Bolthole Index

Archer County, Texas

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

50Index Score / 100
#140 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Archer County, Texas requires a Flood Plain Determination before new residential, commercial or agricultural construction starts, but we could not confirm a general building permit outside that process12. Archer County does not apply general zoning to unincorporated land, while cities may set their own building-permit and zoning rules3. The county remains the filing authority for septic permits throughout Archer County45.

At a glance

Building permit
$100 Flood Plain Permit and determination required before new construction; general building permit outside that process unconfirmed26
Zoning
None; Archer County has no zoning ordinance3
Septic permit
On-Site Sewer System Permit filed with Archer County; published permit cost is $300, but confirm inspection charges57
Owner-builder exemption
State trade-license exemptions apply conditionally to work on an owner's own home; not a blanket exemption8
RV, tiny home or manufactured home
No county zoning-based restriction on unincorporated land; occupancy and city rules still need confirmation93
Minimum lot size / setbacks
None set; there's no zoning ordinance to set them9
Subdividing land
County plat review is documented, but confirm the current subdivision text and requirements with Commissioners Court10
Property tax
About 1.3% effective rate; median bill around $2,317/year1112

Who to call

Floodplain permits

Archer County Emergency Management Office (Flood Plain Permit)

Issues the county's Flood Plain Permit and Flood Plain Determination, required before any new residential, commercial or agricultural construction starts in Archer County

940-574-2868

Septic permits

Archer County Emergency Management Office (On-Site Sewer System Permit)

Issues the county's On-Site Sewer System (OSSF) Permit as Archer County's TCEQ-authorized agent

940-574-2868

Planning & zoning

Archer County Subdivision Regulations (Commissioners Court)

Sets plat, application and road-frontage requirements for dividing land into new lots outside Archer County's cities, adopted and enforced by the Archer County Commissioners Court

Also useful

Archer County Commissioners Court / County Judge's Office

General contact for the County Judge and Commissioners Court, which adopted the Subdivision Regulations and hears interpretation questions and variance requests under them

(940) 574-4811

100 S Center St., Archer City, TX 76351

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 Archer County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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

Archer County's Flood Plain Order requires a Flood Plain Determination before new residential, commercial or agricultural construction starts1. The Flood Plain Permit costs $100, although an Engineer's Elevation Certification may waive that fee6. If the site is in a Hazardous Flood Plain Area, the elevation certificate is mandatory before Archer County will issue the Flood Plain Permit13. We could not confirm whether unincorporated Archer County also requires a general building permit or general building inspection outside the floodplain process, so ask the Emergency Management Office before work begins214. Inside a city, ask that city about its own building permit and zoning approval; the Archer County On-Site Sewer System Permit remains a separate county filing315.

Who handles building, floodplain and septic permits in Archer County?

We could not confirm an Archer County building department or an office that issues a general building permit for unincorporated land2. The Archer County Emergency Management Office handles the documented county filings: call 940-574-2868 for the Flood Plain Permit and the On-Site Sewer System Permit1416. A city may handle its own building permits and zoning approval, but the county remains the filing authority for the On-Site Sewer System Permit34. Archer County also regulates subdivision plat review through Commissioners Court, although the current operative text and amendments should be confirmed before reliance10. Before dividing land, contact the Commissioners Court through the County Judge's Office at (940) 574-4811, 100 S Center St., Archer City, TX 7635117.

Does Archer County have zoning?

Archer County has no general zoning ordinance for unincorporated land3. The county therefore does not set zoning-based minimum home sizes, setbacks, lot-coverage limits, height limits or residential-use restrictions for an accessory dwelling, RV, tiny home or manufactured home9. This does not answer whether a separate occupancy, sanitation or deed restriction affects a particular use. The Flood Plain Permit and On-Site Sewer System Permit apply independently of zoning1318. Archer County also regulates subdivision plat review, but the current text and amendments should be confirmed with Commissioners Court before relying on a proposed lot layout1017. Inside an incorporated city, ask the city about its building permits and zoning approval; septic filing remains with Archer County34.

How do septic permits work in Archer County?

Archer County is the filing authority for the On-Site Sewer System Permit, and the application goes through the Emergency Management Office1519. A permit and approved plan are generally required to construct, alter, repair, extend or operate an OSSF unless a stated exception applies20. The county permit page lists a $300 permit cost, while later county minutes increased an OSSF inspection fee from $300 to $400; confirm the current total before applying7. The installer must give at least five working days' notice before the system is ready for inspection, and the system cannot be used until it passes21. A narrow exception may apply to one home on at least 10 acres only when every condition is met, including a qualifying site evaluation, 100-foot property-line separation and no nuisance or groundwater pollution20.

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

Archer County places no zoning-based restriction on an RV, tiny home or manufactured home on unincorporated land because the county has no general zoning authority there93. We could not confirm a separate county occupancy rule, so ask the Emergency Management Office before using an RV or tiny home as a residence14. Wastewater remains a county matter even if a city handles building permits or zoning: septic systems and holding tanks generally require an Archer County On-Site Sewer System Permit and approved plan, and the narrow acreage exception applies only when every condition is satisfied422. New permanent construction also requires a Flood Plain Determination1. Industrialized housing follows Texas's statewide code program, and an owner acquiring a unit for personal use may file for an installation permit instead of registering as an industrialized builder23.

How do you build on land in Archer County?

  1. Ask the Emergency Management Office for the required Flood Plain Determination and whether a separate general building permit applies242.
  2. If the site is in a Hazardous Flood Plain Area, obtain the Engineer's Elevation Certification required before the Flood Plain Permit can be issued1.
  3. File the On-Site Sewer System Permit application, planning materials, site evaluation and fee with Archer County; state rules provide a 30-day action period after a complete submission25.
  4. Give at least five working days' notice before the OSSF is ready for construction inspection21.
  5. If dividing land, ask Commissioners Court for the current subdivision rules and platting requirements1017.
  6. For access to a state highway, submit TxDOT Form 1058 and wait for the executed driveway permit before starting work in the right of way26.

What should you check before buying land in Archer County, Texas?

Septic deserves an early site evaluation because none of Archer County's mapped soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional drain field27. About 98.5% of the county has slopes of 15% or less, while only about 2.2% is wooded2829. Archer County averages about 30 inches of precipitation a year and experiences severe drought in roughly 30.1% of years, so verify a private well's yield before buying3031. Population density is about 10 people per square mile, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 20 miles from the county center3233. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.3%, with a median annual bill near $2,3171112.

Watch-outs

  • Texas exempts qualifying owner-performed electrical, plumbing, and air-conditioning work on the owner's own residence or homestead from specified state trade-license requirements, but this is not a blanket exemption from permits or every contractor rule8.
  • If you're building in a mapped Hazardous Flood Plain Area, an Engineer's Elevation Certification is mandatory before Archer County will issue the Flood Plain Permit; don't count on the fee waiver in that situation14.
  • If your driveway connects to a state highway rather than a county road, you need TxDOT's Form 1058 permit in addition to, or instead of, any county process26.

Sources

  1. Flood Plain Permit, quoted and re-checked
  2. Flood Plain Permit, quoted and re-checked
  3. Archer County, Texas (official county site) (2026 county census)
  4. On Site Sewer System Permit, quoted and re-checked
  5. On Site Sewer System Permit, quoted and re-checked
  6. On Site Sewer System Permit, quoted and re-checked
  7. On Site Sewer System Permit, quoted and re-checked
  8. Exemptions to Electrician Licensing (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  10. Commissioners Court Minutes, June 24, 2019, quoted and re-checked
  11. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  12. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  13. Flood Plain Permit, quoted and re-checked
  14. Archer County Emergency Management Office (Flood Plain Permit) (co.archer.tx.us)
  15. On Site Sewer System Permit, quoted and re-checked
  16. Archer County Emergency Management Office (On-Site Sewer System Permit) (co.archer.tx.us)
  17. Archer County Commissioners Court / County Judge's Office (co.archer.tx.us)
  18. On Site Sewer System Permit, quoted and re-checked
  19. On Site Sewer System Permit, quoted and re-checked
  20. Types of Systems Installed by Time Period, quoted and re-checked
  21. Chapter 285 – On-Site Sewage Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  22. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  23. tdlr.texas.gov (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Flood Plain Permit, quoted and re-checked
  25. On Site Sewer System Permit, quoted and re-checked
  26. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data

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.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Unlike 4 of its 6 neighbors, Archer County requires a building permit only in limited cases.

RuleArcher CountyWichita CountyClay CountyBaylor CountyYoung CountyJack CountyThrockmorton County
Building permitLimitedLimitedNot requiredNot requiredLimitedNot requiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Septic permitsArcher CountyWichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health DistrictCounty OSSF programBaylor CountyNot publishedCounty Public WorksThrockmorton County

County locator

Archer County in Texas

50
County map
Archer County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Archer County scores

Seclusion73100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1796% ev.
Admin Boringness8490% ev.
Durability49100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost78100% 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 →

$248kTypical home
1.3%Property tax
$2,017Land / acre
30"Annual rain
30.1% of yrsSevere drought
54.9 / yr (+29.5)Mid-century 100°F days
26.5 daysMid-century dry spell
1.91" (+3.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.34×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,637Home insurance / yr
0.2% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
2,730People within 30 min
523,764People within 2 hr
4,632Radius comparison (15 mi)
10People / sq mi
0%Federal land
98.5%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
0 acWorkable land screen
2.2%Wooded land
5.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
64.3°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Archer County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Archer City · Holliday · Town of Lakeside City · Town of Megargel · Scotland · Town of Windthorst

Answers from the rulebook for Archer County

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

Archer County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    New residential, commercial, and agricultural construction in areas subject to Archer County's Flood Plain Order.

    • A Flood Plain Determination is required before any new construction starts.
    • The source does not establish a general county building permit requirement outside floodplain permitting.
    • In a Hazardous Flood Plain Area, an Engineer’s Elevation Certification is mandatory before a Flood Plain Permit is issued.

    flood plain permit fee: 100 USD (Fee may be waived if the applicant has an Engineer’s Elevation Certification.)

    “The current Flood Plain Order for Archer County requires a Flood Plain Determination, before any new construction starts.”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Unincorporated Archer County: no county rule sets this, because Archer County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.archer.tx.us.

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

    Archer County's TCEQ-authorized on-site sewage facility program.

    • The TCEQ report identifies Archer County as an authorized agent; the report is a 2022 activity report and does not provide the county's local order or delegation effective date.
    • An authorized agent administers its approved order, ordinance, or resolution within its area of jurisdiction.
    “AUTHORIZED AGENT [...] ARCHER COUNTY (ARCHER) 620006”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • County (with conditions) — On-site sewage facilities in Archer County where the county OSSF order applies.
      “The current On Site Sewer System Order for Archer County requires an application to be filled out and on file with Archer County.”
    • County (with conditions) — On-site sewage system permitting in Archer County.
      “The current On Site Sewer System Order for Archer County requires an application to be filled out and on file with Archer County. The Cost of a On Site Sewer System Permit is $300.00. The On Site Sewer System Permit can be obtained in the Emergency Management Office, 940-574-2868.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems and holding tanks, in Archer County's authorized-agent jurisdiction.

    • A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
    • An OSSF may be exempt if it meets every stated 10-acre-rule condition: site evaluation by a licensed Site Evaluator or PE; one 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; effluent disposed on the property; and no other 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.
    • A grandfathered OSSF may not require a permit if it satisfies TCEQ's listed grandfathering conditions.

    minimum tract under 10-acre-rule exception: >= 10 acres (Only if all other TCEQ 10-acre-rule conditions are met.) · minimum OSSF distance from property line under 10-acre-rule exception: >= 100 feet (Only if all other TCEQ 10-acre-rule conditions are met.) · emergency-repair report deadline: <= 72 hours (Measured after emergency repairs have begun.)

    “A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — On-site sewer systems in Archer County.
      “The Cost of a On Site Sewer System Permit is $300.00.”
    • Required — On-site sewage systems in Archer County.
      “The current On Site Sewer System Order for Archer County requires an application to be filled out and on file with Archer County. The Cost of a On Site Sewer System Permit is $300.00.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plat review under Archer County Subdivision Regulations.

    • The cited county minutes concern the Soaring Eagle Sub-Division Phase 1 plat and identify the Subdivision Regulations as dated September 9, 1996.
    • Phase 2 and Phase 3 were postponed in the cited meeting; the cited approval was for Phase 1.
    • The county was considering amendments to its subdivision rules and regulations in March 2025, so the current text and amendments should be confirmed before reliance.

    identified regulation date: September 9, 1996

    “The motion was made by Darin Wolf and seconded by Todd Herring to coordinate a workshop on County Subdivision Rules and Regulations and to table taking amendments to Subdivision Rules and Regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision rules and regulations administered by the Archer County Commissioners' Court.
      “workshop on County Subdivision Rules and Regulations and to table taking amendments to Subdivision Rules and Regulations.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New residential, commercial, and agricultural construction subject to Archer County’s Flood Plain Order.

    • A Flood Plain Determination is required before any new construction starts.
    • The Flood Plain Permit costs $100.00.
    • The fee may be waived with an Engineer’s Elevation Certification.
    • For construction in a Hazardous Flood Plain Area, an Engineer’s Elevation Certification is mandatory before a Flood Plain Permit is issued.
    • The permit is obtained in the Emergency Management Office.

    Flood Plain Permit fee: 100 USD (May be waived with an Engineer’s Elevation Certification.)

    “The current Flood Plain Order for Archer County requires a Flood Plain Determination, before any new construction starts.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — New residential, commercial, and agricultural construction in Archer County floodplain areas.
      “The current Flood Plain Order for Archer County requires a Flood Plain Determination, before any new construction starts. This includes residential, commercial, and agricultural buildings. The cost of a Flood Plain Permit is $100.00. If you have an Engineer’s Elevation Certification, this fee may be waived. If you are preparing to build in a Hazardous Flood Plain Area, an Engineer’s Elevation Certification will be Mandatory before a Flood Plain Permit is issued.”
    • Required — New residential, commercial, and agricultural construction subject to Archer County's Flood Plain Order.
      “The current Flood Plain Order for Archer County requires a Flood Plain Determination, before any new construction starts. This includes residential, commercial, and agricultural buildings. The cost of a Flood Plain Permit is $100.00. If you have an Engineer’s Elevation Certification, this fee may be waived. If you are preparing to build in a Hazardous Flood Plain Area, an Engineer’s Elevation Certification will be Mandatory before a Flood Plain Permit is issued. The Flood Plain Permit can be obtained in the Emergency Management Office, 940-574-2868.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published fees for identified Archer County permits.

    • The OSSF permit fee is $300.00.
    • The floodplain permit fee is $100.00.
    • The floodplain fee may be waived with an Engineer’s Elevation Certification.
    • The fees are for the identified permits and do not establish fees for a general building permit.

    OSSF permit fee: 300 USD · Flood Plain Permit fee: 100 USD (May be waived if the applicant has an Engineer’s Elevation Certification.)

    “The cost of a Flood Plain Permit is $100.00. If you have an Engineer’s Elevation Certification, this fee may be waived.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Published — Published Archer County fees for floodplain and on-site sewer permits.
      “The motion was made by Randy Jackson and seconded by Wade Scarbrough to increase the OSSF fee for inspections from $300.00 to $400.00.”
    • Published (with conditions) — Published Archer County fees for floodplain and OSSF permitting.
      “The cost of a Flood Plain Permit is $100.00.”
    • Published (with conditions) — Archer County On Site Sewer System Permit fee.
      “The Cost of a On Site Sewer System Permit is $300.00.”
    • Published (with conditions) — Archer County floodplain permits.
      “The cost of a Flood Plain Permit is $100.00.”
  • Permit processPartial

    County-administered OSSF and floodplain permit processes in Archer County.

    • For OSSF, an application must be filled out and on file with Archer County; the permit is obtained through the Emergency Management Office.
    • For floodplain development, a Flood Plain Determination is required before new construction starts.
    • For construction in a Hazardous Flood Plain Area, an Engineer’s Elevation Certification is mandatory before issuance.
    • The reviewed materials do not establish a complete process for general building permits.

    OSSF permit fee: 300 USD · Flood Plain Permit fee: 100 USD (May be waived with an Engineer’s Elevation Certification)

    “The current On Site Sewer System Order for Archer County requires an application to be filled out and on file with Archer County. The Cost of a On Site Sewer System Permit is $300.00. The On Site Sewer System Permit can be obtained in the Emergency Management Office, 940-574-2868.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Partial — Archer County floodplain and OSSF permit processes.
      “The Flood Plain Permit can be obtained in the Emergency Management Office, 940-574-2868.”
    • Partial — Archer County OSSF permit process.
      “The current On Site Sewer System Order for Archer County requires an application to be filled out and on file with Archer County. The Cost of a On Site Sewer System Permit is $300.00. The On Site Sewer System Permit can be obtained in the Emergency Management Office, 940-574-2868.”
    • Partial — Archer County floodplain permit process for new construction.
      “The Flood Plain Permit can be obtained in the Emergency Management Office, 940-574-2868.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties lack general zoning authority in unincorporated areas; Archer County regulates only via subdivision regulations, not zoning.

    Archer County, Texas (official county site) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner performing electrical, plumbing, or air-conditioning and refrigeration work on the owner's own residence or homestead in Texas.

    • Electrical work is exempt from state electrician licensing when performed on a dwelling the person owns and resides in.
    • Plumbing is exempt from state plumbing licensing when performed by the property owner in the property owner's homestead.
    • Air-conditioning and refrigeration contracting is exempt from the applicable state registration requirements when performed in a building owned solely by the person as the person's home.
    • These exemptions do not establish a blanket exemption for every construction trade or contractor-regulated activity.
    “A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed as electricians.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Electrical work on a dwelling owned and occupied by the property owner in Texas.
      “A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed”
  • 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:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components built for Texas under the Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.
      “Effective 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 inspectionRequired

    Construction inspections for OSSFs in Archer County under statewide Texas OSSF rules, subject to any applicable local order and statutory exceptions.

    • The installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the OSSF will be ready for inspection.
    • The permitting authority shall conduct a construction inspection.
    • If the system fails, deficiencies must be provided and the OSSF cannot be used until it passes inspection.
    • A reinspection fee may be assessed and must be paid before reinspection.
    • No planning materials, permit, and inspections are required for a qualifying single-family dwelling on a tract of 10 acres or larger, subject to the listed conditions.

    inspection notice: >= 5 working days (Before the OSSF will be ready for inspection)

    “The installer shall notify the permitting authority at least five working days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) before the date the OSSF will be ready for inspection. (3) The permitting authority shall conduct a construction inspection.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — OSSF installation and, where applicable, maintenance inspections in Texas
      “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.”
    • Limited — OSSFs using secondary treatment or drip irrigation in Texas.
      “A system using secondary treatment or drip irrigation must be inspected by a valid maintenance company once every four months, or be maintained by the single family homeowner, where allowed.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid wastewater sanitation through an OSSF in Texas.

    • An OSSF generally requires a permit and approved plan before construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, or operation.
    • A qualifying single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres may use the 10-acre permitting exemption only if every stated site-evaluation, setback, nuisance, groundwater, on-site disposal, and single-dwelling condition is met.
    • Local permitting authorities may impose requirements more stringent than state minimums.
    • Emergency repairs are exempt from permitting only for the listed repair types and must be reported in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.

    10-acre exemption tract size: >= 10 acres (all TCEQ conditions must be satisfied) · 10-acre exemption OSSF setback: >= 100 feet from property line (all parts of the 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”:”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Use of an on-site sewage facility, including a septic system or holding tank, in Texas, including Archer County.
      “Local permitting programs can be more stringent than State minimums.”
    • Limited — Composting toilets used as on-site sewage facility treatment systems in Texas.
      “Composting toilets will be approved by the executive director provided the system has been tested and certified under NSF International Standard 41 (1999) or under any other standards approved by the executive director.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Drilling, equipping, operating, or completing a water well, or substantially altering a well or well pump, where the well is within a groundwater conservation district in Texas.

    • A groundwater conservation district must require a permit except as provided by Texas Water Code §36.117.
    • A district may not require a permit or permit amendment for maintenance or repair that does not increase production capability above the authorized or permitted production rate.
    • Permit applications must be in writing and sworn.
    • Whether a particular private well is exempt or subject to additional district requirements depends on the applicable groundwater conservation district's rules.

    permit application form: in writing and sworn

    “Except as provided by Section 36.117, a district shall require a permit for the drilling, equipping, operating, or completing of wells or for substantially altering the size of wells or well pumps.”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — County zoning authority over unincorporated land in Texas, where a specific statutory grant applies.
      “As you suggest, a county has very limited and specific zoning authority, and none that may be used to regulate construction or operation of the proposed facility.”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — County fire-code adoption and building-permit authority for specified buildings in unincorporated areas of qualifying Texas counties, including multifamily residential dwellings of four or more units.
      “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.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspections in unincorporated Archer County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in unincorporated Archer County.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning rules of municipalities and other local jurisdictions within Archer County.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer utility-connection requirements in unincorporated Archer County.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemptions from county construction or land-use requirements in unincorporated Archer County.
1 more unanswered
  • 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 Archer County, Texas

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

Archer County scores 50/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (30″/yr rainfall).

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

Archer County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Archer County (TCEQ authorized agent) / TCEQ. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

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

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

How much does land cost in Archer County, Texas?

Land in Archer County runs about $2,017 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Archer County?

Archer County gets about 30" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 30.1% of years.

How remote is Archer County?

A representative private-land location has about 2,730 people within a 30-minute drive and 523,764 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.

How Archer compares in Texas

Compare side-by-side →See all 254 Texas counties ranked →