Bolthole Index

McLennan County, Texas

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Robinson, Texas

Robinson, Texas requires building permits for new construction, remodeling and additions inside city limits.1 Robinson handles zoning through its Planning & Development Department; septic approval comes from the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.23 Robinson’s city rules differ from the residential-construction process for unincorporated McLennan County.4

At a glance

Building permits
Required for city-regulated construction1
Zoning
City zoning; confirm the parcel’s district2
Septic approval
Waco-McLennan County Public Health District35
Main home size
SF-1 and RE: minimum 1,800 square feet67
Accessory dwelling
By right on lots of at least 12,000 square feet, subject to conditions8
New residential building fee
$0.60 per square foot of total area under roof9
Occupancy approval
Building official approval required before use or occupancy10

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Robinson Planning & Development Department

City zoning, plats, special exceptions and variance requests

(254) 662-1415

[email protected]

111 W Lyndale Robinson, TX 76706

Building permits

Robinson Permits and Inspections

City building permit applications and contractor registration

(254) 662-1415

Online permits →

Septic permits

Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, OSSF Program

Septic applications, inspections and notices of approval

(254) 299-2473

401 Franklin Avenue - Mae Jackson Development Center - 1st Floor

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Robinson, TX?

Robinson requires building permits for new construction, remodeling, additions and other city-regulated construction inside city limits.1 Robinson has adopted the 2024 International Residential Code with city amendments and adopted appendices.11 Before a building permit can issue, Robinson property must be platted, approved by City Council and recorded in McLennan County’s Official Public Records.12 Starting work without a Robinson building permit incurs double the building permit fee.1 Ask the city building office to confirm the project category before starting work.13

Who issues Robinson building permits, and what do they cost?

Robinson building permit applicants use CivicGov and upload a completed application, digital plans and other required documents.13 Robinson’s city permit process issues one permit per project, and all contractors, including the general contractor, must register and remain current.14 The Robinson new residential construction fee is $0.60 per square foot of total area under roof; fees for other projects depend on project type, area, valuation and review arrangements.9 Call Robinson at (254) 662-1415 for building application questions; septic applications go separately to the Health District.133

Does Robinson have zoning, minimum home sizes and setbacks?

Robinson has city zoning, and Planning & Development processes zoning, plats, special exceptions and variance requests.215 Robinson’s SF-1 and RE Rural Estate districts require a main dwelling area of at least 1,800 square feet.67 In Robinson’s RE district, minimum yards are 25 feet front, 10 feet rear, 10 feet interior side and 15 feet street side.16 Robinson’s SF-1 district limits building coverage to 50% of lot area and impervious coverage to 60%.17 Ask Planning & Development to identify the parcel’s district before designing a house around these district-specific limits.15

How do septic permits work inside Robinson?

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District administers septic approval inside Robinson.3 Robinson requires individual on-site sewage facility designs to be submitted to the Health District, with TCEQ compliance before residential occupation.5 Robinson’s subdivision rules require public sewer connection for lots within 500 feet of a public sewer line, subject to the ordinance’s exception conditions; confirm sewer availability before planning septic.18 The Health District lists a single-family conventional septic permit and inspection fee of $510, or $710 for aerobic septic, plus a mandatory $10 fee on all new or repair permits.19 McLennan County’s soil data rates only 4.4% of soils not limited for conventional drain fields; a site evaluation matters, and a low rating does not mean septic is impossible.20

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Robinson?

We could not confirm permission for residential RV living or a separate tiny-home occupancy rule inside Robinson; ask Planning & Development about the proposed use and the building office about construction and occupancy approval.1513 Robinson’s SF-1 and RE districts impose a 1,800-square-foot minimum on main dwellings.67 Robinson allows an accessory dwelling by right on a residential lot of at least 12,000 square feet, with a specific-use permit possible for a smaller lot.8 The accessory dwelling must be separate, have kitchen facilities, sit behind the main structure, have a building permit and not exceed half the main dwelling’s area; a HUD-Code manufactured home cannot serve as that ADU.8

Building a home in Robinson: what are the steps?

Start with Robinson Planning & Development: establish the zoning district and resolve platting before submitting a building permit application, because the city requires an approved, recorded plat before issuing a building permit.1512 Next, confirm public sewer availability with the city; where an OSSF is allowed, submit the design to the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.185 Apply through CivicGov with the completed application, plans and required documents, and keep contractor registrations current.13 Request city inspections through the permit process, using the permit number or jobsite address and access instructions.14 Obtain the building official’s occupancy approval before using or occupying the building.10

What stays with McLennan County, and what should Robinson buyers check?

Robinson controls city building permits and zoning, while the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District administers septic approval inside the city.123 For land outside Robinson city limits, use the McLennan County guide: the county’s residential-construction notice and inspection requirements apply to unincorporated land.21 We could not confirm Robinson-specific private-well requirements, a city owner-builder exemption, a general agricultural exemption or the complete floodplain-development requirements; ask Planning & Development to identify the appropriate approval path before buying for those uses.15 McLennan County’s effective property tax rate is 1.5%, a county-level figure rather than a Robinson parcel tax quote.22

Watch-outs

  • Robinson building permits depend on an approved, recorded plat; resolve plat status before expecting a building permit.12
  • A Robinson lot within 500 feet of public sewer may require connection under the subdivision rules; confirm the ordinance conditions before budgeting for septic.18
  • Robinson requires occupancy approval, and occupation without a certificate carries a $250 penalty.10
  • Do not assume Texas’s state septic exemption applies to a Robinson parcel: local programs may be stricter, so ask the Health District before relying on acreage alone.2319

Sources

  1. Obtaining a Permit (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning & Development (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  3. On-Site Sewage Facilities Program (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  4. Residential Building Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  5. Appendix B—Subdivisions (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  6. SF-1—Single-family Residential District (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  7. RE—Rural Estate District (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  8. Accessory dwelling units (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  9. Fee Schedule (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  10. Sec. 5-35. Adoption of the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  11. Sec. 5-35. Adoption of the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  12. Appendix B—Subdivisions (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  13. Robinson Permits and Inspections (robinsontexas.org)
  14. Obtaining a Permit (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  15. Robinson Planning & Development Department (robinsontexas.org)
  16. RE—Rural Estate District (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  17. SF-1—Single-family Residential District (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  18. Appendix B—Subdivisions (Robinson), quoted and re-checked
  19. Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, OSSF Program (waco-texas.com)
  20. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Residential Building Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Robinson

Robinson’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction, remodeling, additions, and other city-regulated construction inside Robinson city limits.

    • Permit fees vary by project and construction type.
    • Work without a permit incurs double the building permit fee.
    “Work without a Permit Penalty | Double Building Permit Fee”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Residential construction inside Robinson city limits.

    code edition: 2024 International Residential Code (city amendments and adopted appendices)

    “The IRC, 2024 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted, with the below appendices and modifications, as the "City Residential Code."”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupied or used buildings and structures inside Robinson city limits.

    • Permanent and temporary certificates have separate fees.
    • Occupation without a certificate incurs a penalty.

    permanent certificate fee: 100 USD · temporary certificate fee: 100 USD · occupation without certificate penalty: 250 USD

    “A building or structure shall not be used or occupied in whole or in part, and a change of occupancy of a building or structure or portion thereof shall not be made, until the building official has issued an approval therefor as provided herein.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Robinson city limits.

    “It houses the Planning and Inspections staff, processes zoning, plats, special exceptions and variance requests, building inspections, code enforcement.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Robinson city zoning districts and use regulations.

    • The city publishes its zoning code through Municode.
    • The supplied code includes AG, RE, SF-1, SF-2, SF-3, 2F, PH, MF-1, MF-2, MH, RO, C-1, C-2, and I district columns in the use table.
    “Find the Zoning Code here (via Municode).”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Main dwellings in the RE Rural Estate district.

    main dwelling area: >= 1800 sq ft

    “Main Dwelling Area 1,800 sq. ft. minimum”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    RE Rural Estate district lots.

    front yard: >= 25 ft · rear yard: >= 10 ft · interior side yard: >= 10 ft · street side yard: >= 15 ft

    “Side Yard Interior Lot 10 ft. minimum [...] Street Side 15 ft. minimum [...] Rear Yard 10 ft. minimum [...] Front Yard 25 ft. minimum”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    SF-1 district lots.

    building coverage: <= 50 percent · impervious coverage: <= 60 percent

    “Building Coverage 50% of lot area max. Impervious Coverage 60% of lot area max.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — RE Rural Estate district lots.
      “Building Coverage Max. 50% for rear half of lot”
  • Building heightSpecified

    RE Rural Estate district buildings.

    maximum height: <= 35 ft

    “Max. Height Not to exceed 35 ft. [...] Front Yard 25 ft. minimum”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units on residential lots inside Robinson city limits.

    • One ADU by right only on a lot of at least 12,000 square feet unless City Council approves a specific-use permit for a lesser area.
    • ADU height, area, and yards follow the main structure; ADU must be separate, contain kitchen facilities, be behind the main structure, and be built under a building permit.
    • An ADU cannot be a HUD-Code manufactured home and cannot exceed one-half of the main dwelling area.

    minimum lot area by right: >= 12000 sq ft (lesser area may be approved by specific-use permit)

    “Only one (1) accessory dwelling unit may be constructed by right on any lot with an area not less than 12,000 square feet, unless a lesser lot area is found to be adequate for an accessory dwelling by the city council and is approved as a specific use permit.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    On-site sewage facilities inside Robinson city limits.

    • The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District administers the OSSF program for McLennan County cities under agreement with McLennan County.
    • Texas Health and Safety Code chapter 366 and 30 TAC chapter 285 also govern.
    “Through an agreement between the City of Waco and McLennan County, the Health District administers the program for McLennan County, the cities in McLennan County, and the City of Waco.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    OSSFs serving land inside Robinson city limits where public sewer is unavailable or an approved exception applies.

    • Individual OSSF designs must be submitted to the Waco-McLennan County Health District for approval.
    • The OSSF must comply with TCEQ regulations before residential occupation.
    • Public sewer connection is required when the lot is within 500 feet of a public sewer line, subject to the subdivision-code exception structure.

    public sewer distance threshold: <= 500 feet (Lots not immediately served by sewer may use an OSSF under the stated city, health-district, state, and TCEQ conditions.)

    “Individual on-site sewage facility designs must be submitted to the Waco-McLennan County Health District for approval for each lot, and built to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations prior to occupation of the residence.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    OSSFs inside Robinson city limits administered by the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.

    • The published OSSF fee includes application, permit, inspections, and notice of approval.
    • Inspection and approval requirements depend on system type and applicable OSSF rules.
    “Includes application, permit, inspections, and notice of approval. Conventional Septic System Single-Family Residences: $510.00”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sewage disposal inside Robinson city limits.

    • An OSSF is contemplated where a lot is not immediately served by sewer, but requires health-district approval, TCEQ compliance, and the subdivision-code conditions.
    • Public sewer connection remains required when the lot is within 500 feet of a public sewer line.
    “All lots not immediately connected to the sanitary sewer system shall use an on-site sewage facility (OSSF).”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Subdivision lots and new development inside Robinson city limits.

    • Sanitary sewer lines must be installed and connected if the lot is within 500 feet of a public sewer line.
    • If sewer is unavailable under the ordinance conditions, an OSSF may be used.
    • New utility accounts can request water and sewer service from the City.

    public sewer connection distance: <= 500 feet (approved OSSF conditions)

    “Sanitary sewer lines shall be immediately installed and connected to a public sewer line, at the expense of the subdivider of the property, if the lot is within 500 feet of a public sewer line.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and building development inside Robinson city limits.

    • Property must be platted, approved by City Council, and filed in McLennan County records before a building permit may issue.
    • OSSF, sewer, utility, and plat conditions may apply.
    “No building permit shall be issued for the construction of any building or structure located on property within the City of Robinson which has not been platted, approved by the city council, and filed for record in the Official Public Records of McLennan County.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Robinson city permits and inspections.

    • Fees vary by project type, square footage, valuation, occupancy classification, and whether third-party review or inspection is used.
    • Third-party review or inspection may be charged at actual cost; entirely third-party permits add a 1% administration fee.

    residential new construction: 0.6 USD per sq ft (total area under roof) · permanent certificate of occupancy: 100 USD · temporary certificate of occupancy: 100 USD · reinspection: 95 during business hours; 150 after business hours or same day USD

    “New Construction | $0.60 per square foot, total area under roof”
  • Permit processPublished

    City permit applications and inspections inside Robinson city limits.

    • Applicants use CivicGov.
    • The city issues one permit per project.
    • Contractors, including general contractors, must register and remain current.
    • Inspection requests require a permit number or jobsite address and access instructions.
    “You can schedule the inspection online by navigating to My Dashboard and then selecting the Inspect link listed on the right-hand column for the related permit.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction inside Robinson city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Robinson city limits.
  • Well permit — Private water wells inside Robinson city limits.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural uses and possible agricultural exemptions inside Robinson city limits.
  • Building in a floodplain — Development in flood-hazard areas inside Robinson city limits.

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

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Robinson publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. McLennan County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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