Bolthole Index

Dallam County, Texas

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

38Index Score / 100
#223 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Dallam County, Texas does not require a general county building permit and has no county zoning12. Inside Dalhart, the city handles building permits and zoning; Dallam County remains the septic permitting authority345.

At a glance

Building permit
No general county permit for a home in unincorporated Dallam County1
Zoning
No county zoning on unincorporated land; Dalhart has separate city rules24
Septic permits
Dallam County is the authorized OSSF permitting and inspection agent5
RV / tiny home
No county zoning restriction, but septic and subdivision rules still apply67
Minimum home size
No county zoning-based minimum on unincorporated land6
Owner-builder
Limited state trade-license exemptions apply to work on an owner's residence or homestead8
Subdivision plat
Usually required when a tract outside a city is divided, with a conditional agricultural exception910

Who to call

Also useful

Dallam County Judge's Office

First contact for subdivision review and for the current OSSF, building, inspection, and occupancy contacts

(806) 244-2450

daljudge@dallam.org

414 Denver Avenue, Suite 301, Dalhart, TX. 79022

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Dallam County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

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

An ordinary home on unincorporated Dallam County land does not require a general county building permit1. Septic work normally requires a permit and approved plan, while dividing land may trigger plat review119. Industrialized housing remains subject to the Texas installation-permit program12. Inside Dalhart, the city handles building permits; submit plans to the Inspector at City Hall or by email, compliant with the 2015 International Building Codes313. Dalhart lists new residential building permits at $0.15 per square foot, with a $100 minimum; septic permitting stays with Dallam County135.

Who is the Dallam County building department, and how do you reach it?

For unincorporated Dallam County construction, start with the County Judge’s Office and ask for the current building-inspection, occupancy-document and septic application contacts14. We could not confirm a county building-inspection or certificate-of-occupancy program; ask before construction14. For a subdivision, submit the plat to the Dallam County Judge for review, then request placement on a regular Commissioners Court meeting agenda after the Judge’s approval15. A subdivision within a city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction also needs the relevant city’s approval before final county approval15.

Does Dallam County have zoning?

Unincorporated Dallam County has no county zoning2. Dallam County has no zoning-based restriction on RV occupancy, tiny homes, temporary camping, minimum dwelling or lot size, building height or accessory dwellings6. Subdivision rules still require vehicle-access points and building setback lines on plats, with a 30-foot setback measured from the convergence of bordering road edges or curb lines on corner lots1617. Inside Dalhart, uses and structures must meet the city’s zoning-district rules; septic permitting remains with Dallam County45. Dalhart manufactured homes need Planning and Zoning Board approval before placement and may require Special Use zoning; ask the city Code Department about that process18.

How do septic permits work in Dallam County?

Dallam County is the authorized agent that reviews OSSF applications, conducts inspections, investigates complaints and administers the local septic program5. A permit and approved plan are normally required to construct, install, alter, extend or repair an OSSF11. A narrow exemption may apply to a single-family tract of at least 10 acres if every condition is met, including professional site evaluation and at least 100 feet between every system component and the property line11. About 80.8% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field19. The county's day-to-day application contact and fee schedule are not identified, so ask the County Judge's Office2014.

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

For an RV or tiny home on unincorporated Dallam County land, plan sanitation before moving in: dwellings, trailers and mobile homes on subdivision lots or ranchettes must connect to septic or disposal facilities meeting state specifications7. Inside Dalhart, manufactured homes require Planning and Zoning Board approval and may need Special Use zoning21. Dalhart also requires a city building-inspector permit to construct, alter, extend or expand a manufactured-home park or RV park; that park rule does not answer occupancy of an individual RV on private land3. Ask the County Judge’s Office about unincorporated occupancy documents before moving in14.

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

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is inside Dalhart; the city applies building codes and zoning within its boundaries134.
  1. If land is being divided, determine whether platting applies; qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management or timber-production divisions may be exempt only while the stated conditions and qualifying use continue910.
  1. If a plat is required, submit it to the Dallam County Judge before seeking Commissioners Court approval15.
  1. Contact Dallam County before septic work because the county administers OSSF permitting51114.
  1. Confirm access; subdivision dead-end roads may require a cul-de-sac that permits driveway access to adjoining lots, while state-highway driveways use the TxDOT process2223.

What should you check before buying land in Dallam County?

Verify legal access, plat status, city limits, deed restrictions, flood exposure, water supply and the proposed septic area before closing. Subdivided land cannot be conveyed until Commissioners Court approval and recording, subject to statutory exceptions24. A corner subdivision lot carries a 30-foot setback at intersecting roads, and dead-end subdivision roads may need a cul-de-sac with a 50-foot right-of-way radius and driveway access to adjoining lots1722. Dallam County averages about 16.1 inches of precipitation, and severe drought occurs in about 39.1% of years2526. We could not confirm private-well requirements countywide; ask the County Judge’s Office which groundwater authority serves the parcel14.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm a building-inspection or certificate-of-occupancy program for unincorporated Dallam County; ask the County Judge’s Office14.
  • Dallam County is the OSSF permitting authority, but the day-to-day application office and fee schedule could not be confirmed; ask the County Judge's Office2714.
  • An agricultural land division loses its plat exception if the tract stops being used primarily for a qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management or timber-production use10.

Sources

  1. Dallam County Subdivision Regulations 2025 (2026 county census)
  2. Dallam County Subdivision Regulations 2025 (2026 county census)
  3. Dalhart: Code of Ordinances, Sec. 24-5, Manufactured home park and recreational vehicle park permits (Dallam County), quoted and re-checked
  4. Dalhart: Code of Ordinances, Sec. 40-4, Specific purposes of districts (Dallam County), quoted and re-checked
  5. 2024 Systems Authorized by Authorized Agents, quoted and re-checked
  6. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  7. Dallam County Revised 2025 Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  8. Exemptions to Electrician Licensing (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Dallam County Revised 2025 Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  10. Texas Local Government Code, Section 232.0015, quoted and re-checked
  11. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  12. tdlr.texas.gov (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Code Department, quoted and re-checked
  14. Dallam County Judge's Office (dallam.org)
  15. Dallam County Revised 2025 Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  16. Dallam County Revised 2025 Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  17. Dallam County Revised 2025 Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  18. Code Department, quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Types of Systems Installed by Time Period — 2025 Systems Authorized by Authorized Agents, quoted and re-checked
  21. Code Department, quoted and re-checked
  22. Dallam County Revised 2025 Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  23. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Dallam County Revised 2025 Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  25. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  27. tceq.texas.gov, quoted and re-checked

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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

Compared with neighboring counties

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

RuleDallam CountyHartley CountySherman CountyMoore CountyOldham CountyHansford CountyPotter County
Building permitNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Septic permitsCounty Env. Health Dept.Hartley CountyTCEQ Region 1TCEQTCEQTCEQAmarillo Area Public Health District

County locator

Dallam County in Texas

38
County map
Dallam County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Dallam County scores

Seclusion79100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1392% ev.
Admin Boringness8290% ev.
Durability26100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost8096% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. 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
1.5%Property tax
$1,909Land / acre
16.1"Annual rain
39.1% of yrsSevere drought
21 / yr (+17.8)Mid-century 100°F days
33 daysMid-century dry spell
1.21" (+2.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.27×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,296Home insurance / yr
-3.5% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
8,387People within 30 min
351,243People within 2 hr
2,062Radius comparison (15 mi)
4.8People / sq mi
8.1%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
80.8%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
777,284 acWorkable land screen
0.1%Wooded land
55.6°FAvg temp

Scout Dallam County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Dallam County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Cities and towns in Dallam 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.

Not yet researched: Town of Texline

Answers from the rulebook for Dallam County

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

Dallam County rules

  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Dallam County: no county rule sets this, because Dallam 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 dallam.org.

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

    Unincorporated Dallam County: no county rule sets this, because Dallam 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 dallam.org.

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

    Unincorporated Dallam County: no county rule sets this, because Dallam 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 dallam.org.

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

    Structures on lots in a subdivision bordered by intersecting roads in unincorporated Dallam County

    • Applies to lots bordered by intersecting roads.
    • The setback is measured from the convergence of the curb lines or edges of the roads bordering the lot.
    • Obstructions to the prescribed lines of sight may be ordered removed upon 30 days written notice.
    • The owner may request a hearing before the Dallam County Commissioners Court within the 30-day notice period.
    • If the owner does not comply, the Commissioners Court may remove the obstruction and assess expenses against the owner; notice of expenses within 60 days may result in a lawsuit and judgment lien.

    minimum setback: >= 30 feet (From the convergence of the curb lines or edges of the bordering roads; applies to structures on lots bordered by intersecting roads.)

    “structures situated on lots bordered by intersecting roads shall be set back at least 30 feet from the convergence of the curb lines”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Dallam County: no county rule sets this, because Dallam 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 dallam.org.

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

    Unincorporated Dallam County: no county rule sets this, because Dallam 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 dallam.org.

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

    Unincorporated Dallam County: no county rule sets this, because Dallam 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 dallam.org.

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

    Unincorporated Dallam County: no county rule sets this, because Dallam 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 dallam.org.

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

    Unincorporated Dallam County: no county rule sets this, because Dallam 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 dallam.org.

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

    Manufactured or mobile homes placed on subdivision lots or ranchettes in unincorporated Dallam County.

    • The home must be connected to septic or disposal facilities meeting state-law specifications and conditions.
    • If the subdivision is within a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction, approval of the nearest incorporated city is required before final Commissioners Court approval.
    “all dwellings, trailers or mobile homes placed on subdivision lots or ranchettes must be connected to septic or disposal facilities”
  • Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Dallam County: no county rule sets this, because Dallam 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 dallam.org.

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

    On-site sewage facility permitting and administration in Dallam County, including review of OSSF permit applications, inspections, complaint investigations, and administration of the OSSF program within the agent's jurisdiction.

    • The county acts as the TCEQ-listed OSSF Authorized Agent for Dallam County.
    • Administration is under Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 366, 30 TAC Chapter 285, and the TCEQ-approved OSSF order, ordinance, or resolution.
    • The authorized agent must submit monthly reports accounting for collected $10 fees.
    • TCEQ may investigate the authorized agent's compliance not more than once a year.
    • The specific Dallam County office or staff role that processes applications day to day was not identified on the official county main page or the official TCEQ pages opened.

    authorized agent identifier: 620240 · monthly OSSF fee accounted for by agent: 10 USD

    “AUTHORIZED AGENT [...] DALLAM COUNTY (DALLAM) AR NUM 620240 ATC 5”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Septic permitRequired

    Constructing, installing, altering, extending, repairing, or operating an OSSF in Dallam County under the county's OSSF permitting jurisdiction.

    • A permit and approved plan are required for the covered OSSF activities.
    • Local permitting programs can be more stringent than state minimums.
    • The 10-acre exemption applies only if all stated conditions are met: a site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed Site Evaluator or Professional Engineer; 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; effluent disposed of on the property; and the single-family dwelling is the only dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ are exempt from permitting 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 applicable local program or before September 1, 1989, whichever is earlier, and if they are not creating a nuisance, are not in need of repair, and have not had a significant increase in use or otherwise been altered.

    minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (Single-family dwelling and all other TCEQ conditions must also be satisfied.) · minimum OSSF setback under 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet from property line (All parts of the OSSF must satisfy the setback.) · emergency-repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours after repairs begin (Applies to listed emergency repairs exempt from permitting.)

    “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.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Owner-initiated subdivision of land outside the city limits of incorporated cities in Dallam County into two or more parts, including individual lots or public-use areas or amenities

    • The regulation is subject to the exceptions found at Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232, including sections 232.001 and 232.0015.
    • No portion of subdivided land may be conveyed until the plat has been approved by the Dallam County Commissioners Court and recorded in Dallam County public records.
    • Plat review begins with submission to the Dallam County Judge; after approval by the Judge, the applicant requests placement on a regular public meeting agenda of the Commissioners Court.
    • A subdivision plat must include required roads, drainage, utility, septic or waste-disposal, easement, dedication, and related information.
    • If the subdivision is within a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction, the nearest incorporated city or applicable city must approve the relevant portions before final county approval.
    • The listed plat fee schedule includes a $275 total for plats/maps, $40 for plat extra pages, $155 recording fee plus $10 management fee and $10 record archive fee for replats, and $40 for replat extra pages.

    minimum number of parts triggering plat requirement: >= 2 parts (Owner must be subdividing one tract into two or more parts outside city limits, subject to statutory exceptions.) · plat/map total fee: 275 USD (Fee schedule in the regulations.) · plat extra pages: 40 USD (Fee schedule in the regulations.)

    “No portion of subdivided land may be conveyed until a plat of same has been approved by the Dallam County Commissioners Court and recorded”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Land in Dallam County outside the city limits of an incorporated city when the owner proposes to divide one tract into two or more parts to lay out a subdivision, individual lots, or public-use areas or amenities.
      “who proposes to subdivide one tract into two or more parts [...] must prepare a plat for approval as provided in section D below.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Proposed subdivisions on land in Dallam County outside the city limits of incorporated cities, including vehicle ingress and egress to the proposed subdivision.

    • The requirement applies through the subdivision plat process and is subject to the exceptions in Texas Local Government Code § 232.001 and exemptions in § 232.0015.
    • The plat must be approved by the Dallam County Commissioners Court and recorded in Dallam County public records before subdivided land may be conveyed.
    • If any portion of the proposed subdivision is within a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction, the governing body of that city must approve the applicable portion before submission to the Commissioners Court and before final county approval.
    • Plat submissions must also designate building setback lines for lots.
    • The fee schedule lists a $225.00 recording fee, $10.00 management fee, $10.00 record archive fee, and $275.00 total for plats/maps; plat extra pages are $40.00.

    plat recording fee: 225 USD · plat management fee: 10 USD · plat record archive fee: 10 USD · plat/maps total fee: 275 USD · plat extra pages fee: 40 USD

    “A plat must also illustrate ingress and egress points for vehicle traffic flowing into and out the proposed subdivision, and must designate building setback lines for lots.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Dead-end roads in Dallam County subdivisions outside incorporated city limits when the road does not terminate at an intersection or at a traffic circle providing access to an intersection.
      “Dead-end roads that terminate at a point other than intersection with another street, or at a traffic circle that provides for access to an intersection with another street, must extend to and terminate in a cul-de-sac with a minimum radius of 50 feet right-of-way and that allows for driveway access off of the cul-de-sac and onto the adjoining lots.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Subdivision plat approval for land outside incorporated city limits in Dallam County.

    • The applicant should first submit the plat to the Dallam County Judge for review and comment.
    • After the Judge's approval, the applicant should request that the matter be placed on the agenda for a regular public meeting of the Dallam County Commissioners Court.
    • No portion of subdivided land may be conveyed until the plat is approved by the Commissioners Court and recorded in Dallam County public records.
    • A subdivision in a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction requires approval by the relevant city before final Commissioners Court approval.
    • The Commissioners Court may require surety, cash deposit, or other financial security for roads and drainage, not exceeding estimated construction cost.
    “submit the plat to the Dallam County Judge”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    The county regulates only subdivision platting and on-site sewage; Texas counties have no general zoning authority over unincorporated land and none is exercised here.

    Dallam County Subdivision Regulations 2025 ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

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

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

    An owner 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:”
    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 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • 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”:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • 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.”
  • 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 exemptionConditional

    A tract outside municipal limits divided into two or more parts in Texas, including Dallam County, when no part is laid out as described by Texas Local Government Code Section 232.001(a)(3) and the land is to be used primarily for agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production use.

    • The exemption applies only if the owner does not lay out a part of the tract described by Section 232.001(a)(3).
    • The land must be used primarily for agricultural use under Section 1-d, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production under 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 Dallam County regulations state that they are subject to the exemptions found at Section 232.0015.
    “the land is to be used primarily for agricultural use [...] or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use”
  • 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 Dallam 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 plans and permits within the City of Dalhart.

    • Plans must be submitted to the Inspector in person at City Hall or by email.
    • New residential permit cost is $0.15 per square foot with a $100 minimum.
    • New commercial permit cost is $0.20 per square foot with a $200 minimum.
    • The city page states that plans must comply with the 2015 International Building Codes.
    • The cited adoption page does not state an effective or adoption date.

    new residential building permit fee: 0.15 USD per square foot ($100 minimum) · new commercial building permit fee: 0.2 USD per square foot ($200 minimum)

    “Plans must be submitted to the Inspector either in person at City Hall or via email. Plans must be compliant with the 2015 International Building Codes.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Building-code requirements for construction subject to the City of Dalhart permit process
      “Plans must be submitted to the Inspector either in person at City Hall or via email. Plans must be compliant with the 2015 International Building Codes.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Zoning administered by the City of Dalhart within its city limits in Dallam County, Texas, including review of manufactured-home placement and possible Special Use zoning changes.

    • Manufactured homes must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Board before placement within the city limits.
    • The property zoning may need to be changed to Special Use zoning.
    • The city publishes a Code of Ordinances and Zoning Map.
    “Manufactured homes must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Board before they can be placed in the city limits. Zoning of the property may also need to be changed to Special Use zoning.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Zoning and related land-use approval within the City of Dalhart municipal boundaries
      “Manufactured homes must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Board before they can be placed in the city limits. Zoning of the property may also need to be changed to Special Use zoning.”
    • Present (with conditions) — Zoning controls within the City of Dalhart, including placement of manufactured homes and potential Special Use zoning changes.
      “Manufactured homes must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Board before they can be placed in the city limits. Zoning of the property may also need to be changed to Special Use zoning.”
    • Present (with conditions) — Zoning and zoning-related approvals within the City of Dalhart, Texas.
      “Manufactured homes must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Board before they can be placed in the city limits. Zoning of the property may also need to be changed to Special Use zoning.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspection requirements in Dallam County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy or certificate-of-compliance requirements in Dallam County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Connection to public water or sewer utilities in Dallam County, Texas.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Dallam County.
  • Permit fees — County construction-permit fees for residential construction in unincorporated Dallam 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.

Water rights & wells in Dallam County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Texas’s water agency.

Actively managed

This basin is under active state management — new water use is scrutinized, though a domestic well is usually still allowed.

Household wellExempt up to a limit

Texas groundwater is governed by the rule of capture; a Groundwater Conservation District must exempt qualifying domestic/livestock wells and may not restrict their production, but well registration and spacing rules can still apply and the exemption does not cover wells serving a platted subdivision.

Limit: Domestic/livestock well exempt from GCD production permitting if on a tract >10 acres AND incapable of producing >25,000 gal/day (Tex. Water Code §36.117)

Texas Water Code §36.117 / TWDB ↗
  • Dallam County Priority Groundwater Management Areapartial of county

    TCEQ-designated northern-Panhandle Ogallala critical-groundwater area; drives GCD coverage. Domestic/livestock wells remain exempt but spacing/registration may apply.

    TCEQ — Priority Groundwater Management Areas ↗

Hybrid state (appropriation + riparian). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Texas state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Dallam County, Texas

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

Dallam County scores 38/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: thin water margin (16.1″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Dallam 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 Dallam County Environmental Health Department (TCEQ authorized agent, 30 TAC Ch. 285). 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 Dallam County?

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

How much does land cost in Dallam County, Texas?

Land in Dallam County runs about $1,909 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Dallam County?

Dallam County gets about 16.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 39.1% of years. On water rights, Dallam County lies in the Dallam County Priority Groundwater Management Area — TCEQ-designated northern-Panhandle Ogallala critical-groundwater area; drives GCD coverage. Domestic/livestock wells remain exempt but spacing/registration may apply..

How remote is Dallam County?

A representative private-land location has about 8,387 people within a 30-minute drive and 351,243 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 Dallam compares in Texas

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