Hill County, TX Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Hill County, Texas does not require a residential building permit and has no countywide zoning ordinance¹². Septic permits go through Hill County Development Services, while Hill County publishes a $100 Flood Plain Permit and routes new addresses through 911 Addressing & Signage³⁴⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required in unincorporated Hill County; no county building department¹
Zoning: None countywide; Texas gives counties no general zoning power and Hill County has adopted none²⁶
Septic permits: Hill County Development Services administers OSSF (septic) permits as of January 1, 2026³⁷
Floodplain permit: $100 Flood Plain Permit, paid through 911 Addressing & Signage⁴
RV / tiny home living: Unrestricted under county rules, since there is no zoning ordinance⁶
Minimum home size / setbacks: None set by the county⁶
Subdivision plats: Final plats require Hill County Commissioners Court approval before recording, under rules effective March 4, 2025⁸
Water wells: Non-exempt wells need a permit on parcels within Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District⁹

Who to call

Septic permits

Hill County Development Services (OSSF Permits & Inspections)

On-site sewage facility (OSSF/septic) permit applications, payments, and coordination of inspections for unincorporated Hill County, effective as the county's OSSF program administrator since January 1, 2026

254-337-1210

218 N Waco St, Hillsboro, TX 76645

Online permits →

Floodplain permits

Hill County 911 Addressing & Signage (Support Services)

Flood Plain Permits, 911 address assignment and signage, Development Permits for new addresses, and driveway culverts for unincorporated Hill County

254-283-6846

218 N. Waco St., Hillsboro, TX 76645

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

No. Unincorporated Hill County does not require a residential building permit¹. Texas gives qualifying counties narrow fire-code permit authority for commercial buildings, public buildings, and multifamily dwellings with four or more units, but that is not a general permit rule for an ordinary detached home¹⁰. The statewide energy code still applies: Chapter 11 of the 2015 International Residential Code is the minimum for single-family homes, while the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code applies to other residences and commercial and industrial buildings¹¹. Ask Development Services whether residential building inspections or a certificate of occupancy apply before construction, because we could not confirm either requirement. An owner-builder exemption is also unconfirmed, although there is no county residential building permit from which an owner-builder would need an exemption¹²¹.

Who handles septic, floodplain and addressing permits in Hill County?

There's no building official to call because Hill County doesn't run a building-permit program¹. For septic, the office is Hill County Development Services, which has administered the OSSF (on-site sewage facility) application process since January 1, 2026, out of the county's Support Services Building at 218 N Waco St in Hillsboro, phone 254-337-1210¹³⁷. For a Flood Plain Permit ($100) or a new 911 address, address sign ($25), or driveway culvert, the office is 911 Addressing & Signage, at the same Hillsboro Support Services Center, phone 254-283-6846¹⁴⁴⁵. Both fees can be paid online through the 911 Addressing & Signage web page, or by mailing a check with the Development Permit form⁵.

Does Hill County have zoning?

No. Hill County has no countywide zoning ordinance, and Texas law gives zoning power to counties only for a handful of special geographic areas, such as Padre Island beaches in Cameron or Willacy County, certain lakes, military zones, and a few other named places, none of which include Hill County²¹⁵. Because Hill County has no zoning authority over unincorporated land, the county sets no minimum home size, no minimum lot size, no setbacks, no building-height limit, and no zoning districts, and that silence extends to RVs, tiny homes, manufactured homes, accessory dwellings, and temporary camping on your own land, none of which the county restricts⁶. That's a real advantage for a buyer who wants flexibility, but it means none of those questions are settled by a document you can point to; if your land sits inside a city's limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction, that city's rules apply instead of the county's silence¹⁵. One county-level rule still reaches unincorporated land regardless of zoning: subdividing a tract requires a final plat approved by the Hill County Commissioners Court under subdivision rules the county adopted effective March 4, 2025⁸.

How do septic permits work in Hill County?

Every OSSF (on-site sewage facility, i.e., septic system) in Hill County needs a permit before it's constructed, installed, altered, extended, or repaired, whether that's under the county's own program or the statewide TCEQ baseline it implements¹⁶¹⁷. As of January 1, 2026, Hill County Development Services runs that process, with applications and payments handled at the Support Services Building; a credit or debit card convenience fee applies if you pay that way¹³⁷. Once fees are paid, all inspections are coordinated by the Development Services OSSF Designated Representative, and commercial-use or RV-park systems need sign-off from TCEQ as well as the county's representative¹⁸. Soils are a genuine constraint here: only 9.9% of Hill County's land is free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so budget for a site evaluation and plan for the real possibility of an engineered or alternative system¹⁹. Texas does offer a narrow exemption from OSSF permitting on tracts of 10 acres or more, but only if a licensed site evaluator or engineer signs off, the dwelling is the only one on the tract, every part of the system stays at least 100 feet from the property line, and effluent stays on the property; local programs like Hill County's can still be more stringent than this state minimum, so confirm with Development Services before assuming the exemption applies²⁰.

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

Unincorporated Hill County has no zoning ordinance restricting how you occupy your own land, so RV living, tiny-home living, manufactured homes, and accessory dwelling units are unrestricted under county rules, with no minimum home size or minimum lot size⁶. Temporary camping on your own land is likewise not regulated by the county⁶. Ask Development Services whether a certificate of occupancy applies to the planned dwelling type, because we could not confirm that requirement¹. Hill County publishes a $100 Flood Plain Permit, but we could not confirm every activity or flood zone that triggers it; ask 911 Addressing & Signage before placing an RV or tiny home on flood-prone land⁴¹⁴.

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

Ask 911 Addressing & Signage whether the parcel and planned work require Hill County's published $100 Flood Plain Permit; we could not confirm every trigger¹⁴⁴.

If the land lacks a 911 address, complete the Development Permit form and pay the $100 fee so the county can take a GPS point and assign the address¹⁴⁵.

Order a septic site evaluation early, because only 9.9% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field¹⁹.

Apply through Hill County Development Services and do not begin OSSF construction before approval¹³²¹.

For a driveway connecting to a state highway, submit Form 1058 to TxDOT and give 24-hour notice before construction²².

Confirm utility, well, inspection, and occupancy questions before building; unincorporated Hill County does not require a residential building permit¹.

What to check before you buy land in Hill County

Water and soils deserve a real budget: Hill County averages 38.4 inches of rain a year, 23.7% of years bring severe drought, and only 9.9% of soils lack severe limits for a conventional septic drain field²³²⁴¹⁹. On Hill County parcels within Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District, every non-exempt well needs a permit; confirm the parcel's district coverage and exemption status before drilling⁹. About 99.5% of the county has slopes of 15% or less, while 16.2% is wooded²⁵²⁶. Check flood mapping and ask 911 Addressing & Signage whether planned work triggers the county's published Flood Plain Permit¹⁴⁴. For a tract split from a larger parcel, confirm compliance with Hill County's subdivision rules; preliminary plats are required except for minor plats and replats, subject to city agreements in an extraterritorial jurisdiction²⁷. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.2%, the median annual bill is about $2,012, and the typical home value is about $236,185²⁸²⁹³⁰.

Watch-outs

No official source confirms whether Hill County requires a certificate of occupancy, performs building inspections, or offers an owner-builder exemption of any kind, since the county's own programs cover septic, addressing, and floodplain permits, not general construction; confirm directly with Development Services¹¹².
Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District requires permits for non-exempt wells on the Hill County parcels it covers; confirm district coverage and exemption status before drilling⁹.

Sources

Written September 28, 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 Hill County scores

Seclusion32100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency3999% ev.

Admin Boringness8290% ev.

Durability39100% ev.

Property Autonomy71100% ev.

Carry Cost77100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$236kTypical home

1.2%Property tax

$3,494Land / acre

38.4"Annual rain

23.7% of yrsSevere drought

45.2 / yr (+29.6)Mid-century 100°F days

25.2 daysMid-century dry spell

2.27" (+5.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.36×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$2,147Home insurance / yr

-0.3% / yrInsurance growth

0%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

33,309People within 30 min

10,158,034People within 2 hr

25,653Radius comparison (15 mi)

39.7People / sq mi

6.6%Federal land

99.5%Land at 15% slope or less

9.9%Septic soil without severe limits

58,104 acWorkable land screen

16.2%Wooded land

13.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac

66.4°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Hill County

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

Hill County rules

Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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 Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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 Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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 Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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 Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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 Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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 Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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 Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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 Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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 Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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 Hill County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Hill County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.hill.tx.us.
- 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
On-site sewage facility permitting and inspection administration in Hill County, Texas.
- Effective January 1, 2026, Hill County Development Services administers the OSSF application process.
- Commercial-use and RV-park septic permits must be approved by TCEQ as well as the OSSF Designated Representative.
- Applications are paid at the Support Services Building; credit/debit card convenience fees apply.
“The Hill County Development Services are over this process.”
OSSF Permits & Inspections ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- County — On-site sewage facility permitting and inspections in Hill County, including the county's OSSF Designated Representative process.
  “The Hill County Development Services are over this process. [...] Once the fees have been paid, all OSSF inspections will be coordinated by the Development Services OSSF Designated Representative.”
  OSSF Permits & Inspections ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction and operation of an on-site sewage facility in Hill County.
- Do not begin construction before application approval.
- The county OSSF permit process includes Authorization to Construct and final Authorization to Operate.
- Commercial-use and RV-park applications require approval by both TCEQ and the OSSF Designated Representative.
- Credit-card convenience fees apply.
“DO NOT BEGIN CONSTRUCTION PRIOR TO APPLICATION APPROVAL”
OSSF Permits & Inspections ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
OSSF construction and operation subject to Hill County's OSSF permitting process.
- Inspections are coordinated after permit fees are paid by the Development Services OSSF Designated Representative.
- The application materials identify open inspection and final inspection/Authorization to Operate stages.
- Commercial-use and RV-park septic permits also require TCEQ approval.
“Once the fees have been paid, all OSSF inspections will be coordinated by the Development Services OSSF Designated Representative.”
OSSF Permits & Inspections ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — OSSF inspections coordinated by Hill County Development Services after OSSF permit fees are paid.
  “all OSSF inspections will be coordinated by the Development Services OSSF Designated Representative.”
  OSSF Permits & Inspections ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Private, on-site sewage treatment or disposal serving property without municipal sewer service in Hill County.
- Private sewage facilities are recognized as a sewage-disposal option in county subdivision rules.
- The facility must satisfy Hill County OSSF Agent requirements and obtain the applicable OSSF authorization before construction and operation.
- Commercial-use and RV-park systems additionally require TCEQ approval.
“The plan for sewage disposal should be clearly indicated, i.e. municipal sewer service, privately owned/organized sewage disposal system, private sewage facilities, etc. If it is the Owner’s intent that each lot purchaser shall provide private sewage facilities, those facilities must meet the requirements of the Hill County On-site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) Agent.”
Hill County Subdivision Rules Rev 3/2025 ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
Well permitLimited
Groundwater wells on the Hill County portion of the Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District.
- All non-exempt wells must obtain a permit.
- An existing non-exempt well with approved registration before January 1, 2019 obtains a Historic Use Permit.
- A new non-exempt well obtains an Operating Permit.
- The specific parcel's exemption status and applicable district rules should be confirmed before drilling or operating.
“All non-exempt wells must obtain a permit. Existing non-exempt wells (wells with an approved registration prior to January 1, 2019) will obtain a Historic Use Permit. New wells will obtain an Operating Permit.”
Home - Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision and development of land in Hill County's unincorporated areas.
- The 2025 rules apply to all unincorporated areas except where a written agreement between a city and the County modifies the rules within that city's extraterritorial jurisdiction or delegates subdivision oversight to the city.
- The County Commissioners Court adopted the current subdivision rules effective March 4, 2025.
- The 2025 rules state that preliminary plats are required for all subdivisions except minor plats and replats.
- Incorporated municipalities and areas subject to delegated municipal subdivision oversight may follow the applicable municipal process.
“These regulations are intended to govern the subdivision and development of land in the unincorporated areas of Hill County, and they apply to all unincorporated areas of the County, except whereby written agreement between a city and the County has modified these Regulations within Extra Territorial Jurisdiction of that city, or delegated its responsibility for subdivision oversight to that city, or delegated its responsibility for subdivision oversight to that city.”
Hill County Subdivision Rules and Regulations 2025 ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision and development of land in unincorporated Hill County.
  “The Hill County Commissioners Court adopted Subdivision Rules effective March 4, 2025. Click on the link below to download Subdivision Rules.”
  Hill County Texas — County Information ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Hill County Flood Plain Permits and 911 Address Signs.
- The page states that online payment is available through the Hill County 911 Addressing & Signage page.
- The page separately lists the 911 Address Sign fee as $25.00.
Flood Plain Permit fee: 100 USD · 911 Address Sign fee: 25 USD
“The cost for a Flood Plain Permit is $100.00. The cost for a 911 Address Sign is $25.00.”
Hill County Texas home page ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Hill County Development Permit process for obtaining a new address through 911 Addressing.
- Section 1 must be completed.
- The completed form may be returned by email or mail.
- A $100.00 fee must be paid online or by check with the Development Permit.
- If there is no established driveway, the new driveway must be staked.
- After the permit and payment confirmation are received, Hill County will take a GPS point for the 911 map and contact the applicant with the new address.
Development Permit fee: 100 USD
“You may pay the $100.00 fee either online at the link below or mail a check in with the Development Permit.”
911 Addressing & Signage ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Building permitNot required
Texas counties have no general authority to require building permits in unincorporated areas; Hill County's only construction-related permit program is OSSF/septic, and no county residential building permit was found.
Hill County - OSSF Permits & 911 Signage ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked
County-wide zoningAbsent
Texas counties generally lack zoning authority in unincorporated areas; no county zoning ordinance was found on Hill County official sources.
Hill County - OSSF Permits & 911 Signage ↗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
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Partial — Statewide Texas building-energy-code requirements applicable within Hill County; this claim concerns energy codes only, not adoption of a comprehensive building code by Hill County.
  “The minimum state-mandated code for single-family homes is Chapter 11 of the 2015 International Residential Code. The applicable code for other residences and commercial and industrial buildings is the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code. These energy codes are effective statewide.”
  Local Ordinances ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 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

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 Hill County residential building permit or inspection requirements in unincorporated Hill County, Texas
Inspections — Residential building inspections administered by Hill County in unincorporated Hill County, Texas
Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy or equivalent occupancy approvals for residential buildings in unincorporated Hill County, Texas
Local zoning — The aggregate presence or absence of zoning across Hill County's unincorporated areas and incorporated municipalities.
Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer utility connection requirements in Hill County, Texas.

3 more unanswered

Agricultural exemption
Building in a floodplain
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.

Water rights & wells in Hill 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 ↗

Central Texas Trinity Aquifer Priority Groundwater Management Areapartial of county
TCEQ-designated Trinity Aquifer 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 Hill County, Texas

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

Hill County scores 53/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: about 33,309 people within a 30-minute drive and workable self-sufficiency basics (38.4″/yr rainfall).

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

Hill 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 Hill County Development Services / OSSF Designated Representative (authorized agent of TCEQ). 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 Hill County?

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

Land in Hill County runs about $3,494 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Hill County?

Hill County gets about 38.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 23.7% of years. On water rights, Hill County lies in the Central Texas Trinity Aquifer Priority Groundwater Management Area — TCEQ-designated Trinity Aquifer critical-groundwater area; drives GCD coverage. Domestic/livestock wells remain exempt but spacing/registration may apply..

How remote is Hill County?

A representative private-land location has about 33,309 people within a 30-minute drive and 10,158,034 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 and septic rules in unincorporated Hill County, Texas

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles septic, floodplain and addressing permits in Hill County?

Does Hill County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Hill County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Hill County

Watch-outs

Sources

Hill County in Texas

How Hill County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Hill County

Hill County rules

Texas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Water rights & wells in Hill County

Living off-grid in Hill County, Texas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Hill County, Texas?

What is the water situation in Hill County?

How remote is Hill County?

How Hill compares in Texas