Lee County, TX Building Permits, Zoning & Septic

Unincorporated Lee County, Texas requires a development permit for every individual structure larger than 100 square feet¹. Lee County has no county zoning ordinance, but its development, subdivision, septic and floodplain requirements still apply²³. Lee County Development Services issues septic permits, and a residential septic permit costs $425⁴⁵. A new residence or business must obtain a 9-1-1 address before applying for permits⁶.

At a glance

Building permit: Required for any individual structure over 100 sq. ft. in unincorporated Lee County¹
Zoning: None; Texas counties lack zoning authority, so Lee County regulates via subdivision/development rules instead²
Septic: Permitted by Lee County Development Services; $425 for a residential system⁴⁵
RV / tiny home living: Unrestricted by zoning on your own land, since the county has none⁷
Minimum home size / setbacks: None set by county zoning; septic subdivisions have a 1-acre minimum lot size⁷³
Owner-builder exemption: Not stated on the county's permitting page; unconfirmed⁸
Driveway/entrance permit: Required off a county road: $25 for a private drive, $150 commercial⁹

Who to call

Building permits

Lee County Development Services (Code Enforcement)

Development/building permits, 9-1-1 addressing, subdivision applications and floodplain permits for unincorporated Lee County

979-212-8070

[email protected]

Lee County Annex (behind the Tax Office), 898 East Richmond, Ste 203, Giddings, TX 78942

Septic permits

Lee County Development Services (OSSF / Sanitation)

On-site sewage facility (OSSF/septic) permits for unincorporated Lee County

979-212-8070

[email protected]

Lee County Annex (behind the Tax Office), 898 East Richmond, Ste 203, Giddings, TX 78942

Floodplain permits

Lee County Development Services (Floodplain Administration)

Floodplain development permits for unincorporated Lee County

979-212-8070

[email protected]

Lee County Annex (behind the Tax Office), 898 East Richmond, Ste 203, Giddings, TX 78942

Roads & driveways

Lee County Development Services (Driveway/Entrance Permits)

Driveway/entrance permits for access onto county roads in unincorporated Lee County

979-212-8070

[email protected]

Lee County Annex (behind the Tax Office), 898 East Richmond, Ste 203, Giddings, TX 78942

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

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

Unincorporated Lee County, Texas requires a development permit for any individual structure larger than 100 square feet¹. The county page says development applications cover residential and commercial work, including a new or modified home or business and moving a home onto property⁶. Lee County Development Services charges $50 for a residential home application, $25 for a residential accessory structure, $10 for a residential addition and $100 for a commercial application⁶. Failing to secure the application carries a $250 penalty, while the listed floodplain penalty is $1,000⁶¹⁰. A new residence or business project also needs a 9-1-1 address before any permit application⁶.

Who is the Lee County building department, and how do you reach them?

Lee County Development Services, also called the Code Enforcement office, handles building permits, 9-1-1 addressing, subdivisions and floodplain permits for the whole unincorporated county⁶. Reach the office at 979-212-8070 or [email protected]⁶. Its temporary physical location is the Lee County Annex behind the Tax Office at 898 East Richmond, Ste 203, in Giddings, though mail goes to 200 South Main, Ste 203, Giddings, TX 78942⁶.

Does Lee County have zoning?

Texas law gives counties zoning power only in limited circumstances, and the county legal census found no Lee County zoning ordinance for unincorporated land²¹¹. Unincorporated Lee County therefore has no zoning-based minimum dwelling size, setback, building-height limit, lot-coverage rule or use district⁷. That does not erase other county rules: subdivisions using on-site sewage facilities have a minimum lot size of 1 acre, and subdivision plats require county approval³. Municipal rules can differ inside city limits, and the available research does not inventory zoning in every Lee County municipality.

How do septic permits work in Lee County?

Lee County is the authorized agent for on-site sewage facilities, and the county says all septic systems must be permitted⁴⁵. Lee County lists a $425 residential septic fee and a $500 commercial septic fee⁵. Texas generally requires a permit before constructing, installing, altering, extending or repairing an OSSF¹². A qualifying single-family system on at least 10 acres may be exempt if all parts sit at least 100 feet from the property line and the other state conditions are met, but Lee County may impose stricter local requirements¹². Only about 19% of Lee County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so obtain a site evaluation before assuming a basic system will work¹³.

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

Unincorporated Lee County has no zoning-based restriction on RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home occupancy or temporary camping on your own parcel⁷. A permanent tiny-home structure larger than 100 square feet still requires the county development permit¹. A new residence needs a 9-1-1 address before permit applications, and any septic system must go through the county permitting process⁶⁵. The county page also publishes separate manufactured-home-community and recreational-vehicle-development materials, so ask Development Services about those rules before creating rental sites or a multi-unit development⁶.

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

Apply for a 9-1-1 address; Lee County requires one for a new residence before permit applications⁶.
Submit the home development application to Lee County Development Services; the listed residential-home application fee is $50⁶.
Obtain a private driveway permit for county-road access; the listed fee is $25, with a $15-per-foot culvert-installation charge where applicable⁹. A state-highway driveway instead requires TxDOT Form 1058¹⁴.
Apply to Lee County for the septic permit and complete the site evaluation; the residential permit fee is $425⁵¹³.
Determine whether the site is in a floodplain and complete the floodplain process; county floodplain work is subject to compliance inspections, and an elevation certificate may be due within 10 business days after foundation completion when required¹⁵.

What to check before you buy land in Lee County

About 100% of Lee County land has a slope of 15% or less, but buyers should still inspect drainage and the specific building pad¹⁶. About 20% of the county is wooded, while only around 19% of soils lack severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field¹⁷¹³. Lee County has about 29 people per square mile, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 41 miles from the county center¹⁸¹⁹. The effective property-tax rate is about 1%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $2,399²⁰²¹. Review flood status, legal road access, deed restrictions, water availability and any subdivision plat before closing; county zoning does not answer those parcel-specific questions⁷³.

Watch-outs

Lee County's own permitting page does not state an owner-builder exemption one way or the other; confirm directly with Development Services before assuming you can act as your own contractor⁸.
Lee County's development-permit materials do not identify a general building code or certificate-of-occupancy rule outside the documented floodplain process; ask Development Services what inspections and closeout documents apply to the parcel¹¹⁵.

Sources

Written September 27, 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 Lee County scores

Seclusion45100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency39100% ev.

Admin Boringness5990% ev.

Durability47100% ev.

Property Autonomy71100% ev.

Carry Cost69100% 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 →

$362kTypical home

1%Property tax

$5,061Land / acre

39.9"Annual rain

20.4% of yrsSevere drought

38.5 / yr (+29.5)Mid-century 100°F days

23.5 daysMid-century dry spell

2.33" (+5.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.43×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$2,040Home insurance / yr

1.3% / yrInsurance growth

0%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

11,886People within 30 min

8,198,203People within 2 hr

16,167Radius comparison (15 mi)

29People / sq mi

1.1%Federal land

99.7%Land at 15% slope or less

18.6%Septic soil without severe limits

73,117 acWorkable land screen

20%Wooded land

10.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac

68.2°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Lee County

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

Lee County rules

InspectionsLimited
Development in Lee County floodplain areas subject to the county floodplain provisions
- The applicant consents to reasonable inspections required to verify compliance.
- An elevation certificate must be furnished if required, within 10 business days after foundation completion.
elevation certificate submission deadline: 10 business days after foundation completion (only if required)
“Applicant hereby gives consent to the local Floodplain Administrator or his/her representative to make reasonable inspections required to verify compliance.”
Lee County Floodplain Development Provisions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 Lee County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Lee County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.lee.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 (with conditions)
On-site sewage facilities in Lee County
- Lee County acts as the TCEQ-designated authorized agent for licensing and regulation of on-site sewage facilities.
“The Commissioners Court of Lee County has been designated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as the authorized agent for the licensing and regulation of on-site sewerage facilities within Lee County and these Regulations are a necessary component of such regulation;”
Lee County Subdivision and Development Regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Septic permitRequired
All septic systems in Lee County
- The county page states that all septic systems must be permitted.
- TCEQ identifies exemptions for qualifying 10-acre single-family-dwelling OSSFs, grandfathered systems, and certain emergency repairs; Lee County's local requirements may be more stringent.
residential septic permit fee: 425 USD · commercial septic permit fee: 500 USD
“Any and all septic systems must be permitted.”
Development Services Department ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision and plat approval in unincorporated Lee County
- All lots must comply with Lee County OSSF rules.
- Lee County has a minimum one-acre lot size for OSSF.
- Driveway access to public roads requires TXDOT or county commissioner approval as applicable.
minimum lot size for OSSF: >= 1 acre
“No Subdivision shall be permitted until the Owner has satisfied each of the following steps in the order indicated: a) Approval of Preliminary Plat by the Commissioners Court. b) Approval of Final Plat by the Commissioners Court. c) Filing of Record Plat with the County Clerk, to be recorded in the Plat Records of the County.”
Lee County Subdivision and Development Regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Building permitRequired
Lee County Development Services states a permit is required for any individual structure more than 100 sq. ft. in the unincorporated county.
Lee County Development Services ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked
County-wide zoningAbsent
Texas counties lack general zoning authority; Lee County regulates via subdivision/development regulations rather than zoning districts.
Lee County Subdivision and Development Regulations ↗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
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.”
Basics for Septic Systems ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 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
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”
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 — Owner-builder exemption for building construction in unincorporated Lee County
Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements in unincorporated Lee County
Local zoning — Aggregate of municipal and other local zoning within Lee County; this does not assert that Lee County administers municipal ordinances
Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems in unincorporated Lee County
Well permit — Water-well permitting in Lee County

3 more unanswered

Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
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.

Living off-grid in Lee County, Texas

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

Lee County scores 57/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (39.9″/yr rainfall).

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

Lee County generally requires a residential building permit, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Lee County Development Services (OSSF / Sanitation). 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 Lee County?

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

Land in Lee County runs about $5,061 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Lee County?

Lee County gets about 39.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 20.4% of years.

How remote is Lee County?

A representative private-land location has about 11,886 people within a 30-minute drive and 8,198,203 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 Lee County, Texas

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who is the Lee County building department, and how do you reach them?

Does Lee County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Lee County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Lee County

Watch-outs

Sources

Lee County in Texas

How Lee County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Lee County

Lee County rules

Texas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Lee County, Texas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Lee County, Texas?

What is the water situation in Lee County?

How remote is Lee County?

How Lee compares in Texas