Bolthole Index

Childress County, Texas

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

41Index Score / 100
#206 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Childress County, Texas has no county building permit and no county zoning, because the county has adopted no zoning ordinance and Texas gives counties no general power to require a residential building permit12. Inside the City of Childress, the city has its own zoning ordinance and building-code program, which do not extend to unincorporated land34. Septic permits for every address, city or not, default to the state TCEQ OSSF program unless a local agent has been authorized56. For anything else, start with the County Judge's Office7.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required in unincorporated areas; no county building department1
Zoning
No county zoning in unincorporated areas; the City of Childress has its own zoning ordinance823
Septic (OSSF) permit
Required; defaults to the TCEQ OSSF Program with no local authorized agent found69
RV living
Unrestricted by county zoning on unincorporated land2
Tiny home
Unrestricted by county zoning on unincorporated land2
Ag land subdivision
No county plat required to split agricultural, ranch or timber tracts outside a municipality10
Driveway onto a state highway
TxDOT Form 1058 required before construction11
Property tax
About 1.5% effective rate; roughly $1,694 median annual bill1213

Who to call

Also useful

Childress County Judge's Office

County executive and Commissioners Court contact; the office to ask about zoning, building, floodplain, road, and driveway questions the county site doesn't route to a named department

940-937-2221

100 Avenue East NW, Suite 1, Childress, TX 79201

Septic permits

TCEQ On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) Program

Statewide OSSF (septic) permitting questions and technical information; the default contact where no local authorized agent administers septic permits, which appears to be the case in Childress County

512-239-3799

ossf@tceq.texas.gov

12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, TX 78753

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 Childress 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 Childress County, Texas?

Unincorporated Childress County has no building department and no published building-permit ordinance on its official site1. Texas gives most counties no general power to require a residential building permit; a county can adopt residential building standards under Local Government Code Chapter 233 only if its Commissioners Court passes a resolution or order doing so, and no such Childress County resolution was found in official sources14. If that subchapter were ever adopted here, it would require at least three inspections for new construction on a vacant lot: at the foundation, at framing, and at completion15. Until you confirm otherwise with the County Judge's Office, treat unincorporated Childress County as having no building-permit requirement, but check specifically if your project is inside the City of Childress, where the city runs its own building-code enforcement program and its plan lists the 2006 International Codes and 2006 International Residential Code74. City building rules do not apply to unincorporated land, and septic permits stay with the septic authority either way.

Who handles permits in Childress County, Texas?

There's no separate building or environmental department to call: the Childress County Judge's Office, 100 Avenue East NW, Suite 1, Childress, TX 79201, phone 940-937-2221, is the county's general point of contact and presides over the Commissioners Court7. Septic permitting doesn't have a listed local office either, so the default contact is TCEQ's statewide OSSF Program at 512-239-3799 or ossf@tceq.texas.gov, which handles questions where no local authorized agent has been designated for the county6. Ask the County Judge's Office directly whether Childress County has since authorized a local agent for septic permitting, since that assignment can change7.

Does Childress County have zoning?

Unincorporated Childress County has no zoning ordinance, and Texas law gives counties zoning power only in a handful of named special areas, none of which include Childress County216. That means unincorporated Childress County sets no minimum lot size, no setbacks, no building-height limit, and no zoning districts of its own2. RVs, tiny homes, and manufactured homes are unrestricted by county zoning on unincorporated land, though they still have to meet septic and any applicable state rules2. The City of Childress is different: it has a zoning ordinance and a Planning and Zoning Commission that reviews zoning requests for properties inside city limits, and that zoning does not reach unincorporated county land1718. If you're buying near the City of Childress, confirm with the city whether the parcel sits inside city limits before assuming unincorporated-county rules apply.

How do septic permits work in Childress County?

Texas requires a permit and approved plan to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF anywhere in the state, including Childress County19. Childress County's own site lists no environmental-health or OSSF office, so TCEQ's regional office is the default permitting authority where a local jurisdiction hasn't been authorized to run the program itself20. Start with TCEQ's statewide OSSF Program to confirm the current local permitting authority for your parcel6. Soils here are better than in many nearby counties: about 36.3% of Childress County's soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, though a majority will still need a site evaluation to confirm what's possible on your specific tract21. Texas's 10-acre exemption can eliminate the permit requirement only if a licensed site evaluator confirms the tract is at least 10 acres with a single-family home as the only dwelling, and all system parts stay at least 100 feet from the property line22. Septic is also not a city matter: the same TCEQ-or-local-agent rule applies inside and outside the City of Childress5. Water wells are a separate question: a groundwater conservation district, not the county, issues well permits where one covers your parcel, and certain domestic or livestock wells on tracts larger than 10 acres are exempt23.

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

Yes, in unincorporated Childress County, because there's no county zoning ordinance to restrict RV, tiny-home, or manufactured-home occupancy on rural land2. That's a product of Texas law, not a deliberate county choice: Childress County has none of the special zoning authority Chapter 231 grants to a short list of named areas elsewhere in the state16. Living in an RV or tiny home doesn't get you out of septic rules: if you're not on a public sewer, you still need an OSSF permit before you install a system, whether the county has since designated a local agent or TCEQ still handles it directly619. Inside the City of Childress, the city's own zoning ordinance applies instead, so confirm you're outside city limits before counting on the lack of county zoning3.

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

  1. Confirm whether your parcel is inside the City of Childress; if it is, the city's own building and zoning rules apply instead of the unincorporated-county rules below.
  2. If you're unincorporated, there's no county building permit to apply for, but confirm that directly with the County Judge's Office, since the county's site doesn't post a formal Chapter 233 adoption7114.
  3. Contact TCEQ's OSSF Program, or the County Judge's Office to check for a locally authorized agent, before you install or connect a septic system67.
  4. If your driveway will connect to a state highway, submit TxDOT Form 1058 and wait for a fully executed permit before any construction in the right of way, giving TxDOT 24 hours' notice before you start11.
  5. If you're splitting off agricultural, ranch, or timber-production land outside a municipality without laying out any part for public use, Texas law exempts that division from the county subdivision-plat requirement10.
  6. If you're placing a factory-built industrialized home or modular building, make sure the manufacturer's design package is certified to the code editions that took effect in 202424.

What to check before you buy land in Childress County

Childress County is rural and sparse: about 9.7 people per square mile across roughly 6,788 residents, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 103 miles away252627. Farmland runs about $1,687 an acre on average, and a typical home in the county is valued around $135,9192829. The land is mostly flat and buildable, with about 91.4% at 15% slope or less, but only 2% is wooded, and average annual precipitation runs about 24.2 inches with roughly 42.1% of years in severe drought30313233. Heat is worth planning for: average annual temperature already runs about 62.5°F, and the county is projected to add roughly 57.6 more days a year at or above 100°F by mid-century3435. Budget for insurance and taxes too: a typical homeowner's policy runs about $2,586 a year, the effective property tax rate is about 1.5%, and the median property tax bill is around $1,694 a year361213.

Watch-outs

  • Childress County's own site doesn't post a formal statement on building permits or floodplain-development rules outside the City of Childress, so confirm directly with the County Judge's Office before you build71.
  • No local septic office is listed on the county site; start with TCEQ's statewide OSSF Program, but ask the County Judge's Office whether the county has since authorized a local agent, since that assignment can change67.
  • The agricultural land-division exemption only waives the subdivision-plat requirement; it doesn't exempt a homesite on that land from septic, driveway, or any other applicable rule10.

Sources

  1. Texas Real Estate Research Center (Texas A&M) - Land-Use Restrictions in Texas (2026 county census)
  2. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  3. Childress County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2018, quoted and re-checked
  4. Childress County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2018, quoted and re-checked
  5. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  6. TCEQ On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) Program (tceq.texas.gov)
  7. Childress County Judge's Office (childresstx.us)
  8. Texas Real Estate Research Center (Texas A&M) - Land-Use Restrictions in Texas (2026 county census)
  9. TCEQ - Getting a Permit for an OSSF (2026 county census)
  10. Texas Local Government Code, Section 232.0015: Exceptions to Plat Requirement, quoted and re-checked
  11. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials, quoted and re-checked
  12. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  13. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  14. Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Local Government Code Chapter 233: County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures, quoted and re-checked
  16. Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Childress County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2018, quoted and re-checked
  18. City Council Meeting Agenda — March 31, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  19. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  21. 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
  22. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  23. Groundwater Regulation for Private Well Owners, quoted and re-checked
  24. Industrialized Housing and Buildings Mandatory Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  25. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  26. County population: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  29. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  30. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  34. Average annual temperature: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Projected mid-century days at or above 100°F: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Typical home insurance premium: Bolthole Index county data

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.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Childress County requires no county building permit for a home.

RuleChildress CountyHardeman CountyHall CountyCottle CountyCollingsworth CountyFoard CountyMotley County
Building permitNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Septic permitsTCEQNot publishedTCEQTCEQTCEQTX Commission on Env. QualityNot published

County locator

Childress County in Texas

41
County map
Childress County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Childress County scores

Seclusion81100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1496% ev.
Admin Boringness8490% ev.
Durability28100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost8096% ev.

Evidence strength: 97%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$136kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$1,687Land / acre
24.2"Annual rain
42.1% of yrsSevere drought
57.6 / yr (+32.8)Mid-century 100°F days
30.9 daysMid-century dry spell
1.85" (+4.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.31×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,586Home insurance / yr
-0.4% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
6,205People within 30 min
380,401People within 2 hr
6,196Radius comparison (15 mi)
9.7People / sq mi
0%Federal land
91.4%Land at 15% slope or less
36.3%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
156,854 acWorkable land screen
2%Wooded land
3.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac
62.5°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Childress 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Childress County

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

Childress County rules

  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning status across Childress County: county/unincorporated areas lack a county zoning ordinance in the cited capability table, while the City of Childress is identified as having a zoning ordinance and a Planning and Zoning Commission.

    • Countywide aggregation does not mean Childress County administers municipal zoning.
    • Municipal zoning applies within the City of Childress and may have its own districts, maps, procedures, and amendments.
    • The cited countywide capability table is from the 2018 plan and should be supplemented by current municipal zoning materials for effective and amendment dates.
    “Existing Plans and Ordinances Jurisdiction Building Code Zoning Ordinance [...] Childress County N N N N N N Y Y Y Y N N Y City of Childress Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y Y N N Y”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Aggregate local zoning status across Childress County jurisdictions: the official 2018 county hazard mitigation plan identifies a zoning ordinance for the City of Childress and separately lists Childress County as not having that ordinance category; the county’s unincorporated area is therefore not shown as governed by the City zoning ordinance.
      “Zoning Ordinance [...] Childress County N N N N N N Y Y Y Y N N Y City of Childress Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y Y N N Y”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water wells in a groundwater conservation district applicable to a Childress County parcel.

    • Texas state law requires a groundwater conservation district to require a permit for drilling, equipping, operating, or completing wells, or substantially altering well or pump size, except as provided by Texas Water Code Section 36.117.
    • Texas law provides exemptions including certain domestic or livestock wells on tracts larger than 10 acres that are incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day.
    • TCEQ states that groundwater regulation is handled by local or regional groundwater conservation districts rather than a state agency.

    domestic/livestock exemption tract size: > 10 acres (well must be solely for domestic use or livestock/poultry and incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day) · domestic/livestock exemption production capacity: <= 25000 gallons per day (tract must be larger than 10 acres)

    “Except as provided by Section 36.117, a district shall require a permit for the drilling, equipping, operating, or completing of wells”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties generally have no zoning authority in unincorporated areas; Childress County has no county zoning ordinance.

    Texas Real Estate Research Center (Texas A&M) - Land-Use Restrictions in Texas ↗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 exemptionConditional

    An owner installing an on-site sewage facility for a single-family dwelling that the owner owns in Childress County, subject to the state OSSF rules and the permitting authority's local requirements.

    • The permitting authority must allow the owner installation under its local requirements.
    • 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.
    • If another person assists with installation, that person generally must be a licensed installer, subject to the stated electrician and tank-delivery exceptions.
    • Some systems must be installed by a factory representative.
    “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:”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Partial — Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components installed in Childress County under Texas's statewide 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:”
    • 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:”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New residential construction covered by Local Government Code Chapter 233, Subchapter F, in an unincorporated area of a county that has adopted the required resolution or order.

    • The county must have adopted a resolution or order requiring the subchapter and must satisfy the statutory geographic or population condition.
    • For a vacant-lot single-family house or duplex, inspections are required at foundation before concrete, framing and mechanical systems before drywall or other interior wall covering, and completion.
    • For a qualifying addition, inspections are performed as necessary based on the scope of work.
    • The builder must contract with a licensed engineer, registered architect, TREC-licensed professional inspector, qualifying municipal plumbing inspector, political-subdivision building inspector, or ICC-certified residential combination inspector.
    • If required by the county, the builder must provide preconstruction notice and submit final-inspection notice within 10 days after the final inspection.

    minimum inspections for vacant-lot construction: >= 3 inspections (Additions receive inspections as necessary based on scope of work.) · final inspection notice deadline: <= 10 days (Only if required by the county.)

    “a minimum of three inspections must be performed”
  • 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.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Mixed (with conditions) — On-site sewage facilities in Texas, including Childress County.
      “The agent also administers the OSSF program according to the OSSF order, ordinance, or resolution approved by the executive director within the agent's area of jurisdiction.”
    • State (with conditions) — On-site sewage facilities in Childress County where no local jurisdiction has been authorized by TCEQ.
      “The executive director is the permitting authority unless a local governmental entity has an OSSF order, ordinance, or resolution approved by the executive director.”
    • 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 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.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, and operation of OSSFs in Childress County under Texas requirements, subject to local permitting-authority rules.
      “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. 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”: [...] all parts of the OSSF are at least 100 feet from the property line, [...] A permit is also not required for emergency repairs [...] but they must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs have begun.”
    • Required — Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF in Childress County.
      “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF.”
    • Required — Constructing, installing, altering, extending, or repairing an on-site sewage facility in Texas, including Childress County, subject to the applicable local permitting authority.
      “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF.”
    • 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 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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • 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 — Private off-grid sanitation using an OSSF on property in Childress County.
      “serves a single family dwelling on a tract of land that is 10 acres or larger”
    • 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.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production land divisions outside municipality limits in Childress County, limited to the Texas Local Government Code subdivision-plat requirement.

    • The tract must be located outside the limits of a municipality.
    • The owner must not lay out a part of the tract intended for public use as described by 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.
    • This claim does not establish an exemption from building, zoning, septic, environmental, or other requirements.
    “(c) A county may not require the owner of a tract of land located outside the limits of a municipality who divides the tract into two or more parts to have a plat of the subdivision prepared if: (1) the owner does not lay out a part of the tract described by Section 232.001(a)(3); and (2) the land is to 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.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New or modified driveway access from property abutting a Texas state highway in Childress County.

    • TxDOT issues the access driveway permit under the cited state policy.
    • A local municipality or eligible county may receive transferred permitting authority only at its request and with TxDOT approval; the source does not establish that Childress County has received such a transfer.
    • Form 1058 is required whenever a new access driveway is constructed or an existing access driveway is modified.
    • The applicant must contact the local District TxDOT office and submit Form 1058 with the proposed work description, applicant information, and driveway location.
    • No driveway construction may begin in the highway right-of-way until a fully executed driveway permit is received and the applicant gives TxDOT 24-hour notice.
    • Driveways must comply with the executed permit and applicable regulations; drainage impacts require TxDOT approval before any local approval, and applicable engineering, environmental, wetlands, ADAAG, TAS, state, and federal requirements apply.
    • This claim concerns state-highway access; the cited TxDOT source does not establish a permit requirement for access from local roads.

    notice before construction: 24 hours · required form: TxDOT Form 1058 (new access driveways or modifications to existing access driveways)

    “A completed Permit Form 1058 is necessary whenever new access driveways are constructed or existing access driveways are modified.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Constructing a new driveway or revising an existing driveway on the right of way of a Texas state highway.

    • The applicant should contact the local District TxDOT office.
    • The applicant must submit Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way.
    • The application must be for the bona fide purpose of securing or changing access to the owner's property, not parking or servicing vehicles on state highway rights of way.
    • No construction may begin on the right of way until a fully executed driveway permit is received and the applicant gives TxDOT 24-hour notification.
    • The driveway must comply with the executed permit and applicable regulations; TxDOT inspection must find construction satisfactory.
    • Where a local public agency has permitting authority, drainage impacts on the state highway system still require TxDOT approval before local approval.
    • Driveway geometrics, utilities, environmental requirements, wetlands considerations, ADAAG, TAS, and other applicable state and federal laws must be considered.

    required form: Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way · advance notification: 24 hours (Notification to TxDOT is required before construction on the right of way.) · private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · minimum driveway radius to highway pavement: >= 15 feet

    “The applicant shall complete and submit to TxDOT a Form 1058”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — New or revised driveways serving property abutting a Texas state highway, including such property in Childress County
      “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.”

Inside cities and towns in Childress County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building-code enforcement within the City of Childress.

    • The plan identifies the 2006 International Codes, including Building, Fire, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Gas codes; the 2008 International Electric Code; and the 2006 International Residential Code.
    • The City employs a qualified fire marshal/inspector; new facility designs are reviewed for current fire-code compliance, non-residential structures are inspected at least annually, and home inspections are conducted at the homeowner's request.

    building code edition: 2006 International Codes · electric code edition: 2008 International Electric Code · residential code edition: 2006 International Residential Code · non-residential inspection frequency: at least once per year

    “structured/staffed building code enforcement program”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Planning and zoning recommendations for properties within the incorporated City of Childress, Texas.

    • The cited agenda identifies planning and zoning recommendations for three specific properties; it does not state the applicable zoning districts, dimensional standards, or approval conditions.
    • This claim is limited to the City of Childress and does not establish zoning rules for other municipalities or unincorporated Childress County.
    “Discuss/Act on Planning and Zoning recommendations for properties: a. 511 Ave K SE, Lots 11 & 12, Block 304, CH for Mark DeArmond b. 807 4th St. NW, Lots 1 & 2, Block 116, OP for Ruben Cantu c. Parcel 23848, Lots 1 & 2, Block 93, FV for Kelsey Foster”

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for residential construction in unincorporated Childress County.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water or wastewater utility connection requirements for property in Childress County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Childress County
  • Permit fees — County construction, building, driveway, and other county permit fee schedules, including current effective dates or amendments.

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 Childress County, Texas

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

Childress County scores 41/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and sparse surroundings — about 6,205 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: thin water margin (24.2″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Childress 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 Childress County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Childress County is allowed: Unincorporated Childress County: no county rule sets this, because Childress 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 trerc.tamu.edu. 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 Childress County, Texas?

Land in Childress County runs about $1,687 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Childress County?

Childress County gets about 24.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 42.1% of years.

How remote is Childress County?

A representative private-land location has about 6,205 people within a 30-minute drive and 380,401 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 Childress compares in Texas

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