Bolthole Index

Callahan County, Texas

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

61Index Score / 100
#89 of 254 in Texas

Callahan County, Texas has no county zoning for unincorporated land1, and we could not confirm a county building permit for an ordinary home; the county does require approval before a new RV park is built2. Septic permits come from the permitting authority under Texas OSSF rules, and a single-family home on a qualifying tract of 10 acres or more can be exempt34. Subdivisions outside cities go through Callahan County's own plat and septic planning review5.

At a glance

Building permit
Ordinary-home requirement unconfirmed; county approval is required before new RV park construction2
County zoning
None countywide; Texas gives counties zoning power only in narrow special cases and Callahan has none61
RV or tiny home on your own land
Unrestricted by county zoning, since Callahan County has none1
Septic permit
Generally requires a permit and approved plan; the county reviews OSSF planning for subdivisions75
Owner-builder exemption
State trade-license exemptions apply to some work on an owner's residence or homestead; no blanket county exemption confirmed8
Driveway onto a state highway
Needs a TxDOT Form 1058 access driveway permit before construction9
Well in a regulated subdivision
County approval of an individual well's location is required before a structure is occupied10
Operating an RV park (3+ RVs)
County ordinance requires at least 5.0 acres and Commissioners' Court approval of an infrastructure plan11

Who to call

Also useful

Callahan County Clerk

Records subdivision plats, deeds, and other official public records for Callahan County; the county's subdivision, RV park, and manufactured home rental community ordinances all direct applicants to file plans here

325.854.5815

1257 FM 2047, Baird, Texas 79504

Also useful

Callahan County Judge

Presides over Commissioners' Court, which approves subdivision plats, RV park and manufactured home community infrastructure plans, and driveway permits onto county roads; the office to call for anything that needs a Commissioners' Court decision

325.854.5805

1257 FM 2047, Baird, TX 79504

Roads & driveways

Callahan County Commissioners (Precincts 1-4)

County road maintenance by precinct; the commissioner for the precinct where your property sits signs off on access driveway permits onto county roads and inspects subdivision road construction

325-854-5805

1257 FM 2047, Baird, TX 79504

Also useful

Callahan County RV Park Infrastructure Regulations (Commissioners' Court ordinance)

Regulates RV parks (three or more rented recreational-vehicle spaces run as a business), not a single RV on one owner's own land; sets minimum tract size, infrastructure, and approval steps

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 Callahan 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 Callahan County, Texas?

We could not confirm whether Callahan County requires a permit for an ordinary house in an unincorporated area; ask the County Judge's office before construction12. Callahan County does require an Infrastructure Development Plan and survey for a new RV park outside municipal limits, with review by the Development Review Committee and final action by Commissioners' Court before construction begins2. Creating new lots can trigger a separate county process: regulated subdivision plats need Commissioners' Court approval, a $500 preliminary review fee, and two readings before recording13. Exclusions include certain family transfers, boundary adjustments, court-ordered partitions, tracts over 15 acres, easements, and a division into two parcels within a two-year period14.

Who issues building permits, septic permits and subdivision approvals in Callahan County?

We could not confirm a dedicated Callahan County building department or a published process for ordinary-home permits. Ask the County Judge's office whether a proposed structure needs county action12. The County Clerk's office receives subdivision plats and the plans required for RV parks15. For a new RV park, the Development Review Committee makes a recommendation and Commissioners' Court gives final approval or disapproval before construction begins2. The county's subdivision and septic planning rules apply to land outside incorporated cities, so confirm the parcel is not inside a city before relying on them5. For subdivision access involving a county road, the commissioner for the property's precinct handles the documented county permit and inspection1617.

Does Callahan County have zoning?

No. Callahan County has adopted no county zoning ordinance, and Texas law gives counties zoning power only through narrow, geographically specific statutes that don't reach Callahan County61. Because there's no zoning, county rules don't set a minimum home size, minimum lot size, building height limit, or zoning district for your own unincorporated land, and accessory dwellings, RVs, tiny homes, manufactured homes, and temporary camping aren't restricted by county zoning1. That's different from operating an RV park or a manufactured home rental community as a business: Callahan County's Commissioners' Court has separately adopted infrastructure ordinances for those, defining an RV park as three or more rented recreational-vehicle spaces and requiring at least 5.0 acres and Commissioners' Court approval before construction11. A single RV or tiny home on your own tract doesn't trigger those rules.

How do septic permits work in Callahan County?

Texas generally requires a permit and approved plan before an OSSF is built, altered, repaired, extended, or operated; a single-family home on a qualifying tract of at least 10 acres may be exempt only when every listed condition is met, including that all parts of the system sit at least 100 feet from the property line and that the home is the only dwelling on the tract74. Because local septic programs can be stricter than the state minimum, check with the local permitting authority first3. A nonexempt OSSF must receive a construction inspection18. For a subdivision using OSSFs outside an incorporated city, owners submit planning materials to Callahan County's designated OSSF representative before individual-lot permitting begins5. Those materials cover the site, topography, floodplain, soils, wells, compatibility, and drainage, and the county must decide them in writing within 45 days5. Ask the County Judge's office for the current OSSF contact for a parcel outside the subdivision process12. Only about 0.8% of Callahan County soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field, so evaluate the site before choosing a system19.

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

Yes, on your own unincorporated land, because Callahan County has no zoning ordinance to restrict it1. That answer changes if you want to rent out space to others: Callahan County's ordinance defines an RV park as "any lot or tract of land designed to accommodate three or more recreational vehicles ... occupied or intended to be occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes for any length of time" run as a business, and requires a minimum 5.0-acre tract plus Commissioners' Court approval of an infrastructure plan before construction11. The county's RV park application fee is $500 plus $10 per lot or space20. A separate county ordinance covers manufactured home rental communities of two or more leased lots21; ask the County Clerk's office before developing either kind of rental setup15.

How do you build a home in Callahan County, step by step?

  1. Confirm whether the tract is outside city limits and whether a city has authority in its extraterritorial jurisdiction21.
  2. Ask the County Judge's office whether the proposed home needs county action; an ordinary-home permit requirement could not be confirmed12. A new RV park requires an approved infrastructure plan before construction2.
  3. If splitting a tract, check the county's exclusions before preparing a plat14. A regulated plat carries a $500 preliminary review fee and two Commissioners' Court readings13.
  4. Obtain the required OSSF plan, permit, and inspection unless every condition of the 10-acre exemption is met718. Subdivisions using OSSFs also need county planning review5.
  5. In a regulated subdivision, use an approved public supply or obtain county approval of the individual well location before occupancy10.
  6. Obtain county approval for documented subdivision access from a county road; state-highway access requires TxDOT Form 1058169.
  7. Record required plats and plans with the County Clerk15.

What should you check before buying land in Callahan County?

Soils: only about 0.8% of Callahan County soils lack severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so get a site evaluation before assuming a standard system will work19. Slope: 88.8% of the county's land is at 15% slope or less22. Drought: Callahan County spends about 24.5% of years in severe drought, so investigate well yield and water availability23. A regulated subdivision must use an approved public water supply or a county-approved individual well24. Its OSSF planning package must include floodplain mapping and a comprehensive drainage plan; where no authorized FEMA map exists, the county Flood Plain Administrator determines the tract's status25. Access: subdivision entrances from county roads need county approval, while state-highway driveways need a TxDOT Form 1058 permit169. The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 24 miles from the county center, and county population density is about 16 people per square mile2627. The effective property tax rate is about 1.1%, with a median annual bill near $1,5872829.

Watch-outs

  • Texas exempts owners from state licensing for specified electrical, plumbing, and air-conditioning work on their own residence or homestead, but those exemptions are not a blanket waiver of permits or every trade license8.
  • The subdivision setback rule of 50 feet for well/septic and 25/10 feet for small lots applies only inside Callahan County's regulated subdivisions, not to every unincorporated tract30.
  • A county-road driveway permit documented in Callahan County's regulations is tied to subdivision access and does not prove that every existing rural tract needs the same permit16.
  • Callahan County requires approval before construction of a new RV park, while the county zoning answer for a single RV on an owner's unincorporated tract is separate21.

Sources

  1. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  2. Callahan County Infrastructure Requirements for Recreational Vehicle Parks, quoted and re-checked
  3. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 285 - On-Site Sewage Facilities, quoted and re-checked
  5. Callahan County, Texas Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  6. Callahan County, Texas - Commissioners Court (County Offices) (2026 county census)
  7. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  8. Exemptions to Electrician Licensing (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Callahan County, Texas Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  11. Callahan County RV Park Infrastructure Regulations (Commissioners' Court ordinance) (callahancounty.org)
  12. Callahan County Judge (callahancounty.org)
  13. Callahan County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  14. Callahan County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  15. Callahan County Clerk (callahancounty.org)
  16. Callahan County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  17. Callahan County Commissioners (Precincts 1-4) (callahancounty.org)
  18. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  19. 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
  20. Callahan County RV Park Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  21. Callahan County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Callahan County, Texas Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  25. Callahan County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  26. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Callahan County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked

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

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Compared with neighboring counties

Unlike 5 of its 6 neighbors, Callahan County requires a building permit only in limited cases.

RuleCallahan CountyTaylor CountyEastland CountyColeman CountyBrown CountyShackelford CountyJones County
Building permitLimitedLimitedNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Septic permitsCallahan CountyCounty Env. Dept.TCEQColeman CountyCounty OSSF programTCEQ Region 3Jones County

County locator

Callahan County in Texas

61
County map
Callahan County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Callahan County scores

Seclusion51100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency3198% ev.
Admin Boringness8290% ev.
Durability56100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost78100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$221kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$2,550Land / acre
28.6"Annual rain
24.5% of yrsSevere drought
37.2 / yr (+24.9)Mid-century 100°F days
29.4 daysMid-century dry spell
1.95" (+4.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.34×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,346Home insurance / yr
0.3% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
69,044People within 30 min
677,252People within 2 hr
9,672Radius comparison (15 mi)
16People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
88.8%Land at 15% slope or less
0.8%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
4,757 acWorkable land screen
14%Wooded land
6.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
64.4°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Callahan 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.

Baird · Clyde · Town of Cross Plains · Town of Putnam

Answers from the rulebook for Callahan County

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

Callahan County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction of new recreational vehicle parks outside municipal limits, and in a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction when the municipality does not regulate RV parks there.

    • The rule applies to RV parks, not all residential construction.
    • Grandfathered RV parks are treated separately under the ordinance.
    • The owner must submit an Infrastructure Development Plan and survey to the County Clerk.
    • The Development Review Committee recommends approval or disapproval, but final approval or disapproval is determined by the Callahan County Commissioners Court.
    • Construction may not begin before the plan is approved.
    • Municipal regulations may apply in a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
    “Before beginning any construction, the owner must submit the one (1) hard copy, and one (1) digital copy in PDF format of the Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) along with the items required in Attachment 1 (page 13) “RV Park Application Checklist” to the County Clerk’s office by the close of business on the first (1st) business day of the month for review during that month. Along with the IDP, the owner must submit a survey of the proposed property. The Callahan County Development Review Committee (DRC) will review, and provide a recommendation for, or against, approval. Final approval or disapproval is determined by the Callahan County Commissioners Court. Construction may not begin before the plan is approved.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Service buildings in recreational vehicle parks regulated by Callahan County, including areas outside municipal city limits and certain municipal extraterritorial jurisdictions where the municipality does not regulate RV parks.

    • The regulation was adopted and approved by the Callahan County Commissioners’ Court on October 14, 2025.
    • The code adoption is limited to service buildings housing sanitation or laundry facilities in RV parks.
    • Buildings must comply with applicable building, electrical, plumbing, and sanitation laws and ordinances.
    • If not otherwise covered by electrical, plumbing, and fire codes, the electrical, plumbing, and fire codes of the State of Texas apply for this limited purpose.
    “Service buildings housing sanitation or laundry facilities shall be permanent structures which comply with all applicable laws and ordinances regulating buildings, electrical installation, plumbing, and sanitation systems, and if not otherwise covered by electrical, plumbing, and fire codes, shall comply with the electrical, plumbing and fire codes of the State of Texas, which are adopted for this limited purpose.”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org.

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

    Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org.

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

    Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org.

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

    Well/septic separation and building setback lines for certain subdivision lots outside incorporated city boundaries in Callahan County.

    • Well and septic set bank lines must be at least 50 feet from property lines on all sides and in every dimension.
    • Lots of 1 to 2.99 acres have setback lines of 25 feet from right-of-way lines and 10 feet from back and side property lines.
    • The rule is located in the county subdivision regulations and applies to the regulated subdivision context.
    • Municipal requirements may govern in a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction where they conflict with county requirements, subject to state law.

    well and septic set bank line: >= 50 feet (from property lines on all sides and in every dimension) · front setback from right-of-way for 1 to 2.99 acre lots: 25 feet · rear and side setbacks for 1 to 2.99 acre lots: 10 feet

    “twenty-five feet (25') from the right-of-way lines”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org.

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

    Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org.

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

    Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org.

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

    Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org.

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

    Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org.

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

    Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org.

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

    Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org.

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

    OSSF planning and permitting administration for subdivisions outside incorporated cities in Callahan County, Texas.

    • The county regulation applies to subdivisions using OSSFs for sewage disposal.
    • Planning materials must be submitted before the process for individual-lot OSSFs can begin.
    • The planning materials must include an overall site plan, topographic map, 100-year flood plain map, soil survey, locations of water wells, Title 30 TAC Chapter 285.91(10) easements, an OSSF compatibility report, and a comprehensive drainage plan.
    • The Callahan County Commissioners’ Court and OSSF Representative must approve or deny the planning materials in writing within 45 days of receipt.
    • A tract subdivided without compliance is ineligible to obtain an OSSF construction or modification permit.

    planning-material decision deadline: 45 days (from receipt)

    “Before the process for individual lot On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) can begin, owners proposing subdivisions using OSSFs for sewage disposal shall submit planning materials for these developments to the Designated OSSF Representative for Callahan County.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Individual water wells serving structures in subdivisions governed by Callahan County’s subdivision regulations outside incorporated city boundaries.

    • The cited county rule requires approval of the well location before occupancy but does not establish a general countywide drilling permit requirement for every water well.
    • The requirement is tied to subdivision water-supply certification.
    “No structure in this subdivision shall be occupied until connected to an individual water well, the location of which have been approved by Callahan County.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater (with conditions)

    Structures in subdivisions governed by Callahan County’s subdivision regulations outside incorporated city boundaries.

    • A structure may use either an approved public water supply system or an individual water well, depending on the applicable water-supply certificate.
    • For public water supply, the approved system must have adequate quantity and provisions to provide service to each lot according to the water-supply system’s policies.
    • For individual wells, the well location must be approved by Callahan County.
    • The cited regulation addresses water connection; it does not establish a general county sewer-connection requirement.
    “No structure in this subdivision shall be occupied until connected to an individual water well, the location of which have been approved by Callahan County.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plats and related development in areas outside the boundaries of incorporated cities in Callahan County, including applicable city extraterritorial jurisdictions.

    • Every owner dividing a tract into two or more parts for lots, streets, alleys, parks, or other public or purchaser-owner purposes must prepare a plat and submit it to the Commissioners’ Court for approval before filing with the County Clerk.
    • Within a city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, both city and county authorization are required before filing; if county and city requirements conflict, the city provisions govern unless they conflict with state law.
    • Subdivision plats require two Commissioners’ Court readings before recording, and the second reading must occur within one year after first-reading approval.
    • A preliminary plat review fee of $500.00 is due at submission.
    • A division into two parcels within a two-year period is excluded from the ordinance’s subdivision definition; listed additional exclusions include intra-family transfers, boundary-line transactions, court-ordered partitions, certain partitions among joint owners, tracts over fifteen acres, and rights-of-way or easement transfers.
    • Minimum lot sizes are one acre for lots with an on-site sewage facility and private water well, one-half acre for lots with an on-site sewage facility and public water, and at least one-half acre when both community water and sewage systems serve the lot; easements and roadways are excluded from required area.
    • For subdivisions using individual OSSFs, planning materials must include the listed site, floodplain, soil, well, easement, OSSF, groundwater, drainage, and related information; the Commissioners’ Court and OSSF Representative must approve or deny the materials in writing within 45 days of receipt.
    • A tract subdivided without compliance is ineligible for an OSSF construction or modification permit.

    required Commissioners’ Court readings before recording: 2 readings · deadline for second reading after first-reading approval: <= 1 year · preliminary plat review fee: 500 USD · excluded tract-division threshold: 2 parcels (Division within a two-year period by the same or different owners is not considered a subdivision under the ordinance.) · excluded tract-size threshold: > 15 acres (Tracts over fifteen acres are listed as excluded transactions.) · written OSSF planning-material decision period: <= 45 days (The Commissioners’ Court and OSSF Representative approve or deny in writing within 45 days of receipt.) · minimum lot size with OSSF and private water well: >= 1 acre · minimum lot size with OSSF and public water: >= 0.5 acre · minimum lot size with community water and sewage: >= 0.5 acre

    “STANDARDS FOR ALL SUBDIVISIONS SITUATED OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY INCORPORATED CITY IN CALLAHAN COUNTY, TEXAS.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision platting and related construction standards for land outside incorporated city boundaries in Callahan County.
      “submitted to the Commissioners’ Court for approval”
    • Limited — Specified transactions excluded from the County's subdivision definition under Article 4.
      “The following types of transaction will not be considered a subdivision”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Subdivision entrances and access driveways serving subdivisions outside incorporated city boundaries, including access from a county-road right-of-way.

    • The preliminary plat checklist requires approval of TxDOT for an entrance from a public road or highway, or County approval if the entrance is from a County Road.
    • For a driveway on a County Road right-of-way, a County permit is required; the grantee is responsible for culvert costs and installation.
    • Construction and materials are subject to County inspection and approval.
    • The County may require changes, maintenance, or repairs needed to protect life or property, and design changes require County approval.
    • Vehicle service fixtures must be at least 12 feet from the right-of-way line.
    • Entrances must keep obstructions out of the right-of-way.
    • The permit becomes void if the driveway facilities are not constructed within six months of issuance.
    • The permit holder must contact the Court’s Representative at least 24 hours before beginning authorized construction.
    • The subdivision regulations apply outside incorporated city boundaries.

    vehicle service fixture setback from right-of-way line: >= 12 feet · driveway construction deadline after permit issuance: 6 months (otherwise the permit becomes null and void) · advance notice before construction: >= 24 hours (before beginning construction)

    “PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT ACCESS DRIVEWAY FACILITIES ON COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Subdivision development using individual-lot OSSFs outside incorporated city boundaries, where floodplain information and drainage planning are part of the OSSF subdivision review.

    • OSSF subdivision planning materials must include a 100-year flood plain map.
    • Preliminary plats must identify areas of special flood hazard using current FEMA-authorized Flood Hazard Boundary Maps.
    • If no FEMA-authorized maps exist, the applicant must contact the Callahan County Flood Plain Administrator; each tract is inspected and floodplain determination is made on its own merits.
    • Callahan County stated that, as of the regulations’ adoption date, it did not have a FEMA-authorized floodplain boundary map.
    • A comprehensive drainage plan is required with the OSSF planning materials.
    • The regulations apply outside incorporated city boundaries.

    floodplain map planning horizon: 100 year

    “The planning materials shall include an overall site plan, topographic map, 100-year flood plain map, soil survey, location of water wells, locations of easements as identified in Title 30, Texas Administration Code, Chapter 285.91 (10), and a complete report detailing the types of OSSFs to be considered and their compatibility with area-wide drainage and groundwater. A comprehensive drainage plan shall also be included in these planning materials.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    The County plan-review fee for a manufactured home rental community development in an unincorporated area of Callahan County.

    • The fee applies when submitting a manufactured home rental community plan to the County Clerk's Office.
    • The development-plan requirements apply to developments situated in unincorporated areas; city limits and city ETJ areas have additional city-approval conditions.
    • This is a published development-plan fee, not evidence of a general residential building-permit fee schedule.

    plan review fee: 500 USD

    “A Plan review fee of $500 shall be paid at the time of submission of the Plan to the County Clerk's Office.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — County-established permit fees for RV parks in Callahan County outside municipal city limits, including applications subject to the Callahan County RV Park Regulations.
      “Fees for permits as established by the County are payable to '"Callahan County Clerk” and are due upon submission of the application. The fees are: 1) $500.00, plus $10.00 per lot/space, for the initial application 2) $100.00 for application for Variance Request 3) Filing Fee made to the County Clerk’s office”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Subdivision plat approval and subdivision OSSF planning in Callahan County outside incorporated city boundaries.

    • The regulations were approved and adopted by the Callahan County Commissioners’ Court on March 23, 2026.
    • Subdivision plats must be submitted to the Commissioners’ Court for approval before filing with the County Clerk.
    • Subdivision plats require two readings before recording; the final plat must be submitted within one year after preliminary-plat approval.
    • A preliminary plat review fee of $500.00 is due when the preliminary plat is submitted.
    • For subdivisions using OSSFs, planning materials must be submitted to the County Designated OSSF Representative before the individual-lot OSSF process begins.
    • Required OSSF planning materials include an overall site plan, topographic map, 100-year flood plain map, soil survey, water-well locations, Title 30 TAC 285.91(10) easements, an OSSF compatibility report addressing area-wide drainage and groundwater, and a comprehensive drainage plan.
    • The Commissioners’ Court and OSSF Representative must approve or deny the OSSF planning materials in writing within 45 days of receipt.
    • A tract subdivided without compliance is ineligible to obtain an OSSF construction or modification permit.
    • The regulations apply outside incorporated city boundaries; city requirements govern in an incorporated city’s ETJ when conflicting, provided they do not conflict with state law.

    preliminary plat review fee: 500 USD · written OSSF planning-material decision deadline: 45 days (after receipt)

    “owners proposing subdivisions using OSSFs for sewage disposal shall submit planning materials”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    No county planning or zoning department is listed among Callahan County offices; Texas counties generally have no zoning authority in unincorporated areas.

    Callahan County, Texas - Commissioners Court (County Offices) ↗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”
  • Septic permitRequired

    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 for construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of an OSSF.
    • A permit is generally required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF.
    • A local permitting authority must be checked because local programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
    • The 10-acre exemption requires compliance with 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; on-site effluent disposal; and the single-family dwelling must be the only 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 begin.
    • Grandfathered systems may be exempt if installed before the local program was authorized or before September 1, 1989, whichever is earlier, and if they are not creating a nuisance, are not in need of repair, and have had no significant increase in use or other alteration.
    • The permitting authority must approve or deny planning materials and the permit application within 30 days of receipt.

    minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (single-family dwelling and all other stated conditions must be met) · minimum OSSF setback under 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet from property line (all parts of the OSSF) · emergency repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (after repairs have begun) · permit application decision deadline: <= 30 days (from receipt by permitting authority)

    “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, repair, and operation of OSSFs, including septic systems, in Callahan County under Texas statewide requirements.
      “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. Always check with your local permitting authority. Local permitting programs can be more stringent than State minimums.”
    • 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”:”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Construction of an OSSF in Callahan County when the OSSF is not within a stated exemption and an authorization to construct is required.

    • The permitting authority must conduct a construction inspection.
    • The installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the OSSF will be ready for inspection.
    • If the OSSF fails inspection, it cannot be used until it passes inspection.
    • A reinspection fee may be assessed by the permitting authority and must be paid before reinspection.
    • Local permitting programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
    • The rule contains separate exceptions for certain pre-September 1, 1989 systems, systems installed before the effective date of an applicable local order, ordinance, or resolution, and systems with prior authorization to construct.

    inspection-notice period: 5 working days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) · authorization-to-construct validity: 1 calendar year (If no construction inspection is requested within that period, the authorization expires) · reinspection fee: may be assessed (Must be paid before reinspection)

    “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.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Not required (with conditions) — An OSSF serving a single-family dwelling on a tract of land that is 10 acres or larger, when every stated exemption condition is satisfied.
      “No planning materials, permit, and inspections [or inspection] are required for an OSSF for a single family dwelling located on a tract of land that is ten acres or larger provided the OSSF complies with all other requirements of Chapter 285, Subchapter D: Planning, Construction, and Installation Standards for OSSFs”
    • 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 — On-site sanitation using an OSSF instead of a sewer connection in Callahan County.
      “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”:”
    • 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.”
  • 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 Callahan County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Residential buildings in Callahan County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate of municipal and other local zoning within Callahan County; the county does not necessarily administer each local ordinance.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemption from Callahan County subdivision requirements.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Callahan County.

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

Living off-grid in Callahan County, Texas

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

Callahan County scores 61/100 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 (28.6″/yr rainfall).

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

Callahan 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 Callahan County (TCEQ authorized agent for on-site sewage). 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 Callahan County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Callahan County is allowed: Unincorporated Callahan County: no county rule sets this, because Callahan 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 callahancounty.org. Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits. Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Callahan County, Texas?

Land in Callahan County runs about $2,550 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Callahan County?

Callahan County gets about 28.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 24.5% of years.

How remote is Callahan County?

A representative private-land location has about 69,044 people within a 30-minute drive and 677,252 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 Callahan compares in Texas

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