Bolthole Index

Comanche County, Texas

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

65Index Score / 100
#68 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Comanche County, Texas does not require a general county building permit and does not have county zoning12. County plat rules apply outside incorporated cities and their ETJs, while city zoning can apply where municipal jurisdiction exists34. Comanche County handles septic permits countywide, including addresses inside cities5.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required in unincorporated areas; the county has no building department1
Zoning
No county zoning on unincorporated land; city zoning applies where municipal jurisdiction exists24
Septic
Comanche County handles OSSF permits countywide; submit the application and plans before construction5
Owner-installed septic
Allowed for a single-family home you own and live on, if the local permitting authority allows it67
Subdivision
Dividing land outside cities and their ETJs generally requires a county plat unless an exemption applies38
RV / tiny home
No county zoning rule on unincorporated land, but sanitation and city or ETJ rules can still apply91011
Floodplain
Habitable structures are barred from the flood plan in county-regulated subdivisions12
Water wells (Middle Trinity area)
Must be registered with the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District before drilling13

Who to call

Also useful

Comanche County Commissioners Court

Approves preliminary subdivision plats and written approval for driveway drain-pipe installations in county-regulated subdivisions in unincorporated Comanche County; presided over by the County Judge

(325) 356-2466

101 W Central Avenue, Comanche, TX 76442

Also useful

Comanche County Clerk

Files subdivision plats and collects subdivision filing fees for unincorporated Comanche County

(325) 356-2655

Septic permits

Comanche County Judge's Office (OSSF Authorized Agent)

TCEQ's designated OSSF (septic) permitting authority for the entire county; the permit program is administered through the County Judge's Office

325-356-2466

204 E Oak Ave, Comanche, TX 76442

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Comanche 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 Comanche County, Texas?

Unincorporated Comanche County does not require a general county building permit, although the county's adoption of residential building-code standards could not be confirmed1. Separate approvals still matter: dividing land outside incorporated cities and their ETJs generally requires a county subdivision plat, septic construction generally requires a county OSSF permit, and driveway drain pipes in county-regulated subdivisions need written county approval31415. Inside a city or its ETJ, ask that city whether a building permit or zoning approval applies; Comanche County still handles septic permits countywide45. A qualifying agricultural, ranch, wildlife-management or timber division may be exempt from platting, but the exemption ends when the qualifying use ends8. A manufactured home cannot be occupied anywhere in Texas until it is installed16.

Who issues building permits and subdivision approvals in Comanche County?

Comanche County has no county building department or county zoning department to call12. For land outside an incorporated city and its ETJ, the Commissioners Court administers county subdivision plats and the County Clerk files them; preliminary-plat approval must come before subdivision construction317. Published filing fees are $1,000 for a final plat with roads and 10 lots or fewer, plus $50 per additional lot; a plat revision is $300 and cancellation is $20018. Reach the Commissioners Court at 101 W Central Avenue, Comanche, TX 76442, (325) 356-2466, and the County Clerk at (325) 356-26551920. Inside municipal jurisdiction, ask the city about its building permit and zoning approval; the Comanche County Judge's Office remains the countywide contact for septic permits4521.

Does Comanche County have zoning?

Comanche County does not have county zoning on unincorporated land2. The county therefore does not impose zoning-based setbacks, building-height limits, minimum dwelling sizes or RV and tiny-home restrictions there9. Local authority changes at municipal boundaries: city zoning applies where municipal jurisdiction exists, while county subdivision rules apply outside incorporated cities and their ETJs4. Those county plat rules can still shape a rural project without being zoning. Subdivision lots using individual septic systems must contain at least 43,560 square feet with community water or 87,120 square feet without it, subject to state requirements and proof that an acceptable system can be installed22. A qualifying agricultural division may avoid county platting, but that exemption does not waive septic, floodplain or other applicable development rules8. Comanche County handles the septic permit throughout the county even where city zoning applies5.

How do septic permits work in Comanche County?

Comanche County handles OSSF permits throughout the county, including for property inside cities5. A completed application and technical information must reach the county before septic construction, and changes to approved plans need the Comanche County inspector's prior approval5. The installer or owner must contact the inspector 5 working days before completion to schedule the facility inspection; construction authorization lasts 1 year, after which a new application and fee are required if no final inspection occurred5. The state exemption for a single-family home on at least 10 acres has site-evaluation, use, disposal, pollution and 100-foot setback conditions14. Only 13.8% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field, so evaluate the site early23. Owner installation is possible only if the local authority allows it and all stated conditions are met7. Contact the County Judge's Office for the application and inspection process21.

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

Unincorporated Comanche County has no county zoning restriction on RV or tiny-home occupancy9. That does not make an off-grid setup approval-free: a septic system or holding tank generally needs an approved plan and county OSSF permit, subject to narrow state exemptions10145. A manufactured home cannot be occupied anywhere in Texas until it is installed16. County subdivision rules also bar habitable structures in the flood plan for covered subdivision development12. Inside municipal jurisdiction, city zoning may change the answer; Comanche County still handles the septic permit for those addresses45. Comanche County's short-term-rental and certificate-of-occupancy requirements could not be confirmed; ask the Commissioners Court before committing to that use19.

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

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is outside an incorporated city and its ETJ; unincorporated Comanche County has no county zoning or general county building permit, while municipal building permits or zoning approval may apply elsewhere214.
  2. If the project divides land outside a city and its ETJ, ask the Commissioners Court whether a county plat exemption applies, then file any required plat with the County Clerk and obtain preliminary-plat approval before construction381920.
  3. If you plan a well, confirm whether the parcel is in the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, where wells must be registered before drilling13.
  4. Contact the County Judge's Office for the countywide OSSF application and septic permit before choosing the house site521.
  5. Order the septic site evaluation early because only 13.8% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field23.
  6. Get written approval from the County Precinct Commissioner before installing a driveway drain pipe in a county-regulated subdivision1519.
  7. For state-highway access, submit Form 1058 to TxDOT and give 24 hours' notice before right-of-way construction24.

What to check before you buy land in Comanche County

Budget for a harder septic system than the county average suggests: fewer than 14% of Comanche County's soils carry no severe limitation for a conventional drain field, so an aerobic or alternative system is a realistic outcome on much of the county's land23. The county sits in a region that spends roughly 31% of years in severe drought and gets under 32 inches of rain annually, so confirm a well or rural water access before you commit2526. If a well is part of the plan, check whether the parcel falls inside the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, where every well, new or existing, must be registered before it is drilled, equipped or altered13. Almost all of the county's land sits at 15% slope or less, which is favorable for building and septic siting on most parcels, but a site-specific soil test still decides your system type27. Comanche County's effective property tax rate runs about 1.5%, with a median annual bill near $2,0822829.

Watch-outs

  • Whether Comanche County requires a building inspection or a certificate of occupancy, or regulates short-term rentals outside city limits, was not confirmed on an official county page; ask the Commissioners Court before you plan around an assumption19.

Sources

  1. Comanche County TX - Departments (2026 county census)
  2. Comanche County TX - Departments (2026 county census)
  3. Comanche County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  4. Comanche County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  5. 2024 Application for On-Site Sewage Facility, quoted and re-checked
  6. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (2026 county census)
  7. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  8. Comanche County, Texas Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  9. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  10. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  11. Comanche County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  12. Comanche County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  13. Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Well Registration, quoted and re-checked
  14. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  15. Comanche County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  16. Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1201, Manufactured Housing, quoted and re-checked
  17. Comanche County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  18. Comanche County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  19. Comanche County Commissioners Court (comanchecountytx.gov)
  20. Comanche County Clerk (comanchecountytx.gov)
  21. Comanche County Judge's Office (OSSF Authorized Agent) (comanchecountytx.gov)
  22. Comanche County, Texas Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  23. 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
  24. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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

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Compared with neighboring counties

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

RuleComanche CountyBrown CountyEastland CountyErath CountyHamilton CountyMills CountyLampasas County
Building permitNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredLimitedNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Septic permitsComanche CountyCounty OSSF programTCEQCounty Env. Health Dept.Hamilton CountyCounty OSSF programCounty OSSF Program

County locator

Comanche County in Texas

65
County map
Comanche County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Comanche County scores

Seclusion66100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency4296% ev.
Admin Boringness87100% ev.
Durability35100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost77100% 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 →

$240kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$3,754Land / acre
31.5"Annual rain
31.2% of yrsSevere drought
41.8 / yr (+27.5)Mid-century 100°F days
26.3 daysMid-century dry spell
2.01" (+4.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.38×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,247Home insurance / yr
-1.4% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
12,646People within 30 min
1,538,334People within 2 hr
9,843Radius comparison (15 mi)
15People / sq mi
1.5%Federal land
99.5%Land at 15% slope or less
13.8%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
81,974 acWorkable land screen
15.6%Wooded land
11.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
65.1°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Comanche 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.

Comanche · De Leon · Town of Gustine

Answers from the rulebook for Comanche County

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

Comanche County rules

  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Local zoning within Comanche County, with county subdivision rules applying outside incorporated city limits and outside incorporated-city ETJs, while city zoning applies where concurrent jurisdiction exists.

    • The county regulations apply to subdivisions whose plans, plats, or replats are filed on or after April 26, 2021.
    • The regulations state that they apply outside the city limits of incorporated cities and outside the ETJ of any incorporated city within Comanche County.
    • Where concurrent jurisdiction exists, the county rules must be harmonized with city zoning.
    • If the county rules, state statutes, or homeowner-association rules conflict, the most restrictive applicable provision controls.
    • This aggregate claim does not assert that Comanche County administers each municipal zoning ordinance.
    “These rules are to be harmonized with city zoning where concurrent jurisdiction exists, but in the event of conflict, the most restrictive will control.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Local land-use controls within Comanche County, including city zoning where municipal jurisdiction exists and Comanche County subdivision regulations outside municipal limits and municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction.
      “These Rules are applicable in Comanche County outside the city limits of any incorporated city and outside the limits of the extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of any incorporated city within Comanche County, Texas.”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 Comanche County: no county rule sets this, because Comanche 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 comanchecountytx.gov.

    • 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 (with conditions)

    On-site sewage facilities in Comanche County.

    • A completed application and related technical information must be submitted before construction.
    • The county authorization is based on the submitted plans and information; alterations to approved planning materials require prior approval by the Comanche County inspector.
    • The installer or owner must contact the Comanche County inspector five working days before completion to schedule the required facility inspection.
    • Authorization to construct is valid for one year from issuance; if a final inspection has not been performed within one year, a new application and fee are required.
    • Modifications to system components may require a new permit.
    • The county form states that construction and permitting are reviewed against minimum standards established by TCEQ.

    pre-completion inspection notice: 5 working days · authorization validity: 1 year from date of issue (If a final inspection has not been performed within one year, a new application and fee are required.)

    “Authorization is hereby given to the Comanche County On-Site Sewage Agent to enter upon the above described property for the purpose of lot evaluation and inspection of on-site sewage facility and that a permit to operate the facility will be granted following successful inspection of the installed system.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water wells located within the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District portion of Comanche County.

    • All existing and new water wells must first be registered with the District.
    • District staff determine whether the well is excluded or exempt from permitting under District Rule 5.4.
    • If the well is not exempt, no person may drill, equip, complete, or substantially alter the well without first obtaining the appropriate District permit or amendment.
    • The cited registration form identifies Comanche County as a county served by the District; the source does not establish that every parcel in Comanche County lies within the District boundary.
    “All water wells, existing and new, must be registered with the District and are required to comply with the District’s registration requirements in these Rules. No person or entity shall drill, operate, modify, complete, change type or location of use, plug, abandon, or substantially alter the size of a well within the District without first registering the well with the District, even though the well may be exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under District Rule 5.4.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A tract outside the limits of a municipality in Comanche County divided into two or more parts where the land is primarily used for agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production purposes and no Article II(a)(3) public-use area is laid out.

    • The tract must be located outside the limits of a municipality.
    • The owner must not lay out a part of the tract described by Article II(a)(3): streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts intended to be dedicated to public use of purchasers or owners of lots fronting on or adjacent to those areas.
    • 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 Section 1-d-1, Article VIII, Texas Constitution.
    • If the tract ceases to be used primarily for the qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production use, the platting requirements apply.
    • The exemption is a platting exemption only; other applicable county, state, septic, floodplain, or development requirements are not stated to be waived.
    • The county subdivision regulations do not apply inside incorporated-city limits or inside an incorporated city's ETJ.
    “The owner of a tract of land located outside the limits of a municipality must have a plat of the subdivision prepared if the owner divides the tract into two or more parts to lay out: (1) a subdivision of the tract, including an addition; (2) lots; or (3) streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts of the tract intended to be dedicated to public use of purchasers or owners of lots fronting on or adjacent to the streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plats and re-plats filed with the Comanche County Clerk for land outside the limits of an incorporated city and outside the incorporated city's extraterritorial jurisdiction within Comanche County, Texas.

    • The Commissioners Court administers the rules.
    • The rules apply to subdivisions whose plans, plats, or re-plats are filed with the County Clerk on or after April 26, 2021.
    • Owners of proposed subdivisions, except those covered by Article III exemptions, must submit a plat to the Commissioners Court complying with the County's minimum infrastructure development standards.
    • Construction of a proposed subdivision may not begin before the Commissioners Court approves the proposed preliminary plat.
    • The regulations do not apply inside incorporated-city limits or inside an incorporated city's ETJ within Comanche County.
    • The regulations are effective upon final approval by the Commissioners Court; they apply to subdivisions whose construction or expansion commenced on or after adoption of the original infrastructure standards, and to expansions of existing subdivisions after the original effective date.
    • A plat application must be approved, rejected, or conditionally approved within 30 days after submission; the period may be extended by 30 days in the stated circumstances.
    • A performance bond or letter of credit is required for construction of public improvements, including roads and drainage facilities.
    • Subdivision lots with individual septic systems must contain at least 43,560 square feet (one acre) with community water or 87,120 square feet (two acres) without community water, subject to state requirements and the requirement that an acceptable septic system can be installed.
    • The fee schedule lists a final plat with roads for 10 lots or fewer at $1,000, plus $50 per lot over 10; plat revision is $300 and plat cancellation is $200.

    minimum lot area with community water: >= 43560 square feet (Individual septic systems; state requirements also apply.) · minimum lot area without community water: >= 87120 square feet (Individual septic systems; state requirements also apply.) · plat application decision period: 30 days (May be extended by 30 days under the stated conditions.) · final plat fee with roads for 10 lots or fewer: 1000 USD (Paid to the Comanche County Clerk upon filing.) · additional final-plat fee per lot over 10: 50 USD per lot (Applies to final plats with roads.)

    “outside the city limits of any incorporated city and outside the limits of the extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivisions outside the limits of municipalities and outside the extraterritorial jurisdiction of incorporated cities within Comanche County.
      “The owner of a tract of land located outside the limits of a municipality must have a plat of the subdivision prepared if the owner divides the tract into two or more parts to lay out: (1) a subdivision of the tract, including an addition; (2) lots;”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveway drainage crossings in subdivisions governed by Comanche County subdivision regulations.

    • The owner or developer pays for placement of driveway drain pipes and drainage structures.
    • Written approval of the County Precinct Commissioner is required before installation.
    • The pipe must be inspected and approved by a County Commissioner before installation.
    • The Commissioner may alter required size, length, and placement when necessary.
    • Larger pipes are required when necessary to handle drainage based on a ten-year flow frequency.
    • An easement is required from affected property owners when natural water flow is changed.

    minimum driveway drain pipe diameter: >= 15 inches (Larger pipes may be required.) · minimum pipe length when ends are concreted: >= 22 feet (Placement, length, and diameter remain subject to inspection and approval.)

    “Placement of driveway drain pipes and drain structures shall be made at the expense of the owner or developer upon receipt of a written approval of the County Precinct Commissioner prior to installation.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Subdivision development and habitable structures in areas subject to the Comanche County subdivision regulations outside incorporated city limits and incorporated-city ETJs.

    • An engineering 20-year flood drainage plan must be submitted with the preliminary plat unless waived by the Commissioners Court.
    • The drainage plan must be prepared by a registered professional engineer qualified in storm runoff and drainage design.
    • The cited regulation states that habitable structures may not be built in the flood plan.
    • Road-grade exceptions may be granted by the Commissioners Court.

    engineering flood drainage plan: 20 year flood plan (May be waived by the Commissioners Court.)

    “An engineering 20-year flood drainage plan shall be submitted with the preliminary plat unless waived by the Commissioners Court.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Subdivision plat applications outside incorporated city limits and outside incorporated-city ETJs administered under Comanche County's subdivision regulations.

    • Fees apply upon filing of the subdivision application with the Comanche County Clerk.
    • The published schedule covers final plats with roads, plat revisions, and plat cancellations; other fees are not specified in the cited schedule.

    final plat with roads, 10 lots or less: 1000 USD · additional lots over 10: per 50 USD per lot · plat revision: 300 USD · plat cancellation: 200 USD

    “Subdivision Fees (Paid to the Comanche County Clerk upon filing of Application):”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Subdivision plat approval and related construction in Comanche County outside incorporated city limits and outside incorporated-city ETJs.

    • Article III exemptions apply, including specified agricultural, family-transfer, acreage, veterans-land, and other statutory exemptions.
    • The Commissioners Court or designee must approve the preliminary plat before construction begins.
    • The ordinary decision period is 30 days and may be extended by 30 days if the stated conditions are met.
    • The rules apply to subdivisions whose plans, plats, or replats are filed on or after April 26, 2021, and to construction or expansion commenced on or after adoption of the original infrastructure standards.

    preliminary plat decision deadline: 30 days (May be extended by 30 days under the regulation's stated conditions.) · construction before approved preliminary plat: false (Construction of a proposed subdivision may not begin before approval.)

    “Construction of any proposed subdivision may not begin before the Comanche County Commissioners Court approves the proposed Preliminary Plat.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    No county zoning or planning department is listed; Texas counties generally cannot zone unincorporated land absent specific legislative authority.

    Comanche County TX - Departments ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

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

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

    An owner installing an on-site sewage facility for a single-family dwelling in Texas, including applicable property in Comanche County, where the local permitting authority allows owner installation.

    • The local 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 any phase, that person generally must be a licensed installer, subject to the stated exceptions for a licensed electrician installing electrical components and a person delivering and setting a treatment or pump tank.
    “This depends on whether the permitting authority allows this in their local requirements. Otherwise yes, provided you have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to do so AND: the OSSF is for a single family dwelling that you own, you also own the property, no part of the property will be developed for sale or lease, all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements of the permitting authority are met.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — An owner performing electrical, plumbing, or air-conditioning and refrigeration work on the owner's own residence or homestead in Texas.
      “A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed as electricians.”
    • Conditional — Electrical work on a dwelling owned and occupied by the property owner in Texas.
      “A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components governed by the Texas Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.

    • The mandatory state code adoption applies to industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components, not all construction statewide.
    • The effective date is July 1, 2024.
    • The International Existing Building Code applies to alterations of portable industrialized buildings.
    • Manufacturers already certified for Texas must have design-package documents reviewed and approved to the new editions with an approval date on or after July 1, 2024, unless the manufacturer elected to transition before the effective date under Department rule 70.70(a)(5)(B).
    • Construction begun on or after July 1, 2024 must comply with the new code editions and approved design packages.
    • Construction begun before July 1, 2024, or before a manufacturer's effective transition date, must meet the stated completion, inspection, and labeling deadline to remain eligible for a Texas decal.

    effective date: 2024-07-01 · International Building Code: 2021 Edition (including appendices C, F, and K) · International Residential Code: 2021 Edition (including appendices AG, AH, AK, AP, AQ, and AT) · International Fuel Gas Code: 2021 Edition · International Mechanical Code: 2021 Edition · International Plumbing Code: 2021 Edition · International Energy Conservation Code: 2015 Edition · National Electrical Code: 2020 Edition · International Existing Building Code: 2021 Edition (for alterations of portable industrialized buildings)

    “July 1, 2024, all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply with the following codes, as amended in §70.101 of the IHB Rules:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components built for Texas under the Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.
      “Effective July 1, 2024, all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply with the following codes, as amended in §70.101 of the IHB Rules:”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, and operation of OSSFs in Texas, subject to stated exemptions and local requirements.

    • A permit and approved plan are required for construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of an OSSF.
    • A permit is generally required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF.
    • A local permitting authority must be checked because local programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
    • The 10-acre exemption requires compliance with 30 TAC Chapter 285 planning, construction, and installation standards; a site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer; service to a single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres; no nuisance or groundwater pollution; all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line; on-site effluent disposal; and the single-family dwelling must be the only dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.
    • Grandfathered systems may be exempt if installed before the local program was authorized or before September 1, 1989, whichever is earlier, and if they are not creating a nuisance, are not in need of repair, and have had no significant increase in use or other alteration.
    • The permitting authority must approve or deny planning materials and the permit application within 30 days of receipt.

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

    “A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — OSSFs, including septic systems and holding tanks, in Comanche County subject to the applicable local permitting authority and any more stringent local requirements.
      “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. Always check with your local permitting authority. Local permitting programs can be more stringent than State minimums.”
    • Required — Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF in Texas
      “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. [...] An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”:”
  • Septic 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
    • Limited — OSSFs using secondary treatment or drip irrigation in Comanche County.
      “A system using secondary treatment or drip irrigation must be inspected by a valid maintenance company once every four months, or be maintained by the single family homeowner, where allowed.”
    • Limited — OSSFs using secondary treatment or drip irrigation in Texas.
      “A system using secondary treatment or drip irrigation must be inspected by a valid maintenance company once every four months, or be maintained by the single family homeowner, where allowed.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid wastewater sanitation through an OSSF in Texas.

    • An OSSF generally requires a permit and approved plan before construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, or operation.
    • A qualifying single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres may use the 10-acre permitting exemption only if every stated site-evaluation, setback, nuisance, groundwater, on-site disposal, and single-dwelling condition is met.
    • Local permitting authorities may impose requirements more stringent than state minimums.
    • Emergency repairs are exempt from permitting only for the listed repair types and must be reported in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.

    10-acre exemption tract size: >= 10 acres (all TCEQ conditions must be satisfied) · 10-acre exemption OSSF setback: >= 100 feet from property line (all parts of the OSSF)

    “An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”:”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Use of an on-site sewage facility, including a septic system or holding tank, as off-grid sanitation in Comanche County.
      “Permits are required for on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs) including septic systems and holding tanks. This page offers guidance on selecting a system and installer. A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
    • Limited — Composting toilets used as on-site sewage facility treatment systems in Texas.
      “Composting toilets will be approved by the executive director provided the system has been tested and certified under NSF International Standard 41 (1999) or under any other standards approved by the executive director.”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    Texas counties adopting zoning regulations for specified unincorporated or otherwise specially defined areas.

    • Chapter 231 does not grant a general statewide county zoning power; authority is provided through geographically or subject-matter limited subchapters.
    • For Padre Island, the authority applies in Cameron or Willacy County outside a municipality and within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development, or within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.
    • Other Chapter 231 subchapters address special areas including the Amistad Recreation Area in Val Verde County, military zones, certain lakes, the El Paso Mission Trail Historical Area, Lake Somerville, and Falcon Lake in Zapata County.
    • The cited statute was enacted effective September 1, 1987; the Falcon Lake subchapter was added effective June 15, 2007, and amended effective September 1, 2009.

    Padre Island distance from publicly owned park or recreational development: <= 2 miles (Area must be outside a municipality and in Cameron or Willacy County.) · Padre Island distance from beach, wharf, or bathhouse: <= 2 miles (The beach, wharf, or bathhouse must be used by at least 500 persons annually.)

    “This subchapter applies to the areas of Padre Island located in Cameron or Willacy County and located: (1) outside a municipality but within two miles of a publicly owned park or recreational development; or (2) within two miles of a beach, wharf, or bathhouse used by at least 500 persons annually.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — County zoning authority over unincorporated land in Texas, where a specific statutory grant applies.
      “As you suggest, a county has very limited and specific zoning authority, and none that may be used to regulate construction or operation of the proposed facility.”
  • county building authorityLimited

    Texas counties adopting and enforcing fire-code building permits for specified buildings in unincorporated areas and applying residential building-code standards in certain counties.

    • Under Section 233.061, the county must have a population over 250,000 or be adjacent to a county with a population over 250,000.
    • Under Section 233.062, the fire code applies only to commercial establishments, public buildings, and multifamily residential dwellings consisting of four or more units constructed in an unincorporated area.
    • The fire code does not apply to an industrial facility having a fire brigade that conforms to Occupational Health and Safety Administration requirements.
    • A covered applicant must submit a plan and a commissioners-court-set application fee; the county must issue or deny the permit within 30 days, and failure to act within 30 days approves the construction for purposes of the subchapter.
    • The fire code must conform to the International Fire Code or Uniform Fire Code as those codes existed on May 1, 2005, or establish protective measures exceeding those standards; later editions may be adopted.
    • Residential standards under Section 233.152 apply only if the county adopts a resolution or order and the county is within 50 miles of an international border or has a population over 100.
    • Those residential standards apply only to new single-family-house or duplex construction beginning after September 1, 2009; manufactured or modular structures governed by Occupations Code Chapters 1201 or 1202 are excluded from the definition of new residential construction.
    • A municipality's building code controls in its extraterritorial jurisdiction, and Section 233.152 does not authorize county prior approval of new residential construction or county zoning regulations.
    • Fire-code inspection and permit fees may be charged under a fee schedule based on building type, limited to amounts necessary to administer and enforce the subchapter; inspection fees must be reasonable and reflect approximate inspection costs.

    county population threshold for fire-code authority: > 250000 persons (A county adjacent to a county over 250,000 also qualifies.) · multifamily residential dwelling threshold: >= 4 units (The fire code applies only to covered buildings constructed in an unincorporated area.) · residential-code border distance: <= 50 miles (Alternative qualification is county population over 100.) · application decision period: 30 days (If the commissioners court does not issue or deny the permit within 30 days after receiving the application and fee, construction is approved for purposes of the subchapter.) · residential standards effective construction date: > 2009-09-01 (Applies only to new residential construction that begins after September 1, 2009.)

    “The commissioners court of a county with a population of over 250,000 or a county adjacent to a county with a population of over 250,000 may adopt a fire code and rules necessary to administer and enforce the fire code. [...] The fire code applies only to the following buildings constructed in an unincorporated area of the county: (1) a commercial establishment; (2) a public building; and (3) a multifamily residential dwelling consisting of four or more units.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — County fire-code adoption and building-permit authority for specified buildings in unincorporated areas of qualifying Texas counties, including multifamily residential dwellings of four or more units.
      “The commissioners court of a county with a population of over 250,000 or a county adjacent to a county with a population of over 250,000 may adopt a fire code and rules necessary to administer and enforce the fire code.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction in Comanche County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in Comanche County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer connection requirements for property in Comanche County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals in Comanche County, Texas.

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 Comanche County, Texas

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

Comanche County scores 65/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Comanche 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 Comanche County (TCEQ authorized agent for on-site sewage). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

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

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

Land in Comanche County runs about $3,754 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Comanche County?

Comanche County gets about 31.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 31.2% of years.

How remote is Comanche County?

A representative private-land location has about 12,646 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,538,334 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 Comanche compares in Texas

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