Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Coahoma, Texas
Town of Coahoma is a town in Howard County, Texas. Town of Coahoma adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Town of Coahoma’s rules apply, not the county’s. 8 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on November 12, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Howard County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Town of Coahoma
Town of Coahoma’s own rules
Building permitRequired
Constructing, making major renovations to, or moving any building or structure inside Coahoma city limits
Application is made to the city secretary on a city form
No work may start until the permit is issued
Permit is separate from water and sewer connection requirements (Ordinance 143)
Permit is invalid if work is not begun within 6 months of issuance or is suspended for 1 year; extensions of up to 90 days each with council approval
Violation is a misdemeanor, fine $10-$100 per offense
“any person desiring to construct, make major renovations to, or move within the city limits of the city of coahoma, any building or structure, shall first make application to the city secretary for a building permit. no such work shall be commenced until a building permit has been issued.”
Local zoningPresent
Land inside the City of Coahoma, Howard County, TX limits
City lists Ordinance #94 Zoning Ordinance and Ordinance #151 Zoning Updated plus later amendments; the large PDFs could not be opened
Ordinance 111 refers to R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential zones and to industrial and commercial zones
The full district list and map are in zoning ordinance PDFs #94 and #151, which exceed the 10 MB limit and were not read
“in the properly permitted recreational vehicle park or for use as tempo”
Living in an RVLimited
Recreational vehicles used as living quarters inside Coahoma city limits
Allowed only in a properly permitted RV park, or as temporary guest living quarters in R-1, R-2 or R-3 zones under a specific use permit from the planning and zoning commission
15 days with one 15-day renewal; not more than 30 days in any 12-month period unless a hardship exception (6 month maximum) is granted
RVs are not permitted as primary or accessory use in any zone
Violation fine up to $2,000 per day
“in any twelve month period unless a hardship exception (six month maximum) is granted by the planning and zoning commission”
Manufactured homesLimited
Manufactured homes inside Coahoma city limits
Residential use only, in the districts and with the limitations designated in the zoning ordinance
Bricking or alteration does not change the manufactured-home designation
Ordinance 109 passed 2013; the district-by-district rules are in the large zoning PDF, which could not be opened
homes per lot: <= 1 home
“where manufactured homes are allowed under the zoning ordinance, only one home per lot is allowed.”
Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)
New single-family and other dwellings inside Coahoma city limits
Applies when the city's water and sewer lines are constructed or otherwise made available
Properties with septic systems in place when the ordinance was adopted are declared non-conforming uses exempt from the sewer connection requirement
One connection per lot or dwelling
Fine up to $500, then up to $200 per day if not connected within 30 days of the fine
Connection fees set separately by council
Passed February 17, 2022
“it shall be mandatory for all existing and newly constructed single-family dwellings, multiple family dwellings, commercial establishments, industrial businesses and plants, and any other users of water and sewer, unless otherwise exempted in this ordinance, to connect to the city's water and sewer utility lines when and as the same are constructed or otherwise made available by the city.”
Permit feesPublished
Building permit fees for residential and commercial structures built or moved into Coahoma city limits
Fee covers up to three inspections or re-inspections; each additional re-inspection is $25.00
No permit is issued until all applicable fees are paid
Separate from water and sewer connection fees
building permit fee: per 0.1 USD per square foot (minimum fee $10.00)
“the fee for building permits for residential and commercial structures to be built or moved into the city limits shall be ten (10) cents per square foot with a minimum fee of $10.00.”
Permit processPartial
Building permit process inside Coahoma city limits
Application on city form signed by owner or agent, with fee, filed with the city secretary
City council approves or disapproves a complete application
Permit invalid if work not started within 6 months
“the city council of the city of coahoma shall either approve or disapprove any application for a building permit without unreasonable or unnecessary delay once an application is complete and filed with the city.”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Coahoma or Howard County directly.
Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Coahoma town
Building code adopted — Building code inside Coahoma town
Inspections — Building inspections inside Coahoma town
Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Coahoma town
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.
Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Coahoma publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Howard County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Town of Coahoma means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
