Reeves County, TX Building Permits, Zoning & Septic

Unincorporated Reeves County, Texas has no general residential building permit or zoning ordinance, because Texas counties lack that authority outside a handful of narrow statutory exceptions¹². The county's Road & Bridge Department still requires its own permits for specific things: driveways and culverts, utility lines in county rights-of-way, on-site sewage (septic) systems, manufactured-home rental communities and new subdivisions³. Septic permits are issued locally, by the county's own Health Inspector as a TCEQ-authorized agent, not by a state regional office⁴.

At a glance

Building permit: No general permit; county issues permits only for driveways/culverts, utilities, septic, manufactured-home rental communities and subdivisions³
Zoning: None countywide outside the towns; Texas counties have no general zoning power¹²
Septic: County-issued, through Reeves County's own Health Inspector as a TCEQ-authorized agent⁴
RV / tiny home living: Not restricted by county zoning, since Reeves County has none⁵
Setbacks / minimum lot size: None set by county zoning⁵
Owner-builder: Not confirmed either way for Reeves County; ask the permits office directly⁶
Soils for a conventional septic field: About 22% of the county's soil has no severe limits for a standard drain field⁷
Property tax: Effective rate about 1.2%; median bill around $1,343/year⁸⁹

Who to call

Building permits

Reeves County Road & Bridge Department - Permits Division

Utility-facility permits in county rights-of-way, driveway and culvert construction permits, on-site sewage facility (septic) applications, manufactured-home rental community regulation, and subdivision applications

432-448-0724

1714 Schmidt Drive, Pecos, TX 79772

Online permits →

Septic permits

Reeves County Health Inspector (OSSF Program, Road & Bridge Department)

On-site sewage facility (OSSF/septic) permitting and inspection for Reeves County, as the local TCEQ-authorized agent

432-448-1193

1714 Schmidt Drive, Pecos, TX 79772

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

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

No general one. Texas counties can't require a residential building permit or adopt a general building code outside a short list of statutory exceptions, and Reeves County doesn't meet them¹. One of those exceptions lets a county adopt its own fire code, but only if it has more than 250,000 residents or is adjacent to one that does, and even then only for commercial buildings, public buildings and multifamily dwellings of four or more units - Reeves County, with roughly 11,770 residents, is nowhere close¹⁰¹¹. That said, Reeves County isn't a hands-off county: its Road & Bridge Department runs its own permit program covering driveways and culverts, utility lines placed in county rights-of-way, on-site sewage (septic) systems, manufactured-home rental communities and new subdivisions³¹². If your project touches any of those, you still need a county permit even though there's no permit for the house itself.

Who is the Reeves County Road & Bridge Department, and how do you reach them?

Reeves County's permits, regulations and policies are handled out of the Road & Bridge Department, reachable at 432-448-0724, with an online portal for applications¹². As of January 1, 2026, all original permit applications must be mailed to the county's Treasurer's Office at 1714 Schmidt Drive, Pecos, TX 79772, rather than dropped off in person, so plan for mailing time¹². Septic (OSSF) applications go through the same department's Health Inspector, at 432-448-1193¹³. Call before you buy materials or start work: a driveway, culvert, utility line or septic system installed without the matching county permit is exactly the kind of thing this office is set up to catch.

Does Reeves County have zoning?

No. Reeves County has no published zoning ordinance in unincorporated areas, and Texas's county zoning statute grants that power only to a short, specific list of counties tied to particular geographic features - Reeves County isn't one of them¹². Because the county has no zoning districts, it sets no minimum dwelling size, no minimum lot size, no setbacks, no lot-coverage limit and no building-height limit, and doesn't restrict RVs, tiny homes, manufactured homes or accessory dwellings as a land use through zoning⁵. That's a separate question from the county's driveway, utility, septic and subdivision permits above, which apply regardless of zoning¹².

How do septic permits work in Reeves County?

Septic systems in Reeves County are permitted locally: the county's own Health Inspector, working out of the Road & Bridge Department, is the TCEQ-authorized agent for on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs) here, rather than a TCEQ regional office⁴¹³. Statewide, a permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, extend or repair an OSSF, though a single-family home on at least 10 acres can qualify for an exemption if a licensed site evaluator confirms no nuisance or groundwater risk, every part of the system sits at least 100 feet from the property line, and the home is the only dwelling on the tract¹⁴. Soils are the thing to plan around here: only about 22% of Reeves County's land has no severe limits for a conventional drain field, so get a site evaluation early and budget for an alternative system if yours comes back limited⁷. Installation is inspected either directly or through a maintenance provider's reporting, which can drop to every six months if the system uses qualifying electronic monitoring¹⁵.

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

Reeves County's lack of zoning districts means county zoning doesn't restrict occupying an RV, tiny home or manufactured home on your own unincorporated land⁵. Don't confuse that with the county's manufactured-home rental community regulations, which is a distinct permit process aimed at anyone operating a community of manufactured homes for rent, not at a single owner living on their own tract¹². Whatever you place still needs to handle sewage through a permitted septic system or a connection to service, since that permit runs through the state regardless of zoning⁴¹⁴. If you're unsure which category your plans fall into, call the Road & Bridge Department before you move anything onto the land¹².

Building on land in Reeves County: the steps, in order

Confirm your parcel is unincorporated Reeves County, not inside Pecos, Balmorhea or another town, since town rules differ from the county's¹.
Call the Road & Bridge Department at 432-448-0724 to find out which of its permits (driveway/culvert, utility, subdivision) your project needs¹².
If you're adding or changing a driveway or culvert, get that county permit before construction, separate from anything the state requires¹².
Apply for an OSSF (septic) permit through the county Health Inspector, and ask up front whether your tract qualifies for the state's 10-acre exemption¹³¹⁴.
Mail your original application materials to the county Treasurer's Office at 1714 Schmidt Drive, Pecos, TX 79772, under the rule effective January 1, 2026¹².
If your access is instead from a state highway, apply separately to the local TxDOT district office using Form 1058 before building the driveway¹⁶.

What to check before you buy land in Reeves County

Soils: only about 22% of Reeves County has no severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so a site evaluation before you close is worth the cost⁷. Climate: this is dry, hot West Texas rangeland, averaging just 11.3 inches of rain a year with 25.5% of years landing in severe drought, a 65.6°F average annual temperature, and a projected 63.9 days a year at or above 100°F by mid-century¹⁷¹⁸¹⁹²⁰. Access: driveways and culverts onto county roads need a Road & Bridge Department permit, and access from a state highway needs a separate TxDOT permit on top of that¹²²¹. Location: Reeves County sits about 84 miles from the nearest metro area at a population density of only 4.5 people per square mile, about as rural as it gets²²²³. Taxes: the effective property tax rate runs about 1.2%, with a median bill near $1,343 a year⁸⁹.

Watch-outs

No source confirms whether Reeves County has an owner-builder exemption one way or the other; ask the Road & Bridge Department directly before assuming either answer⁶.
Reeves County changed its permit-application process effective January 1, 2026: original applications now go by mail to the Treasurer's Office rather than in person, so build mailing time into your schedule¹².

Sources

Written September 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.

How Reeves County scores

Seclusion89100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency1296% ev.

Admin Boringness7190% ev.

Durability50100% ev.

Property Autonomy71100% ev.

Carry Cost8196% 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 →

$184kTypical home

1.2%Property tax

$1,309Land / acre

11.3"Annual rain

25.5% of yrsSevere drought

63.9 / yr (+38.5)Mid-century 100°F days

36.7 daysMid-century dry spell

0.95" (+7.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.18×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,900Home insurance / yr

-0.9% / yrInsurance growth

0%Nonrenewal rate

single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis

67,806People within 2 hr

478Radius comparison (15 mi)

4.5People / sq mi

0%Federal land

95.3%Land at 15% slope or less

22.1%Septic soil without severe limits

328,426 acWorkable land screen

0.5%Wooded land

0.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac

65.6°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Reeves County

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

Reeves County rules

Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Building height · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Reeves County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Reeves County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing reevescounty.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.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Septic permitRequired
New construction, modification, or replacement of an on-site sewage facility in Reeves County
- An application must be obtained from the Reeves County Road and Bridge Permits Department.
- A licensed site evaluator must perform a site evaluation.
- Complete application materials, planning materials, directions, and applicable fees are required.
- The county reviews the plans and issues an Authorization to Construct upon approval.
- The Authorization to Construct is valid for one year from issuance.
single-family residential permit fee: 210 USD (reinspection fee $100 and modification review fee $110) · all other type system permit fee: 410 USD (reinspection fee $200 and modification review fee $210)
“DO NOT BEGIN CONSTRUCTION PRIOR TO APPLICATION APPROVAL.”
On-Site Sewage Facility Application ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Installation of an on-site sewage facility in Reeves County
- Inspection must occur before the system is covered.
- The county must be contacted at least five working days in advance to arrange the inspection.
- After successful inspection, a Notice of Approval is issued within seven calendar days.
- All fees must be paid before a Notice of Approval is issued.
- A reinspection fee is one-half of the permit fee in effect when the original application was submitted.
advance inspection notice: >= 5 working days (contact the county office before inspection)
“inspection of the installation is required”
On-Site Sewage Facility Application ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Building in a floodplainLimited
Subdivision development and structures in identified flood-hazard areas in unincorporated Reeves County
- Preliminary plats must show flood-hazard limits and finish-floor elevations for buildings in flood-hazard areas.
- Subdivision proposals must include base-flood-elevation data and adequate drainage.
- Prospective buyers of lots in identified flood-hazard areas must be informed in writing.
- Before a structure is built in a known or identified flood-hazard area, suitable engineering studies must be performed, certified by a licensed engineer, and approved by the Commissioners Court.
- Additional filing fees apply to that review.
- Residential plats involving floodplain land must comply with National Flood Insurance Program minimum requirements and applicable local floodplain regulations.
“Each preliminary plat shall include base flood elevation data.”
Reeves County Subdivision Regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Building permitLimited
The county Road & Bridge department runs a permits program with a dedicated Permit Inspector; permits apply to certain building/development and floodplain projects rather than a full residential building code (Texas counties cannot adopt one).
Reeves County TX - Permits and Regulations ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked
County-wide zoningAbsent
No county zoning ordinance is published; Texas counties have no zoning authority over unincorporated land.
Reeves County TX - Permits and Regulations ↗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
Driveway accessRequired
New or modified access driveways connecting property to a Texas state highway right of way.
- A local public agency may receive access driveway permitting authority for state highways, but TxDOT approval remains required for drainage impacts on the state highway system before local approval.
- No access driveway is permitted within a flared or widened right-of-way section at an intersection of a state highway with another highway, road, or street.
- All entrances and exits, including radii, must be confined within the permittee's property frontage.
- One-way 45-to-90-degree driveways are permitted for connections to one-way frontage roads or lane-divided highways; otherwise the driveway angle must be 75 to 90 degrees.
- ADAAG and Texas Accessibility Standards apply.
private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · driveway-to-pavement radius: >= 15 feet
“A driveway must be constructed in accordance with a fully executed driveway permit”
Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Constructing a new driveway or revising an existing driveway on the right of way of a Texas state highway.
- The applicant should contact the local District TxDOT office.
- The applicant must submit Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way.
- The application must be for the bona fide purpose of securing or changing access to the owner's property, not parking or servicing vehicles on state highway rights of way.
- No construction may begin on the right of way until a fully executed driveway permit is received and the applicant gives TxDOT 24-hour notification.
- The driveway must comply with the executed permit and applicable regulations; TxDOT inspection must find construction satisfactory.
- Where a local public agency has permitting authority, drainage impacts on the state highway system still require TxDOT approval before local approval.
- Driveway geometrics, utilities, environmental requirements, wetlands considerations, ADAAG, TAS, and other applicable state and federal laws must be considered.
required form: Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way · advance notification: 24 hours (Notification to TxDOT is required before construction on the right of way.) · private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · minimum driveway radius to highway pavement: >= 15 feet
“The applicant shall complete and submit to TxDOT a Form 1058”
Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 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-builder exemption from county construction requirements in unincorporated Reeves County
Inspections — General building inspections in unincorporated Reeves County
Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in unincorporated Reeves County
Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning in Reeves County municipalities and unincorporated areas; this claim does not attribute municipal rules to the county
Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems in Reeves County

4 more unanswered

Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
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 Reeves County, Texas

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

Reeves County scores 43/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 478 people within 15 miles and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: weak self-sufficiency basics: only 11.3″ of rain a year, in severe drought 25.5% of years.

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

Reeves County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Reeves County (Health Inspector / OSSF authorized agent). These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

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

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

Land in Reeves County runs about $1,309 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Reeves County?

Reeves County gets about 11.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 25.5% of years.

How remote is Reeves County?

A typical private-land location has about 478 people within 15 miles and 138,590 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who is the Reeves County Road & Bridge Department, and how do you reach them?

Does Reeves County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Reeves County?

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

Building on land in Reeves County: the steps, in order

What to check before you buy land in Reeves County

Watch-outs

Sources

Reeves County in Texas

How Reeves County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Reeves County

Reeves County rules

Texas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Reeves County, Texas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Reeves County, Texas?

What is the water situation in Reeves County?

How remote is Reeves County?

How Reeves compares in Texas