Bolthole Index

Borden County, Texas

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

35Index Score / 100
#246 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Borden County, Texas does not require a building permit for a home, and the county has no zoning ordinance12. Borden County has no local septic office: the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's regional office in Midland permits septic systems (OSSFs) for the county34. With only about 572 residents in the entire county, water and septic planning matter far more here than any paperwork does5.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required in unincorporated Borden County1
Zoning
None countywide; no zoning ordinance2
Septic permits
Issued by TCEQ's Midland regional office, not the county34
RV / tiny home / manufactured home living
Not restricted by county zoning (there is none)6
Minimum home size, setbacks, lot coverage
None set by the county6
10-acre septic exemption
Available for a qualifying single-family home on a tract of 10+ acres7
Farm/ranch driveway onto a state highway
TxDOT design guidance calls for 25-ft return radii and a 20-ft throat width8
Owner-installed septic
Allowed for your own single-family home if the permitting authority permits it and the land is not for sale or lease9

Who to call

Septic permits

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Region 7 Office (Midland)

OSSF (septic) permitting for Borden County. TCEQ's own county lookup names its Region 7 office in Midland as the authorized agent for Borden County, with no local city or district taking over that role.

432-570-1359

ClayDesta Plaza, 10 Desta Dr STE 350E, Midland, TX 79705-4530

Also useful

Borden County Judge

General county administration. Since Borden County has no building, zoning, or planning department, this office is the fallback point of contact, and completed road maintenance and road-use applications are routed here.

(806) 756-4391

117 East Wasson, Gail, Texas 79738

Roads & driveways

Borden County Road Maintenance & Permits (Commissioners Court)

Road maintenance, road construction, pipeline (road bore), and road-use agreement applications for county roads in Borden County.

(806) 756-4391

Borden County Courthouse, 117 East Wasson, Gail, TX 79738

Also useful

Borden County Water Department (Borden County Water System)

New water service connections and questions about the county-run Borden County Water System.

(806) 756-4391

117 E. Wasson Avenue, Gail, Texas 79738

Also useful

Borden County Emergency Management

Emergency management coordination for the county, and the office to ask who currently handles floodplain questions, since Borden County's site does not name a separate floodplain administrator.

806/756-4311

140 E. Wilbourn, Gail, Texas 79738

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

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

Unincorporated Borden County does not require a building permit to put up a home, barn, or shed1. Texas gives counties no general power to require building permits outside city limits, and Borden County's official site lists no building department or code-enforcement office, consistent with that state limit110. Texas law does let some counties adopt optional residential building-code standards or a fire code for larger buildings, but that authority is tied to population thresholds and a border-distance test that Borden County's own site never confirms it has acted on10. If you can't find a definite answer on whether any such order exists, ask the Borden County Judge's office directly rather than assume either way11.

Who do you call about building permits and septic permits in Borden County?

There is no Borden County building department, planning office, or zoning office to call, because the county has not created those offices12. For a septic (OSSF) permit, contact the TCEQ Region 7 office in Midland, which TCEQ's own county lookup lists as Borden County's authorized OSSF permitting agent4. For anything involving a county road, including a driveway, pipeline crossing, or other road-use agreement, use the Road Maintenance & Permits process run through the Commissioners Court12. For a new connection to the county-run water system, contact the Borden County Water Department13. For anything else, including a floodplain question or a permitting question that fits none of those offices, start with the Borden County Judge's office11.

Does Borden County have zoning?

No: Borden County has no zoning ordinance, and its official site lists no planning or zoning department2. Texas law gives counties zoning power only in a few narrow, named situations, and Borden County does not fall under any of them, so the county has no general zoning authority to exercise14. In practice this means no countywide minimum home size, no minimum lot size, no setbacks, and no lot-coverage or building-height limit apply to unincorporated Borden County land6. It also means the county does not restrict accessory dwellings, RVs, tiny homes, or manufactured homes on a parcel by zoning, because there is no zoning to do the restricting6.

How do septic permits work in Borden County?

Texas requires a permit and an approved plan before you construct, alter, extend, or repair a septic system (an OSSF), and that rule applies in Borden County the same as anywhere else in the state7. Septic permits for Borden County come from the TCEQ Region 7 office in Midland, which is the permitting authority wherever no local jurisdiction has been authorized3415. Once the application and plan are in, the permitting authority must approve or deny them within 30 days of receipt, and a denial must come with a written explanation that can be appealed16. The permitting authority also inspects the installation17. Only 29.2% of Borden County's soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so most sites need extra scrutiny; plan on a site evaluation early and budget for an engineered or alternative system if your land falls in that majority18. A narrow exemption exists for a single-family home on a tract of 10 acres or more: it applies only if a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or engineer signs off, every part of the system stays at least 100 feet from the property line, effluent stays on your property, the system causes no nuisance or groundwater pollution, and the home is the only dwelling on the tract7. An owner can install their own system for a single-family home they own on land they own, as long as no part of the property is being developed for sale or lease and the permitting authority allows owner installation; anyone who helps must be a licensed installer, apart from a licensed electrician doing electrical components9.

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

Borden County's lack of zoning means the county does not restrict RV, tiny-home, or manufactured-home occupancy on unincorporated land by ordinance6. That follows from Texas law limiting county zoning power and from Borden County never having adopted a zoning ordinance14. It is not a guarantee that nothing else applies: a compliant septic system is still required before wastewater can legally be disposed of, so the TCEQ permit above applies to a permanent house and to a trailer parked long-term alike3. Borden County is also extremely sparsely populated, at roughly 0.6 people per square mile, so plan for long distances to services and slow response times regardless of what you build or park19.

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

  1. Confirm your parcel is unincorporated Borden County land2.
  2. Get a site evaluation for septic before you commit to a house site, then apply for your OSSF permit through the TCEQ Region 7 office in Midland, the permitting authority for Borden County47.
  3. If you need a new or altered road access, pipeline crossing, or other road-use agreement on a county road, file a Road Maintenance & Permits application through the Commissioners Court; if your access is instead onto a state highway, TxDOT's farm/ranch driveway guidance calls for a 25-foot return radius and a 20-foot throat width128.
  4. Build to whatever standard you choose beyond septic and access: no county building permit or inspection applies in unincorporated Borden County1.
  5. If you want to connect to the county water system rather than drill a well, contact the Borden County Water Department before you finalize your site plan13.

What to check before you buy land in Borden County

Water and soils come first: 96.3% of Borden County land sits at 15% slope or less, which is easy to build on, but only 29.2% of soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so get a site evaluation before assuming a standard system will work2018. The county is dry and drought-prone: average annual precipitation is 19.4 inches, and the area has spent 32.8% of recent years in severe drought, which matters for a private well as much as for any garden or livestock plan2122. Borden County is one of the most sparsely populated counties in Texas, at about 0.6 people per square mile, and sits roughly 62 miles from the nearest metro area, so budget real drive time for supplies, medical care, and emergency response1923. Farmland here has recently been valued around $1,141 an acre, and the typical home value is about $105,400, useful benchmarks when pricing a parcel2425. Property taxes run a low effective rate near 0.5%, with a median bill around $493 a year, though a small tax bill often reflects low ag-use valuations rather than a low land price2627. Average annual temperature runs about 63.9°F, with a projection of around 45.1 days a year at or above 100°F by midcentury, worth weighing for anyone planning to work outdoors2829. Two more checks. Dividing a tract outside city limits generally requires a plat, though splitting land that will be used primarily for agriculture, farm, ranch, wildlife management or timber without laying out streets or public parts is exempt from that plat requirement, and the platting rules apply as soon as the qualifying use ends3031. On flood risk, Borden County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program and, per the federal listing, has never been flood-mapped, so ask Borden County Emergency Management about your parcel3233.

Watch-outs

  • Borden County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program but has never been flood-mapped, and its site does not name a floodplain administrator separately from Emergency Management; ask that office directly if your parcel is near a drainage or floodway3233.
  • Borden County's site never states whether the county has adopted any of the optional Local Government Code Chapter 233 residential building-code or fire-code provisions; confirm with the County Judge's office rather than assuming either way1110.

Sources

  1. Borden County, Texas - County Government (2026 county census)
  2. Borden County, Texas - County Government (2026 county census)
  3. TCEQ - Getting a Permit for an OSSF (2026 county census)
  4. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Region 7 Office (Midland) (www6.tceq.texas.gov)
  5. County population: Bolthole Index county data
  6. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  7. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials, quoted and re-checked
  9. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  10. Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Borden County Judge (co.borden.tx.us)
  12. Borden County Road Maintenance & Permits (Commissioners Court) (co.borden.tx.us)
  13. Borden County Water Department (Borden County Water System) (co.borden.tx.us)
  14. Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  17. Basics for Septic Systems (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. 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
  19. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  25. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Average annual temperature: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Projected mid-century days at or above 100°F: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232, quoted and re-checked
  31. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232, quoted and re-checked
  32. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), quoted and re-checked
  33. Borden County Emergency Management (co.borden.tx.us)

Written October 10, 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Borden County has no countywide zoning.

RuleBorden CountyDawson CountyScurry CountyHoward CountyGarza CountyLynn CountyMitchell County
Building permitNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredLimitedRequiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Septic permitsTCEQDawson CountyScurry CountyCounty OSSF OfficeGarza CountyLynn CountyMitchell County

County locator

Borden County in Texas

35
County map
Borden County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Borden County scores

Seclusion86100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1296% ev.
Admin Boringness8790% ev.
Durability21100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost8094% 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 →

$105kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$1,141Land / acre
19.4"Annual rain
32.8% of yrsSevere drought
45.1 / yr (+30.8)Mid-century 100°F days
37.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.69" (+6.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.24×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
state median fallbackInsurance basis
638,270People within 2 hr
535Radius comparison (15 mi)
0.6People / sq mi
0%Federal land
96.3%Land at 15% slope or less
29.2%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
158,964 acWorkable land screen
0.7%Wooded land
2 tonsBiomass / forest ac
63.9°FAvg temp

Scout Borden County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Borden County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Borden County

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

Borden County rules

  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 in a floodplainLimited

    Development in Borden County Special Flood Hazard Areas under the county's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.

    • Borden County is identified in the Texas Water Development Board's FEMA community contact report as participating in the NFIP.
    • NFIP participation requires adoption and enforcement of, at minimum, federal standards for building within Special Flood Hazard Areas.
    • The FEMA community contact report states that Borden County was never mapped; the report does not identify a current county ordinance, permit form, numeric elevation standard, fee, or detailed development procedure.
    • The current Texas Flood floodplain-administrator listing identifies Steve Swift as Borden County's EMC/FPA.

    minimum regulatory standard: Federal standards for building within a Special Flood Hazard Area (At minimum; the specific county ordinance or court order was not located.)

    “481208 BORDEN COUNTY * PARTICIPATING NEVER MAPPED”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties generally have no zoning authority over unincorporated areas, and Borden County lists no planning or zoning department; unincorporated county land is unzoned.

    Borden County, Texas - County Government ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Industrialized housing or buildings installed in Texas, including purchasers or lessees acquiring a unit for their own or their company’s use.

    • A person purchasing or leasing an industrialized house or building for their own use or their company’s use may file for an installation permit instead of registering as an industrialized builder.
    • A person responsible for assembly, connection, and on-site construction for persons other than themselves must be registered as an industrialized builder.
    • Municipalities may require applicable local permits and licenses before construction begins when the municipality regulates the installation.
    “A person who is a retailer of industrialized housing or buildings, or who is responsible for the assembly, connection, and on-site construction and erection of an industrialized house or building for persons other than themselves, must be registered as an industrialized builder. Subcontractors do not require the registration unless required by other applicable state laws. For example, electricians, HVAC contractors, and plumbers must be licensed in accordance with the applicable state law. If you are purchasing or leasing an industrialized house or building for your own use, or your company's use, you may file for an installation permit in lieu of registering as an industrialized builder.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner installing an OSSF for a single-family dwelling that the owner owns on property the owner owns, where the property will not be developed for sale or lease, and all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements are met.

    • The permitting authority may impose local requirements that determine whether owner installation is allowed.
    • The OSSF must be for a single-family dwelling that the owner owns.
    • The owner must also own the property.
    • No part of the property may be developed for sale or lease.
    • All permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements of the permitting authority must be met.
    • Some systems may not be homeowner-installable because they must be installed by a factory representative.
    • If another person assists with any installation phase, that person must be a licensed installer of the correct level, except that a licensed electrician may install electrical components and a person may deliver and set treatment or pump tanks into an excavation.
    “This depends on whether the permitting authority allows this in their local requirements. Otherwise yes, provided you have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to do so AND: the OSSF is for a single family dwelling that you own, you also own the property, no part of the property will be developed for sale or lease, all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements of the permitting authority are met.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — An owner performing electrical, plumbing, or air-conditioning and refrigeration work on the owner's own residence or homestead 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 as electricians.”
    • 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:”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    OSSF permitting, inspection, and administration throughout Texas.

    • TCEQ administers the program in areas where no local jurisdiction has been authorized.
    • A local governmental entity may administer the program only after an order, ordinance, or resolution is approved by TCEQ.
    • The authorized agent administers the program within its approved area of jurisdiction.
    • Local programs may adopt requirements more stringent than state minimums.
    “The authorized agent is responsible for the proper implementation of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 366, 30 TAC Chapter 285, including reviewing OSSF permit applications, conducting inspections, investigating complaints, and more.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Mixed — On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems, throughout Texas
      “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.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, and operation of on-site sewage facilities, including septic systems and holding tanks, in Borden County, Texas.

    • A permit and approved plan are required for construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of an OSSF.
    • Local permitting programs may be more stringent than state minimums; applicants must check with the local permitting authority.
    • The 10-acre exemption requires compliance with all other requirements, including 30 TAC Chapter 285 planning, construction, and installation standards; a site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed Site Evaluator or Professional Engineer; service to 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; effluent disposal on the property; and the single-family dwelling to be the only dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs do not require a permit, but must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin. The page identifies examples including replacing tank lids, inlet and outlet devices, risers and riser caps, disinfection devices, damaged drip-irrigation tubing, and solid lines.
    • A grandfathered OSSF may not need a permit if it was installed before a local program had an authorized program or before September 1, 1989, whichever is earlier; is not creating a nuisance; is not in need of repair; and has had no significant increase in use or otherwise been altered.
    • Permit applications and planning materials must be submitted to the permitting authority. The TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.
    • The permitting authority must approve or deny the planning materials and permit application within 30 days of receipt.

    minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (single-family dwelling and all other listed exemption conditions must be satisfied) · minimum setback for all OSSF parts under 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet from property line · emergency-repair reporting deadline: 72 hours after repairs have begun (report in writing to the permitting authority) · permit application review deadline: 30 days from receipt (approval or denial of planning materials and permit application)

    “A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
    2 more reviewed findings 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”:”
    • Required — Construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, and operation of OSSFs in Texas, subject to stated exemptions and local requirements.
      “A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • 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”:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • 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.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production land outside municipality limits in Borden County and elsewhere in Texas.

    • The tract must be divided into two or more parts without laying out streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts intended for public use.
    • The qualifying use must be primarily agricultural use under Section 1-d, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, or farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use under Section 1-d-1, Article VIII, Texas Constitution.
    • The exemption concerns the subdivision plat requirement under Local Government Code Chapter 232.
    • If qualifying use ends, platting requirements immediately apply under Section 232.0015(d).
    “the platting requirements of this subchapter apply.”
  • Subdividing landLimited

    A tract outside municipality limits divided into two or more parts without laying out streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts intended for public use, where the land is to be used primarily for qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production use.

    • The owner must not lay out a part of the tract described by Local Government Code Section 232.001(a)(3).
    • The land must be used primarily for agricultural use as defined by Section 1-d, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use within the meaning of Section 1-d-1, Article VIII, Texas Constitution.
    • If the tract ceases to be used primarily for the qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production use, the platting requirements apply.
    • This is an exemption from the plat requirement; it does not establish that other applicable requirements, including wastewater, floodplain, access, or health requirements, are waived.
    “the land is to be used primarily for agricultural use”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision of tracts located outside municipality limits, including unincorporated Borden County, subject to applicable county jurisdiction and statutory exceptions.
      “The owner of a tract of land located outside the limits of a municipality must have a plat of the subdivision prepared”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveways accessing state highways in Borden County, Texas.

    • The requirement applies to access driveways on highway right-of-way; the source does not establish a countywide requirement for driveways serving local roads.
    • A local public agency may have access driveway permitting authority if granted that authority, but TxDOT engineering and drainage approval requirements still apply.
    • Private residential driveways may not exceed 24 feet measured at right angles to the driveway centerline, except as increased by permissible radii.
    • The connecting radius to highway pavement may not be less than 15 feet.
    • A private farm/ranch driveway should typically provide 25-feet return radii and a 20-feet throat width.
    • Driveway construction must comply with ADA Accessibility Guidelines and Texas Accessibility Standards.

    private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (except as increased by permissible radii) · minimum radius connecting driveway to highway pavement: >= 15 feet · typical private farm/ranch driveway return radii: 25 feet · typical private farm/ranch driveway throat width: 20 feet

    “The width of a private residential driveway shall not exceed 24 feet measured at right angles to the centerline of the driveway, except as increased by permissible radii. The radius connecting the driveway to the highway pavement shall not be less than 15 feet. A typical design for a private farm/ranch driveway should provide a 25-feet return radii and a 20-feet throat width.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems and holding tanks, located in Borden County where the applicable permitting authority is operating under Texas statewide OSSF requirements.

    • A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.
    • Applications and planning materials must be submitted to the permitting authority.
    • The TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.
    • The permitting authority must approve or deny the planning materials and permit application within 30 days of receipt.
    • If denied, the permitting authority must provide a written explanation, and the decision may be appealed to the permitting authority’s supervisory authority.
    • A permit may be unnecessary under the stated 10-acre rule if all listed conditions are met, including a site evaluation, 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-property effluent disposal, and no other dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs have begun.
    • Local permitting programs can be more stringent than state minimums.

    application review deadline: 30 days (within 30 days of receipt) · minimum tract size for stated 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (all other stated exemption conditions must also be met) · minimum OSSF setback for stated 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet from property line (all other stated exemption conditions must also be met) · emergency-repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (after repairs have begun)

    “A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Constructing a new driveway or revising an existing driveway on the right of way of a Texas state highway.
      “The applicant shall complete and submit to TxDOT a Form 1058”
  • 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 — Residential building inspections in Borden County
  • Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy in Borden County
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning status for Borden County, including any municipal or other local zoning authority.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer connection requirements for property in Borden County, Texas.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Borden County, Texas.
1 more unanswered
  • Permit fees

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 Borden County, Texas

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

Borden County scores 35/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and sparse surroundings — about 535 people within 15 miles. Watch-outs: thin water margin (19.4″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Borden 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) - On-Site Sewage Facilities Program. 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 Borden County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Borden County is allowed: Unincorporated Borden County: no county rule sets this, because Borden 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.borden.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 Borden County, Texas?

Land in Borden County runs about $1,141 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Borden County?

Borden County gets about 19.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 32.8% of years.

How remote is Borden County?

A typical private-land location has about 535 people within 15 miles and 898,594 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

How Borden compares in Texas

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