Bolthole Index

Parmer County, Texas

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Bovina, Texas

The City of Bovina, Texas requires a separate city building permit for each building or structure inside city limits1, and the city publishes its own zoning ordinance2. Septic permits are not decided by the city code we reviewed; Parmer County appears to have no local septic program, so the TCEQ regional office in Amarillo is the likely authority3. Land outside city limits follows different rules.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the City of Bovina for each building or structure inside city limits1
Residential code
2018 International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings4
Zoning
City zoning ordinance with residential, mobile home, business and industrial districts25
Manufactured homes
Allowed on a lot of at least 4,500 square feet with a city use-and-occupancy permit6
Permit duration
A city building permit is good for 90 days, with one extension of up to 90 days7
Septic
Not stated in the city code we reviewed; Parmer County appears to have no local program, so TCEQ Region 1 is likely3
RV and tiny homes
We could not confirm a rule inside city limits; ask city hall2

Who to call

Building permits

City of Bovina City Hall

Building permits, zoning questions, city water and sewer service inside Bovina city limits

806-251-1116

205 North St, Bovina, TX 79009

Septic permits

TCEQ Region 1 Office (Amarillo)

Septic (OSSF) permitting questions for Parmer County, including whether a local agent covers Bovina

806-353-9251

5809 S. Western St. Ste 260, Amarillo, TX 79110-3631

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Bovina, Texas?

Yes, inside Bovina city limits. The City of Bovina bars anyone from erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, moving, improving, converting or demolishing a building or structure without first getting a separate building permit for each one1. The city has adopted the 2018 International Residential Code for detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories4.

The application is one written city form that identifies the land, shows the use of each part of the building and includes plans and specifications; the building inspector may waive plans for small and unimportant work7. Whether an owner-builder gets any exemption inside Bovina is unconfirmed, so ask [City Hall](office:city) before you start8.

Who issues building permits in Bovina, and how do you reach them?

The City of Bovina issues its own building permits through the city's building inspector, and City Hall is the place to start7. City Hall is at 205 North St, Bovina, TX 79009, phone 806-251-11168.

A permit is good for 90 days; an extension of up to 90 days can be approved after the city inspects the work done so far, and after that a new permit is required7. We could not confirm how general residential inspections are scheduled or how occupancy is signed off, so ask City Hall which inspections apply to your project.

Does Bovina have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and lot size?

Bovina has its own zoning. The city code publishes a zoning ordinance for land inside city limits2. Its districts run from single-family and mobile home districts through two-family, apartment, retail, business and industrial districts5.

For manufactured homes, a HUD-code home may sit on a lot or tract of at least 4,500 square feet that holds no other dwelling, with a city use-and-occupancy permit at $0.15 per square foot of enclosure, a front setback of 25 feet and a side setback of 10 feet6. We could not confirm Bovina's rules for RV occupancy, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, or minimum lot and dwelling sizes in other districts, so ask City Hall before buying a lot for any of these.

How do septic permits work in Bovina?

We could not confirm who administers septic permits inside Bovina city limits; the city code we reviewed does not say. Texas requires a permit and approved plan for any on-site sewage facility9, and where no local agent is authorized, the TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority10. Parmer County appears to run no local septic program, which points to the [TCEQ Region 1 office in Amarillo](office:septic)311.

Inside the city, municipal water and sewer may be available instead. A licensed plumber must connect the service line to the meter, the city pays extension costs only up to 100 feet to the customer's property, and the customer pays beyond that12. A new sewer tap carries a $20 tapping permit fee, waived if the owner already has the line at the property line13.

On a tract of at least 10 acres, a single-family home can qualify for the state's 10-acre exemption if every condition is met14.

Building a home in Bovina: the steps, in order

  1. Call City Hall at 806-251-1116 to confirm the zoning district for your lot and which uses it allows82.
  2. If you are dividing land, expect city subdivision approval: a conforming plat goes to the planning commission, and nothing is filed or built until council approval15.
  3. File the written building permit application with plans and specifications7.
  4. For a manufactured home, also get the city use-and-occupancy permit and have the home anchored, supported, blocked and skirted before it connects to city water, sewer or gas6.
  5. Arrange water and sewer connections through a licensed plumber and city inspection12.
  6. Finish within the permit period7.

What stays with Parmer County, and what to check before you buy?

The city's rules apply only inside Bovina. For land outside city limits, see the Parmer County page; Parmer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance, so no county rule sets lot size, setbacks or RV use on unincorporated land16.

Wells fall under the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District, which requires a permit before drilling any well expected to produce 17.5 gallons per minute or more17. Driveways onto a state highway need a TxDOT permit on Form 1058 before work on the right of way begins18. Parmer County's effective property tax rate is 1.6%19.

Watch-outs

  • Bovina's septic authority, private-well rules, RV and tiny-home occupancy, accessory dwellings and floodplain permits inside city limits are unconfirmed; ask City Hall at 806-251-11168.
  • The city's rules cover land inside city limits, and its subdivision rules also reach land within one-half mile of the city limits15.
  • A state-highway driveway needs a TxDOT permit regardless of city rules18.

Sources

  1. City of Bovina Code, Article 4.03 Building Permits (Bovina), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Bovina Code, Article 9.02 Zoning (Bovina), quoted and re-checked
  3. TCEQ - Which Region Is My County In? (2026 county census)
  4. City of Bovina Code, § 4.02.031 Adopted (Bovina), quoted and re-checked
  5. City of Bovina Code, Article 9.02 Zoning (Bovina), quoted and re-checked
  6. City of Bovina Code, Article 4.05 HUD-Code Manufactured Housing (Bovina), quoted and re-checked
  7. City of Bovina Code, Article 4.03 Building Permits (Bovina), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Bovina City Hall (cityofbovina.net)
  9. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. TCEQ Region 1 Office (Amarillo) (tceq.texas.gov)
  12. City of Bovina Code, Article 12.02 Utility Procedures, Rates and Charges (Bovina), quoted and re-checked
  13. City of Bovina Code, Article 4.05 HUD-Code Manufactured Housing (Bovina), quoted and re-checked
  14. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  15. City of Bovina Code, Article 9.03 Subdivisions (Bovina), quoted and re-checked
  16. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  17. Elections - High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1, quoted and re-checked
  18. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials, quoted and re-checked
  19. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 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 Bovina

Bovina’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, moving, improving, converting, or demolishing a building or structure in Bovina city.

    • A separate city building permit is required for each building or structure.
    • Written application must identify the land, show use or occupancy, include plans and specifications as required, and provide other reasonably required information.
    • Plans and specifications need not be submitted for small and unimportant work when authorized by the building inspector.
    “No person, firm, or corporation shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, move, improve, convert, or demolish any building or structure in the city or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate building permit for each such building or structure from the city.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories in Bovina city.

    • The adopted code is the 2018 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.
    • The ordinance provides for permit issuance and fee collection.

    residential code edition: 2018 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings

    “The 2018 edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby adopted, regulating and governing the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, location, removal, and demolition of detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories in height with separate means of egress in the city;”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Bovina city limits.

    • The city code publishes Article 9.02 as its zoning ordinance.
    “Editor’s note–This article consists of the zoning ordinance originally published as portions of section 150 in the 2003 Code of Ordinances.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Bovina city limits.

    • The official code lists A1 single-family dwelling, A2 single-family home including manufactured homes, B mobile home, C1 two-family dwelling, C2 churches and schools, D apartment and multifamily dwelling, E local retail, F business, and G industrial and manufacturing districts.
    “§ 9.02.035 “A1” District–Single-family dwelling. § 9.02.036 “A2” District–Single-family home to include manufactured homes. § 9.02.037 “B” District–Mobile home. § 9.02.038 “C1” District–Two-family dwelling.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    HUD-code manufactured homes placed on a separately occupied lot or tract inside Bovina city limits.

    • Lot or tract must contain at least 4,500 square feet and be unoccupied by another HUD-code manufactured home or dwelling.
    • The applicant must obtain a city use-and-occupancy permit.
    • The permit fee is $0.15 per square foot of enclosure.
    • The home must comply with Article 4.05 and state law.
    • Side setback is 10 feet and front setback is 25 feet, subject to the ordinance's intersection rule.
    • It must be anchored, supported, blocked, and skirted before connection to city water, sewer, or gas service.

    minimum lot or tract area: >= 4500 square feet (For a lot or tract unoccupied by another HUD-code manufactured home or dwelling.) · use and occupancy permit fee: per 0.15 USD per square foot of enclosure · front setback: >= 25 feet (HUD-code manufactured homes.) · side setback: >= 10 feet (HUD-code manufactured homes.)

    “A HUD-code manufactured home may be parked or located or permitted to be parked or located upon any lot or tract of land which has 4,500 square feet of land or more, whenever such lot or tract is unoccupied by any other HUD-code manufactured home or any other dwelling within the city limits, as long as such HUD-code manufactured home complies with the terms and provisions of this article and the provisions of state law.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Connection to Bovina city water and sewer service inside Bovina city limits.

    • A licensed plumber must make the service-line-to-meter connection.
    • The utility representative inspects the connection before service.
    • City pays water and sewer extension expenses only up to 100 feet to the customer's property; customer pays expense beyond 100 feet and on the property.
    • The cited provisions do not establish that every new home must connect when service is available.

    city-funded extension distance: <= 100 feet (Only to the customer's property.)

    “Customers shall arrange for a licensed plumber to make connections between the service line and the meter. The utility representative will inspect all connection to the service line prior to service.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivisions of land within Bovina city limits.

    • The regulations also cover land within one-half mile of city limits, but this claim is limited to land inside city limits.
    • The subdivider must submit a conforming plat to the planning commission.
    • No plat may be filed or recorded and no improvements may proceed until city-council approval and mayoral signature.

    extraterritorial subdivision jurisdiction: <= 0.5 mile (Beyond city limits in all directions.)

    “From and after the date of adoption, these regulations shall govern all subdivisions of land within the corporate limits of the city to include land within a distance of one-half (1/2) mile from the city limits in all directions.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Specified manufactured-home use-and-occupancy permits and water/sewer taps inside Bovina city limits.

    • Manufactured-home permit fee is $0.15 per square foot of enclosure.
    • A new city sewer tap has a $20 tapping permit fee, subject to the stated exception when an owner, builder, or developer already has the sewer line at the property line and city personnel need not extend or connect it.

    manufactured-home use and occupancy permit: per 0.15 USD per square foot of enclosure · new sewer tap permit fee: 20 USD (No tapping fee if the owner, builder, or developer has the line at the property line and no extension or connection by city personnel is required.)

    “For any new sewer tap for a connection with the city’s sewer system, each customer shall pay a tapping permit fee to the city of $20.00. Provided, however, if an owner, builder or developer has the sewer line in place to the property line and no extension or connection is required to be performed by city personnel, no tapping fee shall be paid.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits for structures inside Bovina city limits.

    • The applicant files one written city form application.
    • The application identifies the land, shows use or occupancy, includes required plans/specifications, and supplies other reasonably required information.
    • The building inspector checks application plans and specifications; conforming work receives an approved permit.
    • A permit is good for 90 days; an inspected extension up to 90 days may be approved; after the permit period and extension, a new permit is required.

    initial permit duration: 90 days · maximum extension: <= 90 days (May be approved after inspection of completed work.)

    “Every permit issued by the city is good for ninety (90) days. If the work cannot be completed within the 90-day time limit an extension of up to 90 days can be approved after inspecting the work completed. Following the 90-day permit period and the extension of 90 days a new permit must obtained as if a new permit was requested.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders of residences inside Bovina city limits.
  • Inspections — General residential building construction inside Bovina city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — General residential occupancy inside Bovina city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential zoning districts inside Bovina city limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Residential zoning districts inside Bovina city limits, apart from the separately sourced manufactured-home rule.
15 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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.

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

← All of Parmer County: county rules, score and offices