-per-square-foot residential permit fee (minimum $100) and a $0.20-per-square-foot commercial fee (minimum $200)6. If your land is inside Dalhart, contact its Code Department directly rather than the county.
Who do you contact about permits in Hartley County?
There's no county building or planning department to call, because unincorporated Hartley County has neither a building-permit program nor a zoning ordinance12. For septic permits, Hartley County's own County Judge's office administers the on-site sewage facility program directly, rather than referring you to a neighboring county5. For general county-government questions, the County Judge's office sits at the Hartley County Courthouse in Channing10.
Does Hartley County have zoning?
No, not countywide. Texas gives counties no general zoning power, and Hartley County has adopted no zoning ordinance for its unincorporated land, so there's no minimum lot size, setback, lot-coverage or building-height rule imposed by the county itself3. Dalhart, the county's only incorporated city, enforces its own building code through its Code Department, but that's a building-code program, not a confirmed zoning ordinance — check with Dalhart directly for any zoning question inside its limits6.
How do septic permits work in Hartley County?
Hartley County administers its own on-site sewage facility (OSSF) program through the County Judge's office rather than delegating to a neighboring county or a regional TCEQ office45. The application must be submitted to that office and approved before construction starts, with fees of $225 for a residential system and $330 for a commercial or business system5. Statewide, a single-family home on a tract of at least 10 acres can skip the OSSF permit only if every TCEQ condition is met: a site evaluation by a licensed evaluator or engineer, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, every part of the system at least 100 feet from the property line, on-site effluent disposal, and no other dwelling on the tract7. Soils work in your favor here: about 76.2% of Hartley County's land has no severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, a notably high share, though you should still confirm with a site evaluator before you commit to a specific parcel11.
Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home on your land in Hartley County?
Outside Dalhart, yes — Hartley County has no zoning ordinance to restrict RV, tiny-home, manufactured-home or temporary-camping use on your own land, because Texas counties have no general zoning power here3. That's a statement about county land-use rules only: any structure with plumbing still needs a compliant septic system, so an RV or tiny home with a bathroom still triggers Hartley County's OSSF permitting through the County Judge's office5. This freedom stops at the Dalhart city line, where the city's own building code and any city land-use rules apply instead6.
Building on land in Hartley County: the steps, in order
Confirm whether your parcel is unincorporated county land or inside the City of Dalhart, since the rules differ sharply2.
If unincorporated, know that no county building permit or zoning approval is required before you start construction1.
Apply for your septic (OSSF) permit through the Hartley County Judge's office before any work begins, budgeting $225 for a residential system or $330 for commercial5.
If you need a well, register it with the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District; domestic or livestock wells under 25,000 gallons a day are exempt from a permit but still require registration, and any permit issued is valid for 150 calendar days8.
If your driveway will connect to a state highway, apply for a TxDOT driveway permit using Form 1058 through the local TxDOT district office before you build any access12.
If you're building inside Dalhart, get building approval from the city's Code Department first — the county's rules above don't apply there6.
What to check before you buy land in Hartley County
Soils: about 76.2% of Hartley County's land has no severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, one of the better shares among the counties in this guide series, which makes a standard system more likely to work here11. Water: domestic and livestock wells producing under 25,000 gallons a day are exempt from a North Plains Groundwater Conservation District well permit but must still be registered with the district8. Access: a new driveway onto a state highway needs a TxDOT permit, with private driveways limited to 24 feet of width and at least a 15-foot radius into the highway pavement13. Taxes: Hartley County's effective property tax rate runs about 1.2%, with a median annual bill near $2,6041415. Setting: the county has no federal land, population density is very light at about 3.5 people per square mile, and the nearest metro area is roughly 65 miles away161718.
Watch-outs
Hartley County's official site does not explicitly say whether the county requires residential building permits or inspections; the "not required" answer here follows from Texas counties generally lacking that authority and the county's site listing no building department, so confirm with the County Judge's office for your specific project10.
No official Hartley County floodplain-development rule was found during research; if your parcel is near a floodplain, ask the County Judge's office who administers floodplain review before you buy10.
"Unrestricted" RV, tiny-home and manufactured-home rules apply only to unincorporated county land; Dalhart enforces its own building code within city limits6.
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.
Hartley County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score
How Hartley County scores
Seclusion87100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1296% ev.
Admin Boringness8290% ev.
Durability25100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost7894% ev.
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Answers from the rulebook for Hartley County
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Hartley County rules
Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Building height · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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.”
Who permits septicCounty
OSSF application administration identified on the Hartley County official County Judge page.
The TCEQ advises applicants to check the local permitting authority.
The Hartley County page provides an application to install an on-site sewage facility and county-specific septic information.
“Application To Install On-Site Sewage Facility ( click here for fees and application )”
Well permitLimited
Water wells located within the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District area in Hartley County.
All wells must be registered with the District or have a test-hole permit or well permit unless exempt by law or District rules.
Domestic and livestock wells not capable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day are exempt from permitting but must be registered.
Rig-supply wells have the stated permitting exemptions and registration, metering, and reporting conditions.
A well permit application requires District review, applicable fees, any required site investigation, and compliance with District rules.
domestic or livestock well permitting-exemption threshold: <= 25000 gallons per day (registration remains required) · well permit validity: 150 calendar days (the Board may extend for good cause if requested before expiration)
“All Wells must be registered with the District or have a Test Hole Permit or Well Permit issued by the District.”
Building permitNot required
Under Texas law counties lack authority to require permits or inspections for single-family residential construction in unincorporated areas, and Hartley County lists no building-inspection department.
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:”
Septic permitRequired
Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF in Texas
A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
A 10-acre exemption may apply only if all listed conditions are met: site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer; single-family dwelling on at least 10 acres; no nuisance or groundwater pollution; all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line; effluent disposed of on the property; and the single-family dwelling is the only dwelling on the tract.
Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin.
Grandfathered systems may also be exempt if the stated conditions are met.
minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (single-family dwelling and all other TCEQ conditions must be met) · minimum OSSF distance from property line for 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet (all parts of the OSSF) · emergency repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (after repairs have begun; written report to permitting authority)
“A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. [...] An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”:”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Required — Construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, and operation of OSSFs, including septic systems, in Texas, including Hartley County.
“A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
Septic inspectionLimited
OSSF installation and, where applicable, maintenance inspections in Texas
Authorized agents or their designated representatives inspect system installation.
Some permitting authorities impose more stringent requirements.
Maintenance-provider inspection and reporting requirements apply to systems and circumstances governed by 30 TAC §285.91(4).
Electronic monitoring may reduce reporting to every six months where the stated monitoring conditions apply.
reduced maintenance reporting interval with qualifying electronic monitoring: 6 months (only where the system uses the specified electronic monitoring, automatic notification, and disinfection monitoring)
“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.”
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Off-grid single-family OSSF sanitation systems in Texas, including qualifying property in Hartley County.
A qualifying OSSF may be exempt from permitting under the 10-acre rule only if all TCEQ-listed conditions are met.
The system must comply with planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC Chapter 285.
The dwelling must be the only dwelling on the tract, effluent must be disposed of on the property, and the system must not cause a nuisance or pollute groundwater.
minimum tract size: >= 10 acres (single-family dwelling and all other 10-acre-rule conditions must be met) · minimum property-line setback: >= 100 feet (all parts of the OSSF)
“An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”:”
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”
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”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Published (with conditions) — On-site sewage facility permitting, including septic systems and holding tanks, in Hartley County and elsewhere in Texas
“A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
county zoning authorityLimited
Texas counties adopting zoning regulations for specified unincorporated or otherwise specially defined areas.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
Other Chapter 231 subchapters address special areas including the Amistad Recreation Area in Val Verde County, military zones, certain lakes, the El Paso Mission Trail Historical Area, Lake Somerville, and Falcon Lake in Zapata County.
The cited statute was enacted effective September 1, 1987; the Falcon Lake subchapter was added effective June 15, 2007, and amended effective September 1, 2009.
Padre Island distance from publicly owned park or recreational development: <= 2 miles (Area must be outside a municipality and in Cameron or Willacy County.) · Padre Island distance from beach, wharf, or bathhouse: <= 2 miles (The beach, wharf, or bathhouse must be used by at least 500 persons annually.)
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
county building authorityLimited
Texas counties adopting and enforcing fire-code building permits for specified buildings in unincorporated areas and applying residential building-code standards in certain counties.
Under Section 233.061, the county must have a population over 250,000 or be adjacent to a county with a population over 250,000.
Under Section 233.062, the fire code applies only to commercial establishments, public buildings, and multifamily residential dwellings consisting of four or more units constructed in an unincorporated area.
The fire code does not apply to an industrial facility having a fire brigade that conforms to Occupational Health and Safety Administration requirements.
A covered applicant must submit a plan and a commissioners-court-set application fee; the county must issue or deny the permit within 30 days, and failure to act within 30 days approves the construction for purposes of the subchapter.
The fire code must conform to the International Fire Code or Uniform Fire Code as those codes existed on May 1, 2005, or establish protective measures exceeding those standards; later editions may be adopted.
Residential standards under Section 233.152 apply only if the county adopts a resolution or order and the county is within 50 miles of an international border or has a population over 100.
Those residential standards apply only to new single-family-house or duplex construction beginning after September 1, 2009; manufactured or modular structures governed by Occupations Code Chapters 1201 or 1202 are excluded from the definition of new residential construction.
A municipality's building code controls in its extraterritorial jurisdiction, and Section 233.152 does not authorize county prior approval of new residential construction or county zoning regulations.
Fire-code inspection and permit fees may be charged under a fee schedule based on building type, limited to amounts necessary to administer and enforce the subchapter; inspection fees must be reasonable and reflect approximate inspection costs.
county population threshold for fire-code authority: > 250000 persons (A county adjacent to a county over 250,000 also qualifies.) · multifamily residential dwelling threshold: >= 4 units (The fire code applies only to covered buildings constructed in an unincorporated area.) · residential-code border distance: <= 50 miles (Alternative qualification is county population over 100.) · application decision period: 30 days (If the commissioners court does not issue or deny the permit within 30 days after receiving the application and fee, construction is approved for purposes of the subchapter.) · residential standards effective construction date: > 2009-09-01 (Applies only to new residential construction that begins after September 1, 2009.)
“The commissioners court of a county with a population of over 250,000 or a county adjacent to a county with a population of over 250,000 may adopt a fire code and rules necessary to administer and enforce the fire code. [...] The fire code applies only to the following buildings constructed in an unincorporated area of the county: (1) a commercial establishment; (2) a public building; and (3) a multifamily residential dwelling consisting of four or more units.”
Inside cities and towns in Hartley County
Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.
Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)
New residential and commercial building plans submitted to the City of Dalhart's Code Department.
Plans must be submitted to the inspector in person at City Hall or by email.
The City of Dalhart page states that plans must comply with the 2015 International Building Codes.
The page lists new residential permit fees as $0.15 per square foot with a $100 minimum and new commercial permit fees as $0.20 per square foot with a $200 minimum.
This claim is limited to the City of Dalhart and does not establish countywide adoption in unincorporated Hartley County.
new residential building permit fee: 0.15 USD per square foot ($100 minimum) · new commercial building permit fee: 0.2 USD per square foot ($200 minimum) · building code edition: 2015 International Building Codes
“Plans must be submitted to the Inspector either in person at City Hall or via email. Plans must be compliant with the 2015 International Building Codes.”
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 residential buildings in Hartley County, Texas
Inspections — Building inspections for construction in Hartley County, Texas, including unincorporated areas
Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy or equivalent occupancy approvals in Hartley County, Texas
Mandatory utility hookup — Water or sewer connection requirements for property in Hartley County, Texas.
Building in a floodplain — Development in floodplains in Hartley County, Texas
2 more unanswered
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.
Living off-grid in Hartley County, Texas
Is Hartley County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
Hartley County scores 36/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 148 people within a 30-minute drive and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: thin water margin (16.7″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.
Do you need a building permit in Hartley County, Texas?
Hartley 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 Hartley County (TCEQ authorized agent for on-site sewage). 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 Hartley County?
Living in an RV on your own land in Hartley County is allowed: Unincorporated Hartley County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hartley County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.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 Hartley County, Texas?
Land in Hartley County runs about $1,824 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in Hartley County?
Hartley County gets about 16.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 36.4% of years.
How remote is Hartley County?
A representative private-land location has about 148 people within a 30-minute drive and 348,916 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 Hartley County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
