Bolthole Index

Grayson County, Texas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Collinsville, Texas

The Town of Collinsville, in Grayson County, Texas, has its own zoning districts1 and requires a building permit for construction inside town limits2. Buildings must connect to the town's sewer system where they can use it3. We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside the town, so ask the town and Grayson County's on-site sewage office before you buy.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside town limits; apply through City Hall24
Zoning
Yes: the town divides its land into zoning districts1
Sewer
Connection to town sewer required where the building can use it3
Septic
On-site treatment only if the City Engineer finds sewer not economically feasible; permitting authority unconfirmed5
RV living
RV parks only, in the listed industrial districts6
Manufactured homes
HUD-Code homes only in the listed industrial district7
Garage apartments (ADUs)
Allowed in the Agricultural district and one single-family district, with conditions8
Building code
2018 International Building Code9

Who to call

Building permits

Collinsville City Hall (building permits and zoning)

Building permit applications (residential, commercial, single trade, irrigation and sign permits) inside Collinsville town limits

903-429-6225

forms@collinsvilletexas.org

101 North Main Street, PO Box 649 Collinsville, TX 76233

Septic permits

Grayson County On-Site Sewage Facilities (Designated Representative)

Septic (OSSF) permits for Grayson County; ask whether it also covers addresses inside Collinsville

(903) 813-4247

Grayson County Courthouse 100 W. Houston, Ste. G-3 Sherman, Texas 75090

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

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Collinsville 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.

Does Collinsville, Texas have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs and tiny homes?

Yes. The Town of Collinsville divides its land into zoning districts, and uses and structures must comply with the district they sit in1. The districts are A (Agricultural), R-1 and R-1A (single-family), R-PH (patio homes), R-2 (multifamily), C-1, C-2 and C-3 (commercial), I-1 and I-2 (industrial) and PD (planned development)10. An up-to-date zoning map is available for public inspection at City Hall10.

RV living on your own lot is not an allowed use that we could find. The zoning code defines an RV park as a commercial campground for recreational vehicles, and the use schedule allows RV parks only in the listed industrial districts6. We could not confirm any rule on temporary camping or on tiny homes inside town limits, so ask City Hall before parking or placing either one4.

HUD-Code manufactured homes and manufactured-home parks are permitted only in the listed industrial district7.

What are the setbacks and building limits in Collinsville's Agricultural district?

Dimensional rules differ by district. In Collinsville's A (Agricultural) district the minimum front yard is 50 feet, the minimum side yard is 20 feet and the minimum rear yard is 30 feet11. Main buildings may cover up to 35 percent of the lot, and main buildings plus accessory buildings up to 45 percent12. Building height in the A district is capped at 3 stories, subject to the special height regulations in the zoning code13.

In the R-1 single-family district the height limit is 35 feet14, and the same 35 and 45 percent coverage limits apply15.

Garage apartments and accessory dwelling units are allowed only in the Agricultural district and one single-family district8. They cannot be rented to anyone other than the household in the main house, need one more paved parking space, and are limited to 30 feet or two stories, whichever is less8.

Do you need a building permit in Collinsville, and who issues it?

Yes. The Town of Collinsville requires a building permit for construction, or for moving in a previously built building, inside town limits2. Collinsville City Hall takes the applications, with separate forms for residential, commercial, single-trade, irrigation and sign permits4. The town has adopted the 2018 International Building Code and a set of other building-related codes with local amendments9.

On a platted lot, the final plat must be approved by the town and recorded in Grayson County, and the required public improvements must be finished, before a permit issues16. Fees are set in the town's Master Fee Schedule, which we could not find a dollar figure for, so ask City Hall17.

In a subdivision, no certificate of occupancy issues until the improvements are complete and the final plat is recorded18. Building in a mapped flood hazard area also needs a floodplain development permit19.

How do septic permits work inside Collinsville?

In most of Collinsville, septic is the exception rather than the rule. Residential and commercial buildings must connect to the town's sewer system where they are able to use it, and the building permit will not issue unless they can2. A platted lot may use on-site wastewater treatment only where the City Engineer finds a sewer connection not economically feasible, and the system must meet TCEQ and NCTCOG guidelines5.

We could not confirm which office issues and inspects septic permits inside town limits. Grayson County runs its on-site sewage program as an authorized agent of the state, and requires a permit for any new or replacement septic system20. Call the county's on-site sewage office and Collinsville City Hall to confirm who handles a lot inside the town214.

Building a home in Collinsville: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot's zoning district at City Hall, and check that the lot is platted and recorded in Grayson County1016.
  2. Ask whether the lot can reach town sewer; if not, ask the City Engineer whether on-site treatment is allowed35.
  3. Check for a flood hazard area, which needs its own development permit19.
  4. Submit the residential building permit application to City Hall4.
  5. Finish the subdivision improvements before asking for a certificate of occupancy18.

An owner who builds on their own occupied homestead is exempt from the contractor-registration section, but that source does not exempt the owner from building permits22.

What stays with Grayson County, and what to check before you buy near Collinsville

The town's rules stop at its limits. For land outside Collinsville, see the Grayson County page: unincorporated Grayson County does not require a building permit for a single-family home23, and has no zoning outside the Lake Ray Roberts Zoning District and the North Texas Regional Airport zoning24.

Before buying inside town limits, we could not confirm rules on private wells, driveway access, short-term rentals or agricultural construction, so ask City Hall about each one4. Grayson County's effective property tax rate is 1.3 percent, and the median property tax bill is $2,953 a year2526.

Watch-outs

  • The permit fee schedule was not located in the town's code, so ask Collinsville City Hall for the current Master Fee Schedule before budgeting17.
  • RV parks and manufactured homes are limited to industrial districts, so a vacant lot in a residential or agricultural district is unlikely to allow either one67.
  • We could not confirm who issues septic permits for a lot inside Collinsville, so confirm with the town and the Grayson County on-site sewage office before you close21.

Sources

  1. Chapter 760: Zoning - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 300: Building Construction and Property Maintenance - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 300: Building Construction and Property Maintenance - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  4. Collinsville City Hall (building permits and zoning) (collinsvilletexas.org)
  5. Article XIII: Water and Sewer Lines - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 760: Zoning - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 760: Zoning - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 760: Zoning - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 300: Building Construction and Property Maintenance - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 760: Zoning - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 760: Zoning - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 760: Zoning - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 760: Zoning - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  14. Chapter 760: Zoning - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  15. Chapter 760: Zoning - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  16. Requirements for Acceptance of Subdivisions - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 300: Building Construction and Property Maintenance - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  18. Requirements for Acceptance of Subdivisions - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  19. Article III: General Provisions - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  20. Development Services | Grayson County Tx., quoted and re-checked
  21. Grayson County On-Site Sewage Facilities (Designated Representative) (co.grayson.tx.us)
  22. Chapter 300: Building Construction and Property Maintenance - City of Collinsville, TX (Town of Collinsville), quoted and re-checked
  23. Grayson County Development Services, quoted and re-checked
  24. Grayson County Development Services Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Collinsville

Town of Collinsville’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction or moving in prior-built buildings inside Collinsville town limits.

    • For a platted lot, a final plat must be approved by the City and recorded in Grayson County and required public improvements completed, except stated subdivision exceptions.
    • Residential or commercial buildings must connect with the existing City sewer system and the permit will not issue unless able to utilize it.
    “The City Council of the City of Collinsville has determined the necessity of requiring a building permit for the construction or moving in of prior built buildings for the control and the maintaining of good health and safety standards of the City of Collinsville.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A property owner performing work on the owner's occupied residential homestead in Collinsville.

    • The exemption is from the contractor-registration section; the source does not exempt the owner from building-permit requirements.
    “Work done by a property owner in a residential building owned and occupied by the property as the property owner's homestead is exempt from this section.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction within Collinsville town limits.

    • The city adopted the 2018 IBC by Ordinance No. 841-2025 on 2025-02-17.
    • The city separately adopts other listed building-related codes and local amendments.

    International Building Code edition: 2018

    “The City Council hereby adopts the 2018 edition of the International Building Code (IBC). The provisions of the 2018 edition of the IBC are hereby adopted by the City and declared to be effective within the territorial limits of the City, a full copy of the IBC is maintained on file in the office of the City Secretary.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings or property uses in a Collinsville subdivision.

    • All subdivision improvements must be complete and the final plat City-approved and county-recorded.
    • The City Secretary may authorize conditional occupancy if sufficient surety for remaining improvements is approved and the structure is safely habitable under City Building Codes.
    “No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for a building or the use of property unless all subdivision improvements have been completed and a final plat has been approved by the City and recorded at the county.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Collinsville town limits.

    • Uses and structures must comply with the district in which they are located.
    “The City of Collinsville is hereby divided into zoning districts, which shall be known as:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land inside Collinsville town limits.

    • The official zoning map is part of Chapter 760; an up-to-date copy is available for public inspection at City Hall.

    districts: A; R-1; R-1A; R-PH; R-2; C-1; C-2; C-3; I-1; I-2; PD

    “A | Agricultural R-1 | Single-Family Residential R-1A | Single-Family Residential - 1A R-PH | Single-Family Residential Patio Homes R-2 | Multifamily Residential C-1 | Local Business C-2 | Commercial C-3 | Central Area Commercial I-1 | Light Industrial I-2 | Heavy Industrial PD | Planned Development”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    RV-park occupancy inside Collinsville town limits.

    • The zoning code defines an RV park as a commercial campground for recreational vehicles and similar vehicles to reside, park, rent, or lease space on a temporary basis.
    • The Schedule of Uses identifies RV parks as permitted only in the listed industrial districts.

    RV park acreage: 5 to 25 acres

    “A parcel of land not less than five acres nor greater than 25 acres in size used as a commercial campground for recreational vehicles, travel trailers, and similar vehicles to reside, park, rent, or lease spae on a temporary basis and which may include a residence for the owner/manager of the premises, utility hook-ups, accessory structures, playgrounds and open space areas, fenced yard areas for pets, and other similar amenities.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    HUD-Code manufactured homes and manufactured-home parks inside Collinsville town limits.

    • The zoning use schedule permits HUD-Code manufactured homes and manufactured-home parks only in the listed industrial district.
    • A manufactured-home park must be at least five acres and uses individually owned HUD-Code homes or modular homes on platted lots.

    minimum manufactured-home park size: >= 5 acres

    “Manufactured home, HUD code | | | | | | | | | | P”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Garage apartments/accessory dwelling units in Collinsville's A Agricultural and R-1A residential districts.

    • The unit cannot be leased, rented, occupied by, or sold to a person or family different from that occupying the main residential structure.
    • One additional paved parking space is required.
    • Where permitted, garage/accessory dwelling units are limited to 30 feet or two stories, whichever is less.

    maximum ADU height: <= 30 feet (or two stories, whichever is less)

    “Accessory buildings shall not exceed one story in height. Where permitted garage/accessory dwelling units are allowed up to 30 feet in height or two stories, whichever is less, and only in the "A" and "R-1-A" residential districts.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Platted lots inside Collinsville town limits.

    • The lot must have an approved means of wastewater collection and treatment designed, constructed, and tested under TCEQ and NCTCOG guidelines.
    • On-site treatment is allowed only where the City Engineer finds municipal connection not economically feasible.
    “All platted lots must be served by an approved means of wastewater collection and treatment designed, constructed, and tested in accordance with TCEQ and NCTCOG guidelines. In most cases, lots will be served by a municipal sewer system. Where, in the opinion of the City Engineer, connection to the municipal system is not economically feasible, on-site treatment of wastewater may be allowed.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Residential or commercial construction or moved-in prior-built buildings inside Collinsville town limits.

    • Connection is required to the existing City sewer system where the building is able to utilize it.
    • For platted lots, on-site wastewater treatment may be allowed where the City Engineer concludes municipal connection is not economically feasible.
    “Should the building be for residential or commercial use, said building must be connected with the existing City sewer system.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision development inside Collinsville town limits.

    • A construction plat requires City Council approval and completed City Engineer-approved engineering documents before site-development permit release.
    • The developer's engineer must provide inspection service and give the City Engineer 48 hours' notice before construction.

    preconstruction notice: >= 48 hours

    “The subdivider shall provide inspection service through his/her engineer to ensure that construction is being accomplished in accordance with the plans and specifications approved by the City Engineer. The subdivider shall notify the City Engineer 48 hours prior to commencement of construction. This notice shall give the location and date of the start of construction.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in areas of special flood hazard within Collinsville's jurisdiction.

    • The chapter applies only to areas of special flood hazard.
    • A floodplain development permit is required to ensure conformity with the chapter.
    “A floodplain development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this chapter.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits and contractor registration inside Collinsville town limits.

    • The source directs that building-permit fees are in the Master Fee Schedule adopted by City Council; the numeric schedule was not located in the opened material.
    “The fees for building permits are in the Master Fee Schedule adopted by the City Council.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permits for platted lots in Collinsville town limits.

    • The cited condition applies to lots, building sites, buildings, and uses subject to the subdivision ordinance.
    • Nonresidential or multifamily foundation-only permits have a limited exception after construction-plat and engineering-plan approvals.
    “No building permit shall be issued for a lot, building site, building or use unless the lot or building site has been officially recorded by a final plat approved by the City and filed for record at Grayson County, and unless all public improvements, as required by this chapter for final plat approval, have been completed, except as may be permitted below:”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Collinsville

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

  • SetbacksSpecified

    A Agricultural District inside Collinsville town limits.

    • Key-lot and accessory-building qualifications in the residential standards table apply.

    minimum front yard: >= 50 feet (Key lots) · minimum side yard: >= 20 feet (25 feet on corner lots; key lots 50 feet) · minimum rear yard: >= 30 feet (main building)

    “Min. rear yard^{(1)} | 30' for the main building Accessory buildings to be located behind the front setback with a minimum of 10' of separation from main buildings & an accessory structure Detached garages are to be located at least 10' from the main building and behind the front building line | 20' Attached patio covers may encroach 15' into the rear yard setback, but may not be enclosed to become part of the dwelling area | 30' Attached patio covers may encroach 15' into the rear yard setback but may not be enclosed to become part of the dwelling area.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    A Agricultural District inside Collinsville town limits.

    maximum main-building lot coverage: <= 35 percent · maximum coverage including accessory buildings: <= 45 percent

    “Max lot coverage main bldg. & all accessory bldgs. | 45% | 45% | 55% | 55% | 55%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    A Agricultural District inside Collinsville town limits.

    • Special-height regulations in § 760-21 may permit specified structures additional height subject to added side and rear yards.

    maximum building height: <= 3 stories

    “Max. building height (see § 760-21 for Special Height Regulations) | 3 Stories | 2.5 Stories or 35' | 2.5 Stories or 35' | 2.5 Stories or 35' | 2.5 Stories or 35'”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 Single-Family Residential District inside Collinsville town limits.
      “Max. building height (see § 760-21 for Special Height Regulations) | 3 Stories | 2.5 Stories or 35' | 2.5 Stories or 35' | 2.5 Stories or 35' | 2.5 Stories or 35'”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Collinsville town limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Collinsville town limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Collinsville town limits.
  • Who permits septic — On-site sewage facilities inside Collinsville town limits.
  • Septic permit — On-site sewage facilities inside Collinsville town limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

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

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