Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Donna, Texas

Donna’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Remodeling, repair, additions and new construction inside Donna city

  • Mechanical, plumbing and electrical permits must be obtained by subcontractors, except a reconnect for light, which the property owner can obtain.

  “when obtaining a building permit for remodeling, repair, additions or new construction, applications must be filled out before any work is done.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Donna city

  • 2015 IBC, IRC, IEBC, IECC, IFC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, NFPA 101, ISPSC and 2014 NEC per city page; ordinances 2015-01 to 2015-07.

  “adopted icc codes (effective march 3, 2015) safety & building 2015 edition of the international building code”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Donna city limits

  • Zoning ordinance PDF itself could not be read; district names come from the city planning page FAQ.

  “the city of donna is divided into five districts as follows: district r-1: single-family residential district”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Donna city

  • Five districts: R-1 single-family, R-2 multi-family, B-1 local business, B-2 general business, M-H mobile home.
  • City keeps the official zoning map; call 956-464-6917 for a property's zoning.

  “district r-1: single-family residential district district r-2: multi-family residential district district b-1: local business district district b-2: general business district district m-h: mobile home district”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Structures inside Donna city; numeric setbacks per district not retrieved

  • Setback may differ for a primary structure versus an accessory structure such as a shed.

  “setbacks vary by the zoning designation of the property and are defined in the city of donna zoning ordinance.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Moving a house/trailer onto a lot inside Donna city

  • Zone is checked on the proposed address on the application.
  • Subdivision restrictions may also apply.

  “no, we do check the zone on the proposed address on applications submitted. they are only allowed in mobile home district mh or restrictions on the subdivisions.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdividing land inside Donna city

  • Requires a surveyor and the application requirements.
  • Plat approvals go to the planning and zoning commission and city council.

  plat application fee: 625 plus 25 per acre USD (non-refundable)

  “the non-refundable fee for an application for subdivision plat approval is $625, plus $25 per acre. subdivision plat approvals are presented to the planning and zoning commission and city council.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit applications inside Donna city

  • Fee amount is given by phone when the permit is ready.

  review time: 2 to 3 business days

  “the building official will review all building applications, which will take 2 to 3 business days.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Donna or Hidalgo County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Donna city
• Inspections — Inspections of construction inside Donna city
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy inside Donna city
• Minimum dwelling size — R-1 district inside Donna city
• Minimum lot size — R-1 district inside Donna city

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.