Bolthole Index

Wise County, Texas

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in New Fairview, Texas

New Fairview, Texas, in Wise County, requires a city building permit before a building or other structure is erected, moved, enlarged or structurally altered.1 The city also has zoning and requires every on-site sewage facility installed within city limits to be permitted.23 Start with City Hall for building review, zoning and septic rather than relying on Wise County's rules for unincorporated land.45

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new structures, moves, additions and structural alterations inside city limits1
Zoning
City zoning applies; verify the parcel's district and current map26
Septic permit
Required for every on-site sewage facility installed inside city limits3
Construction codes
City-adopted construction and technical codes apply, with local amendments7

Who to call

Building permits

City of New Fairview Building Requirements

City building permits, plan review and inspections

(817) 638-5366

999 Illinois Lane, New Fairview, TX 76078

Planning & zoning

City of New Fairview Planning and Zoning

Zoning cases, annexation, platting and city mapping

(817) 638-5366

999 Illinois Lane, New Fairview, TX 76078

Septic permits

City of New Fairview Sewer

On-site sewage facility permits and city septic information

(817) 638-5366

999 Illinois Lane, New Fairview, TX 76078

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does New Fairview have zoning, and what does that mean for land use?

New Fairview has city zoning that applies throughout the city, with separate use, height and development rules for each district.2 The published districts are Agriculture, Single-Family, HUD-Code Manufactured Housing Residential, Commercial, Manufacturing and Planned Development.6

The district list alone does not answer whether a particular parcel can host an RV, tiny home, accessory dwelling or manufactured home, or what lot size, setback, coverage and height standards apply. Ask Planning and Zoning to confirm the parcel's current district, map amendments and district-specific standards before purchase.8

Do you need a building permit in New Fairview, Texas?

New Fairview requires a building permit before a building or other structure is erected, moved, enlarged or structurally altered, and the permit must conform to the zoning ordinance.1 City guidance also says the permitting and inspection process covers building, alteration, demolition and moving, with plans reviewed for code compliance.4

New Fairview has adopted construction and technical codes subject to local amendments kept by the city secretary.7 The zoning ordinance requires permit applications to include scaled plans showing the lot, existing buildings and the proposed work, and the city may request more information needed to check compliance.9 A permit expires if work has not begun within six calendar months after issuance.1

How do septic permits work inside New Fairview?

New Fairview does not provide municipal sewer service, so properties use conventional or aerobic sewage systems.5 The city acts as the regulating authority for on-site sewage facilities and applies the Texas OSSF rules inside city limits.10 Every on-site sewage facility installed in New Fairview must be permitted.3

Contact City Hall about the septic application and inspection sequence for the parcel.5 The city's ordinance adds a research-council charge of $10 to each OSSF permit, in addition to other city permit or inspection fees.3

Building a home in New Fairview: what are the steps?

First, ask Planning and Zoning to verify the parcel's current zoning district and whether the proposed home type and site plan fit that district.68 Second, confirm that the building site is a properly approved platted lot filed with the Wise County clerk.1 Third, submit the scaled building plans and supporting information requested by the city.9 Fourth, coordinate the required OSSF permit with City Hall because New Fairview has no municipal sewer service.35 Finally, complete the city's inspection and occupancy process before using the building; a certificate of occupancy is required before qualifying use or occupancy begins.11

What stays with Wise County, and what should you check before buying?

New Fairview's city rules govern building permits, zoning and OSSF permitting inside city limits.1210 Wise County's lack of a general building-permit requirement applies outside incorporated cities and their extraterritorial jurisdictions, not inside New Fairview.12

For a driveway connecting to a Texas state highway, submit the state access-driveway application and wait for an executed TxDOT permit before beginning work in the highway right of way.13 We could not confirm New Fairview's current rules for private wells, long-term RV living, temporary camping, tiny homes, accessory dwellings or short-term rentals; ask City Hall and Planning and Zoning about the exact parcel and proposed use.8

Watch-outs

  • Do not apply Wise County's unincorporated-area no-building-permit rule to a New Fairview address; the city requires its own building permit.112
  • A zoning label is not enough to establish that an RV, tiny home or manufactured home is allowed; confirm both the current map and the operative district rules with New Fairview Planning and Zoning.68
  • New Fairview has no municipal sewer service, and every OSSF installed inside the city must be permitted through the city's program.53

Sources

  1. Exhibit 9B Zoning Ordinance, § 8 Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy (New Fairview), quoted and re-checked
  2. Exhibit 9B Zoning Ordinance, Article 1 General Provisions (New Fairview), quoted and re-checked
  3. Article 12.04 On-Site Sewage Facilities, § 12.04.006 (New Fairview), quoted and re-checked
  4. City of New Fairview Building Requirements (newfairview.org)
  5. City of New Fairview Sewer (newfairview.org)
  6. Exhibit 9B Zoning Ordinance (New Fairview), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article 4.02 Building and Construction Codes and Standards (New Fairview), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of New Fairview Planning and Zoning (newfairview.org)
  9. Exhibit 9B Zoning Ordinance, § 8 Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy (New Fairview), quoted and re-checked
  10. Article 12.04 On-Site Sewage Facilities - City of New Fairview, TX (New Fairview), quoted and re-checked
  11. Exhibit 9B Zoning Ordinance, § 8 Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy (New Fairview), quoted and re-checked
  12. FAQs - Who issues Building Permits in Wise County?, quoted and re-checked
  13. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for New Fairview

New Fairview’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Erection, movement, addition to, or structural alteration of a building or other structure inside New Fairview city limits.

    • The permit must conform to the zoning ordinance.
    • A building site must be a platted lot on a plat properly approved by the city and filed with the Wise County clerk.
    • Applications require plans in triplicate and other information lawfully required by the administrative official.
    • A permit expires if work has not begun within six calendar months from issuance.

    permit commencement deadline: 6 calendar months (permit expires if work has not begun)

    “No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a building permit issued by the administrative official. No building permit shall be issued for any building or structure except in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction and technical codes inside New Fairview city.

    • The adopted codes are subject to amendments set forth in exhibit A.
    • A copy of each code with amendments is on file in the city secretary's office.
    • The listed editions are 2015 editions except NFPA 70, which is the 2017 edition.
    “The 2015 editions of the International Building Code, the International Fire Code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Plumbing Code, the International Residential Code, the International Fuel Gas Code, the International Property Maintenance Code, the International Energy Conservation Code and the 2017 edition of NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code save and except the amendments set forth in exhibit "A," attached to the ordinance from which this section derives and incorporated herein, are adopted as the construction and technical codes for the city.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of a building or premises, or part thereof, inside New Fairview city limits.

    • A certificate is required before use or occupancy after creation, erection, change, conversion, alteration, or enlargement.
    • No permit for erection, alteration, moving, or structural repair may issue until an application for a certificate has been made.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued for no more than six months during alterations or partial occupancy, with safety conditions.
    • The administrative official maintains a public record.
    • Failure to obtain a certificate is a violation.

    temporary certificate maximum period: <= 6 months (during alterations or partial occupancy pending completion)

    “until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside New Fairview city limits.

    • The city adopted a zoning ordinance and zoning map; detailed district controls require review of the operative district sections and map.
    “That a new text document, being a new Zoning Ordinance for the City of New Fairview is adopted to replace Ordinance No. 1999-20-0047 with the new Zoning Ordinance being dated August 20, 2009 and provided herein as Exhibit “A,” Ordinance No. 1999-20-0047 being repealed in its entirety.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Land inside New Fairview city limits.
      “The City is hereby divided into five straight zoned districts and one special district. The use, height, and development regulations as established are uniform in each district.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside New Fairview city limits.

    • The ordinance index identifies A Agriculture, SF Single-Family, MH HUD-Code Manufactured Housing Residential, C Commercial, M Manufacturing, and PD Planned Development districts.
    • The zoning map is dated August 2009; current district assignment should be checked against the current map and amendments.
    “§ 14 “A” Agriculture District. § 15 “SF” Single-Family District. § 16 “MH” HUD-Code Manufactured Housing Residential District. § 17 “C” Commercial District. § 18 “M” Manufacturing District. § 19 “PD” Planned Development District.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — Zoning districts established by New Fairview city.
      “§ 14 “A” Agriculture District. § 15 “SF” Single-Family District. § 16 “MH” HUD-Code Manufactured Housing Residential District. § 17 “C” Commercial District. § 18 “M” Manufacturing District. § 19 “PD” Planned Development District.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    On-site sewage facilities inside New Fairview city limits.

    • The city acts as the regulating authority/designated representative while enforcing Texas state OSSF requirements.
    • The rules apply to all area within the incorporated limits of the city.
    “The rules, title 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) chapter 30, subchapters A and G , and chapter 285, promulgated by the TCEQ for on-site sewage facilities are hereby adopted, and all officials and employees of the city having duties under said rules are authorized to perform such duties as are required of them under said rules.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    All on-site sewage facilities installed inside New Fairview city limits.

    • Permits must comply with the adopted TCEQ rules in 30 TAC chapter 30, subchapters A and G, and chapter 285.
    • A $10 fee is collected for each OSSF permit for the on-site wastewater treatment research council.

    research council fee: 10 USD per permit (in addition to other city permit or inspection fees)

    “All on-site sewage facilities installed in the city must be permitted.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and platting inside New Fairview city limits under the City's Exhibit 9A Subdivision Ordinance.

    • The ordinance adopts new subdivision regulations for the City of New Fairview and replaces Articles 1 through 4 of Ordinance No. 1996-01-0005.
    • The ordinance is cumulative with other ordinances except where there is a direct conflict; inconsistent provisions are repealed to the extent of the inconsistency.
    • A violation is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $2,000 for each occurrence.
    • The ordinance takes effect from and after its date of passage in accordance with law.

    maximum violation fine: <= 2000 USD per occurrence (Class C misdemeanor penalty.)

    “That a new text document, being a new Subdivision Regulations for the City of New Fairview is adopted to replace Articles I, 2, 3, and 4 of Ordinance No. 1996-01-0005 with the new Subdivision Regulation being dated June 21, 2011 and provided herein as Exhibit “A,” Articles 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Ordinance No. 1996-01-0005 being repealed.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision and platting inside New Fairview city limits.
      “Subdivision Regulations for the City of New Fairview is adopted”
  • Permit feesPublished

    City building, permitting, health, sanitary, and platting fee schedules.

    • The fee schedule was amended by Ordinance 202606-01-142 adopted June 1, 2026.
    • The page also identifies Ordinance 202601-01-138 adopted January 5, 2026 as a prior amendment.
    • Exact fee amounts for the relevant permit type require opening the applicable fee subsection.
    “Former appendix A pertaining to the fee schedule, was amended”
  • Permit processPartial

    City building-permit applications inside New Fairview city limits.

    • Applications require plans in triplicate showing lot dimensions, existing structures, and proposed building or alteration.
    • The administrative official may lawfully require additional information about proposed uses, units, lot conditions, and other matters needed to determine conformance.
    • One marked copy is returned to the applicant and the original and another copy are retained by the official.
    • The permit expires if work has not begun within six calendar months.

    application plan copies: 3 copies · permit commencement deadline: 6 calendar months (permit expires if work has not begun)

    “All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by plans in triplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions and shape of the lot to be built upon; the exact sizes and locations on the lot of buildings already existing, if any; and the location and dimensions of the proposed building or alteration.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask New Fairview or Wise County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside New Fairview city.
  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside New Fairview city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in New Fairview zoning districts, including A Agriculture and SF Single-Family.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in New Fairview zoning districts, including A Agriculture and SF Single-Family.
  • Setbacks — Required yards and setbacks in New Fairview zoning districts, including A Agriculture and SF Single-Family.
15 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that New Fairview publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Wise County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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