Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Yoakum, Texas

Yoakum’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Yoakum city

  • Adopted subject to local amendments in Sec. 10-2 (e.g., R313 sprinklers deleted)
  • Also adopts 2018 IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC and 2020 NEC
  • Later editions are not effective unless the city council adopts them

  IRC edition: 2018

  “ICC International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018 Edition.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Residential zoning districts R-1 through R-4 inside Yoakum city

  • Only residential districts R-1 to R-4 seen; commercial, industrial and agricultural districts and the zoning map were not reviewed

  “The following uses are permitted within the R-1 Residential District:”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Detached living units in the R-3 Residential District inside Yoakum city

  • Does not apply where the unit is accessory to a primary single-family residence
  • Main single-family minimum dwelling size in R-1 not found in provided sections

  minimum detached living unit: >= 320 sq ft (unless accessory to a primary single-family residence)

  “Unless accessory to a primary single-family residence, a detached living unit must be a minimum of 320 square feet.”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  RV used as a residence on residential-zoned property inside Yoakum city

  • Limited to single family housing for the real property owners only
  • Valid for the term of the construction building permit, not to exceed six months, renewable once for a second six-month period
  • Must cease on completion of construction or permit expiry

  temporary housing permit term: <= 6 months (renewable once)

  “a temporary housing permit may be authorized for the use, on premises, of a recreational vehicle or manufactured home as a residential unit”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  R-4 Residential District inside Yoakum city

  • Mobile homes excluded
  • No more than four manufactured homes per contiguous parcel or lots under common ownership
  • Must be fully skirted or on permanent foundation
  • Homes moved or relocated within the city must be under ten years old and are subject to inspection
  • R-1 and R-2 exclude manufactured homes; R-3 allows only multi-wide HUD-Code homes

  max manufactured homes per lot: <= 1 homes · max home age when moved within city: < 10 years

  “HUD-Code manufactured homes of any size are permitted; provided however, that no more than one manufactured home per lot”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Limited — R-3 Residential District inside Yoakum city

    “No more than one multi-wide HUD-Code manufactured home per lot and no more than four multi-wide HUD-Code manufactured homes per contiguous parcel of land or lots under single or common ownership are permitted.”

• Septic permitLimited

  Septic tanks in subdivisions inside Yoakum city where sanitary sewers are not available

  • Applies only where sanitary sewers are not available and there is no immediate prospect for installation
  • Septic tanks must be of an approved type and conform to city public-health rules

  “provided, however, that in no case shall septic tanks be installed without the express approval and inspection of the city.”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Septic tanks in subdivisions inside Yoakum city where sanitary sewers are not available

  • Applies only where sanitary sewers are not available and there is no immediate prospect for installation

  “provided, however, that in no case shall septic tanks be installed without the express approval and inspection of the city.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Subdivisions inside Yoakum city limits

  • Stated for subdivisions; a rule for a single new home on an existing lot was not found
  • Where sanitary sewers are not available, approved septic tanks may be used with city approval

  “All subdivisions shall be provided with an approved sewage disposal system and where the subdivision is inside the city limits shall be connected to the city sanitary sewer system.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivisions inside Yoakum city

  • Developer pays for water and sewer lines and engineering plans for city approval
  • City inspects the improvements
  • Developer provides a one-year maintenance bond of ten percent of contract price

  “the developer shall prepare, or have prepared, and submit three copies of the complete engineering plans of streets, alleys, curbs and gutters, storm sewers and drainage structures”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits inside Yoakum city
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Yoakum city
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Yoakum city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Yoakum city
• Setbacks — Yard setbacks in residential districts inside Yoakum 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.