Building permits, zoning and land rules in Coke County, Texas
63Index Score / 100 #79 of 254 in Texas
Unincorporated Coke County, Texas does not require a residential building permit and has no county zoning12. Inside Bronte and Robert Lee, Texas law supplies municipal residential and commercial building codes; ask the relevant city hall about building-permit procedures and zoning3. Coke County's On-Site Sewage Department handles septic permits countywide, and septic construction must wait for the county's Authorization to Construct45.
At a glance
Building permit
Not required for a home in unincorporated Coke County; ask city hall for a city address1
Zoning
No county zoning on unincorporated land; municipal zoning remains unconfirmed2
Septic (OSSF)
County permit generally required; $250 for a single-family residence and $410 for commercial6
RV, tiny home & manufactured home living
No county occupancy restriction on unincorporated land; septic requirements still apply78
Minimum lot size / setbacks
No county zoning-based minimum lot size or setbacks on unincorporated land7
Off-grid sanitation
Private OSSF allowed with county authorization before construction and a successful inspection before operation89
Septic application review
Up to 30 days for the county's Designated Representative to review before an Authorization to Construct is issued10
General county government contact at the Coke County Courthouse; the county has no separate building or planning department to direct land-use questions to
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Do you need a building permit in Coke County, Texas?
Coke County does not require a residential building permit on unincorporated land1. Separate county residential building standards, inspections and certificates of occupancy could not be confirmed; ask the County Judge's office before construction11. Inside Bronte and Robert Lee, Texas law adopts the International Residential Code as it existed on May 1, 2012 for residential construction and repairs, and the International Building Code of the same date for commercial buildings; municipalities may amend the residential code by ordinance after a public hearing3. Bronte also publishes a Building Permit Application and residential building-code material12. Ask city hall for the applicable code amendments and building-permit procedures; septic permits remain with Coke County's On-Site Sewage Department4.
Who issues building permits in Coke County?
No county building department is listed, and Coke County does not require residential building permits on unincorporated land1. For county building-inspection, certificate-of-occupancy or floodplain questions, contact the County Judge's office at 325-453-264111. Bronte publishes a Building Permit Application; ask Bronte city hall about its fees, inspections and exceptions12. For a Robert Lee address, ask Robert Lee city hall about building-permit procedures: those remain unconfirmed even though the statutory municipal building codes apply3. Septic applications and inspections throughout Coke County go to the On-Site Sewage Department; its published contact is 325-895-03954913.
Does Coke County have zoning?
Unincorporated Coke County has no county zoning2. Municipal zoning in Bronte and Robert Lee could not be confirmed; ask the relevant city hall about zoning approval, lot size and setbacks for a city parcel. The municipal residential and commercial building-code baseline applies inside those cities, but code adoption does not establish a city's zoning rules or building-permit procedures3. Bronte separately publishes a building permit application and residential building-code material12. Septic permitting remains with Coke County's On-Site Sewage Department, including for city addresses4.
How do septic permits work in Coke County?
Coke County's On-Site Sewage Department handles OSSF permits and administration throughout the county, including addresses inside cities4. A county septic permit is generally required to construct, install, alter, extend or repair an OSSF5. The published septic permit fee is $250 for a single-family residence and $410 for a commercial facility6. The county has up to 30 days to review an application, and septic construction cannot begin until the applicant has the Authorization to Construct10. A permit to operate follows only after a successful inspection confirms compliance with state OSSF rules9. Texas allows a conditional septic permit exemption for a single-family home on at least 10 acres, requiring a licensed site evaluation, all system components at least 100 feet from property lines, on-site disposal, no other dwelling, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, and compliance with state standards14. Ask the county Designated Representative whether an exemption applies before relying on it, because Coke County instructions require an Authorization to Construct before construction without exceptions5. About 17.4% of Coke County soils are rated not limited for conventional drain fields; that rating makes an early site evaluation useful, rather than ruling out septic elsewhere15.
Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home on your land in Coke County?
Unincorporated Coke County sets no county land-use restriction on RV, tiny-home, manufactured-home or temporary-camping occupancy, and no zoning-based minimum dwelling size, lot size, setback, lot coverage or building height7. Private on-site sewage systems still generally require county authorization before construction and a successful inspection before operation89. For a tiny home inside Bronte or Robert Lee, ask city hall how the municipal residential code applies to the proposed structure3. City RV, tiny-home and manufactured-home occupancy rules could not be confirmed; ask the relevant city hall before relying on a city parcel for those uses.
What are the steps to build a home in Coke County?
Confirm whether the parcel is unincorporated or inside a city: the county residential building-permit answer applies only to unincorporated land1.
For a Bronte or Robert Lee address, ask city hall about municipal code amendments and building-permit procedures; Texas law supplies the municipal building-code baseline3.
For private sewage anywhere in Coke County, use the county OSSF forms, not TCEQ forms, and budget $250 for a single-family residence or $410 for commercial use8.
Mail completed forms and supporting materials to the county Designated Representative; review may take up to 30 days, and incomplete applications can take longer10.
Wait for the Authorization to Construct before starting the OSSF, then obtain a successful inspection before operation109.
For a new or modified state-highway driveway, submit TxDOT Form 1058 and obtain the executed driveway permit before work on the right of way16.
What should you check before buying land in Coke County?
Soils: about 17.4% of Coke County soils are rated not limited for conventional septic drain fields; arrange a site evaluation, because that rating does not rule out septic on other soils15. Access: a new or modified driveway onto a state highway needs TxDOT Permit Form 105817. Flooding: a county floodplain-development permit process could not be confirmed, so ask the County Judge's office before building near a mapped flood hazard area11. Land division: an owner dividing qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management or timber land outside a municipality may be exempt from county plat preparation, but the exemption ends if the qualifying use ends and does not remove separate septic, access or floodplain requirements18. Taxes: Coke County's effective property tax rate is about 1.2%, with a median annual bill near $1,3401920.
Watch-outs
A missing county residential building permit does not settle building standards, inspections or certificates of occupancy in unincorporated Coke County; those requirements could not be confirmed, so ask the County Judge's office111.
Coke County's floodplain-development requirements could not be confirmed; ask the County Judge's office before building near a mapped flood hazard area11.
Robert Lee's building-permit procedures remain unconfirmed, but the Texas municipal residential and commercial building codes apply inside city limits; ask Robert Lee city hall about amendments, applications and inspections3.
Written October 11, 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.
Coke County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score
How Coke County scores
Seclusion87100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency3196% ev.
Admin Boringness84100% ev.
Durability38100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost81100% ev.
Evidence strength: 99%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →
$156kTypical home
1.2%Property tax
$1,542Land / acre
22.1"Annual rain
22.6% of yrsSevere drought
44.8 / yr (+30.4)Mid-century 100°F days
30.2 daysMid-century dry spell
1.6" (+7.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.31×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,115Home insurance / yr
-1.7% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
530People within 30 min
397,164People within 2 hr
2,806Radius comparison (15 mi)
3.7People / sq mi
0%Federal land
88.4%Land at 15% slope or less
17.4%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
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Cities and towns in Coke 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.
Town of Bronte · Robert Lee
Answers from the rulebook for Coke County
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Coke County rules
Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Building height · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us.
Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
“This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
Who permits septicCounty
On-site sewage facility permitting and administration in Coke County, Texas
The county identifies an On-Site Sewage Designated Representative and provides county-specific OSSF permit forms and instructions.
“On-Site Sewage Dr Ann Pate Coke County Dr 2550 State Highway 70 Blackwell, TX 79506 Cell-325-895-0395”
Septic permitRequired
Construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of an OSSF in Coke County
Coke County states that no one may begin construction until they possess the Authorization to Construct and that there are no exceptions to that construction prerequisite.
The county's application instructions state that the county Designated Representative has up to 30 days to review applications.
TCEQ states that a 10-acre-rule exemption may apply when all listed conditions are met: licensed site evaluation; single-family dwelling on at least 10 acres; no nuisance or groundwater pollution; all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line; effluent disposed of on the property; and the single-family dwelling is the only dwelling on the tract.
TCEQ also states that emergency repairs may be permit-exempt but must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.
County fees stated in the county instructions are $250.00 for a single-family residence and $410.00 for commercial.
single-family application fee: 250 USD · commercial application fee: 410 USD · application review period: <= 30 days · 10-acre exemption minimum tract: >= 10 acres (All TCEQ-listed exemption conditions must also be met.) · OSSF distance from property line for 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet (All TCEQ-listed exemption conditions must also be met.) · emergency-repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (Emergency repair must be reported in writing after repairs begin.)
“A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF.”
Septic inspectionRequired
Installed OSSFs in Coke County requiring authorization to operate
The county application states that a permit to operate is granted only following successful inspection of the installed system.
The inspection must show installation compliance with the commission's OSSF rules in 30 TAC Chapter 285.
“following successful inspection on the installed system”
Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)
Private on-site sewage sanitation systems serving property in Coke County
An OSSF requires county permitting and an Authorization to Construct before construction.
The county states that no one may begin construction without the Authorization to Construct and that there are no exceptions to that prerequisite.
A permit to operate is granted following successful inspection showing compliance with 30 TAC Chapter 285.
The county application instructions state fees of $250.00 for a single-family residence and $410.00 for commercial use.
“I have provided the attached information to aide you with obtaining an OSSF permit in Coke County. Please use the forms provided, as the TCEQ forms are not acceptable. These forms are available also available through the judges office at the courthouse in Robert Lee, Texas. Upon completion of the forms, please mail them to me at the address below, along with a check made out to Ann Pate, Coke County DR, in the amount of $250.00 for a single family residence, or $410.00 for commercial. Please review the application requirements along with the materials check list to make sure that all areas are complete before returning the forms. The Coke County Designated Representative has up to 30 days to review all applications before an Authorization to Construct is issued. If the forms are incomplete in any way, they will be returned back to the owner, the installer, or site evaluator with instructions for what additional information is needed to complete the application. This could delay the process even longer, so be sure to double check the forms before mailing them. According to the TCEQ Rules and Regulations, Chapter 285.3(b), no one may begin construction until they have a copy in hand of the Authorization to Construct. In Coke County there will be no exceptions to this rule.”
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Coke County on-site sewage facility permits
A check must be made payable to Ann Pate, Coke County Designated Representative.
The stated fee is $250.00 for a single-family residence and $410.00 for commercial facilities.
The source does not establish fees for county building, zoning, floodplain, or other permits.
“Upon completion of the forms, please mail them to me at the address below, along with a check made out to Ann Pate, Coke County DR, in the amount of $250.00 for a single family residence, or $410.00 for commercial.”
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Coke County on-site sewage facility permit applications
Completed forms and supporting materials must be mailed to the Coke County Designated Representative.
Incomplete forms are returned with instructions for additional information and may delay processing.
The County Designated Representative has up to 30 days to review applications before issuing an Authorization to Construct.
No construction may begin until the applicant has a copy of the Authorization to Construct; the source states there are no exceptions in Coke County.
Systems must meet state requirements.
application review period: <= 30 days
“The Coke County Designated Representative has up to 30 days to review all applications before an Authorization to Construct is issued. If the forms are incomplete in any way, they will be returned back to the owner, the installer, or site evaluator with instructions for what additional information is needed to complete the application.”
County-wide zoningAbsent
No zoning or planning department appears among the county's listed offices; Texas counties generally have no zoning authority in unincorporated areas.
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 performing electrical, plumbing, or air-conditioning and refrigeration work on the owner's own residence or homestead in Texas.
Electrical work is exempt from state electrician licensing when performed on a dwelling the person owns and resides in.
Plumbing is exempt from state plumbing licensing when performed by the property owner in the property owner's homestead.
Air-conditioning and refrigeration contracting is exempt from the applicable state registration requirements when performed in a building owned solely by the person as the person's home.
These exemptions do not establish a blanket exemption for every construction trade or contractor-regulated activity.
“A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed as electricians.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Conditional — Electrical work on a dwelling owned and occupied by the property owner in Texas.
“A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed”
Building code adoptedPartial
Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components governed by the Texas Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.
The mandatory state code adoption applies to industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components, not all construction statewide.
The effective date is July 1, 2024.
The International Existing Building Code applies to alterations of portable industrialized buildings.
Manufacturers already certified for Texas must have design-package documents reviewed and approved to the new editions with an approval date on or after July 1, 2024, unless the manufacturer elected to transition before the effective date under Department rule 70.70(a)(5)(B).
Construction begun on or after July 1, 2024 must comply with the new code editions and approved design packages.
Construction begun before July 1, 2024, or before a manufacturer's effective transition date, must meet the stated completion, inspection, and labeling deadline to remain eligible for a Texas decal.
effective date: 2024-07-01 · International Building Code: 2021 Edition (including appendices C, F, and K) · International Residential Code: 2021 Edition (including appendices AG, AH, AK, AP, AQ, and AT) · International Fuel Gas Code: 2021 Edition · International Mechanical Code: 2021 Edition · International Plumbing Code: 2021 Edition · International Energy Conservation Code: 2015 Edition · National Electrical Code: 2020 Edition · International Existing Building Code: 2021 Edition (for alterations of portable industrialized buildings)
“July 1, 2024, all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply with the following codes, as amended in §70.101 of the IHB Rules:”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Adopted (with conditions) — Municipalities in Texas, including municipalities located in or serving parts of Coke County: residential structures are subject to the statutory municipal International Residential Code, and commercial buildings are subject to the statutory municipal International Building Code.
“To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the International Residential Code, as it existed on May 1, 2012, is adopted as a municipal residential building code in this state. The International Residential Code applies to all construction, alteration, remodeling, enlargement, and repair of residential structures in a municipality. [...] To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the International Building Code, as it existed on May 1, 2012, is adopted as a municipal commercial building code in this state. The International Building Code applies to all commercial buildings in a municipality and to any alteration, remodeling, enlargement, or repair of those commercial buildings.”
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:”
Well permitLimited
Drilling, equipping, operating, or completing a water well, or substantially altering a well or well pump, where the well is within a groundwater conservation district in Texas.
A groundwater conservation district must require a permit except as provided by Texas Water Code §36.117.
A district may not require a permit or permit amendment for maintenance or repair that does not increase production capability above the authorized or permitted production rate.
Permit applications must be in writing and sworn.
Whether a particular private well is exempt or subject to additional district requirements depends on the applicable groundwater conservation district's rules.
permit application form: in writing and sworn
“Except as provided by Section 36.117, a district shall require a permit for the drilling, equipping, operating, or completing of wells or for substantially altering the size of wells or well pumps.”
Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Division of a tract into two or more parts outside the limits of a municipality, including in unincorporated Coke County, when the tract is primarily used for qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production purposes.
The tract must be outside the limits of a municipality.
The owner must not lay out a part of the tract described by Local Government Code Section 232.001(a)(3).
The land must be used primarily for agricultural use as defined by Section 1-d, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use within the meaning of Section 1-d-1, Article VIII, Texas Constitution.
If the tract ceases to be used primarily for a qualifying use, the platting requirements of Chapter 232, Local Government Code, apply.
The rule is a state-law limitation on county plat requirements; it does not eliminate applicable septic, wastewater, access, floodplain, or other independent 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. (d) If a tract described by Subsection (c) ceases to be used primarily for agricultural use or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use, the platting requirements of this subchapter apply.”
Driveway accessRequired
New or modified access driveways connecting property to a Texas state highway right of way.
A local public agency may receive access driveway permitting authority for state highways, but TxDOT approval remains required for drainage impacts on the state highway system before local approval.
No access driveway is permitted within a flared or widened right-of-way section at an intersection of a state highway with another highway, road, or street.
All entrances and exits, including radii, must be confined within the permittee's property frontage.
One-way 45-to-90-degree driveways are permitted for connections to one-way frontage roads or lane-divided highways; otherwise the driveway angle must be 75 to 90 degrees.
ADAAG and Texas Accessibility Standards apply.
private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · driveway-to-pavement radius: >= 15 feet
“A driveway must be constructed in accordance with a fully executed driveway permit”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Required — New or modified access driveways for property abutting state highways in Coke County
“A completed Permit Form 1058 is necessary whenever new access driveways are constructed or existing access driveways are modified.”
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 Coke 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 regulation within the City of Bronte, Coke County, Texas.
The official page separately lists a Building Permit Application; the reviewed page does not provide the ordinance text, permit fee, effective date, inspection requirements, or exceptions.
“Ordinances [...] Building Permit Application [...] International Residential Building Code 345”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.
Inspections — New residential construction in unincorporated Coke County.
Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy in unincorporated Coke County.
Local zoning — Aggregate of municipal or other local zoning controls within Coke County; this claim does not attribute municipal ordinances to the county.
Mandatory utility hookup — Connection to public water or sewer utilities in Coke County, Texas
Building in a floodplain — Development in flood hazard areas of Coke County, including unincorporated areas
1 more unanswered
Short-term rentals
Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.
Living off-grid in Coke County, Texas
Is Coke County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
Coke County scores 63/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 530 people within a 30-minute drive and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: thin water margin (22.1″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.
Do you need a building permit in Coke County, Texas?
Coke 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 Coke County On-Site Sewage Department. 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 Coke County?
Living in an RV on your own land in Coke County is allowed: Unincorporated Coke County: no county rule sets this, because Coke County has adopted no county zoning ordinance (Texas law lets some counties zone, but this one has not). The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing co.coke.tx.us. Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits. Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.
How much does land cost in Coke County, Texas?
Land in Coke County runs about $1,542 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in Coke County?
Coke County gets about 22.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 22.6% of years.
How remote is Coke County?
A representative private-land location has about 530 people within a 30-minute drive and 397,164 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.
