Bolthole Index

Llano County, Texas

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Llano County, Texas

55Index Score / 100
#115 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Llano County, Texas does not document a general building permit for every structure, but covered development must clear county development, subdivision or floodplain controls1. Llano County has no county zoning ordinance in unincorporated areas2. Septic systems under county jurisdiction must be permitted and inspected regardless of tract size, while LCRA regulates septic in parts of the Highland Lakes area345.

At a glance

Building permit
No blanket permit confirmed for every structure; development, subdivision and floodplain controls apply where relevant1
Zoning
No county zoning ordinance in unincorporated Llano County2
Septic permits
County permit and inspection required in county jurisdiction; LCRA handles some Highland Lakes areas345
RV living
No county zoning restriction in unincorporated areas; septic, floodplain and development rules can still apply613
Tiny homes
No county zoning restriction or zoning-based minimum dwelling size in unincorporated areas6
Owner-builder
No explicit county exemption confirmed; ask Development Services how the project rules apply7
Septic soils
Only 2.9% of soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field8

Who to call

Building permits

Llano County Development Services

Development, OSSF, floodplain, road-cut, plat, RV park and 9-1-1 addressing applications

325-247-2039

100 W Sandstone Street, Ste 200A, Llano, Texas 78643

Online permits →

Septic permits

Lower Colorado River Authority OSSF Program

Inspection and permitting of OSSF systems within LCRA jurisdiction near the Highland Lakes

512-578-3216

[email protected]

LCRA OSSF Program - L110, P.O. Box 220, Austin, TX 78767-0220

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 Llano County, Texas?

Llano County's current materials do not establish a general county building permit for every structure in unincorporated Llano County1. They do establish development-permit controls for covered development, subdivision compliance and construction in regulated floodplain areas, with requirements that vary by flood zone and the status of an existing structure1. Development Services reviews proposed work against orders adopted by the Commissioners Court, and another local, county, state or federal approval may be needed before the county issues its permit9. The practical answer is parcel-specific: send the site and project details to Development Services before construction, especially when the land is in a floodplain, will need septic, or came from a tract division1103.

Who handles Llano County permits, and how do you reach them?

Llano County Development Services is the first stop for development, floodplain, county-jurisdiction OSSF, road-cut, plat, RV park and addressing applications9. The office is at 100 W Sandstone Street, Ste 200A, Llano, Texas 78643, and its phone number is 325-247-20399. Applications are available through the county's iWorQ citizen portal9. The county asks applicants to allow 7-10 business days for a non-floodplain determination and says floodplain development, septic permits and commercial projects may take longer119. No general structural building-inspection program or certificate-of-occupancy rule for unincorporated Llano County could be confirmed; ask Development Services what inspections and closeout documents apply to the specific project12.

Does Llano County have zoning?

Unincorporated Llano County has no county zoning ordinance2. As a result, county zoning does not set a minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setback, lot-coverage cap or building-height limit on unincorporated land6. County zoning also does not restrict accessory dwellings, RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home occupancy or temporary camping there6. That answer does not erase other layers: a subdivision can be regulated, a septic system can require approval, and development in a floodplain can require a county development permit1031. Land inside a municipality may face city zoning, and we could not confirm a single answer for every Llano County city; ask the city that governs the parcel2.

How do septic permits work in Llano County?

For an OSSF under Llano County jurisdiction, the county requires a permit and inspection for construction, alteration, repair, extension or operation, and the county order says it will permit and inspect on-site systems regardless of tract size34. That local rule is stricter than relying on Texas's conditional exemption for certain single-family tracts of at least 10 acres313. LCRA instead inspects and permits systems within its jurisdiction near the Highland Lakes, so use LCRA's jurisdiction map or call its OSSF Program at 512-578-3216 when authority is unclear514. Conventional drain-field conditions are difficult: only 2.9% of Llano County soils lack severe limitations for that use, making an early site evaluation a sensible contract contingency8. The published standard county trench-and-tank OSSF fee is $225, but confirm the current total before applying15.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Llano County?

County zoning does not restrict RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home occupancy or temporary camping on unincorporated Llano County land6. County zoning also sets no minimum dwelling size for a tiny home there6. Still, the structure, site and wastewater plan may trigger separate development, floodplain or septic requirements13. Development Services also accepts applications for RV parks and manufactured-home rental communities, which are different from using a single RV or home on one parcel9. Before moving an RV onto a parcel or ordering a tiny home, give Development Services the parcel location, flood zone and wastewater proposal, and ask LCRA to determine OSSF jurisdiction if the property is near the Highland Lakes914.

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

  1. Ask Llano County Development Services whether the parcel and proposed work need a development or floodplain permit19.
  1. Confirm whether Llano County or LCRA has OSSF jurisdiction, then arrange the site evaluation and design required by that authority514.
  1. Submit county applications through iWorQ and allow 7-10 business days for a non-floodplain determination, with more time for floodplain, septic or commercial review119.
  1. If the project creates a subdivision outside municipal limits, resolve platting before expecting a development permit101.
  1. For a driveway on a state highway, submit Form 1058 to TxDOT and do not begin right-of-way work until the permit is executed and TxDOT has received 24-hour notice16.
  1. Confirm any separate approvals because the county warns that another local, county, state or federal review may be required9.

What should you check before buying land in Llano County?

Start with floodplain status, legal access, subdivision history and the correct septic authority because each can change the build plan before house design begins1105. Order septic feasibility work during the contract period: only 2.9% of county soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field8. Water reliability also deserves due diligence because annual precipitation is about 29.7 inches and severe drought occurs in 35.7% of years1718. The county's published fee schedule lists $200 for a standard residential floodplain permit and warns that beginning floodplain development without the correct permit can double the fee15. For budgeting context, the typical home value is about $459,156, the effective property-tax rate is about 0.8%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $2,587192021.

Watch-outs

  • Do not read 'no zoning' as 'no county review': floodplain, septic and subdivision controls still apply where triggered21310.
  • Llano County's OSSF order requires county-jurisdiction systems to be permitted and inspected regardless of tract size, so do not assume the state's conditional 10-acre exemption controls3413.
  • No explicit owner-builder exemption was confirmed; ask Llano County Development Services how the applicable development, floodplain and septic requirements apply when you perform the work yourself79.

Sources

  1. Development & 9-1-1 Addressing, quoted and re-checked
  2. Llano County - Development Services Citizen Portal (2026 county census)
  3. Order Adopting Rules of Llano County for On-Site Sewage Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  4. Order Adopting Rules of Llano County for On-Site Sewage Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  5. Order Adopting Rules of Llano County, Texas for On-Site Sewage Facilities (2026 county census)
  6. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  9. Llano County Development Services (llanocounty.gov)
  10. Final Llano County Subdivision Regulations 2025, quoted and re-checked
  11. Development & 9-1-1 Addressing, quoted and re-checked
  12. Development & 9-1-1 Addressing (2026 county census)
  13. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Lower Colorado River Authority OSSF Program (lcra.org)
  15. Fee Schedule (April 14, 2008), quoted and re-checked
  16. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  18. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  20. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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.

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County locator

Llano County in Texas

55
County map
Llano County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Llano County scores

Seclusion51100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency4196% ev.
Admin Boringness7290% ev.
Durability29100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost70100% ev.

Evidence strength: 97%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$459kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$3,097Land / acre
29.7"Annual rain
35.7% of yrsSevere drought
42.8 / yr (+28.7)Mid-century 100°F days
27.5 daysMid-century dry spell
1.96" (+8.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.37×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,279Home insurance / yr
1.7% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
4,766People within 30 min
3,599,269People within 2 hr
7,925Radius comparison (15 mi)
24.5People / sq mi
0%Federal land
91.9%Land at 15% slope or less
2.9%Septic soil without severe limits
17,149 acWorkable land screen
27.6%Wooded land
8.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
67.1°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Llano County

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

Llano County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Development in unincorporated Llano County subject to county development, subdivision, or floodplain controls

    • The county materials establish development-permit controls for covered development and floodplain areas, but do not establish a general county building permit requirement for every structure.
    • Floodplain-specific requirements vary by Zone A, Zone AE, Floodway, and Pre-FIRM status.
    • Subdivision compliance may be required before a development permit is issued.
    “Requirements for ALL NEW Development Permit In Floodplain/Floodway:”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Building height · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Llano County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Llano County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing llanocounty.portal.iworq.net.

    • 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.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    OSSF permitting and inspection in Llano County areas not regulated under an existing rule and outside incorporated cities, plus incorporated cities or towns that execute intergovernmental contracts with Llano County.

    • The county order excludes areas regulated under an existing rule and areas within incorporated cities.
    • The order applies to incorporated cities or towns that have executed intergovernmental contracts with Llano County.
    • The county adopted 30 TAC Chapters 30 and 285 by reference.
    • The county order states that Llano County will permit and inspect all on-site systems regardless of tract size.
    “The Rules shall apply to all the area lying in Llano County, Texas, except for the area regulated under an existing Rule and the areas within incorporated cities. These Rules shall apply to those incorporated cities or towns that have executed intergovernmental contracts with Llano County, Texas.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    OSSFs in the Llano County OSSF jurisdiction.

    • 30 TAC Chapter 285 exceptions may apply under subsection (f).
    • The county order states that county rules apply outside incorporated cities except where an existing rule applies.
    • The owner or owner's agent must obtain authorization to construct before OSSF construction begins.
    • The application requires planning materials, site-evaluation results, and the appropriate fee.
    “A person shall hold a permit and an approved plan to construct, alter, repair, extend, or operate an on-site sewage facility (OSSF) unless the OSSF meets one of the exceptions in subsection (f) of this section.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    OSSF construction in the Llano County OSSF jurisdiction.

    • The installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the OSSF is ready for inspection.
    • The permitting authority shall conduct a construction inspection.
    • If the system fails, it cannot be used until it passes inspection.
    • A reinspection fee may be assessed.
    “The installer shall notify the permitting authority at least five working days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) before the date the OSSF will be ready for inspection. The permitting authority shall conduct a construction inspection.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Utility service for manufactured-home rental communities subject to an infrastructure development plan.

    • For covered manufactured-home rental communities or manufactured homes, utilities may not be provided until the Llano County Development Services Department issues a Certificate of Compliance.
    • The source does not establish a universal water or sewer connection requirement for all county structures.
    “A utility owner shall not provide utility services, including water, sewer, gas and electric services, to a MHRC subject to an IDP or to a manufactured home in the community unless the owner provides the utility with a copy of the Certificate of Compliance issued by the Llano County Development Services Department.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Certain divisions of land primarily used for agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production purposes.

    • The owner must not lay out a part of the tract for streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts intended for public use or for purchasers or owners of adjacent lots.
    • If the tract ceases to be used primarily for the listed agricultural or production uses, the platting requirements apply.
    • Other statutory and county requirements may remain applicable.
    “the land is to be used primarily for agricultural use, as defined by Section 1-d, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use within the meaning of Section 1-d-1, Article VIII, Texas Constitution.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision creation outside municipal corporate limits, unless a written county-municipality agreement places plat regulation in the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

    • No person may create a subdivision in Llano County outside municipal corporate limits without complying with the county order.
    • Land in a municipality's ETJ may be outside county jurisdiction if the county and municipality have a written agreement under Local Government Code §242.001.
    • All plats and subdivisions within county jurisdiction must conform to the county rules.
    “No person shall create a subdivision in Llano County outside of the corporate limits of any municipality without complying with the provisions of this Order.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision creation in Llano County outside municipal corporate limits
      “No person shall create a subdivision in Llano County outside of the corporate limits of any municipality”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development and substantial improvements in Llano County floodplain or floodway areas.

    • Floodplain development may require an engineered no-rise statement, plans, elevation documentation, and other documents based on alteration, addition, and flood zone.
    • For pre-FIRM structures built before 1991, substantial improvement or substantial damage above 50% of current appraised value excluding land and detached structures triggers compliance with the current Flood Damage Prevention Order.
    • The county states that additional documents or actions may be required based on alteration, addition, and flood zone.

    substantial improvement or substantial damage threshold: <= 50 percent of current appraised value excluding land and detached structures (If the cost exceeds 50%, the structure must be brought into compliance with the current Flood Damage Prevention Order.)

    “Substantial Improvement - The improvement to the structure must not exceed 50% of the current appraised value excluding the value of land and any detached structures. If the cost exceeds 50% than the structure must be brought into compliance with the current Flood Damage Prevention Order.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published Llano County development, floodplain, OSSF, subdivision, RV park, road-cut, and related fees

    • The county fee schedule is titled FEE SCHEDULE (APRIL 14, 2008).
    • The subdivision application section is dated NOVEMBER 23, 2020.
    • Fees include $200 floodplain standard residential, $225 standard OSSF trench/tank, $300 plus $10 per lot for a plat without designated floodplain, and $500 plus $10 per lot for a plat with designated floodplain.
    • Floodplain development begun without the correct permit may result in doubled fees.
    • Engineering fees are the responsibility of the developer.

    floodplain standard residential fee: 200 USD · standard OSSF trench/tank fee: 225 USD · plat without designated floodplain: 300 + 10 per lot USD · plat with designated floodplain: 500 + 10 per lot USD

    “Plat without a Designated Floodplain $300.00 + $10.00 per Lot”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Published Llano County development, subdivision, RV park, manufactured-home rental-community, road-cut, and utility-construction fees.
      “Plat without a designated floodplain: $300 + $10 per lot Plat with a designated floodplain: $500 + $10 per lot”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Llano County Development Services application process for development, OSSF, floodplain, subdivision, and related permits.

    • Applications may be submitted through the linked iWorQ portal.
    • County review checks compliance with Commissioners Court orders.
    • Non-floodplain determinations are generally stated as 7-10 business days; floodplain development, septic permits, and commercial projects may require more time.
    • Separate local, county, state, or federal review and approval may be required.

    non-floodplain determination time: 7-10 business days (more time may be required for floodplain development, septic permits, and commercial projects)

    “Please allow 7-10 business days for non-floodplain determinations, more time may be required for floodplain development, septic permits and commercial projects.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Llano County Development Services application and review process
      “Please allow 7-10 business days for non-floodplain determinations, more time may be required for floodplain development, septic permits and commercial projects.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties have no zoning authority in unincorporated areas; Llano County administers subdivision, floodplain and development-permit regulations but no zoning ordinance.

    Llano County - Development Services Citizen Portal ↗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:”
  • 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”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”

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 exemptions from county construction or development requirements
  • Inspections — Building inspections for structures in unincorporated Llano County
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in unincorporated Llano County
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across Llano County municipalities and unincorporated areas
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems in unincorporated Llano County
2 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • 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 Llano County, Texas

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

Llano County scores 55/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure and workable self-sufficiency basics (29.7″/yr rainfall).

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

Llano County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Llano County Development Department (Department of Natural Resources) - TCEQ authorized agent (LCRA is the OSSF authority in some Highland Lakes areas). 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 Llano County?

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

Land in Llano County runs about $3,097 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Llano County?

Llano County gets about 29.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 35.7% of years.

How remote is Llano County?

A representative private-land location has about 4,766 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,599,269 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.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Llano County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Llano compares in Texas

Compare side-by-side →See all 254 Texas counties ranked →