Stonewall County, TX Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Stonewall County, Texas has no building permit and no zoning ordinance: Texas gives most counties no authority to require prior approval for home construction, and zoning power is reserved for specific counties that Stonewall isn't one of¹². That means no county rule sets minimum lot size, setbacks, or where you can put an RV or tiny home³. Septic is the one thing you do need a permit for: Stonewall County has no local authorized OSSF agent, so the TCEQ regional office in Abilene is the permitting authority⁴.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required in unincorporated Stonewall County¹
County zoning: None; Texas reserves zoning power to specific counties and Stonewall isn't one²⁵
RV, tiny home & manufactured home: Unrestricted by county rule; the county has no zoning authority to limit them³
Setbacks & minimum lot size: None set by the county³
Septic (OSSF) permit: Required through the TCEQ regional office in Abilene, since there's no local authorized agent⁴⁶
OSSF permit fee: $200 for a single-family system, $400 for other types, plus a $10 state fee⁷
Water wells: No state registration required for a private well unless it falls in a groundwater conservation district⁸

Who to call

Also useful

Stonewall County Judge's Office

General county administration and Commissioners Court business for Stonewall County

(940) 989-3393

P. O. Box 366, Aspermont, Texas 79502

Septic permits

TCEQ Region 3 (Abilene) OSSF Program

OSSF (septic) permit applications for Stonewall County, since no local jurisdiction has been authorized as the county's OSSF permitting agent

Online permits →

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 Stonewall County, Texas?

No. Texas counties generally have no authority to require a permit or prior approval before you build a home in an unincorporated area, and that includes Stonewall County, which has no known building-code or permit program¹. Texas law lets a narrow set of counties opt into fire-code or residential-code permitting, limited to counties over a 250,000 population (or adjacent to one) for the fire code, or counties that pass their own adoption order for the residential-code option⁹. No official record shows Stonewall County has adopted either program, so treat that as unconfirmed rather than assumed. Industrialized housing and manufactured homes are regulated directly by the state, separate from any county process.

Who do you call in Stonewall County, since there's no building department?

There is no building or zoning office to call. The Stonewall County Judge's office at the county courthouse in Aspermont is the general contact for county administration and Commissioners Court business¹⁰. For septic, you're dealing with the state directly rather than a county office: the TCEQ regional office in Abilene is the OSSF permitting authority for Stonewall County¹¹. No dedicated county road-department page is published on the county's own site, so route road and right-of-way questions through the County Judge's office too.

Does Stonewall County have zoning?

No. Texas grants county zoning power only to specific, legislatively named areas, and Stonewall County isn't one of them, so the county has no zoning ordinance and no zoning districts²⁵. Because the county has no zoning authority, it sets no minimum dwelling size, no minimum lot size, no setbacks, no lot-coverage limit and no building-height limit anywhere in unincorporated Stonewall County³. That's a legal consequence of state law rather than a gap in local records, and it applies countywide since Stonewall County has no incorporated cities of its own.

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

Stonewall County has no local jurisdiction authorized to run its own OSSF program, so the TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority, and applications must go there rather than to the county⁴⁶. The application fee is $200 for a system serving a single-family dwelling or $400 for other types, plus a $10 state fee collected with every permit⁷. TCEQ must approve or deny a complete application within 30 days of receiving it¹². A tract of 10 acres or more can qualify for a permitting exemption if a licensed site evaluator or engineer signs off, the system serves a single-family home, and every part sits at least 100 feet from the property line¹³. Soils are a real constraint here too: only about 14.9% of Stonewall County's land is free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so budget for a site evaluation before you commit to a parcel¹⁴.

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

Yes, county rules don't restrict it: because Stonewall County has no zoning authority, there is no county rule limiting RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy or manufactured-home placement on private land³. Accessory dwellings are likewise unrestricted by county rule³. That freedom is about zoning only; it doesn't remove your septic obligations if the dwelling generates wastewater, which still go through the TCEQ regional office¹¹.

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

Confirm your well situation: private wells don't need state registration unless the parcel sits in a groundwater conservation district, so check before you drill⁸.
Get a site evaluation for your OSSF (septic) early, since much of the county's soil isn't suited to a conventional drain field, and apply directly to the TCEQ regional office¹¹¹⁴.
If your tract is 10 acres or more, ask whether you qualify for the OSSF permitting exemption before you apply¹³.
If your driveway will connect to a state highway, submit TxDOT Form 1058 before any construction begins¹⁵.
Because Stonewall County has no building-permit, inspection or zoning process, keep your septic permit and any state paperwork on file in case a lender or insurer asks¹.
Call the County Judge's office if you have questions about anything not covered here¹⁰.

What to check before you buy land in Stonewall County

Soils and septic: under 15% of Stonewall County's land is free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so plan on a site evaluation and possibly an alternative system¹⁴. Terrain: 97.5% of the county sits at 15% slope or less, open and largely unwooded ground that's easy to build on¹⁶¹⁷. Water: check whether your parcel falls inside a groundwater conservation district, since that determines whether your well needs to be registered or permitted at all⁸. Access: a driveway onto a state highway needs a TxDOT permit; no separate county driveway-permit process was found for county roads, so confirm with the County Judge's office¹⁵¹⁰. Taxes: the effective property tax rate is about 1.4%, with a median annual bill near $744¹⁸¹⁹.

Watch-outs

Stonewall County's own no-building-permit and no-zoning findings rest partly on a Bexar County FAQ page describing general Texas county authority law, not a Stonewall-specific ordinance; treat it as the general state-law default and confirm nothing local has changed with the County Judge's office¹⁰.
No official Stonewall County floodplain-development or short-term-rental rule was found; don't assume either is unregulated, and confirm with the County Judge's office before you rely on it¹⁰.

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 Stonewall County scores

Seclusion88100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency1696% ev.

Admin Boringness8490% ev.

Durability26100% ev.

Property Autonomy71100% ev.

Carry Cost8096% 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 →

$95kTypical home

1.4%Property tax

$1,450Land / acre

23.6"Annual rain

37.9% of yrsSevere drought

56.9 / yr (+31.2)Mid-century 100°F days

29.3 daysMid-century dry spell

1.78" (+4.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.29×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$2,566Home insurance / yr

-0.6% / yrInsurance growth

0%Nonrenewal rate

single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis

237People within 30 min

445,950People within 2 hr

1,720Radius comparison (15 mi)

1.3People / sq mi

0%Federal land

97.5%Land at 15% slope or less

14.9%Septic soil without severe limits

86,774 acWorkable land screen

5.9%Wooded land

4.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac

64.3°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Stonewall County

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

Stonewall County rules

Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Building height · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Stonewall County: no county rule sets this, because Texas law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing bexar.org.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Building permitNot required
Texas counties have only limited, permissive authority to enforce building codes in unincorporated areas and rural Stonewall County has no known building-code/permit program.
Bexar County FAQ - When is a building permit required in the unincorporated area (Texas county authority) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked
County-wide zoningAbsent
Under Texas law counties generally have no zoning authority in unincorporated areas; Stonewall County has no zoning ordinance.
Bexar County FAQ - How is my property zoned in the County (Texas counties lack zoning authority) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

Building code adoptedPartial
Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components governed by the Texas Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.
- The mandatory state code adoption applies to industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components, not all construction statewide.
- The effective date is July 1, 2024.
- The International Existing Building Code applies to alterations of portable industrialized buildings.
- Manufacturers already certified for Texas must have design-package documents reviewed and approved to the new editions with an approval date on or after July 1, 2024, unless the manufacturer elected to transition before the effective date under Department rule 70.70(a)(5)(B).
- Construction begun on or after July 1, 2024 must comply with the new code editions and approved design packages.
- Construction begun before July 1, 2024, or before a manufacturer's effective transition date, must meet the stated completion, inspection, and labeling deadline to remain eligible for a Texas decal.
effective date: 2024-07-01 · International Building Code: 2021 Edition (including appendices C, F, and K) · International Residential Code: 2021 Edition (including appendices AG, AH, AK, AP, AQ, and AT) · International Fuel Gas Code: 2021 Edition · International Mechanical Code: 2021 Edition · International Plumbing Code: 2021 Edition · International Energy Conservation Code: 2015 Edition · National Electrical Code: 2020 Edition · International Existing Building Code: 2021 Edition (for alterations of portable industrialized buildings)
“July 1, 2024, all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply with the following codes, as amended in §70.101 of the IHB Rules:”
Industrialized Housing and Buildings – Adoption of New Code Editions ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Who permits septicMixed
On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems, throughout Texas
- In most areas, local governments act as TCEQ-authorized agents and administer the OSSF program.
- The TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.
- Local permitting programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
“TCEQ is not often the OSSF permitting authority. [...] The TCEQ regional office will be the permitting authority in locations where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.”
Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- State (with conditions) — OSSF permitting in Texas locations, including Stonewall County, where no local jurisdiction has been authorized as an 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 21, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, or operation of an OSSF/septic system in Texas, including Stonewall County, subject to stated exemptions.
- A permit and approved plan are required for the covered activities.
- The 10-acre exemption requires compliance with 30 TAC Chapter 285, a site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer, a single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line, on-site effluent disposal, and no other dwelling on the tract.
- Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ are exempt from permitting but must be reported in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after repairs begin.
- Grandfathered systems may be exempt if installed before the earlier of local program authorization or September 1, 1989, are not a nuisance, are not in need of repair, and have had no significant increase in use or alteration.
10-acre exemption tract size: >= 10 acres (Single-family dwelling and all other stated exemption conditions must also be met.) · minimum OSSF distance from property line under 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet (All other stated exemption conditions must also be met.) · emergency repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (After repairs have begun; applies to listed emergency repairs.)
“A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF in Texas
  “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
Well permitLimited
Private water wells in Texas, including Stonewall County, where no groundwater conservation district imposes local registration or permitting requirements.
- Private well owners do not need to register with the state.
- A registered water-well driller or landowner drilling their own well must submit a State of Texas Water Well Report for a new well.
- A groundwater conservation district may regulate production through permits, spacing requirements, and other rules.
- Public water supply wells may require TCEQ approval.
“Private water well owners in Texas do not need to register their well unless the property falls within the jurisdiction of a groundwater conservation district (GCD).”
General Groundwater and Private Water Well Frequently Asked Questions ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Driveway accessLimited
New or modified driveways connecting property to a Texas state highway right of way in Stonewall County.
- The rule applies to state highway rights of way, not every private or county-road driveway.
- The applicant must use TxDOT Form 1058 and submit the required work and applicant information.
- Only the property owner or authorized representative may apply.
- No right-of-way construction may begin until a fully executed permit is received and 24-hour notice is given to TxDOT.
- If a local public agency has access-permitting authority, drainage impacts must still be coordinated with and approved by TxDOT before local approval.
- Driveway design must comply with applicable state and federal requirements, including ADAAG and Texas Accessibility Standards.
- At state-highway intersections with flared or widened right of way, no access driveway is permitted within the flared or widened section.
- A private residential driveway may not exceed 24 feet in width, except as increased by permissible radii, and the connecting radius may not be less than 15 feet.
private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (except as increased by permissible radii) · private residential driveway connecting radius: >= 15 feet · farm/ranch driveway return radius: 25 feet · farm/ranch driveway throat width: 20 feet · advance notice before right-of-way construction: 24 hours
“No construction work on the driveway shall be undertaken on the right of way until a fully executed driveway permit has been received by the applicant and the applicant has given 24-hour notification to TxDOT.”
Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — New or modified access driveways connecting property to a Texas state highway right of way.
  “A driveway must be constructed in accordance with a fully executed driveway permit”
  Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
OSSF permit applications handled by the TCEQ executive director in areas where no local authorized agent exists.
- The fee schedule is for OSSF permits, not a general Stonewall County building or land-use permit fee schedule.
- The source places these provisions in Subchapter C, Commission administration of the OSSF program in areas where no authorized agent exists.
- A local authorized agent may administer OSSF permitting within its jurisdiction, so local requirements may apply.
- The source states an effective date of August 16, 2012.
single-family OSSF application fee: 200 USD · other OSSF application fee: 400 USD · commission fee per OSSF permit: 10 USD · re-inspection fee: one-half of the permit fee that was in effect at the time the original application was submitted to the regional office
“§285.21. FEES. (a) The application fee for an on-site sewage facility (OSSF) permit is: (1) $200 for an OSSF serving a single family dwelling; or (2) $400 for all other types of OSSFs. (b) A fee of $10 shall also be collected for each OSSF permit for the commission as required by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 367.”
On-Site Sewage Facility Rules Compilation ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Constructing a new driveway or revising an existing driveway on the right of way of a Texas state highway.
- The applicant should contact the local District TxDOT office.
- The applicant must submit Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way.
- The application must be for the bona fide purpose of securing or changing access to the owner's property, not parking or servicing vehicles on state highway rights of way.
- No construction may begin on the right of way until a fully executed driveway permit is received and the applicant gives TxDOT 24-hour notification.
- The driveway must comply with the executed permit and applicable regulations; TxDOT inspection must find construction satisfactory.
- Where a local public agency has permitting authority, drainage impacts on the state highway system still require TxDOT approval before local approval.
- Driveway geometrics, utilities, environmental requirements, wetlands considerations, ADAAG, TAS, and other applicable state and federal laws must be considered.
required form: Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way · advance notification: 24 hours (Notification to TxDOT is required before construction on the right of way.) · private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · minimum driveway radius to highway pavement: >= 15 feet
“The applicant shall complete and submit to TxDOT a Form 1058”
Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Published (with conditions) — OSSF permitting in Texas, including property in Stonewall County when the TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority.
  “Applications and planning materials must be submitted to the permitting authority. To find your permitting authority, search by the county the OSSF is to be located. The TCEQ regional office will be the permitting authority in locations where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized. The permitting authority must either approve or deny the planning materials and permit application within 30 days of receipt.”
  Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
county zoning authorityLimited
Texas counties adopting zoning regulations for specified unincorporated or otherwise specially defined areas.
- Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
- For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
- Other Chapter 231 subchapters address special areas including the Amistad Recreation Area in Val Verde County, military zones, certain lakes, the El Paso Mission Trail Historical Area, Lake Somerville, and Falcon Lake in Zapata County.
- The cited statute was enacted effective September 1, 1987; the Falcon Lake subchapter was added effective June 15, 2007, and amended effective September 1, 2009.
Padre Island distance from publicly owned park or recreational development: <= 2 miles (Area must be outside a municipality and in Cameron or Willacy County.) · Padre Island distance from beach, wharf, or bathhouse: <= 2 miles (The beach, wharf, or bathhouse must be used by at least 500 persons annually.)
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
county building authorityLimited
Texas counties adopting and enforcing fire-code building permits for specified buildings in unincorporated areas and applying residential building-code standards in certain counties.
- Under Section 233.061, the county must have a population over 250,000 or be adjacent to a county with a population over 250,000.
- Under Section 233.062, the fire code applies only to commercial establishments, public buildings, and multifamily residential dwellings consisting of four or more units constructed in an unincorporated area.
- The fire code does not apply to an industrial facility having a fire brigade that conforms to Occupational Health and Safety Administration requirements.
- A covered applicant must submit a plan and a commissioners-court-set application fee; the county must issue or deny the permit within 30 days, and failure to act within 30 days approves the construction for purposes of the subchapter.
- The fire code must conform to the International Fire Code or Uniform Fire Code as those codes existed on May 1, 2005, or establish protective measures exceeding those standards; later editions may be adopted.
- Residential standards under Section 233.152 apply only if the county adopts a resolution or order and the county is within 50 miles of an international border or has a population over 100.
- Those residential standards apply only to new single-family-house or duplex construction beginning after September 1, 2009; manufactured or modular structures governed by Occupations Code Chapters 1201 or 1202 are excluded from the definition of new residential construction.
- A municipality's building code controls in its extraterritorial jurisdiction, and Section 233.152 does not authorize county prior approval of new residential construction or county zoning regulations.
- Fire-code inspection and permit fees may be charged under a fee schedule based on building type, limited to amounts necessary to administer and enforce the subchapter; inspection fees must be reasonable and reflect approximate inspection costs.
county population threshold for fire-code authority: > 250000 persons (A county adjacent to a county over 250,000 also qualifies.) · multifamily residential dwelling threshold: >= 4 units (The fire code applies only to covered buildings constructed in an unincorporated area.) · residential-code border distance: <= 50 miles (Alternative qualification is county population over 100.) · application decision period: 30 days (If the commissioners court does not issue or deny the permit within 30 days after receiving the application and fee, construction is approved for purposes of the subchapter.) · residential standards effective construction date: > 2009-09-01 (Applies only to new residential construction that begins after September 1, 2009.)
“The commissioners court of a county with a population of over 250,000 or a county adjacent to a county with a population of over 250,000 may adopt a fire code and rules necessary to administer and enforce the fire code. [...] The fire code applies only to the following buildings constructed in an unincorporated area of the county: (1) a commercial establishment; (2) a public building; and (3) a multifamily residential dwelling consisting of four or more units.”
Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Owner-builder exemption — Any owner-builder exemption from building-permit or inspection requirements in Stonewall County, including unincorporated areas.
Inspections — Building inspection requirements in Stonewall County, including unincorporated areas.
Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy or certificate-of-compliance requirements in Stonewall County, including unincorporated areas.
Local zoning — Local zoning within Stonewall County, including any incorporated municipality or other local jurisdiction in the county.
Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer utility connection requirements for property in Stonewall County.

3 more unanswered

Subdividing land
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.

Living off-grid in Stonewall County, Texas

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

Stonewall County scores 43/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 237 people within a 30-minute drive and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: thin water margin (23.6″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Stonewall 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 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Region 3 (Abilene) - OSSF program. 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 Stonewall County?

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

How much does land cost in Stonewall County, Texas?

Land in Stonewall County runs about $1,450 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Stonewall County?

Stonewall County gets about 23.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 37.9% of years.

How remote is Stonewall County?

A representative private-land location has about 237 people within a 30-minute drive and 445,950 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who do you call in Stonewall County, since there's no building department?

Does Stonewall County have zoning?

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

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Stonewall County

Watch-outs

Sources

Stonewall County in Texas

How Stonewall County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Stonewall County

Stonewall County rules

Texas rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Stonewall County, Texas

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Stonewall County, Texas?

What is the water situation in Stonewall County?

How remote is Stonewall County?

How Stonewall compares in Texas