Bolthole Index

Ochiltree County, Texas

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

47Index Score / 100
#156 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Ochiltree County, Texas does not require a residential building permit and has no county zoning ordinance12. Building-code enforcement exists only inside cities such as Perryton, not in the surrounding unincorporated county1. The county-specific septic authority could not be confirmed; TCEQ's regional office is the permitting authority only where no local jurisdiction is authorized3.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required in unincorporated Ochiltree County1
Zoning
No county zoning ordinance2
Septic permits
Confirm the local authority; TCEQ is the fallback3
Road-crossing permits
Ochiltree County Judge's Office4
RV living
Unrestricted in unincorporated Ochiltree County5
Tiny home
Unrestricted in unincorporated Ochiltree County5
Minimum home size
None set in unincorporated Ochiltree County5
Owner-builder exemption
Not published; no county building-permit program exists to exempt from6

Who to call

Also useful

Ochiltree County Judge & Commissioners Court

General county administration, commissioners' court, burn-ban questions and road-crossing permits; the point of contact since Ochiltree County has no building or planning department

(806) 435-8031

511 S Main St, Perryton, TX 79070

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 Ochiltree County, Texas?

No. Unincorporated Ochiltree County does not require a residential building permit1. Texas counties cannot mandate single-family building permits in unincorporated areas; building-code enforcement here exists only inside cities such as Perryton1. Texas counties generally lack authority to require one outside a few narrow, population-gated exceptions7. If your land is inside Perryton's city limits rather than the surrounding unincorporated county, check with the city separately, since Perryton has adopted its own building-regulation chapter8.

Who handles permits in Ochiltree County?

There is no dedicated building or planning department in Ochiltree County12. The Ochiltree County Judge's Office handles commissioners' court business and road-crossing permits, and is the point of contact for anything else the county's own pages don't cover9. Reach the County Judge's Office at (806) 435-8031 or 511 S Main St, Perryton, TX 790709. A driveway onto a state highway is a separate process: contact the local TxDOT district office and file Form 1058 before you build it10.

Does Ochiltree County have zoning?

Ochiltree County has no county zoning ordinance2. Because Texas gives counties zoning power only in narrow, specifically named circumstances that do not include Ochiltree County, the county cannot set a minimum lot size, setbacks, a building height limit or zoning districts for unincorporated land5. That same absence of zoning means unincorporated Ochiltree County places no zoning-based restriction on RVs, tiny homes, manufactured homes or accessory dwellings5. Perryton is the exception to check separately if your parcel sits inside city limits.

How do septic permits work in Ochiltree County?

We could not confirm whether an authorized local OSSF program serves Ochiltree County; TCEQ's regional office is the permitting authority only where no local jurisdiction has been authorized3. Confirm the authority for your parcel before applying, because local programs can be stricter than state minimums3. A permit and approved plan are generally required to construct, alter, repair, extend or operate an OSSF3. A single-family home on a tract of at least 10 acres may qualify for an exemption only if every condition is met, including a licensed site evaluation, at least 100 feet between every system part and the property line, on-property effluent disposal and only one dwelling on the tract3. About 21% of Ochiltree County's mapped soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field11, so get a site evaluation before you count on a standard system.

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

In unincorporated Ochiltree County, living in an RV or a tiny home on your own land is unrestricted, because the county has no zoning ordinance to set occupancy rules for either5. The same absence of zoning means Ochiltree County sets no minimum dwelling size for unincorporated land5. This is a county-level answer only: it does not apply inside Perryton, and it says nothing about deed restrictions a particular subdivision may carry.

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

  1. Confirm your tract is in unincorporated Ochiltree County rather than inside Perryton, since the city has its own building-regulation chapter8.
  2. Because unincorporated Ochiltree County has no building permit or zoning requirement, you can generally start planning construction without a county permit12.
  3. Confirm who administers OSSF permits for your parcel, then get the required site evaluation and approved plan; TCEQ's regional office handles the permit only where no local jurisdiction is authorized3.
  4. If your driveway will cross a county road, apply for a road-crossing permit through the County Judge's Office; a driveway onto a state highway instead needs a TxDOT Form 1058 permit910.
  5. For anything else, call the County Judge's Office at (806) 435-80319.

What to check before you buy land in Ochiltree County

Check septic feasibility early: about 21% of Ochiltree County's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field11, and the county averages 21.4 inches of rain a year with roughly a third of years in severe drought1213. Ochiltree County is sparsely populated outside Perryton, at about 10.6 people per square mile, and sits roughly 94 miles from the nearest metro area1415, so factor in distance for supplies, contractors and emergency services. Typical property tax runs about 1.4% of value, with a median annual bill near $1,9241617.

Watch-outs

  • Ochiltree County's own pages do not confirm building inspections, a certificate-of-occupancy rule, an owner-builder exemption, subdivision platting rules or floodplain development requirements for unincorporated land; call the County Judge's Office to check before you buy or build96.
  • The authorized OSSF permitting authority for Ochiltree County could not be confirmed; identify the authority for your parcel before applying, because TCEQ's regional office is only the fallback where no local jurisdiction is authorized3.

Sources

  1. Texas county authority FAQ (Texas Local Government Code Ch. 233) (2026 county census)
  2. Texas county authority FAQ (no unincorporated zoning) (2026 county census)
  3. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  4. Ochiltree County Contact Information, quoted and re-checked
  5. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  6. (2026 county census)
  7. Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Code of Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  9. Ochiltree County Judge & Commissioners Court (co.ochiltree.tx.us)
  10. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials, quoted and re-checked
  11. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  12. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  13. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  14. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  15. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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.

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County locator

Ochiltree County in Texas

47
County map
Ochiltree County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Ochiltree County scores

Seclusion79100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1896% ev.
Admin Boringness8790% ev.
Durability30100% 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 →

$131kTypical home
1.4%Property tax
$1,893Land / acre
21.4"Annual rain
32.6% of yrsSevere drought
36.1 / yr (+25.5)Mid-century 100°F days
29.5 daysMid-century dry spell
1.43" (+4.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.33×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,867Home insurance / yr
0.8% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
5,364People within 30 min
402,921People within 2 hr
9,298Radius comparison (15 mi)
10.6People / sq mi
0%Federal land
98.3%Land at 15% slope or less
21%Septic soil without severe limits
123,410 acWorkable land screen
0.6%Wooded land
11.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
57.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Ochiltree County

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

Ochiltree County rules

  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    • 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.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Road-crossing permits in Ochiltree County.

    • The county page identifies the County Judge Office as the contact, but does not publish the application form, review steps, standards, fees, or approval time.
    “Road Crossing Permits - County Judge Office - (806) 435-8031”
  • Building permitNot required

    Texas counties cannot mandate single-family residential building permits in unincorporated areas (voluntary only); building code enforcement in Ochiltree County exists only within cities such as Perryton.

    Texas county authority FAQ (Texas Local Government Code Ch. 233) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties have no zoning authority in unincorporated areas, so there are no county zoning regulations outside incorporated city limits.

    Texas county authority FAQ (no unincorporated zoning) ↗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 septicState (with conditions)

    Texas locations where no local jurisdiction has been authorized to administer the OSSF permitting program; the rule may apply to an Ochiltree County location if the county-specific lookup confirms no authorized local jurisdiction.

    • A permit and approved plan are generally required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
    • Local permitting programs can be more stringent than state minimums.
    • An OSSF may qualify for the 10-acre exemption only if all listed conditions are met, including a site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed Site Evaluator or Professional Engineer, service to a single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line, effluent disposal on the property, and only one dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.
    • Grandfathered systems and other exemptions may apply under the conditions stated by TCEQ.
    “The TCEQ regional office will be the permitting authority in locations where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Mixed — On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems, throughout Texas
      “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”:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — OSSFs, including septic systems and holding tanks, in Texas, including property in Ochiltree County where no more stringent local requirement applies.
      “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. Always check with your local permitting authority.”
  • 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

    Construction of a new driveway or revision of an existing driveway connecting property to a highway right-of-way on the Texas state highway system, including applicable highways in Ochiltree County.

    • The applicant should contact the local District TxDOT office.
    • The applicant must submit TxDOT Form 1058 with the proposed-work description, applicant name, mailing address, and driveway location.
    • The application must be made by the property owner or authorized representative and only for securing or changing access, not for parking or servicing vehicles on state highway rights-of-way.
    • No right-of-way construction may begin until a fully executed permit is received and 24-hour notice is given to TxDOT.
    • Construction must comply with the executed permit and applicable regulations and is subject to TxDOT inspection and acceptance.
    • If a local public agency has delegated access-permitting authority, TxDOT coordination and approval remain required for drainage impacts before local approval.
    • No access driveway is permitted within a flared or widened right-of-way section at certain highway intersections.
    • Driveway angle must be 75 to 90 degrees, except one-way 45 to 90 degree driveways for one-way frontage roads or lane-divided highways.
    • Construction must comply with ADA Accessibility Guidelines and Texas Accessibility Standards.

    permit form: Form 1058 · advance notice before construction: 24 hours · driveway angle: 75 to 90 degrees (one-way 45 to 90 degree angle driveways are permitted for connections to one-way frontage roads or lane divided highways)

    “No construction work on the driveway shall be undertaken on the right of way until a fully executed driveway permit has been received by the applicant and the applicant has given 24-hour notification to TxDOT.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • 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.”

Inside cities and towns in Ochiltree County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Building-code regulation within the City of Perryton, a municipality in Ochiltree County.

    • The official City of Perryton page identifies a Chapter 6 titled Building and Building Regulations and marks it REVISED(09/03).
    • The linked ordinance PDF could not be opened during this research, so the specific adopted code edition, effective date, permit thresholds, exemptions, fees, and enforcement provisions were not extracted.
    • This claim does not establish a countywide building-code adoption for unincorporated Ochiltree County.
    “Code of Ordinances - Chapter 6: Building and Building Regulations - REVISED(09/03)”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspections for residential construction in unincorporated Ochiltree County, Texas
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for residential buildings in unincorporated Ochiltree County, Texas
  • Local zoning — Aggregate of municipal and other local zoning within Ochiltree County; this aggregate does not assert that Ochiltree County administers municipal rules.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Use of off-grid sanitation on property in Ochiltree County, including alternatives to public sanitary sewer.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Connection of property in Ochiltree County to public water or sanitary sewer utilities.
5 more unanswered
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Ochiltree County, Texas

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

Ochiltree County scores 47/100 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: thin water margin (21.4″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Ochiltree 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 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) - OSSF Program (Region 1, Amarillo). 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 Ochiltree County?

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

Land in Ochiltree County runs about $1,893 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Ochiltree County?

Ochiltree County gets about 21.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 32.6% of years.

How remote is Ochiltree County?

A representative private-land location has about 5,364 people within a 30-minute drive and 402,921 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 Ochiltree County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Ochiltree compares in Texas

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