Bolthole Index

Collin County, Texas

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in the Town of St. Paul, Texas

The Town of St. Paul, Texas (Collin County) requires a building permit for construction, remodeling or improvement inside town limits, applied for through the Town Secretary1. St. Paul has its own zoning ordinance2. Septic permits, where one is required, are approved by the county, not the town3. Land outside town limits falls under Collin County's rules instead.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside town limits; apply to the Town Secretary1
Zoning
Town has its own zoning ordinance and zoning map2
Septic
County sanitarian or other county official approves the septic permit first, if one is required3
Inspections
Required to finalize a building permit4
Certificate of occupancy
Required before occupying vacant land or buildings, except for agricultural purposes5
R1.5 minimum lot
1.5 acres6
R1.5 minimum home size
1,800 sq ft7
Manufactured home while building (R1.5)
By permit only, up to 18 months as a temporary residence; mobile homes not permitted8

Who to call

Building permits

Town of St. Paul Town Hall (Town Secretary)

Building permit applications inside St. Paul town limits, and the town's zoning map and ordinances.

972-442-7212

townhall@stpaultexas.us

2505 Butscher's Block, St Paul, Texas 75098

Septic permits

Collin County Development Services (On-Site Sewage Facilities / OSSF Program)

Septic (OSSF) permitting for Collin County property outside city limits; for addresses inside St. Paul, confirm with Town Hall which county official issues the permit.

(972) 548-5585

4690 Community Ave., McKinney, Texas, 75071

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of St. Paul means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in St. Paul, Texas?

Yes. Anyone who wants to construct, refurbish, remodel or improve a building or structure inside the corporate limits of the Town of St. Paul must apply for a building permit with the Town Secretary1. The Town Secretary issues the permit once the building official approves it, and only when the project complies with the town's ordinances9.

St. Paul has adopted its own building code article10. Required inspections must be completed to finalize a permit, and failing to finalize is a violation4. The town may set fee schedules by resolution, no permit is issued until the fee is paid11, and work started without a required permit costs an additional 100 percent of the usual permit fees11. Ask Town Hall for the current schedule.

Who issues building permits in St. Paul, and how do you reach them?

The Town Secretary takes building permit applications, and the town's building official approves them1. Reach Town Hall at 972-442-7212, townhall@stpaultexas.us, or 2505 Butscher's Block, St Paul, Texas 7509812. The town's website also lists a permits and applications page and a schedule of fees.

The application must include the listed survey and plans, and it also has to satisfy septic, platting, zoning, subdivision-control and building-code requirements9. Subdividing land inside town limits is regulated by the town's subdivision ordinance13.

Does St. Paul have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The Town of St. Paul has a zoning ordinance with districts, and the official zoning map is on file with the Town Secretary2. Rules differ by district, so find your parcel's district before you plan anything.

In the R1.5 Single-Family Residential District, no building may be built on a lot under 1.5 acres6. A dwelling must have at least 1,800 square feet of floor area, and a two-story house needs at least 1,200 square feet on the first floor7. The front yard must be at least 50 feet deep, with side and rear yards of at least 20 feet14. Main and accessory buildings together may cover no more than 30 percent of the lot15. Other districts have different numbers; we did not confirm them.

How do septic permits work inside St. Paul?

The town will not issue a building permit until a required septic permit is approved by the county sanitarian or other county official in charge of issuance3. In practice, septic comes first, then the town building permit.

Collin County Development Services runs the county's septic (OSSF) program as an authorized agent for properties outside city limits16. We could not confirm septic inspection rules inside St. Paul, so ask Town Hall and Collin County Development Services at (972) 548-5585 which office handles your address17. Septic permits expire after 365 days of no activity17. Conventional drain fields may be hard to site here: only 1% of Collin County soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system18.

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in St. Paul?

Mobile homes are not permitted in the R1.5 district8. A HUD-Code manufactured home of at least 600 square feet may serve as a lot owner's temporary residence, by permit only, for no more than 18 months while the owner builds a permanent home; it must then be removed from town or moved to a Manufactured Home District8.

We could not confirm any rule on long-term RV living, temporary camping, tiny homes or accessory dwellings inside St. Paul. Call Town Hall at 972-442-7212 before parking an RV or placing a tiny home12. Do not assume Collin County's lack of zoning applies: that rule covers only unincorporated land19.

Building a home in St. Paul: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Town Hall which zoning district your lot is in and read that district's lot, size and setback rules2.
  2. If you plan a septic system, get the septic permit approved by the county first3.
  3. Apply for a building permit with the Town Secretary, with survey and plans9.
  4. Apply for a certificate of occupancy when you apply for the building permit5.
  5. Build, and complete the required inspections to finalize the permit4.
  6. Do not occupy the building until the certificate of occupancy is issued5.

What stays with Collin County, and what to check before you buy

Septic permits come from the county, as covered above3. Whether a parcel is inside town limits matters: outside them, Collin County requires a development permit for projects that disturb ground or add footprint in the unincorporated county20, and the county has no zoning there19. See the Collin County page for land outside town limits.

County figures: the effective property tax rate is 1.7%21, and the median property tax bill is $7,432 a year22. The county center is about 6 miles from the nearest city of 100,000 or more23. We could not confirm floodplain rules, private well rules or utility connection rules inside St. Paul; ask Town Hall.

Watch-outs

  • Verify your parcel is inside St. Paul town limits before relying on this page; outside them, Collin County's rules apply instead19.
  • We could not confirm whether an owner-builder exemption exists inside St. Paul; ask Town Hall at 972-442-7212 before planning to build without a contractor12.
  • Starting work without a required permit adds 100 percent of the usual permit fees11.
  • A certificate of occupancy is required before anyone uses or occupies a new building, except for agricultural purposes5.

Sources

  1. ecode360.com (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  2. Exhibit 14A, Article 4: Establishment of Districts and Boundaries (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  3. ecode360.com (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  4. ecode360.com (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  5. ecode360.com (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  6. Exhibit 14A, Article 6: R1.5 Single-Family Residential District (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  7. Exhibit 14A, Article 6: R1.5 Single-Family Residential District (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  8. Exhibit 14A, Article 6: R1.5 Single-Family Residential District (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 3, Article 3.02, Division 1: Generally (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 3, Article 3.02, Division 1: Generally (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  11. ecode360.com (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  12. Town of St. Paul Town Hall (Town Secretary) (stpaultexas.us)
  13. Chapter 10: Subdivision Regulation (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  14. Exhibit 14A, Article 6: R1.5 Single-Family Residential District (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  15. Exhibit 14A, Article 6: R1.5 Single-Family Residential District (Town of St. Paul), quoted and re-checked
  16. Development Services: On Site Sewage Facilities (2026 county census)
  17. Collin County Development Services (On-Site Sewage Facilities / OSSF Program) (collincountytx.gov)
  18. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  19. collincountytx.gov, quoted and re-checked
  20. collincountytx.gov, quoted and re-checked
  21. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of St. Paul

Town of St. Paul’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, refurbishment, remodeling, or improvement of a building or structure within St. Paul town limits.

    • Application is made to the Town Secretary.
    • Permit issuance requires building-official approval and compliance with Town ordinances.
    • If required, septic approval by the county sanitarian or other county official and compliance with Town platting requirements are prerequisites.
    “All persons desiring to construct, refurbish, remodel or improve any building or structure within the corporate limits of the town shall make application for a building permit for said structure with the town secretary.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings and structures inside St. Paul town limits.

    • The article is titled the Town of St. Paul Building Code; model construction codes are adopted pursuant to the article.
    “The town secretary and building official shall at all times maintain a copy of the model construction codes adopted pursuant to this article.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction, refurbishing, and remodeling of buildings and structures inside St. Paul town limits.

    • Required inspections must be obtained to finalize a building permit.
    “Failing to finalize building permits by obtaining the required inspections;”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of vacant land or buildings inside St. Paul town limits.

    • Agricultural purposes are excepted.
    • Applicant must apply when applying for a building permit.
    • Issuance is after construction, erection, or alteration is complete in conformity with applicable Town ordinances.
    “No vacant land or building shall be occupied or used by any person, except for agricultural purposes, until a certificate of occupancy has been issued in accordance with this section.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside St. Paul town limits.

    • The official zoning map is incorporated into the zoning ordinance and is on file with the Town Secretary.
    “For the purposes of this Ordinance, the Town is hereby divided into six (6) districts as follows:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside St. Paul town limits.

    • The official zoning map and its amendments are incorporated into the ordinance and are on file in the Town Secretary's office.

    number of zoning districts: 6

    “For the purposes of this Ordinance, the Town is hereby divided into six (6) districts as follows:”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Septic-system permitting prerequisite for building permits inside St. Paul town limits.

    • The code identifies the county sanitarian or other county official in charge of issuance; it applies only if a septic permit is required.
    “A building permit will not be issued until a permit for the installation or construction of a septic system, if required, is approved by the county sanitarian or other county official in charge of issuance.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Occupancy and use of vacant land or buildings for agricultural purposes inside St. Paul town limits.

    • This is an exception from the certificate-of-occupancy requirement only; it does not establish an exemption from other Town requirements.
    “No vacant land or building shall be occupied or used by any person, except for agricultural purposes, until a certificate of occupancy has been issued in accordance with this section.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside St. Paul town limits.

    • The code describes Ordinance 100 as amended and printed as Exhibit A.
    “The subdivision ordinance, Ordinance 100, adopted by the town on August 14, 1995, as amended, is included at the end of this chapter as exhibit A.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permits inside St. Paul town limits.

    • Town Council may set fee schedules by resolution.
    • A permit may not be issued or amended until the prescribed fee is paid.
    • Work begun without necessary permits is subject to 100 percent of usual permit fees in addition to required permit fees.

    additional fee for commencing work before required permit: 100 percent of usual permit fees (in addition to required permit fees)

    “The town council may from time to time set building permit fee schedules by resolution when it determines that such changes in the schedule of fees are necessary for the effective administration and enforcement of the building code or any other ordinance of the town. A building permit shall not be issued or amended until the prescribed fee has been paid.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits inside St. Paul town limits.

    • Application must include two copies of the listed survey and plans and any other lawfully required information.
    • Town Secretary issues the permit after Building Official approval.
    • The application also must satisfy applicable septic, platting, zoning, subdivision-control, and building-code requirements.
    “The town secretary shall issue all building permits upon approval of the building official. A building permit shall only be issued when compliance with this article and all other ordinances of the town is assured.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of St. Paul

Town of St. Paul does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R1.5 Single-Family Residential District inside St. Paul town limits.

    • Area excludes garages, breezeways, storage areas, porches, and other covered non-living space.
    • A two-story house has a separate minimum first-floor area.

    minimum dwelling floor area: >= 1800 sq ft (excludes garages, breezeways, storage areas, porches, and other covered non-living space) · two-story first-floor minimum area: >= 1200 sq ft (two-story houses)

    “Minimum Dwelling Size: The minimum floor area of any dwelling shall be eighteen hundred square feet (1,800 sq. ft.), exclusive of garages, breezeways, storage areas, porches, and other covered non-living space. Two (2) story houses shall have a minimum floor area of twelve hundred square feet (1,200 sq. ft.) on the first floor.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R1.5 Single-Family Residential District inside St. Paul town limits.

    • Minimum lot width is 160 feet at the front street building line; cul-de-sac width may be 35 feet at the property line.
    • Minimum lot depth is 200 feet, except a corner lot may be 180 feet deep.

    minimum lot area: >= 1.5 acres · minimum lot area: >= 65340 sq ft

    “Lot Area: No building shall be constructed on any lot of less than one and one-half (1-1/2) acres (65,340 sq. ft.).”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R1.5 Single-Family Residential District inside St. Paul town limits.

    • Double-frontage lots require the front yard on both streets.
    • No required parking is allowed within the required front yard.
    • Swimming pools, tennis courts, soccer fields, and similar facilities must be behind the front building line and 20 feet from the nearest lot line.

    front yard depth: >= 50 ft (both streets for double-frontage lots) · side yard: >= 20 ft (each side of lot) · rear yard depth: >= 20 ft

    “Front Yard: There shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than fifty feet (50’). Where lots have double frontage, running through from one street to another, the required front yard shall be provided on both streets. No required parking shall be allowed within the required front yard.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R1.5 Single-Family Residential District inside St. Paul town limits.

    • The limit combines main and accessory buildings.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 30 percent (combined area of main and accessory buildings)

    “Lot Coverage: In no case shall more than thirty percent (30%) of the total lot area be covered by the combined area of the main buildings and accessory buildings.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R1.5 Single-Family Residential District inside St. Paul town limits.

    • Both the story limit and roof-peak height limit apply.

    maximum stories: <= 2.5 stories · maximum roof-peak height: <= 35 ft

    “No building shall exceed two and one-half (2-1/2) stories in height. In addition to the limit on the number of stories, no building shall exceed a maximum height of 35 feet to the peak of the roof.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    R1.5 Single-Family Residential District inside St. Paul town limits.

    • Mobile homes are not permitted.
    • A HUD-Code manufactured home requires a permit, at least 600 square feet of floor area, and may be a lot owner's temporary residence only while the owner builds a permanent home.
    • The temporary period is no more than 18 months; upon home completion or expiration, whichever occurs first, it must be removed from Town or moved to a Manufactured Home District.

    minimum floor area: >= 600 sq ft (HUD-Code manufactured home under the temporary-residence provision) · temporary residence duration: <= 18 months (while lot owner builds permanent home)

    “Mobile Homes are not permitted. By permit only, HUD-Code Manufactured Home having a minimum floor area of six hundred square feet (600 sq. ft.), is allowed as the temporary residence of a lot owner for no more than eighteen (18) months while the owner is building his permanent home. Upon completion of the home or eighteen (18) months, whichever comes first, the HUD-Code Manufactured Home shall be removed from the Town or to a Manufactured Home District.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    Septic-system construction inside St. Paul town limits where a septic permit is required.

    • Town building permits are withheld until the required septic permit is approved by the county sanitarian or other county official in charge of issuance.
    “A building permit will not be issued until a permit for the installation or construction of a septic system, if required, is approved by the county sanitarian or other county official in charge of issuance.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveways in the R1.5 Single-Family Residential District inside St. Paul town limits.

    • The requirement applies only where a driveway connects to a concrete or asphalt street with curb and gutter.

    required paved driveway segment: 25 ft (where connecting to concrete or asphalt streets if curb and gutter)

    “The first twenty-five feet (25’) of driveways connecting to concrete or asphalt streets shall be concrete or asphalt if curb and gutter.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of St. Paul or Collin County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built homes inside St. Paul town limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term recreational-vehicle occupancy on private land inside St. Paul town limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside St. Paul town limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside St. Paul town limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwellings inside St. Paul town limits.
6 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of St. Paul publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Collin County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Collin County: county rules, score and offices