Bolthole Index

Smith County, Texas

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Town of Winona, Texas

Town of Winona, Texas requires a building permit before erecting, altering or repairing a building; the municipal code directs applications to the mayor.1 Winona has zoning, and permanent RV residence on ordinary lots is prohibited.23 In Smith County, Winona requires sewer connection for buildings within its sanitary system; septic is an exception requiring city superintendent approval when connection is impossible or impracticable.4

At a glance

Building permits
Required before erection, alteration or repair; apply to the mayor1
Residential building code
2009 International Residential Code, as locally amended5
Zoning
Municipal zoning exists; complete district map and schedule unconfirmed6
RV living
Permanent residence on ordinary lots prohibited; approved RV parks and specific exceptions differ3
Sewer and septic
Sewer connection required within the sanitary system; septic exception needs city superintendent approval4
Manufactured-home setbacks
10 feet from side lot lines when bordered by another lot; 25 feet from the front line7
Water wells
Municipal drilling permit fee listed at $75; ask City Hall for application conditions8

Who to call

Building permits

Winona City Hall / Mayor

Contact for municipal building-permit applications to the mayor; request zoning information and referral to the city superintendent for sewer or septic approval.

903-877-3381

[email protected]

110 Dallas St.

Septic permits

Smith County OSSF Program / RTS Environmental LLC

County OSSF contractor; ask whether its permitting jurisdiction covers the specific Winona address before applying.

903-630-4234

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Winona 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 Town of Winona, TX?

Winona requires a building permit before a person erects, alters or repairs buildings within the city.1 Winona’s permit provision directs the applicant to the mayor, with plans, specifications or details showing the proposed work.9 The mayor may issue the building permit after finding that the work conforms to city building regulations and receiving the required fee.9

Winona has adopted the 2009 International Residential Code as amended, with conflicting local provisions controlling.5 Ask City Hall to confirm the current building-permit fee and required inspection stages for your particular project; the published fee entry for a mobile-home/trailer-park or single-resident unit should not be treated as a universal house-construction fee.10

Who handles building permits and zoning questions in Town of Winona?

Start a Winona building-permit application with the mayor through Winona City Hall, rather than the county development counter.9 City Hall lists 903-877-3381, [email protected] and a physical address of 110 Dallas St., Winona, Texas 75792.11 Ask City Hall for the zoning district, applicable development standards and the city superintendent’s review of sewer availability before committing to a design.64

Winona’s code assigns enforcement of building standards, subdivisions and zoning to the code enforcement officer.12 Septic involves a separate approval question: Winona’s superintendent must approve the municipal exception, while Texas requires an OSSF permit and approved plan unless an exemption applies.1314

Does Town of Winona have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Winona’s code expressly references a city zoning ordinance and an industrial district, but we could not confirm the complete zoning map or district schedule; request those documents from City Hall for the parcel.6 We could not confirm general minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, building height or lot coverage in Winona; ask City Hall to identify the standards for your proposed home.11

For HUD-code manufactured homes in Winona, the verified rule requires 10 feet from side lot or tract lines when adjoining land borders either side, and 25 feet from the front line.7 Those setbacks apply specifically to HUD-code manufactured homes and do not establish the setbacks for every type of building.7

How do sewer connections and septic permits work in Town of Winona?

Winona requires owners or occupants of buildings within the city limits’ sanitary system to connect to municipal sanitary sewer under city direction and supervision.4 Winona prohibits dry toilets, surface privies, cesspools and septic tanks, with a septic exception when sewer connection is impossible or impracticable, the system conforms to state law and the city superintendent approves it.13

Smith County identifies RTS Environmental LLC as its OSSF contractor; call 903-630-4234 to verify the permitting authority for your Winona address and any claimed exemption.15 Texas generally requires an OSSF permit and approved plan.14 The Texas 10-acre exemption requires a licensed site evaluation, a single-family dwelling as the tract’s only dwelling, all system parts at least 100 feet from property lines, on-site effluent disposal, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, and compliance with state standards.14 That state exemption does not establish an exception to Winona’s sewer-connection ordinance.144

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Town of Winona?

Winona prohibits establishing an RV or camper on a lot as a permanent residence.3 RV housing is restricted to approved RV parks, while hardship or emergency placement may receive separate approval.3 Temporary visitors staying 14 calendar days or less are excepted from the parking prohibition; that visitor exception is not permission for permanent residence on a private lot.3

We could not confirm a Winona ordinance specifically allowing tiny-home occupancy or accessory dwellings; ask City Hall about your proposed structure and parcel before ordering a unit.11 A proposal to construct a small home still needs to address Winona’s building-permit requirement, residential code and sewer-connection rules.154

Building a home in Town of Winona: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Winona City Hall for the parcel’s zoning district and applicable standards; the complete district schedule remains unconfirmed.6
  2. Resolve wastewater with the city superintendent: determine whether municipal sewer connection is required or whether the city will approve a septic exception.4
  3. If septic is proposed, ask RTS Environmental LLC to verify the responsible OSSF permitting authority and consult a licensed installer for evaluation and design.1516
  4. Submit the proposed work’s plans, specifications or details to the mayor and obtain the building permit before beginning construction.9
  5. For a proposed well, ask City Hall about the municipal drilling permit; the published fee is $75.8

For land outside Winona’s municipal limits, use the Smith County guide: the county’s statement about having no local building policies other than subdivision regulations expressly concerns unincorporated areas.17

Watch-outs

  • Winona’s permanent-RV prohibition makes an RV on your lot an unreliable housing plan while building; ask City Hall whether a hardship or emergency approval is available.3
  • We could not confirm Winona’s floodplain-development application requirements or driveway-access rules; ask City Hall which approvals apply to the address.11
  • Smith County’s commercial OSSF permit fee increased from $400 to $600 on October 6, 2026; verify the correct fee category with RTS Environmental LLC.15

Sources

  1. Sec. 6-46. - Required (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  2. Sec. 22-65. - Offense to operate business in prohibited area (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  3. Sec. 6-149. - RV housing limited (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  4. Sec. 30-10. - Sewer connections (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sec. 6-124. - International Residential Code adopted (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  6. Sec. 22-65. - Offense to operate business in prohibited area (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 6 manufactured-home provisions (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  8. Appendix A - Fee Schedule (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  9. Sec. 6-46. - Required (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  10. Appendix A - Fee Schedule (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  11. Winona City Hall / Mayor (winonatx.gov)
  12. Chapter 6 - Buildings and Building Regulations (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  13. Sec. 30-10. - Sewer connections (Town of Winona), quoted and re-checked
  14. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Smith County OSSF Program / RTS Environmental LLC (smith-county.com)
  16. On-Site Sewage Facility, quoted and re-checked
  17. County Ordinances & Policies, quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 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 Town of Winona

Town of Winona’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Erecting, altering, or repairing buildings inside Winona town.

    • Plans and specifications or project details must be submitted; the mayor may issue the permit after conformity and payment of the required fee.
    “Every person desiring to erect, alter, or repair buildings in the city, or desiring any of the work in connection therewith for which fees are hereinafter specified, shall apply to the mayor of the city and obtain a permit for such work before proceeding therewith.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Residential construction inside Winona town.

    • The 2009 International Residential Code applies as amended; conflicting local provisions control.
    “The International Residential Code, 2009 edition, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted, and designated as the building code of the City of Winona, and is made a part hereof, as amended.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Winona town limits; the code expressly references a city zoning ordinance and industrial district.

    • Specific district regulations were not located in the opened materials.
    “A sexually oriented business shall be located in an industrial district as defined by the city zoning ordinance, provided a special land use exception has been granted to the applicant for such location in the industrial district.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Zoning districts inside Winona town.

    • The opened code expressly identifies an industrial district and refers to the city zoning ordinance, but the complete district map or schedule was not located.
    “A sexually oriented business shall be located in an industrial district as defined by the city zoning ordinance, provided a special land use exception has been granted to the applicant for such location in the industrial district.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    HUD-code manufactured homes placed on lots inside Winona town.

    • The cited dimensional rule is specific to HUD-code manufactured homes and does not establish general setbacks for all buildings.

    side lot-line setback: >= 10 feet (when bordered by a lot or tract on either side) · front setback: >= 25 feet (HUD-code manufactured homes)

    “No HUD-code manufactured home may be placed on any lot or tract within the City of Winona, Texas, in such manner that any part of the manufactured home or any extension thereto is situated within ten feet of any side lot or tract line whenever the lot or tract is bordered by a lot or tract of land on either side of such lot or tract land so occupied, and is set back less than 25 feet from the front line.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Permanent residential occupancy of recreational vehicles or campers on lots inside Winona town.

    • RV housing is restricted to approved RV parks; hardship or emergency placement may be approved separately; temporary visitors for 14 calendar days or less are excepted from the parking prohibition.
    “Locating or establishing recreational vehicles or campers on a lot as a permanent residence is prohibited.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Dry toilets, privies, cesspools, septic tanks, and other off-grid sanitation inside Winona town.

    • Dry toilets, surface privies, cesspools, and septic tanks are unlawful; a septic tank may be permitted only when city sewer connection is impossible or impracticable, if built to state law and approved by the city superintendent.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person to build, construct, dig, maintain, or use any dry toilet, surface privy, cesspool, or septic tank within the city; provided, however, when connection to the city sanitary sewer system is impossible or impracticable at any time the construction, maintenance, and use of a septic tank constructed in conformity to state law and approved by the city superintendent may be permitted until such time as connection to the sewer system may be made.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Drilling a water well inside Winona town.

    • The fee schedule lists a municipal drilling-water-well permit fee; the opened materials did not provide the complete permit application conditions.

    permit fee: 75 USD

    “30-27 Permit fee, drilling water well $75.00”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Buildings inside Winona town limits' sanitary system.

    • Connection is required under city direction and supervision; septic is allowed only when sewer connection is impossible or impracticable and the city superintendent approves it.
    “All owners or occupants of buildings, or agents for owners, situated within the city limits' sanitary system are hereby required to construct, or cause to be constructed, suitable water closets on their property, and to connect same with the city sanitary sewer system under the direction and supervision of the city.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and residential development inside Winona town.

    • The code enforcement officer enforces city ordinances relating to subdivisions; Chapter 27 includes municipal sanitary-sewer design requirements for residential development.

    residential sewer design flow: 140 gallons per capita per day (based on 3.3 persons per single-family unit)

    “The code enforcement officer shall enforce the provisions of this Code and other city ordinances relating to building standards, fire safety, unsafe buildings, junked vehicles, signs, subdivisions and zoning, and, in addition, shall perform other duties as may be directed from time to time.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Municipal permits and utility-related fees inside Winona town.

    • The fee schedule lists a mobile-home/trailer-park or single-resident-unit permit fee of $5.00 plus $1.00 per $1,000.00 of value and a $75.00 water-well drilling permit fee.

    mobile-home/trailer-park or single-resident-unit permit fee: $5.00 plus $1.00 per $1,000.00 value · water-well drilling permit fee: 75 USD

    “Permit fee, mobile home trailer park or single resident unit $5.00 plus $1.00 per $1,000.00 value”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications inside Winona town.

    • Apply to the mayor before work begins; submit plans, specifications, or work details; the mayor may issue the permit after finding compliance and receiving the required fee; the signed permit and supporting materials remain at city hall while work is in progress.
    “The applicant shall present plans and specifications or detail in his application to the mayor for such permit which shall show the work to be done; and if found to be in conformity with the requirements of the building regulations in force in the city, the mayor may issue such permit upon receipt of the required fee.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Winona or Smith County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders performing construction inside Winona town.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family and other dwellings inside Winona town.
  • Minimum lot size — Lots inside Winona town.
  • Lot coverage — Lots inside Winona town.
  • Building height — Buildings inside Winona town.
6 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • 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 Town of Winona publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Smith County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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