Refugio County, TX Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Refugio County, Texas has no standalone building-permit program, and Texas law gives counties no general authority to require one¹. The county still reviews most construction through a Development Permit Application that its own website files under a "Building Permits" heading, covering residential, commercial, mobile-home, fill and floodplain work²³. The county has no zoning ordinance, so setbacks, minimum home size and rules for RVs and tiny homes are left to the landowner⁴. Septic systems need a county-issued OSSF permit through the County Judge's office, with a $300 residential fee⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: No standalone permit, but a Development Permit Application covers most construction¹³
Zoning: None; Refugio County has no zoning ordinance⁴
Septic (OSSF) permit: Required through the County Judge's office; $300 residential, $500 commercial⁵
Floodplain permit: Required for property in an identified flood hazard area⁶
RV / tiny home living: Unrestricted by county zoning on your own unincorporated land⁴
Minimum home size / setbacks: None set by the county⁴
Industrialized/manufactured home installation: A state installation permit may apply in place of contractor registration for an owner's own home⁷

Who to call

Building permits

Refugio County Judge

Reviews and approves the county's Development Permit Application, which the county's own site files under a "Building Permits" heading, covering residential, non-residential, mobile-home, commercial, fill and floodplain construction; may issue an exemption certificate, approve, or reject an application

361-526-4434

808 Commerce Street, Room 104, Refugio, TX 78377

Septic permits

Refugio County Judge's Office (OSSF/septic applications)

Processes On-Site Sewage Facility (septic) applications for Refugio County; completed applications and checklist items are returned to this office

361-526-4434

808 Commerce St. Rm. 104, Refugio, Texas 78377

Building permits

Refugio County Regulations and Permits (county website)

The county's own page listing Subdivision Regulations, Requirements for Manufactured Home Rental Communities, a "Building Permits" section holding the Development Permit Application, and the OSSF application

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 Refugio County, Texas?

Refugio County has no standalone building-permit program, and Texas counties generally have no authority to require one for ordinary residential construction in unincorporated areas¹. That does not mean construction goes unreviewed: the county's own website files a Development Permit Application under a "Building Permits" heading, and that application covers residential, non-residential, mobile-home, commercial, fill and floodplain work, asks whether other federal, state or local permits are needed, and lets the County Judge issue an exemption certificate, approve, or reject the project²³. Texas law would let Refugio County's commissioners adopt state residential building standards by resolution once county population passes 100, and Refugio County's population of 6,666 clears that bar, though nothing found shows the county has adopted such a resolution⁸⁹. If you are purchasing an industrialized or modular home for your own use, a separate state installation permit applies in place of contractor registration, which is a narrower, state-run process, not a general county building permit⁷.

Who handles permits in Refugio County, and how do you reach them?

Refugio County has no separate building or zoning department; the County Judge's office at 808 Commerce Street, Room 104, Refugio, TX 78377, phone 361-526-4434, reviews the Development Permit Application that covers construction and floodplain work¹⁰. That same office also processes septic (OSSF) applications: the county's application packet instructs applicants to return every checklist item to the County Judge's office⁵. The county's Regulations and Permits page is the place to start, since it links the current Development Permit Application, the OSSF packet, Subdivision Regulations and the Requirements for Manufactured Home Rental Communities².

Does Refugio County have zoning?

Refugio County has no zoning ordinance, and Texas law does not hand counties general zoning power outside a short list of special districts that do not include Refugio County⁴. That means the county sets no minimum home size, no minimum lot size, no setbacks and no lot-coverage limit on unincorporated land⁴. It also means the county does not restrict living in an RV, a tiny home, a manufactured home or an accessory dwelling on your own unincorporated parcel⁴. The county does regulate two related things separately from zoning: subdivision plats and manufactured home rental communities each have their own published requirements on the county's Regulations and Permits page, worth checking if you are dividing land or running a rental community rather than building for yourself².

How do septic (OSSF) permits work in Refugio County?

Refugio County itself is the OSSF permitting authority: applications, site/soil evaluations, planning materials and the permit fee all go through the County Judge's office, with a $300 fee for a residential system and $500 for commercial⁵. Soils make this more than paperwork: USDA survey data shows only 1.7% of Refugio County's soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so plan on an engineered or alternative system on nearly every site¹¹. A single-family home on a tract of at least 10 acres can skip the planning-materials, permit and inspection requirements under the state's 10-acre rule, but only if every part of the system stays at least 100 feet from the property line and the other Chapter 285 conditions are met¹²¹³. Boreholes, cesspools and seepage pits are prohibited outright, regardless of tract size¹².

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

Yes, on unincorporated land in Refugio County the county sets no zoning rule against living in an RV, a tiny home or a manufactured home, because the county has no zoning ordinance to write one⁴. A separate state program applies only if you are installing a factory-built industrialized or modular home: an owner buying one for personal use does not need to register as an industrialized builder but must file a residential installation-permit application with the state instead, and the first installation needs a site inspection scheduled at least 48 hours ahead, completed within 180 days of the start of construction¹⁴¹⁵. That state process is specific to factory-built industrialized housing; it is not a general owner-builder exemption for a site-built home, and it does not apply to an RV or a park-model camper at all. Septic rules still apply the same way to any dwelling: an RV or tiny home with plumbing needs the same county OSSF permit as any other home⁵.

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

Check whether your project needs the county's Development Permit Application, filed under "Building Permits" on the county's site, especially if the property could be in a flood hazard area²⁶.
Submit that application to the County Judge's office, including plans and specifications if the property is in a flood plain, and let the office confirm what other federal, state or local permits you need¹⁰³.
Apply for a septic (OSSF) permit through the same office; budget for an engineered or alternative system, since almost all soils here carry severe limitations for a standard drain field⁵¹¹.
If you are installing a factory-built industrialized or modular home rather than building on site, file the state residential installation-permit application and schedule the required site inspection¹⁴¹⁵.
If you are dividing land, review the county's Subdivision Regulations before you plat².
If your driveway will connect to a state highway, apply to the TxDOT district office with Form 1058 before starting any work in the right of way¹⁶.

What to check before you buy land in Refugio County

Soils: with only 1.7% of the county's soils free of severe limitations for a conventional septic field, budget for an engineered or alternative system on nearly every site¹¹. Flood risk: check flood-hazard status before you buy, since property in an identified flood hazard area triggers the county's floodplain development permit and a copy of construction plans⁶. Terrain: all of Refugio County's land, 100% of it, sits at 15% slope or less, and 19.4% is wooded¹⁷¹⁸. Climate: the county averages 35.7 inches of rain a year and sees severe drought in 17.4% of years, with a projected 18.9 days a year at or above 100°F by mid-century¹⁹²⁰²¹. Costs: typical home insurance runs about $2,492 a year, the effective property tax rate is about 1.4%, and the median tax bill is about $1,325 a year, against a typical home value near $135,704 and rural land around $2,528 an acre²²²³²⁴²⁵²⁶. If the land is currently farmed or ranched, it may already qualify for agricultural appraisal, which requires the land to have been devoted principally to agricultural or timber use for at least five of the past seven years²⁷.

Watch-outs

Refugio County has no standalone "building permit," but its Development Permit Application, filed under the county site's "Building Permits" heading, still applies to most construction and to anything in a flood hazard area; do not read "no building permit" as "no review"²³.
The state industrialized-housing installation permit and its inspection rules apply only to factory-built industrialized or modular homes, not to a site-built house, an RV or a tiny home on wheels¹⁴.
Only 1.7% of Refugio County's soils carry no severe limitation for a conventional septic drain field, so get a site evaluation before you assume a standard system will work¹¹.

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 Refugio County scores

Seclusion83100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency3996% ev.

Admin Boringness87100% ev.

Durability38100% ev.

Property Autonomy71100% ev.

Carry Cost81100% ev.

Evidence strength: 99%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$136kTypical home

1.4%Property tax

$2,528Land / acre

35.7"Annual rain

17.4% of yrsSevere drought

18.9 / yr (+15.4)Mid-century 100°F days

24.2 daysMid-century dry spell

2.88" (+6.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.39×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$2,492Home insurance / yr

-2.7% / yrInsurance growth

0%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

515,250People within 2 hr

4,476Radius comparison (15 mi)

8.7People / sq mi

0.6%Federal land

100%Land at 15% slope or less

1.7%Septic soil without severe limits

7,942 acWorkable land screen

19.4%Wooded land

9.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac

71.6°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Refugio County

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

Refugio County rules

Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Building height · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Private on-site sanitation using an OSSF rather than a public sewer connection in Refugio County.
- Off-grid sanitation is available through an OSSF subject generally to county permitting and approval.
- The 10-acre single-family-dwelling exception applies only when all Chapter 285 conditions are satisfied: no nuisance or groundwater pollution, all system parts at least 100 feet from the property line, on-property effluent disposal, and only one dwelling on the tract.
- Boreholes, cesspools, and seepage pits are prohibited for installation or use under 30 TAC Chapter 285.
- A county application packet is required for the county OSSF process, with residential and commercial fees stated in the packet.
minimum tract size for state permit exception: >= 10 acres (Single-family dwelling and all other 30 TAC Chapter 285 conditions must be met) · minimum property-line separation for exception: >= 100 feet (Applies to all parts of the OSSF)
“No planning materials, permit, and inspections [or inspection] are required for an OSSF for a single family dwelling located on a tract of land that is ten acres or larger provided the OSSF complies with all other requirements of Chapter 285, Subchapter D: Planning, Construction, and Installation Standards for OSSFs”
Refugio County OSSF Application Packet ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Proposed development in an identified flood hazard area or flood plain covered by the Refugio County Development Permit Application.
- If the proposed property is in a flood plain, the applicant must provide one copy of the construction plans and specifications.
- The application asks whether additional federal, state, or local permits are required.
- The application asks whether other county regulations apply, specifically identifying the septic tank ordinance.
- The County Judge may issue an exemption certificate, approve the permit application, or reject it.
“IS THE PROPERTY LOCATED IN AN IDENTIFIED FLOOD HAZARD AREA?”
Refugio County Development Permit Application ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Development permit applications for proposed residential, non-residential, mobile-home, commercial, fill, or natural-waterway/drainage-course work in Refugio County where the county application applies.
- The application requires property and construction information, including location, acreage or subdivision details, nature of construction, and description of the proposed work.
- The applicant must provide one copy of plans and specifications if the property is in a flood plain.
- The form asks whether additional federal, state, or local permits are required and whether other county regulations apply, including the septic tank ordinance.
- The County Judge may issue an exemption certificate, approve the application, or reject the application.
“APPLICANT WILL PROVIDE ONE COPY OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATION OF THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION, IF IN A FLOOD PLAIN.”
Refugio County Development Permit Application ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
County-wide zoningAbsent
Texas counties generally lack zoning authority in unincorporated areas and Refugio County publishes no zoning ordinance.
Refugio County official website ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

Building permitLimited
Installation of an industrialized house or building in Refugio County when the purchaser or lessee is responsible for the installation and intends the property for the purchaser's or company's own use.
- The state rule concerns an industrialized-housing installation permit, not a general county building permit for ordinary site-built construction.
- The installation permit is available in lieu of registering as an industrialized builder.
- The source states that the installation-permit option applies to the purchaser's or company's own use.
“If you are purchasing or leasing an industrialized house or building for your own use, or your company's use, you may file for an installation permit in lieu of registering as an industrialized builder.”
Industrialized Housing and Buildings Frequently Asked Questions ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionConditional
An owner or company purchasing or leasing an industrialized house or building for its own use in Refugio County.
- The owner-use purchaser or lessee may file for a state residential installation permit in lieu of registering as an industrialized builder.
- For an owner building a deck on an industrialized house, the source states that the person does not need to be registered as an industrialized builder but must file a residential installation-permit application if purchasing the house for personal use.
- The exemption does not establish a general owner-builder exemption for ordinary site-built residential construction.
“No, you do not have to be registered as an industrialized builder. If you are purchasing the house for your own use (you will live there), then you will need to file an application for a residential installation permit with the Department. You will describe the construction for which you will be responsible on the permit application.”
Industrialized Housing and Buildings Frequently Asked Questions ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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
InspectionsRequired
The first installation of industrialized housing and permanent industrialized buildings in Refugio County when the site is outside a municipality or within a jurisdiction without a building inspection department.
- Site inspections are required for the first installation of all industrialized housing and permanent industrialized buildings.
- Site inspections are also required for industrialized buildings designed to be moved from one commercial site to another commercial site when used as a school or place of religious worship.
- Site inspections are not required for unoccupied industrialized buildings not open to the public, such as communication equipment shelters, unless the building is also classified as a hazardous occupancy by the mandatory building code.
- The industrialized builder or installation permit holder must schedule inspections and give the inspector at least 48 hours' notice.
- Minimum phases include foundation before concrete, set inspection, and final inspection.
- The final inspection must be completed within 180 days of the start of construction, subject to a Department extension for justifiable cause.
inspection notice: >= 48 hours · final inspection deadline: <= 180 days after start of construction (The Department may grant an extension upon written request demonstrating justifiable cause.)
“Site inspections are required for the first installation of all industrialized housing and permanent industrialized buildings. Exception: Site inspections are not required for the installation of unoccupied industrialized buildings not open to the public, such as communication equipment shelters, that are not also classified as a hazardous occupancy by the mandatory building code.”
Building Site Inspection Program ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Who permits septicMixed
On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems, throughout Texas
- In most areas, local governments act as TCEQ-authorized agents and administer the OSSF program.
- The TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.
- Local permitting programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
“TCEQ is not often the OSSF permitting authority. [...] The TCEQ regional office will be the permitting authority in locations where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.”
Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF in Texas
- A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
- A 10-acre exemption may apply only if all listed conditions are met: site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer; single-family dwelling on at least 10 acres; no nuisance or groundwater pollution; all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line; effluent disposed of on the property; and the single-family dwelling is the only dwelling on the tract.
- Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin.
- Grandfathered systems may also be exempt if the stated conditions are met.
minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (single-family dwelling and all other TCEQ conditions must be met) · minimum OSSF distance from property line for 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet (all parts of the OSSF) · emergency repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (after repairs have begun; written report to permitting authority)
“A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. [...] An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”:”
Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Septic inspectionLimited
OSSF installation and, where applicable, maintenance inspections in Texas
- Authorized agents or their designated representatives inspect system installation.
- Some permitting authorities impose more stringent requirements.
- Maintenance-provider inspection and reporting requirements apply to systems and circumstances governed by 30 TAC §285.91(4).
- Electronic monitoring may reduce reporting to every six months where the stated monitoring conditions apply.
reduced maintenance reporting interval with qualifying electronic monitoring: 6 months (only where the system uses the specified electronic monitoring, automatic notification, and disinfection monitoring)
“Many times, the AA has a "designated representative" (DR) to assist them with their responsibilities, which include reviewing plans for constructing, altering, extending or repairing each OSSF; issuing permits; and inspecting system installation. [...] If the system uses an electronic monitor, automatic radio or telephone to notify the maintenance provider of system or component failure and to monitor the amount of disinfection in the system, reporting may be reduced to every six months.”
Basics for Septic Systems ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Texas agricultural appraisal, including eligible agricultural land in Refugio County; this is a property-tax special appraisal rather than a county zoning exemption.
- The land must be currently devoted principally to agricultural use.
- Agricultural land must be currently devoted principally to agricultural use to the degree of intensity generally accepted in the area.
- The land must have been devoted to agricultural or timber production for at least five of the past seven years.
- Land within an incorporated city or town has additional statutory criteria.
- A change to non-agricultural use may trigger rollback tax for each of the previous three years in which the land received the lower appraisal; qualifying Subchapter C or 1-d land may also incur interest upon sale or discontinuation of agricultural use.
prior agricultural or timber production: per 5 years of the past 7 years
“Property owners may qualify for agricultural appraisal if land meets the following criteria: The land must be currently devoted principally to agricultural use.”
Agricultural, Timberland and Wildlife Management Use Special Appraisal ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 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
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.

Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy in Refugio County.
Local zoning — Local zoning within Refugio County, aggregated across incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas; the county itself is not treated as the administrator of municipal ordinances.
Mandatory utility hookup — Water or sewer connection requirements for property development in Refugio County.
Subdividing land — Subdivision and platting of land in Refugio County, Texas
Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Refugio County.

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 Refugio County, Texas

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

Refugio County scores 68/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and sparse surroundings — about 4,476 people within 15 miles. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure and workable self-sufficiency basics (35.7″/yr rainfall).

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

Refugio 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 Refugio County (OSSF, TCEQ-authorized agent). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. 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 Refugio County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Refugio County is allowed: Unincorporated Refugio County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Refugio County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.refugio.tx.us. Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits. Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Refugio County, Texas?

Land in Refugio County runs about $2,528 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Refugio County?

Refugio County gets about 35.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 17.4% of years.

How remote is Refugio County?

A typical private-land location has about 4,476 people within 15 miles and 3,057,316 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Refugio County, Texas

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who handles permits in Refugio County, and how do you reach them?

Does Refugio County have zoning?

How do septic (OSSF) permits work in Refugio County?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Refugio County

Watch-outs

Sources

Refugio County in Texas

How Refugio County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Refugio County

Refugio County rules

Texas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Refugio County, Texas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Refugio County, Texas?

What is the water situation in Refugio County?

How remote is Refugio County?

How Refugio compares in Texas