Bolthole Index

McLennan County, Texas

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

50Index Score / 100
#139 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated McLennan County, Texas does not issue a traditional, prior-approval building permit for a home, but new residential construction and major additions must meet the International Residential Code used in Waco1. The builder must notify the county and arrange the required inspections rather than rely on county inspectors2. Septic systems and development in a floodplain follow separate permit tracks34.

At a glance

Building permit
No prior-approval permit; new homes must meet the IRC used in Waco1
Zoning
No county zoning in unincorporated McLennan County5
Septic permits
Handled by the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District3
RV and tiny-home living
Unrestricted by county zoning rules on unincorporated land6
Minimum home or lot size
None set by county zoning rules on unincorporated land6
Floodplain building
A permit is required before placing or constructing a structure in the floodplain4
Groundwater wells
District permit required, with a conditional domestic or livestock exemption7
Septic soils
Only 4.4% lack severe limits for a conventional drain field8

Who to call

Building permits

McLennan County Engineer's Office

Receives residential construction notices and inspection-compliance reports for unincorporated McLennan County

215 N 5th St, Ste 130 Waco, TX 767001

Septic permits

Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, Environmental Health

On-site sewage facility permit applications, inspections and fees

(254) 299-2473

401 Franklin Avenue - Mae Jackson Development Center - 1st Floor, Waco, TX

Well permits

Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District

Well drilling and operating permits and exempt-well applications

P.O. Box 2205 | 824 Washington Street Waco, Texas 76701

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 McLennan County, Texas?

Unincorporated McLennan County does not issue a traditional building permit or approve residential plans before construction1. New homes and improvements that increase floor area or value by more than 50 percent must meet the IRC edition applicable in Waco2. The builder must notify the County Engineer's Office of the project location, approximate completion date and IRC version, arrange 3 inspections during different phases, and submit the compliance paperwork2. The county has no inspection responsibility and cannot charge a fee under this residential order2. Manufactured or modular housing built off-site and transported to the property is outside this particular order2.

Who handles McLennan County building requirements, and how do you reach them?

The McLennan County Engineer's Office receives the construction notice and inspection-compliance paperwork for homes on unincorporated land2. The official instructions list the submission address as 215 N 5th St, Ste 130 Waco, TX 7670012. McLennan County is not acting like a city building department: it does not review house plans in advance or send county residential inspectors12. An individual serving as their own contractor for a home intended as their primary residence is exempt from the order's penalties, but the county page does not describe an exemption from the construction standard itself2. Ask the office which notice forms apply before work starts and which records it expects afterward.

Does McLennan County have zoning?

Unincorporated McLennan County has no county zoning ordinance5. Texas grants counties zoning authority only in limited named situations, not ordinary countywide zoning here9. County zoning therefore sets no minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setback, lot-coverage limit or building-height limit6. RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home occupancy and temporary camping are also unrestricted by county zoning6. Municipal rules can change the answer inside cities, and municipal building codes may control in an extraterritorial jurisdiction10. Subdivision, septic, floodplain and access requirements remain separate134.

How do septic permits work in McLennan County?

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District administers OSSF permits as the county's TCEQ-authorized agent3. Its published fee is $510 for one single-family residence with a non-aerobic unit and $610 for a non-single-family system, plus a mandatory $10 state research fee11. Texas generally requires a permit and approved plan to construct, install, alter, extend, repair or operate an OSSF12. The narrow 10-acre exemption requires every listed condition, including a site evaluation, one single-family dwelling and at least 100 feet between every system component and the property line12. Only 4.4% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field, so obtain the site evaluation early8.

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

Unincorporated McLennan County does not use county zoning to restrict RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home occupancy or temporary camping on private land6. County zoning also sets no minimum home size, minimum lot size or setbacks there6. A conventional site-built residence still falls under the residential construction order, while manufactured or modular housing built off-site does not fall under that specific order12. Septic rules still govern sewage disposal, including for an off-grid setup312. McLennan County has not confirmed a residential certificate-of-occupancy rule or a complete rule for alternative off-grid sanitation, so ask the County Engineer's Office about occupancy and the Health District about sanitation before moving onto the land.

What are the steps to build a home in McLennan County?

  1. Confirm that the parcel is unincorporated and ask whether a city's extraterritorial-jurisdiction rules reach it10.
  1. Check flood status; a permit is required before constructing or placing a structure in the floodplain4.
  1. Arrange the septic evaluation and apply through the Health District unless every state exemption condition is met312.
  1. Send the construction notice to the County Engineer's Office and identify the applicable IRC edition2.
  1. Build to that code, arrange 3 phased inspections and submit the compliance notice2.
  1. Obtain TxDOT approval first if the driveway meets a state highway13.

What should you check before buying land in McLennan County?

Start with floodplain status: placing a structure in an unincorporated floodplain requires a county permit, and affected lots or rental spaces must put the finished floor at least 1 foot above base flood elevation4. Within Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District boundaries, drilling or operating a well requires a district permit7. A well may be exempt when it produces no more than 25,000 gallons per day, is solely for domestic or livestock use and sits on at least 10 acres7. Only 4.4% of soils lack severe conventional drain-field limits8. Typical property tax is about 1.5%, with a median annual bill of about $3,3471415.

Watch-outs

  • No traditional building permit does not mean no building standard: covered residential work must meet the IRC used in Waco1.
  • A structure in the unincorporated floodplain needs a development permit before construction or placement4.
  • McLennan County has not confirmed a certificate-of-occupancy requirement or a complete alternative-sanitation rule; ask the County Engineer's Office and Health District211.

Sources

  1. McLennan County - Residential Building Requirements (2026 county census)
  2. McLennan County Engineer's Office (mclennan.gov)
  3. Waco-McLennan County Public Health District - OSSF Program (2026 county census)
  4. Floodplain Information, quoted and re-checked
  5. McLennan County - Residential Building Requirements (2026 county census)
  6. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  7. Drought Contingency and Water Supply Resiliency Plan, quoted and re-checked
  8. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  9. Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, Environmental Health (waco-texas.com)
  12. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  15. 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

McLennan County in Texas

50
County map
McLennan County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How McLennan County scores

Seclusion22100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency42100% ev.
Admin Boringness7490% ev.
Durability55100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost70100% 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 →

$266kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$5,592Land / acre
37.8"Annual rain
26.1% of yrsSevere drought
46.5 / yr (+30.8)Mid-century 100°F days
25.5 daysMid-century dry spell
2.16" (+6.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.38×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,017Home insurance / yr
1.7% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
168,644People within 30 min
10,417,032People within 2 hr
135,189Radius comparison (15 mi)
259.1People / sq mi
2.3%Federal land
99%Land at 15% slope or less
4.4%Septic soil without severe limits
26,650 acWorkable land screen
17.8%Wooded land
18.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
66.7°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for McLennan County

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

McLennan County rules

  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate conclusion for McLennan County: local land-use controls differ between unincorporated county areas, municipal corporate limits, and certain municipal ETJs; incorporated municipalities administer their own zoning where adopted. This is an aggregate claim and does not assert that McLennan County administers each municipal ordinance.

    • The county states that each municipality has an ETJ and that the County has interlocal agreements with certain cities to regulate land subdivision and development.
    • The City of Waco's Development Services Department administers zoning, land use, and subdivision regulations within Waco.
    • The cited sources do not establish the zoning status of every municipality in McLennan County; parcel-specific confirmation may be required.
    “The department administers zoning, land use, and subdivision regulations to ensure the orderly, safe, and responsible development of Waco”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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 McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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 McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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 McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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 McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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 McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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 McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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 McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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 McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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 McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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 McLennan County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and McLennan County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing mclennan.gov.

    • 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.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Drilling or operating a groundwater well in McLennan County under Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District jurisdiction.

    • Certain wells may qualify for exemption.
    • The cited county plan states the exemption criteria as no more than 25,000 gallons per day, solely domestic or livestock use, and a tract of at least 10 acres.

    exempt production limit: <= 25000 gallons per day (domestic or livestock use on a tract of at least 10 acres)

    “A permit issued by the district is required to drill or operate a well [...] Exemption – A well may be considered exempt”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Water, sewer, and on-site sewage information required for subdivision plat review under McLennan County subdivision regulations.

    • The subdivision regulations apply outside municipal corporate limits.
    • The regulations may exclude a municipality's ETJ when the municipality has established the ETJ and entered a written agreement with the County authorizing the municipality to regulate subdivision plats there.
    • A plat must designate the water and/or sewer utility provider or providers and the intended water source for each lot.
    • If groundwater is the water source, a professional engineer must certify adequate groundwater under TCEQ residential-development requirements, and the water provider's CCN number must be included.
    • The plat must certify compliance with McLennan County on-site sewage-facility rules and submit required planning and evaluation materials, including an on-site suitability report if applicable.
    • The cited provisions document subdivision-plat information and design requirements, not a general requirement that every property connect to public water or sewer.
    “Designation of the water and/or sewer utility provider(s) for the subdivision”
  • Subdividing landLimited

    Subdivision and re-subdivision of land in areas subject to McLennan County subdivision regulations.

    • The regulations apply outside municipal corporate limits.
    • ETJ areas may be excluded when a municipality has an established ETJ and a written agreement with the County authorizes the municipality to regulate subdivision plats there.
    • A tract divided into two or more parts must comply unless exempt under Section 1.7.
    • Exemptions include specified agricultural, family-transfer, greater-than-10-acre, veterans-land, governmental, floodplain-adjoining-owner, financing, and other statutory categories.
    • An exemption from subdivision platting does not exempt the owner from McLennan County floodplain-development or on-site-sewage-facility orders.
    • No County-authorized permit will be issued for property that is not in compliance with the regulations.

    division threshold: >= 2 parts (subject to Section 1.7 exemptions) · large-lot exemption threshold: > 10 acres (all lots must be more than 10 acres)

    “outside of the corporate limits of a municipality.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development and structure placement in unincorporated McLennan County floodplain areas.

    • All development in unincorporated areas must comply with the county flood damage prevention order.
    • A floodplain development permit is required before construction or placement of any structure in the floodplain.
    • Lots or rental spaces wholly or partially in the floodplain must show finished-floor elevation at least one foot above base flood elevation.

    minimum finished-floor elevation above base flood elevation: >= 1 foot (lots or rental spaces wholly or partially within the floodplain)

    “A floodplain development permit shall be obtained from the County Engineer’s Office prior to the construction/placement of any structure(s) within the floodplain.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Published county processes for residential construction notices and inspections, subdivision platting, and related County-authorized development permits.

    • For residential construction, after October 13, 2009, new residential structures and improvements to existing residential structures that increase square footage or value by more than 50 percent in unincorporated areas must be constructed to the IRC applicable in the county seat.
    • The builder must notify the County of the location, approximate completion date, and IRC version; obtain three inspections during different construction phases; and submit inspection notices demonstrating compliance.
    • McLennan County does not have inspection authority or responsibility and cannot charge fees for this residential-construction process.
    • The residential law does not give the County prior-approval authority and does not authorize zoning regulations.
    • The residential process does not apply to manufactured or modular housing constructed off-site and transported to a site.
    • Penalties do not apply to new residential construction by an individual acting as the individual's own contractor who intends to use the residence as the individual's primary residence.
    • Subdivision regulations separately require compliance before County-authorized permits issue, and preliminary-plat approval does not authorize site grading, construction, or development.

    residential improvement threshold: > 50 percent (increase in square footage or value) · construction inspections: 3 inspections (during different phases of construction)

    “after October 13, 2009, in unincorporated areas of McLennan County, all new residential structures [...] shall be constructed to the International Residential Code”
  • Building permitLimited

    By county order, new residential structures in unincorporated areas must be built to the IRC applicable in the county seat, but the county has no prior-approval authority and issues no traditional building permit; septic, subdivision, and land-development permits may still be required.

    McLennan County - Residential Building Requirements ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas law does not authorize county zoning; McLennan County's residential order explicitly does not authorize adoption or enforcement of zoning regulations. County maintains subdivision/development regulations only.

    McLennan County - Residential Building Requirements ↗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:”
  • Who permits septicMixed

    On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems, throughout Texas

    • In most areas, local governments act as TCEQ-authorized agents and administer the OSSF program.
    • The TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.
    • Local permitting programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
    “TCEQ is not often the OSSF permitting authority. [...] The TCEQ regional office will be the permitting authority in locations where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF in Texas

    • A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
    • A 10-acre exemption may apply only if all listed conditions are met: site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer; single-family dwelling on at least 10 acres; no nuisance or groundwater pollution; all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line; effluent disposed of on the property; and the single-family dwelling is the only dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin.
    • Grandfathered systems may also be exempt if the stated conditions are met.

    minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (single-family dwelling and all other TCEQ conditions must be met) · minimum OSSF distance from property line for 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet (all parts of the OSSF) · emergency repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (after repairs have begun; written report to permitting authority)

    “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. [...] An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”:”
  • 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.”
  • 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.

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for residential construction in McLennan County.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems in McLennan County.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemptions from McLennan County construction, subdivision, or development rules.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in McLennan County.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Water rights & wells in McLennan County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Texas’s water agency.

Actively managed

This basin is under active state management — new water use is scrutinized, though a domestic well is usually still allowed.

Household wellExempt up to a limit

Texas groundwater is governed by the rule of capture; a Groundwater Conservation District must exempt qualifying domestic/livestock wells and may not restrict their production, but well registration and spacing rules can still apply and the exemption does not cover wells serving a platted subdivision.

Limit: Domestic/livestock well exempt from GCD production permitting if on a tract >10 acres AND incapable of producing >25,000 gal/day (Tex. Water Code §36.117)

Texas Water Code §36.117 / TWDB ↗
  • Central Texas Trinity Aquifer Priority Groundwater Management Areapartial of county

    TCEQ-designated Trinity Aquifer critical-groundwater area; drives GCD coverage. Domestic/livestock wells remain exempt but spacing/registration may apply.

    TCEQ — Priority Groundwater Management Areas ↗

Hybrid state (appropriation + riparian). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Texas state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in McLennan County, Texas

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

McLennan County scores 50/100 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: about 168,644 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

McLennan 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 Waco-McLennan County Public Health District (TCEQ authorized agent). 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 McLennan County?

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

Land in McLennan County runs about $5,592 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in McLennan County?

McLennan County gets about 37.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 26.1% of years. On water rights, McLennan County lies in the Central Texas Trinity Aquifer Priority Groundwater Management Area — TCEQ-designated Trinity Aquifer critical-groundwater area; drives GCD coverage. Domestic/livestock wells remain exempt but spacing/registration may apply..

How remote is McLennan County?

A representative private-land location has about 168,644 people within a 30-minute drive and 10,417,032 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 McLennan County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How McLennan compares in Texas

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