Menard County, TX Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Menard County, Texas has no building-permit department and no zoning ordinance on its official site¹². Texas gives most counties no general zoning power, and Menard County's own subdivision rules confirm the county regulates land division and manufactured-home rental communities rather than zoning districts³. Septic is regulated statewide, and TCEQ's own authorized-agent lookup lists Menard County itself as the local agent for OSSF permits outside the City of Menard, administered through the County Judge's office⁴⁵. If you plan to divide land or set up a manufactured home rental community, the County Judge's office and Commissioners Court run that process⁶.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required in unincorporated Menard County; no county building department found on the official site¹
Zoning: None; no zoning department or ordinance on the county's official site²
Septic permits: Required outside the City of Menard; Menard County itself is TCEQ's listed local agent, administered through the County Judge's office⁴⁵
RV / tiny home / manufactured home living: Unrestricted on a private tract under county rules, since Menard County has no zoning authority³
Manufactured home rental communities: Regulated: an infrastructure development plan must be approved by the County before construction or occupancy⁷
Minimum lot size, dwelling size, setbacks, height (outside subdivisions): None set by the county³
Subdividing land: Requires a plat approved by Commissioners Court; base fee $3,000 plus $300 per lot, space or divided part⁸⁶
Water wells: District approval is required before drilling; some wells need a permit and even qualifying exempt wells must be registered⁹

Who to call

Septic permits

Menard County Judge's Office

OSSF (septic) permitting for Menard County outside the City of Menard; TCEQ's own authorized-agent lookup lists Menard County itself as the local agent, and the County Judge's office is the county's land-use office

325-396-4789

[email protected]

206 E San Saba Ave, Menard, TX 76859

Also useful

Menard County Judge / Commissioners Court

Presides over Commissioners Court, which approves subdivision plats and manufactured home rental community infrastructure plans for unincorporated Menard County

325-396-4789

[email protected]

206 E San Saba Ave, Menard, TX 76859

Also useful

Menard County Clerk's Office

Records approved subdivision plats, MHRC certificates of compliance, and other official public records for Menard County

325-396-4682

[email protected]

206 E. San Saba Ave, Menard, TX 76859

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

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

Unincorporated Menard County does not require a building permit for a home, and the county's official website lists no building-permit office or program¹. Texas gives counties zoning and general building-permit power only in narrow, specific circumstances, and Menard County's own posted regulations cover subdivisions and manufactured home rental communities, not a general permit-to-build³. That absence of a county building code has not been formally confirmed by a document stating "Menard County has no building code" — it is drawn from the county's official site not publishing one, so a call to the County Judge's office is worth making before you break ground on anything unusual¹.

Who handles permits and land-use approvals in Menard County?

There is no dedicated building or planning department in Menard County; land-use approvals run through the County Judge's office and Commissioners Court⁶. If you are dividing a tract into two or more lots, or setting up a manufactured home rental community, you submit a plat application, supporting documents, and fee to the county, and Commissioners Court must act by recorded vote at a public meeting to approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove it⁶. The county must notify you of a missing document or incomplete application within 10 business days of receiving it⁶. A subdivision also needs county approval before a road, driveway, bridge or culvert connects to an existing public road, and each lot must have access through the subdivision to its public-road entry and exit¹⁰. Once approved, the plat or MHRC compliance certificate is recorded with the Menard County Clerk's Office¹¹.

Does Menard County have zoning?

Menard County has no zoning ordinance on its official site, and Texas law gives counties zoning power only for specific, narrow situations that do not include Menard County²³. That means the county sets no minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, lot coverage limit, building height cap, or zoning districts on a standalone tract, and it does not restrict where you put an accessory dwelling, a tiny home, or a temporary camping setup³. The one exception is a manufactured home rental community: if you rent or lease two or more spaces or lots for manufactured homes (including trailers, campers, and RVs used as dwellings), construction and occupancy cannot begin until the county approves an infrastructure development plan covering drainage, drinking water, sewer/septic, roads, and utilities¹²⁷. Inside an approved subdivision, the county's own regulations require a 20-foot building and setback line on the front, sides, and rear of every lot¹³.

How do septic permits work in Menard County?

Septic systems, called OSSFs (on-site sewage facilities) in Texas, need a permit before construction, installation, repair, extension, or other alteration in almost every case statewide¹⁴. TCEQ's own authorized-agent lookup lists Menard County itself as the local agent for OSSF permits countywide except inside the City of Menard, and that program is administered through the County Judge's office⁴⁵. Only 4.3% of Menard County's soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so budget for a site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer before you count on a standard system¹⁵. A single-family home on 10 acres or more can qualify for Texas's 10-acre exemption from the OSSF permit, but only if a licensed site evaluator confirms the system won't cause a nuisance or pollute groundwater, every part of it sits at least 100 feet from the property line, effluent stays on the property, and the home is the only dwelling on the tract¹⁶. Work must be done by a licensed installer, or by the homeowner personally on their own single-family residence¹⁴.

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

On a standalone tract that is not part of a manufactured home rental community, Menard County sets no rule against living in an RV or tiny home, because the county has no zoning authority to restrict it³. That changes if you are renting or leasing two or more spaces or lots to other people for manufactured homes, trailers, campers, or RVs used as dwellings: that arrangement is a manufactured home rental community under county rules, and it needs an approved infrastructure development plan before anyone moves in, plus a rental term under 60 months unless there's a purchase option¹². Septic still applies regardless of dwelling type — any RV, tiny home, or house that generates domestic sewage needs a permitted OSSF unless it qualifies for Texas's 10-acre exemption for a single-family dwelling on 10 acres or more¹⁷¹⁶.

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

Confirm your tract isn't inside city limits or a platted subdivision with its own rules; unincorporated land outside a subdivision has no county building or zoning process to start¹².
If you're dividing the tract first, apply to Commissioners Court for plat approval, budgeting a $3,000 base fee plus $300 per lot and all filing and recording fees due to the County Clerk⁸. Get county approval before subdivision roads, driveways, bridges or culverts connect to an existing public road¹⁰.
Arrange a site evaluation for your septic system with a TCEQ-licensed evaluator or professional engineer, since most of the county's soils have severe limits for a standard drain field¹⁵.
Apply for your OSSF permit before any septic construction begins, through the Menard County Judge's office, the county's listed TCEQ agent⁵⁴.
Before drilling a water well in the Menard County Underground Water District, obtain district approval of the required permit, registration or notice; even a qualifying exempt domestic or livestock well needs review and a certificate before drilling⁹.
If your driveway will connect to a state highway, submit TxDOT Form 1058 to the local district office and get a fully executed permit before construction, giving TxDOT 24-hour notice before you start¹⁸.
If the property is in a floodplain and inside a subdivision, have a surveyor or engineer certify the finished floor will sit at least 1 foot above base flood elevation¹⁹.
Record any approved plat or MHRC compliance certificate with the Menard County Clerk's Office¹¹.

What to check before you buy land in Menard County

Check soils first: only 4.3% of Menard County is free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so get a site evaluation before you count on gravity-fed septic¹⁵. The county averages 25.3 inches of rain a year and has experienced severe drought in 26.2% of years, so confirm groundwater plans with the Menard County Underground Water District before relying on a new well²⁰²¹⁹. Land is sparsely populated at 2.2 people per square mile, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 113 miles from the county center²²²³. If you're buying into a platted subdivision, confirm the recorded plat, setback and floodplain lines, and legal road access with the County Clerk before closing¹³¹⁹¹⁰. The effective property tax rate runs about 1.7%, with a median annual bill near $1,747 on typical Menard County parcels²⁴²⁵.

Watch-outs

Menard County's official site does not itself state that the county has no building code or zoning ordinance; that is an absence of any published program, not a documented policy, so confirm with the County Judge's office before assuming¹².
Menard County's OSSF program is administered through the County Judge's office, not a dedicated environmental department; confirm current procedures before you apply⁵.
A water well may be exempt from a full permit but still requires Menard County Underground Water District review and approval before drilling⁹.

Sources

Written September 29, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

How Menard County scores

Seclusion79100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency2296% ev.

Admin Boringness8290% ev.

Durability34100% ev.

Property Autonomy71100% ev.

Carry Cost8096% 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 →

$213kTypical home

1.7%Property tax

$1,968Land / acre

25.3"Annual rain

26.2% of yrsSevere drought

37.2 / yr (+25)Mid-century 100°F days

28.6 daysMid-century dry spell

1.91" (+8.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.35×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,938Home insurance / yr

-2.2% / yrInsurance growth

0%Nonrenewal rate

single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis

1,789Radius comparison (15 mi)

2.2People / sq mi

0%Federal land

99.9%Land at 15% slope or less

4.3%Septic soil without severe limits

25,056 acWorkable land screen

9.7%Wooded land

8.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac

64.9°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Menard County

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

Menard County rules

Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Menard County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Menard County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.menard.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Menard County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Menard County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.menard.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Menard County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Menard County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.menard.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
SetbacksSpecified
Lots and other divided parts in subdivisions located in the unincorporated area of Menard County, Texas.
- The rule applies to subdivisions; the regulations state that plat authority in a municipality’s extraterritorial jurisdiction is subject to an active interlocal governmental agreement.
- The plat must describe and depict the required building and setback lines on the front, sides, and rear of all lots or other divided parts in the subdivision.
building and setback line: 20 feet · required sides: front, sides, and rear
“the plat shall describe and depict a twenty (20) foot building and set-back line on the front, sides, and rear of all lots or other divided parts in the subdivision.”
Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations for Menard County, Texas ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Menard County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Menard County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.menard.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Building height · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Menard County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Menard County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.menard.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Living in an RVLimited
RV occupancy in a manufactured home rental community in unincorporated Menard County.
- The county regulations define manufactured home to include a trailer, vehicle, camper, or recreational vehicle designed for use as a dwelling or for overnight accommodation.
- The rule applies to a manufactured home rental community, defined as land divided into two or more rented, leased, or offered-for-rent spaces or lots for installation of manufactured homes for residential occupancy.
- Construction and occupancy of a proposed MHRC may not begin before the County approves the infrastructure development plan.
- The source document displays blank effective-date and adoption-date fields; no operative date was established from the document.
maximum rental term: < 60 months (without a purchase option) · minimum rented spaces or lots: >= 2 spaces or lots
“recreational vehicle designed for use as a dwelling”
Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations for Menard County, Texas ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Menard County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Menard County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.menard.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Menard County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Menard County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.menard.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Manufactured homesLimited
Manufactured-home occupancy in a manufactured home rental community in unincorporated Menard County.
- The county regulations apply to MHRCs located in the unincorporated area of the county.
- The MHRC application must include a completed application, infrastructure development plan, supporting documents, and written evidence that no ad valorem tax liability exists on the project land.
- Construction and occupancy may not begin before County approval of the infrastructure development plan.
- The approved plan must address drainage, drinking water, sewer/septic/OSSF facilities, roads, surveys, applicable county and state requirements, water-district requirements, utility availability, and minimum state water and wastewater standards.
- The source document displays blank effective-date and adoption-date fields; no operative date was established from the document.
minimum rented spaces or lots: >= 2 spaces or lots · maximum rental term: < 60 months (without a purchase option)
“may not be occupied by tenants or lessees”
Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations for Menard County, Texas ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Menard County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Menard County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.menard.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Well permitLimited
Water wells within the Menard County Underground Water District in Menard County, Texas.
- A permit is required before drilling, reworking, redrilling, enlarging, or modifying a well unless the well qualifies for an exemption under Texas Water Code Section 36.117, except for wells the District requires to be permitted under Section 8861.102 of the District Act.
- The District rules state that permits are required for domestic or livestock wells on tracts smaller than 100 acres that are less than 500 feet deep and capable of producing more than 9,000 gallons per day.
- Permits are also required for industrial or manufacturing, commercial or municipal, irrigation, recreational or pleasure, other non-exempt uses, and wells supplying subdivisions requiring plat approval under Chapter 232, Local Government Code.
- Before drilling any well, the owner, operator, or driller must file and obtain approval of the applicable registration or Preregistration Notice of Intent to Drill.
- An exempt domestic or livestock well up to 9,000 gallons per day on 10 or more acres requires a $100 application fee and District review before drilling; drilling may begin only after the District issues a Certificate to Begin Drilling.
- A non-exempt well requires a $500 application fee before drilling.
- All newly permitted wells after April 15, 2015 must have an accurate production meter and all wells must submit an annual water-use report by March 31 for the preceding year.
- After April 15, 2015, irrigation permits will not be granted for furrow irrigation.
exempt domestic/livestock production threshold: <= 9000 gallons per day (Exempt-well treatment also requires the tract to be 10 or more acres and District approval before drilling.) · domestic/livestock permit threshold: < 100 acres (Applies with the less-than-500-foot-depth and more-than-9,000-gallons-per-day conditions.) · domestic/livestock permit depth threshold: < 500 feet (Applies with the tract-size and production-capability conditions.) · exempt-well application fee: 100 USD (For an exempt well up to 9,000 gallons per day for domestic or livestock use on 10 or more acres.) · non-exempt-well application fee: 500 USD (For non-exempt wells, including production above 9,000 gallons per day, irrigation, industrial, public-water-supply, water-sales use, or domestic/livestock use on less than 10 acres.)
“No person shall hereafter begin to drill a new well, or re-work, or re-drill an existing well or increase the size or make other modifications to wells without having first applied to the District and been issued a permit to do so, unless the well after drilling or after other modifications will be exempt as defined in Section 36.117 of the Texas Water Code, except as required by the District to have a permit under Section 8861.102 of the Act”
Rules of the Menard County Underground Water District ↗Re-checked Sep 24, 2026
Driveway accessLimited
Road, driveway, culvert, and lot access requirements for subdivisions in unincorporated Menard County.
- A subdivision must provide at least one point of entry and exit to an external public road for travel to and from each lot by lot owners and emergency vehicles and for evacuations.
- Each lot must have access to an internal road or street leading to the subdivision entry and exit.
- Before a road, street, bridge, driveway, culvert, or common-use area connects to an existing public road, the transportation infrastructure and related drainage structures must be approved by the County.
- The minimum lot frontage on county or other public roads is 100 feet unless otherwise required by state or federal law.
minimum lot frontage: >= 100 feet (unless otherwise required by state or federal law)
“Prior to any [...] driveway [...] being constructed to connect to an existing public road, [...] must first be approved by the County.”
Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations for Menard County, Texas ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Subdivision plat and related development in a floodplain in unincorporated Menard County.
- The plat must identify and describe all land in the subdivision located in a floodplain, or state that no area is located in a floodplain.
- A surveyor or engineer must certify compliance with the County’s active floodplain management and related development regulations.
- For proposed development areas containing a floodplain, the plat or plan must depict floodplain, flood zone, and floodway locations.
- Structures in the floodplain must have a finished floor elevation at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation and comply with NFIP, state law, and the County’s active flood damage prevention order or other floodplain management regulations.
minimum finished-floor elevation above base flood elevation: >= 1 foot (for any structure to be constructed in the floodplain)
“finished floor elevation established that is a minimum of 1 foot above the base flood elevation”
Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations for Menard County, Texas ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Subdivision plats and manufactured home rental community development in unincorporated Menard County.
- Subdivision plat application fees are due when the application is submitted.
- Filing and recording fees for an approved subdivision plat or MHRC infrastructure development plan are due to the County Clerk upon filing and recordation.
- Fees must be paid by cashier’s check or money order payable to Menard County, Texas.
- The fee schedule applies to subdivision and MHRC development, not necessarily every type of permit or development activity.
subdivision plat base fee: 3000 USD (plus $300.00 per lot, space, or divided part and all required filing and recording fees) · subdivision plat per lot, space, or divided part fee: per 300 USD (plus the $3,000.00 base fee and all required filing and recording fees) · Certificate of Approved Plat: per 50 USD (for each requested certificate) · Certificate of MHRC Compliance: per 50 USD (for each requested certificate)
“a base fee of $3,000.00, plus a $300.00 per lot, space, or divided part fee”
Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations for Menard County, Texas ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Subdivision plat applications for land division outside incorporated municipalities in Menard County.
- The owner must have a plat prepared and approved if dividing a tract into two or more parts for a subdivision, lots, or public or purchaser-owner use streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts.
- A completed application must include the executed application, proposed plat and supporting documents, tax-liability evidence, and required fee payment.
- The County must notify an applicant of missing documents or information not later than the 10th business day after receiving an incomplete application.
- The Commissioners Court acts by recorded vote at a public meeting and may approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove the plat.
incomplete-application notice deadline: <= 10 business days (after the County receives the application)
“The County shall, not later than the 10th business day after the date the County receives the application, notify the applicant”
Subdivision and Manufactured Home Rental Community Regulations for Menard County, Texas ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Building permitNot required
Menard County's official site lists no building-permit department or program, consistent with Texas statute under which counties generally cannot require residential building permits in unincorporated areas.
Menard County, Texas (official county website) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked
County-wide zoningAbsent
No zoning or planning department appears on the county's official site; Texas counties generally lack zoning authority in unincorporated areas, with only subdivision/manufactured-home regulations shown.
Menard County, Texas (official county website) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

Building code adoptedPartial
Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components governed by the Texas Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.
- The mandatory state code adoption applies to industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components, not all construction statewide.
- The effective date is July 1, 2024.
- The International Existing Building Code applies to alterations of portable industrialized buildings.
- Manufacturers already certified for Texas must have design-package documents reviewed and approved to the new editions with an approval date on or after July 1, 2024, unless the manufacturer elected to transition before the effective date under Department rule 70.70(a)(5)(B).
- Construction begun on or after July 1, 2024 must comply with the new code editions and approved design packages.
- Construction begun before July 1, 2024, or before a manufacturer's effective transition date, must meet the stated completion, inspection, and labeling deadline to remain eligible for a Texas decal.
effective date: 2024-07-01 · International Building Code: 2021 Edition (including appendices C, F, and K) · International Residential Code: 2021 Edition (including appendices AG, AH, AK, AP, AQ, and AT) · International Fuel Gas Code: 2021 Edition · International Mechanical Code: 2021 Edition · International Plumbing Code: 2021 Edition · International Energy Conservation Code: 2015 Edition · National Electrical Code: 2020 Edition · International Existing Building Code: 2021 Edition (for alterations of portable industrialized buildings)
“July 1, 2024, all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply with the following codes, as amended in §70.101 of the IHB Rules:”
Industrialized Housing and Buildings – Adoption of New Code Editions ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
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.”
Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
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”:”
Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Almost all on-site sewage facilities, including septic systems, in Menard County.
  “Almost all OSSFs must have a permit prior to any construction, installation, repair, extension, or other alteration. Any work on an OSSF must be performed by a licensed installer or directly by the homeowner when it is their single-family residence. If someone is paid for any part of the process, that person must be licensed by the state.”
  Basics for Septic Systems ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Septic inspectionLimited
OSSF installation and, where applicable, maintenance inspections in Texas
- Authorized agents or their designated representatives inspect system installation.
- Some permitting authorities impose more stringent requirements.
- Maintenance-provider inspection and reporting requirements apply to systems and circumstances governed by 30 TAC §285.91(4).
- Electronic monitoring may reduce reporting to every six months where the stated monitoring conditions apply.
reduced maintenance reporting interval with qualifying electronic monitoring: 6 months (only where the system uses the specified electronic monitoring, automatic notification, and disinfection monitoring)
“Many times, the AA has a "designated representative" (DR) to assist them with their responsibilities, which include reviewing plans for constructing, altering, extending or repairing each OSSF; issuing permits; and inspecting system installation. [...] If the system uses an electronic monitor, automatic radio or telephone to notify the maintenance provider of system or component failure and to monitor the amount of disinfection in the system, reporting may be reduced to every six months.”
Basics for Septic Systems ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Off-grid domestic sewage treatment using an on-site sewage facility in Menard County.
- An OSSF generally requires a permit before construction, installation, repair, extension, or other alteration.
- OSSFs can handle only domestic sewage; industrial or hazardous waste cannot enter an OSSF.
- The source states that almost all OSSFs require permits, so exceptions are not resolved by this page.
“Almost all OSSFs must have a permit prior to any construction, installation, repair, extension, or other alteration. [...] OSSFs can handle only domestic sewage. Industrial or hazardous waste cannot enter an OSSF; this waste will be treated in the soil and will ruin an OSSF by literally killing the bacteria that break down the biosolids.”
Basics for Septic Systems ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
county zoning authorityLimited
Texas counties adopting zoning regulations for specified unincorporated or otherwise specially defined areas.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
- Other Chapter 231 subchapters address special areas including the Amistad Recreation Area in Val Verde County, military zones, certain lakes, the El Paso Mission Trail Historical Area, Lake Somerville, and Falcon Lake in Zapata County.
- The cited statute was enacted effective September 1, 1987; the Falcon Lake subchapter was added effective June 15, 2007, and amended effective September 1, 2009.
Padre Island distance from publicly owned park or recreational development: <= 2 miles (Area must be outside a municipality and in Cameron or Willacy County.) · Padre Island distance from beach, wharf, or bathhouse: <= 2 miles (The beach, wharf, or bathhouse must be used by at least 500 persons annually.)
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
county building authorityLimited
Texas counties adopting and enforcing fire-code building permits for specified buildings in unincorporated areas and applying residential building-code standards in certain counties.
- Under Section 233.061, the county must have a population over 250,000 or be adjacent to a county with a population over 250,000.
- Under Section 233.062, the fire code applies only to commercial establishments, public buildings, and multifamily residential dwellings consisting of four or more units constructed in an unincorporated area.
- The fire code does not apply to an industrial facility having a fire brigade that conforms to Occupational Health and Safety Administration requirements.
- A covered applicant must submit a plan and a commissioners-court-set application fee; the county must issue or deny the permit within 30 days, and failure to act within 30 days approves the construction for purposes of the subchapter.
- The fire code must conform to the International Fire Code or Uniform Fire Code as those codes existed on May 1, 2005, or establish protective measures exceeding those standards; later editions may be adopted.
- Residential standards under Section 233.152 apply only if the county adopts a resolution or order and the county is within 50 miles of an international border or has a population over 100.
- Those residential standards apply only to new single-family-house or duplex construction beginning after September 1, 2009; manufactured or modular structures governed by Occupations Code Chapters 1201 or 1202 are excluded from the definition of new residential construction.
- A municipality's building code controls in its extraterritorial jurisdiction, and Section 233.152 does not authorize county prior approval of new residential construction or county zoning regulations.
- Fire-code inspection and permit fees may be charged under a fee schedule based on building type, limited to amounts necessary to administer and enforce the subchapter; inspection fees must be reasonable and reflect approximate inspection costs.
county population threshold for fire-code authority: > 250000 persons (A county adjacent to a county over 250,000 also qualifies.) · multifamily residential dwelling threshold: >= 4 units (The fire code applies only to covered buildings constructed in an unincorporated area.) · residential-code border distance: <= 50 miles (Alternative qualification is county population over 100.) · application decision period: 30 days (If the commissioners court does not issue or deny the permit within 30 days after receiving the application and fee, construction is approved for purposes of the subchapter.) · residential standards effective construction date: > 2009-09-01 (Applies only to new residential construction that begins after September 1, 2009.)
“The commissioners court of a county with a population of over 250,000 or a county adjacent to a county with a population of over 250,000 may adopt a fire code and rules necessary to administer and enforce the fire code. [...] The fire code applies only to the following buildings constructed in an unincorporated area of the county: (1) a commercial establishment; (2) a public building; and (3) a multifamily residential dwelling consisting of four or more units.”
Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing or improving residential buildings in Menard County.
Inspections — Inspections for residential construction in Menard County, including unincorporated areas.
Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in Menard County.
Local zoning — Local zoning within Menard County, including the City of Menard and unincorporated areas.
Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer connection requirements in Menard County, Texas.

2 more unanswered

Agricultural exemption
Short-term rentals

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

Living off-grid in Menard County, Texas

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

Menard County scores 52/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (25.3″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Menard County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Menard (TCEQ authorized agent for on-site sewage). 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 Menard County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Menard County is limited to specific cases: RV occupancy in a manufactured home rental community in unincorporated Menard County. The county regulations define manufactured home to include a trailer, vehicle, camper, or recreational vehicle designed for use as a dwelling or for overnight accommodation. The rule applies to a manufactured home rental community, defined as land divided into two or more rented, leased, or offered-for-rent spaces or lots for installation of manufactured homes for residential occupancy. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Menard County, Texas?

Land in Menard County runs about $1,968 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Menard County?

Menard County gets about 25.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 26.2% of years.

How remote is Menard County?

A typical private-land location has about 1,789 people within 15 miles and 1,498,004 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles permits and land-use approvals in Menard County?

Does Menard County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Menard County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Menard County

Watch-outs

Sources

Menard County in Texas

How Menard County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Menard County

Menard County rules

Texas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Menard County, Texas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Menard County, Texas?

What is the water situation in Menard County?

How remote is Menard County?

How Menard compares in Texas