Bolthole Index

Somervell County, Texas

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

66Index Score / 100
#64 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Somervell County, Texas has no building department and no general building-permit requirement for ordinary construction1. Somervell County also has no zoning ordinance for its unincorporated land, since Texas counties don't hold general zoning power2. The one real permit to plan for is septic: the county's On-Site Sewage Facility office requires a permit for almost every onsite wastewater system before you build34.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required outside the City of Glen Rose1
Zoning
None in unincorporated Somervell County25
Septic (OSSF)
County permit required through the OSSF office before you build34
RV, tiny home & camping
No zoning-based restriction on unincorporated land5
Minimum lot size (new subdivision)
2 acres net with septic, 1 acre net with public water6
Driveway on a state highway
TxDOT Form 1058 permit required before construction78

Who to call

Septic permits

Somervell County On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) Office

OSSF (septic) permits, plans and inspections for subdivisions outside incorporated Glen Rose, and reviews subdivision plats for sanitation

254-898-3920

[email protected]

105 Sheppard Street, Glen Rose, TX 76043

Floodplain permits

Somervell County Floodplain Administrator (same office as OSSF)

Floodplain administration for Somervell County; the county's site lists the Floodplain Administrator at the same office and address as the OSSF program

254-898-3920

[email protected]

105 Sheppard Street, Glen Rose, TX 76043

Roads & driveways

Somervell County Road & Bridge Maintenance

Maintenance of Somervell County roads and bridges; the office to ask about county-road access and driveway questions on county-maintained roads

254-897-2239

[email protected]

1827 N FM 56, Glen Rose, TX 76043

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 Somervell County, Texas?

Unincorporated Somervell County has no building department and no building-permit requirement for ordinary construction: the county's own site addresses on-site sewage permitting but nothing broader, and no county ordinance establishing general building permits was found1. Texas gives some large counties authority to adopt a fire code covering commercial buildings, public buildings and multifamily dwellings of four or more units in unincorporated areas, but only for a county with a population over 250,000 or adjacent to one — Somervell County's own population, about 9,888, is far below that threshold910. Only inside the incorporated City of Glen Rose does a separate building-permit and zoning process apply, run by the city rather than the county1. If you're placing a factory-built or modular unit rather than site-building, Texas's Industrialized Housing and Buildings program sets statewide construction-code standards for those units wherever you build11.

Who handles septic, floodplain and road matters in Somervell County?

There's no county building department to contact, but three offices matter for rural land in Somervell County1. Septic (OSSF) permits go through the county's On-Site Sewage Facility office in Glen Rose, which also serves as the county's Floodplain Administrator1213. County road and driveway questions for county-maintained roads go to Road & Bridge Maintenance, also based in Glen Rose14. New subdivisions outside Glen Rose need Commissioners Court approval of the plat, with the County Health Unit's Designated Representative — the same OSSF office — reviewing the plat for sanitation before that happens1516.

Does Somervell County have zoning?

Unincorporated Somervell County has no zoning: Texas counties don't have general zoning power, and Somervell County has not adopted a zoning ordinance for its unincorporated area2. Because the county has no zoning authority here, it sets no minimum dwelling size, no setbacks, no lot-coverage limit and no building-height limit for unincorporated land, and it publishes no zoning districts5. That's different from the incorporated City of Glen Rose, which does zone within its own limits and regulates uses like manufactured homes district by district17. Even without zoning, a new subdivision outside Glen Rose still has to meet the county's own lot-size rules: 2 acres net per lot where it will use on-site sewage, or 1 acre net per lot where it will have public water6.

How do septic permits work in Somervell County?

Septic systems (OSSFs) in unincorporated Somervell County are permitted by the county itself, acting as the state's authorized agent, through the On-Site Sewage Facility office in Glen Rose312. Almost every OSSF needs a permit before construction, installation, repair or extension, for a new house or a replacement of a failed system alike4. Texas does carve out an exemption for larger tracts: a single-family home on at least 10 acres can skip the OSSF permit if a licensed site evaluator confirms no nuisance or groundwater-pollution risk, every part of the system sits at least 100 feet from the property line, effluent stays on your property, and the house is the only dwelling on the tract18. Soils here are a mixed bag: about 19.1 percent of Somervell County's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so plenty of land will perk, but plan on a site evaluation before you assume yours will19.

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

Because unincorporated Somervell County has no zoning ordinance, the county places no zoning-based restriction on living in an RV, a tiny home or a temporary camping setup on your own unincorporated land, and the same is true for adding an accessory dwelling5. That's a real answer, not just an absence of information: Texas law simply doesn't give the county zoning power to restrict those uses here5. It isn't a blanket exemption from everything else, though. Any habitable structure, an RV included if you're living in it full time, still needs a wastewater system that meets state and county OSSF rules, and a new lot created for that purpose has to meet the county's minimum lot-size chart206. This guide could not confirm a county short-term-rental rule, so if you plan to rent the RV or tiny home out rather than live in it yourself, check with the county directly12.

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

First, confirm your parcel is outside the City of Glen Rose, since inside city limits you'd need a city building permit and follow city zoning instead of the rules in this guide1. Second, contact the county's On-Site Sewage Facility office early for your septic permit; almost every OSSF needs one before construction starts, unless your home sits on 10 acres or more and meets Texas's site-evaluation exemption conditions12418. Third, if you're creating a new lot rather than buying an existing platted one, get Commissioners Court approval of your plat before construction begins; fees run $350 plus $10 per lot for a 1-5 lot subdivision, and the Court has 30 days to act16. Fourth, size your lot to the chart: 2 acres net per lot with on-site sewage, or 1 acre net per lot with public water6. Fifth, if your driveway will connect to a state highway, submit TxDOT Form 1058 to the local district office and get your permit before any construction on the right of way8. Finally, ask the county's Floodplain Administrator — the same OSSF office — whether your land sits in a mapped flood zone before you build13.

What to check before you buy land in Somervell County

Somervell County is gentle and largely private: 91.4 percent of the county sits at 15 percent slope or less, 40.1 percent is wooded, and none of the county is federal land, so most of what you see on a map is potentially buildable and privately held212223. Water is a real constraint: the county averages only about 35.8 inches of rain a year and has been in severe drought roughly 29.8 percent of years, so a private well's yield and any surface-water rights are worth checking before you buy2425. At about 9,888 people and 53.1 people per square mile, Somervell is more settled than many rural counties, and it's close in — about 47 miles from the nearest metro area92627. Property taxes run a bit higher than many rural counties, with an effective rate near 1 percent and a median annual bill around $2,452 against a typical home value near $416,622282930.

Watch-outs

  • Somervell County publishes no owner-builder exemption from any building-permit or inspection process; since the county has no general building-permit program to begin with, this mostly matters if you're building inside Glen Rose city limits, where it's worth asking the city directly31.
  • The 'no zoning-based restriction' answer for RVs, tiny homes and accessory dwellings covers only what county zoning would otherwise control; no official source confirms how manufactured homes or short-term rentals are treated outside Glen Rose, so ask the OSSF/Floodplain office about your specific plan12.
  • This guide could not confirm whether Somervell County requires a certificate of occupancy for any structure; no official county page addresses it, and the OSSF/Floodplain office is this guide's best starting point for a parcel-specific answer12.

Sources

  1. Somervell County - On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) (2026 county census)
  2. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 211 (2026 county census)
  3. Subdivision Rules Somervell County, Texas (2026 county census)
  4. Basics for Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  6. Rules & Regulations for Subdivisions, Somervell County, Texas, quoted and re-checked
  7. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. County population: Bolthole Index county data
  10. Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Industrialized Housing and Buildings – Adoption of New Code Editions (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Somervell County On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) Office (somervell.co)
  13. Somervell County Floodplain Administrator (same office as OSSF) (somervell.co)
  14. Somervell County Road & Bridge Maintenance (somervell.co)
  15. Subdivision Rules Somervell County, Texas, quoted and re-checked
  16. Rules & Regulations for Subdivisions, Somervell County, Texas, quoted and re-checked
  17. Appendix A Schedule of Uses, quoted and re-checked
  18. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  20. Subdivision Rules Somervell County, Texas, quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  31. (2026 county census)

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.

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County locator

Somervell County in Texas

66
County map
Somervell County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Somervell County scores

Seclusion63100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency5396% ev.
Admin Boringness8490% ev.
Durability31100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost68100% 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 →

$417kTypical home
1%Property tax
$4,819Land / acre
35.8"Annual rain
29.8% of yrsSevere drought
51.9 / yr (+29.7)Mid-century 100°F days
24.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.98" (+3.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.37×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,819Home insurance / yr
0.5% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
4,400,085People within 2 hr
23,610Radius comparison (15 mi)
53.1People / sq mi
0%Federal land
91.4%Land at 15% slope or less
19.1%Septic soil without severe limits
21,993 acWorkable land screen
40.1%Wooded land
16.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
65.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Somervell County

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

Somervell County rules

  • InspectionsLimited

    Inspection of onsite wastewater systems and their installation for habitable structures in subdivisions outside incorporated cities or towns in Somervell County.

    • The subdivision rules apply only to areas outside the boundaries of an incorporated city or town.
    • The habitable structure must be connected to a wastewater system conforming to State of Texas and Somervell County regulations.
    • The onsite wastewater system and its installation must meet applicable state and county regulations.
    “All habitable structures shall be connected to wastewater systems conforming to the regulations and recommendations of the State of Texas and Somervell County. All onsite wastewater systems and installation thereof, shall meet State and County regulations and be inspected by the Somervell County Designated Representative.”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Somervell County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Somervell County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Somervell County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Somervell County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential subdivisions in areas of Somervell County outside incorporated city or town boundaries, subject to the County subdivision rules.

    • The rules apply only outside incorporated city or town boundaries; subdivisions in a municipality's ETJ are approved by the City of Glen Rose.
    • The source states that additional rules apply to subdivisions creating two or more lots of five acres or less intended for residential purposes.
    • The source states that lots of five acres or less are presumed residential unless restricted to nonresidential uses on the final plat and in all deeds and contracts for deeds.
    • The source's chart specifies 2-acre net lots with on-site sewage and 1-acre net lots with public water.

    minimum lot size with on-site sewage: >= 2 acre net lot size · minimum lot size with public water: >= 1 acre net lot size

    “Lot sizes shall meet the requirements set forth in the following chart: [...] MINIMUM LOT SIZE WITH ON-SITE SEWAGE. (Septic) WITH WELL WITH PUBLIC WATER 2 Acre net lot size 1 Acre net lot size”
  • Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Somervell County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Somervell County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Somervell County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Somervell County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Building height · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Somervell County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Somervell County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Somervell County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Somervell County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Somervell County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Somervell County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Somervell County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Somervell County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Somervell County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Somervell County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

    • 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.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    OSSF administration for subdivisions outside the boundaries of incorporated cities or towns in Somervell County.

    • The county rules apply only outside incorporated city or town boundaries.
    • Subdivisions in the City of Glen Rose extraterritorial jurisdiction are approved by the City of Glen Rose.
    • County OSSF requirements operate together with applicable Texas regulations.
    “The County Health Unit, Designated Representative must review and approve the plat to assure that all county sanitation rules and regulations can be met.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Onsite wastewater systems and their installation for subdivisions outside incorporated cities and towns in Somervell County.

    • The cited county subdivision rules apply only outside incorporated city or town boundaries.
    • The systems must meet both state and county regulations.
    • The inspection is by the Somervell County Designated Representative.
    “All onsite wastewater systems and installation thereof, shall meet State and County regulations and be inspected by the Somervell County Designated Representative.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private onsite sewerage facilities serving lots in subdivisions outside incorporated cities and towns in Somervell County.

    • Each subdivision lot must have some legal means of sewage waste treatment and disposal.
    • Private onsite systems require a final engineering report with planning materials, a site evaluation, and information required by the county OSSF policy.
    • The owner must contact the Somervell County OSSF designated representative before construction on any lot.
    • Individual system selection must be made with the site evaluation and individual site permitting process under 30 TAC Chapter 285.
    • The cited source does not establish that every form of off-grid sanitation is allowed.
    “Each lot in a subdivision must have some legal means of sewage waste treatment and disposal.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Wastewater service for subdivisions outside incorporated cities and towns in Somervell County.

    • Where an existing retail public utility will provide wastewater treatment, the subdivider must furnish evidence of a contractual agreement with that utility.
    • Where no existing retail public utility will construct and maintain the proposed sewerage facilities, the subdivider must establish a retail public utility and obtain a TCEQ certificate of convenience and necessity.
    • Private onsite sewerage facilities are an alternative where proposed and where the county OSSF policy and site-evaluation requirements are satisfied.
    • The cited rule does not establish a countywide mandatory connection requirement for every parcel.
    “Where wastewater treatment is to be provided by an existing retail public utility, the sub divider shall furnish evidence of a contractual agreement”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Statutory exemptions from platting for land divisions in unincorporated Somervell County.

    • The source states that exemptions apply when no land is dedicated for public use.
    • The listed exemption includes continued agricultural use.
    • The listed exemptions also include family transfers, Veterans’ Land Board program lots, land owned by the State of Texas, certain flood-plain sales by a political subdivision to an adjoining landowner, land sold for further development that will be platted, land divided among members of a dissolving partnership, and land where all lots are greater than ten acres.
    • The source expressly states that these statutory exemptions do not apply to divisions into two or more lots of five acres or less intended for residential purposes.
    • The rules apply outside incorporated city or town boundaries; ETJ subdivisions are approved by the City of Glen Rose.

    agricultural-use platting exemption: continued agricultural use (Available only under the source's stated statutory-exemption conditions, including no land dedicated for public use, and subject to the express exception for two or more residential lots of five acres or less.)

    “This bill creates new statutory exemptions from platting for the following, when no land is dedicated for public use: - Continued agricultural use [...] NOTE 1: These statutory exemptions from platting do not apply to divisions of land into two or more lots of 5 acres or less intended for residential purposes.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plats and subdivision development outside incorporated city or town boundaries in Somervell County.

    • The County rules apply outside incorporated city or town boundaries; subdivisions in the ETJ are approved by the City of Glen Rose.
    • A plat is required for an owner outside city limits who divides land into two or more parts of 10 acres or less for a non-agricultural subdivision or sale, unless a listed statutory exemption applies.
    • Construction of a proposed subdivision may not begin before the Commissioners Court approves the preliminary plat.
    • The Commissioners Court must approve, reject, or conditionally approve a plat application within 30 days, subject to a possible 30-day extension under the stated conditions.
    • The source lists application fees of $350 plus $10 per lot for 1-5 lots, $450 plus $10 per lot for 6-10 lots, $650 plus $10 per lot for 11 or more lots, $300 for a plat revision, and $200 for a plat cancellation.

    plat decision deadline: 30 days (May be extended by 30 days if requested and agreed to in writing by the applicant and approved by the Commissioners Court or designee, or if a Government Code Chapter 2007 takings impact assessment is required.) · application fee for 1-5 lots: 350 USD plus $10 per lot · application fee for 6-10 lots: 450 USD plus $10 per lot · application fee for 11 or more lots: 650 USD plus $10 per lot · plat revision fee: 300 USD · plat cancellation fee: 200 USD

    “The purpose of these rules is to regulate the filing for record of subdivision plats and to establish construction standards and other requirements for all subdivisions situated outside the boundaries of any incorporated town or city in Somervell County.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Obtaining an OSSF permit number in Somervell County.

    • The county page directs applicants to OSSF Application and Technical Information, the local Order for adopting On-Site Sewage Facilities, OSSF Fees and Fines, and Online Credit Card Payments.
    • The page does not state that this process governs unrelated permit types.
    “OSSF Instructions for obtaining a Permit Number are:”
  • Building permitNot required

    Unincorporated Somervell County has no county building department or building-permit program; permits/zoning apply only within the City of Glen Rose.

    Somervell County - On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties lack general zoning authority; unincorporated Somervell County is not zoned, with land-use regulation limited to incorporated Glen Rose.

    Texas Local Government Code Chapter 211 ↗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:”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF in Texas

    • A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
    • A 10-acre exemption may apply only if all listed conditions are met: site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer; single-family dwelling on at least 10 acres; no nuisance or groundwater pollution; all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line; effluent disposed of on the property; and the single-family dwelling is the only dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin.
    • Grandfathered systems may also be exempt if the stated conditions are met.

    minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (single-family dwelling and all other TCEQ conditions must be met) · minimum OSSF distance from property line for 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet (all parts of the OSSF) · emergency repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (after repairs have begun; written report to permitting authority)

    “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. [...] An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction, installation, repair, extension, or other alteration of almost all OSSFs, including OSSFs in Somervell County.
      “Almost all OSSFs must have a permit prior to any construction, installation, repair, extension, or other alteration.”
  • 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”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    Texas counties adopting zoning regulations for specified unincorporated or otherwise specially defined areas.

    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    • Other Chapter 231 subchapters address special areas including the Amistad Recreation Area in Val Verde County, military zones, certain lakes, the El Paso Mission Trail Historical Area, Lake Somerville, and Falcon Lake in Zapata County.
    • The cited statute was enacted effective September 1, 1987; the Falcon Lake subchapter was added effective June 15, 2007, and amended effective September 1, 2009.

    Padre Island distance from publicly owned park or recreational development: <= 2 miles (Area must be outside a municipality and in Cameron or Willacy County.) · Padre Island distance from beach, wharf, or bathhouse: <= 2 miles (The beach, wharf, or bathhouse must be used by at least 500 persons annually.)

    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
  • county building authorityLimited

    Texas counties adopting and enforcing fire-code building permits for specified buildings in unincorporated areas and applying residential building-code standards in certain counties.

    • Under Section 233.061, the county must have a population over 250,000 or be adjacent to a county with a population over 250,000.
    • Under Section 233.062, the fire code applies only to commercial establishments, public buildings, and multifamily residential dwellings consisting of four or more units constructed in an unincorporated area.
    • The fire code does not apply to an industrial facility having a fire brigade that conforms to Occupational Health and Safety Administration requirements.
    • A covered applicant must submit a plan and a commissioners-court-set application fee; the county must issue or deny the permit within 30 days, and failure to act within 30 days approves the construction for purposes of the subchapter.
    • The fire code must conform to the International Fire Code or Uniform Fire Code as those codes existed on May 1, 2005, or establish protective measures exceeding those standards; later editions may be adopted.
    • Residential standards under Section 233.152 apply only if the county adopts a resolution or order and the county is within 50 miles of an international border or has a population over 100.
    • Those residential standards apply only to new single-family-house or duplex construction beginning after September 1, 2009; manufactured or modular structures governed by Occupations Code Chapters 1201 or 1202 are excluded from the definition of new residential construction.
    • A municipality's building code controls in its extraterritorial jurisdiction, and Section 233.152 does not authorize county prior approval of new residential construction or county zoning regulations.
    • Fire-code inspection and permit fees may be charged under a fee schedule based on building type, limited to amounts necessary to administer and enforce the subchapter; inspection fees must be reasonable and reflect approximate inspection costs.

    county population threshold for fire-code authority: > 250000 persons (A county adjacent to a county over 250,000 also qualifies.) · multifamily residential dwelling threshold: >= 4 units (The fire code applies only to covered buildings constructed in an unincorporated area.) · residential-code border distance: <= 50 miles (Alternative qualification is county population over 100.) · application decision period: 30 days (If the commissioners court does not issue or deny the permit within 30 days after receiving the application and fee, construction is approved for purposes of the subchapter.) · residential standards effective construction date: > 2009-09-01 (Applies only to new residential construction that begins after September 1, 2009.)

    “The commissioners court of a county with a population of over 250,000 or a county adjacent to a county with a population of over 250,000 may adopt a fire code and rules necessary to administer and enforce the fire code. [...] The fire code applies only to the following buildings constructed in an unincorporated area of the county: (1) a commercial establishment; (2) a public building; and (3) a multifamily residential dwelling consisting of four or more units.”

Inside cities and towns in Somervell County

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

  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured-home occupancy within zoning districts of the City of Glen Rose identified by an X in the city's residential schedule of uses.

    • The schedule identifies permitted uses by zoning district; manufactured homes are not thereby permitted in every city district.
    • Manufactured-home parks are separately listed and subject to the district schedule.
    • Applicable city building, zoning, health, fire, safety, permitting, and site requirements still apply.

    parking: 2/dwelling unit

    “X Designates use permitted in district [...] Manufactured home X X 2/dwelling unit”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders seeking an exemption from building-permit or inspection requirements in Somervell County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in Somervell County, including unincorporated areas and incorporated municipalities.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across Somervell County municipalities and unincorporated areas; any municipal zoning would be administered by the municipality rather than the county.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Somervell 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.

Water rights & wells in Somervell County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Texas’s water agency.

Actively managed

This basin is under active state management — new water use is scrutinized, though a domestic well is usually still allowed.

Household wellExempt up to a limit

Texas groundwater is governed by the rule of capture; a Groundwater Conservation District must exempt qualifying domestic/livestock wells and may not restrict their production, but well registration and spacing rules can still apply and the exemption does not cover wells serving a platted subdivision.

Limit: Domestic/livestock well exempt from GCD production permitting if on a tract >10 acres AND incapable of producing >25,000 gal/day (Tex. Water Code §36.117)

Texas Water Code §36.117 / TWDB ↗
  • Central Texas Trinity Aquifer Priority Groundwater Management Areapartial of county

    TCEQ-designated Trinity Aquifer critical-groundwater area; drives GCD coverage. Domestic/livestock wells remain exempt but spacing/registration may apply.

    TCEQ — Priority Groundwater Management Areas ↗

Hybrid state (appropriation + riparian). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Texas state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Somervell County, Texas

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

Somervell County scores 66/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Somervell 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 Somervell County On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) Office. 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 Somervell County?

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

Land in Somervell County runs about $4,819 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Somervell County?

Somervell County gets about 35.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 29.8% of years. On water rights, Somervell County lies in the Central Texas Trinity Aquifer Priority Groundwater Management Area — TCEQ-designated Trinity Aquifer critical-groundwater area; drives GCD coverage. Domestic/livestock wells remain exempt but spacing/registration may apply..

How remote is Somervell County?

A typical private-land location has about 23,610 people within 15 miles and 6,949,120 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Somervell compares in Texas

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