Bolthole Index

Hale County, Texas

Building permits, zoning, floodplain and septic rules in Hale County, Texas

42Index Score / 100
#187 of 254 in Texas

In unincorporated Hale County, Texas, the confirmed county construction requirement is a Flood Plain Application before work in a mapped floodplain; we could not confirm a general residential building permit outside floodplains, so ask the Special Projects Coordinator before building1. Plainview and Abernathy apply their own municipal land-use or building rules2. Hale County handles septic applications in unincorporated areas3.

At a glance

Building permit
Flood Plain Application required before construction in mapped floodplain areas; general residential permit outside them not confirmed1
Zoning
No county zoning rule in unincorporated Hale County; Plainview and Abernathy have municipal rules42
Septic permits
Hale County Special Projects Coordinator handles OSSF/septic applications in unincorporated areas3
Owner-builder exemption
Texas has owner-work exemptions for a person's own residence or homestead; Abernathy adds city-specific conditions56
Unincorporated land-use rules
No Hale County zoning rule sets RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, setbacks or minimum lot size4
Water wells
HPWD permits non-exempt wells throughout Hale County; low-production wells below the district threshold are exempt7
Septic 10-acre exemption
A qualifying single-family OSSF on a tract of at least 10 acres can skip planning, permit, and inspection requirements if it meets every Chapter 285 condition8
Driveway onto a state highway
Needs a TxDOT Form 1058 permit before you build or change one910

Who to call

Septic permits

Hale County Special Projects Coordinator

OSSF/septic permit applications for unincorporated Hale County; every system must be installed by a licensed installer

(806) 288-1541

500 Broadway, Ste. 220, Plainview, TX 79072

Floodplain permits

Hale County Special Projects Coordinator, Floodplain Permits

Flood Plain Application permits for builders and contractors in the unincorporated areas of Hale County, required under FEMA's floodplain program

(806) 288-1541

500 Broadway, Ste. 220, Plainview, TX 79072

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Hale 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 Hale County, Texas?

Builders and contractors must obtain a Flood Plain Application before construction begins in a mapped floodplain in unincorporated Hale County; failure to obtain it can bring fines and penalties1. We could not confirm a general residential building-permit or inspection requirement outside mapped floodplains, so ask the Hale County Special Projects Coordinator about the parcel and project before starting work. City limits change the answer: Abernathy has adopted building codes, processes building permit applications through an outside contractor and conducts inspections11. Plainview administers municipal zoning within its corporate limits, but its zoning chapter does not apply in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction12. Modular or other industrialized housing is also subject to Texas's industrialized-building codes even where a general county residential code was not confirmed13.

Who handles building, floodplain and septic permits in Hale County?

The Hale County Special Projects Coordinator handles septic applications in unincorporated Hale County3. Reach the office at 500 Broadway, Ste. 220 in Plainview or (806) 288-154114. The same office handles Flood Plain Applications, which builders and contractors must obtain before construction begins in mapped floodplain areas of the unincorporated county151. Applicants may call the coordinator or download an application and bring it to the office16. For work inside a city, contact that municipality: Abernathy uses an outside contractor for building permit applications and inspections, and its published permit fees are due when the application is submitted1117. Septic authority does not automatically move to a city; ask the Hale County Special Projects Coordinator which OSSF authority serves the exact address.

Does Hale County have zoning?

Unincorporated Hale County has no county zoning rule setting minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setbacks, building height, lot coverage, RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy or manufactured-home occupancy4. Municipal rules are different. Plainview administers zoning and maintains its zoning ordinance and maps18. Plainview's zoning chapter applies within the corporate limits and expressly excludes the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction12. Abernathy also has municipal zoning, while the status of other incorporated places in Hale County was not fully resolved2. Confirm the parcel's city-limit status before relying on the unincorporated-county rule.

How do septic permits work in Hale County?

Hale County directs applicants in unincorporated areas to the Special Projects Coordinator for OSSF permits, and the county requires septic systems to be installed by a licensed installer3. A qualifying single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres may avoid planning materials, a permit and inspections only if every state condition is met, including a site evaluation, on-property effluent disposal and at least 100 feet between every part of the OSSF and the property line8. For covered systems, the installer must notify the permitting authority at least 5 working days before inspection readiness; a failed inspection prevents use until the system passes19. Only 14.4% of Hale County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so investigate wastewater feasibility early20.

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

Hale County sets no zoning restriction on RV, tiny-home or manufactured-home occupancy on unincorporated land4. That answer does not waive floodplain or wastewater requirements: mapped-floodplain construction needs a Flood Plain Application, and an OSSF generally needs county approval unless every condition of a state exemption is met18. The answer also changes inside municipalities. Plainview and Abernathy have their own municipal land-use rules, and Plainview's zoning applies inside its corporate limits212. For a modular home, Texas industrialized-building standards apply independently of the county zoning answer13.

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

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Hale County or inside a municipality; Plainview and Abernathy apply their own local rules2.
  2. Ask the Special Projects Coordinator whether the site lies in a mapped floodplain and obtain a Flood Plain Application before construction if it does151.
  3. Arrange the septic site evaluation early and apply through the Special Projects Coordinator unless the system meets every condition of a state exemption148.
  4. Check the well plan with the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District; non-exempt wells require district approval, while wells below the district's production threshold are exempt7.
  5. If the home is modular or otherwise part of Texas's industrialized-building program, verify compliance with the applicable state codes13.
  6. If the driveway connects to a state highway, obtain the TxDOT driveway permit before work in the right of way910.

What to check before you buy land in Hale County

Confirm city limits first because Plainview and Abernathy apply municipal rules that do not govern all of Hale County2. Check flood status with the Special Projects Coordinator before fixing a house site15. Investigate septic feasibility early: only 14.4% of Hale County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field20. If the property needs a well, the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District covers all of Hale County; non-exempt wells require a district permit, while wells producing less than 25,000 gallons per day or 17.5 gallons per minute are exempt7. Also verify legal access and ask the relevant road authority about driveway approval; a connection to a state highway requires a TxDOT permit9.

Watch-outs

  • Plainview and Abernathy have municipal rules, so confirm city limits before relying on Hale County's unincorporated-area zoning answer2.
  • Only 14.4% of Hale County's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so budget for a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system20.
  • A Flood Plain Application is required before construction begins in mapped floodplain areas of unincorporated Hale County, and failure to obtain it can bring fines and penalties1.

Sources

  1. halecounty.org, quoted and re-checked
  2. Plainview, TX Zoning and Sign Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  3. Special Projects, quoted and re-checked
  4. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  5. Exemptions to Electrician Licensing (2026 county census)
  6. Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  7. Elections - High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1, quoted and re-checked
  8. halecounty.org, quoted and re-checked
  9. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  12. Plainview, TX Zoning and Sign Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  13. Historical Background — Industrialized Housing and Buildings, quoted and re-checked
  14. Hale County Special Projects Coordinator (halecounty.org)
  15. Hale County Special Projects Coordinator, Floodplain Permits (halecounty.org)
  16. Special Projects, quoted and re-checked
  17. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  18. Planning & Zoning Administration, quoted and re-checked
  19. Basics for Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  20. 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

Written October 10, 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

Unlike all 6 of its neighbors, Hale County requires a building permit only in limited cases.

RuleHale CountyLubbock CountyFloyd CountyLamb CountyHockley CountyCrosby CountySwisher County
Building permitLimitedNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Septic permitsCounty Special Projects CoordinatorCounty Public WorksNot publishedLamb CountyHockley CountyGarza CountyTCEQ

County locator

Hale County in Texas

42
County map
Hale County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Hale County scores

Seclusion54100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1796% ev.
Admin Boringness7290% ev.
Durability34100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost80100% ev.

Evidence strength: 97%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$122kTypical home
1.4%Property tax
$1,573Land / acre
19.1"Annual rain
39.8% of yrsSevere drought
24.5 / yr (+20.3)Mid-century 100°F days
30.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.34" (+4.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.26×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,561Home insurance / yr
1.1% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
28,640People within 30 min
720,321People within 2 hr
11,243Radius comparison (15 mi)
31.6People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
14.4%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
92,347 acWorkable land screen
0.2%Wooded land
6.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
59.5°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Hale 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 Edmonson · Petersburg

Answers from the rulebook for Hale County

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

Hale County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction by builders and contractors in floodplain areas of unincorporated Hale County.

    • A Flood Plain Application must be obtained before construction begins.
    • The flood plain permit is required under FEMA, which regulates the flood plain program.
    • Failure to obtain the permit results in fines and penalties.
    • The source does not establish a general residential building permit requirement outside floodplain permitting.
    “NOTICE TO ALL FUTURE BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF HALE COUNTY FLOOD PLAIN PERMITS: Builders and contractors must obtain a Flood Plain Application before construction begins. A flood plain permit is required under FEMA which regulates the flood plain program. Failure to obtain the permit will result in fines and penalties.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction by builders and contractors in floodplain areas of unincorporated Hale County.
      “NOTICE TO ALL FUTURE BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF HALE COUNTY FLOOD PLAIN PERMITS: Builders and contractors must obtain a Flood Plain Application before construction begins. A flood plain permit is required under FEMA which regulates the flood plain program. Failure to obtain the permit will result in fines and penalties.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate of incorporated municipalities in Hale County; confirmed municipal zoning in the City of Plainview and the City of Abernathy, with municipal rules applying within those cities rather than countywide.

    • Plainview's zoning ordinance applies within the corporate limits of the City of Plainview and expressly does not apply within the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
    • Abernathy's zoning regulations apply to all incorporated areas of the City of Abernathy.
    • Other incorporated places in Hale County were not exhaustively resolved in this research.
    “Unless otherwise noted all provisions of this Chapter apply within the corporate limits of the City of Plainview, Texas. No provision of this Chapter shall apply within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) of the City.”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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 Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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 Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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.”
  • Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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.”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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 Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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 Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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 Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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 Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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 homes · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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.”
  • Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Hale County: no county rule sets this, because Hale 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 halecounty.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

    OSSF/septic permitting in the unincorporated areas of Hale County.

    • The county page directs applicants to the Hale County Special Projects Coordinator for permits.
    • The page requires installation by a licensed installer.
    “Permits may be obtained by calling: Hale County Special Projects Coordinator”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of OSSFs/septic systems in unincorporated Hale County.

    • Hale County requires an application for all septic systems being installed.
    • The county page states installation must be by a licensed installer.
    • State exceptions include qualifying single-family dwellings on tracts of at least 10 acres, grandfathered systems, and emergency repairs; local requirements may be more stringent.
    • The TCEQ 10-acre exception requires compliance with Chapter 285, a site evaluation, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line, on-site effluent disposal, and only one dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.

    10-acre exception tract size: >= 10 acres (Only qualifying single-family-dwelling OSSFs meeting all stated Chapter 285 conditions.) · OSSF separation from property line under 10-acre exception: >= 100 feet (All parts of the OSSF.) · emergency-repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (After repairs have begun; written report to permitting authority.)

    “All septic systems being installed are required to have an Application which is to be purchased by the property owner”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid domestic wastewater treatment through an OSSF/septic system in unincorporated Hale County.

    • Hale County requires an application for all septic systems being installed and requires a licensed installer.
    • Qualifying single-family-dwelling OSSFs on tracts of at least 10 acres may be exempt from planning materials, permits, and inspections only if all Chapter 285 conditions are met.
    • Boreholes, cesspools, and seepage pits are prohibited for installation or use.
    • Systems treating more than 5,000 gallons per day, accepting municipal/agricultural/industrial/other waste, discharging into or adjacent to state waters, or new cluster systems are excluded from Chapter 285 and may require other permits.

    qualifying exemption tract size: >= 10 acres (Single-family dwelling and all Chapter 285 conditions must be satisfied.) · property-line separation: >= 100 feet (All parts of the qualifying OSSF.) · excluded-system threshold: > 5000 gallons per day (May require a Chapter 205 or Chapter 305 permit.)

    “Boreholes, cesspools, and seepage pits are prohibited for installation or use.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water wells within the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1, which covers all of Hale County.

    • Wells producing less than 25,000 gallons per day or 17.5 gallons per minute are exempt from HPWD permitting.
    • A well used solely to supply an actively drilling or exploring oil or gas rig is exempt only when the permit holder is responsible for drilling and operating the well and the well is on the same lease or field as the rig.
    • A well authorized under a Railroad Commission of Texas permit under Chapter 134, Natural Resources Code, and withdrawals required for mining activities, are exempt as stated in Rule 4.1.
    • Maintenance or repair is exempt only if it does not increase production capability above the current permitted rate.
    • An exempt well loses its exemption if its use changes so it no longer qualifies; written notice must be given to the District within 30 days of facts that may cause loss of exemption.
    • Non-exempt wells require a permit from the HPWD Board before drilling or operation, and increasing production above the permitted maximum also requires a permit.
    • A permit application requires a completed District form, signature, District site inspection, and payment of applicable fees; failure to complete those steps within 30 days of the initial request voids the request.
    • After the application meets District rules, the applicant may proceed to drill; after completion, the applicant must provide a State of Texas Well Report.
    • The General Manager must submit an administratively complete application to the Board within 60 days, and the Board must act no later than 60 days after submission.
    • A permit application is valid for 240 days; if the well is not fully constructed within that period, the application expires and a new application and associated fees are required.

    exempt production threshold: < 25000 gallons per day (Wells at or above this threshold are not exempt under Rule 4.1(b)(1).) · exempt production threshold: < 17.5 gallons per minute (Wells at or above this threshold are not exempt under Rule 4.1(b)(1).) · notice period for possible loss of exemption: 30 days · application completion deadline after initial request: 30 days (Failure to complete the subsection voids the request.) · Board submission deadline for administratively complete application: 60 days · Board action deadline after submission: <= 60 days · permit application validity: 240 days (A new application and associated fees are required if construction is not completed.)

    “No Person may drill or operate a Well that is not exempt from permitting under Rule 4.1”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction by builders and contractors in floodplain areas of unincorporated Hale County.

    • A Flood Plain Application must be obtained before construction begins.
    • The county page states the floodplain permit is required under FEMA floodplain-program regulation.
    • Failure to obtain the permit results in fines and penalties.
    “NOTICE TO ALL FUTURE BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF HALE COUNTY FLOOD PLAIN PERMITS: Builders and contractors must obtain a Flood Plain Application before construction begins. A flood plain permit is required under FEMA which regulates the flood plain program. Failure to obtain the permit will result in fines and penalties.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Floodplain and septic permit applications in unincorporated areas of Hale County.

    • Floodplain permits must be obtained before construction begins.
    • The floodplain permit is required under FEMA floodplain-program regulation; failure to obtain it results in fines and penalties.
    • Septic applications must be purchased by the property owner and systems must be installed by a licensed installer.
    • Permits may be obtained by calling the Special Projects Coordinator or by downloading the application and bringing it to the office in person.
    “Permits may be obtained by calling: Hale County Special Projects Coordinator [...] Or by downloading off this website and bringing the application into the Special Projects Coordinator’s office in person.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    No county zoning ordinance is described; county land-related permits are limited to floodplain and septic, consistent with Texas counties lacking zoning authority.

    Hale County - Special Projects (Permits) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner performing electrical, plumbing, or air-conditioning and refrigeration work on the owner's own residence or homestead in Texas.

    • Electrical work is exempt from state electrician licensing when performed on a dwelling the person owns and resides in.
    • Plumbing is exempt from state plumbing licensing when performed by the property owner in the property owner's homestead.
    • Air-conditioning and refrigeration contracting is exempt from the applicable state registration requirements when performed in a building owned solely by the person as the person's home.
    • These exemptions do not establish a blanket exemption for every construction trade or contractor-regulated activity.
    “A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed as electricians.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Electrical work on a dwelling owned and occupied by the property owner in Texas.
      “A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

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

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

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

    “July 1, 2024, all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply with the following codes, as amended in §70.101 of the IHB Rules:”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Partial — Industrialized housing and buildings, including modular residential and commercial structures located in Hale County, under the Texas Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.
      “The effective date of the following codes is July 1, 2024. [...] all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply”
    • 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 inspectionRequired

    OSSF construction in Hale County and elsewhere in Texas, subject to applicable state exceptions and authorized-agent requirements.

    • The permitting authority must conduct a construction inspection for covered OSSFs.
    • The installer must notify the permitting authority at least five working days before the OSSF is ready for inspection.
    • If the system fails inspection, it cannot be used until it passes inspection; a written deficiency letter is required within seven calendar days.
    • A reinspection fee may be assessed and must be paid before reinspection.
    • No planning materials, permit, or inspections are required for a qualifying single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres meeting all Chapter 285 conditions.
    • Grandfathered systems and certain other exceptions also apply.

    inspection notice: >= 5 working days (Before the OSSF will be ready for inspection.) · deficiency-letter deadline: <= 7 calendar days (After the failed construction inspection.)

    “The permitting authority shall conduct a construction inspection.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — OSSF installation and, where applicable, maintenance inspections in Texas
      “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.”
    • 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.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New or modified access driveways connecting property to a Texas state highway right of way.

    • A local public agency may receive access driveway permitting authority for state highways, but TxDOT approval remains required for drainage impacts on the state highway system before local approval.
    • No access driveway is permitted within a flared or widened right-of-way section at an intersection of a state highway with another highway, road, or street.
    • All entrances and exits, including radii, must be confined within the permittee's property frontage.
    • One-way 45-to-90-degree driveways are permitted for connections to one-way frontage roads or lane-divided highways; otherwise the driveway angle must be 75 to 90 degrees.
    • ADAAG and Texas Accessibility Standards apply.

    private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · driveway-to-pavement radius: >= 15 feet

    “A driveway must be constructed in accordance with a fully executed driveway permit”
  • 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 Hale County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner construction work on a home within the City of Abernathy.

    • The home must be owned by the person performing the work.
    • The home must be or become the person's homestead and legal residence.
    • The person must not be building or remodeling the home with the specific intention of selling it in the next twelve months.
    • The building permit application requires a homeowner affidavit.
    • The affidavit certifies that the applicant has not obtained or held a building permit within any two-year period as a homeowner for work at three different addresses.
    • All work must comply with the City of Abernathy building code.
    • The owner must cooperate with the City inspector and arrange required inspections.
    • The exemption concerns performing work without a contractor license; the city's building-permit requirements still apply.

    sale-intention period: 12 months (Specific intention to sell the home within this period disqualifies the condition.) · homeowner permit history: not more than three different addresses within any two-year period

    “perform any construction work on a home that you own without a license”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction, alteration, and improvement within the City of Abernathy.

    • The adopted codes apply within the City of Abernathy.
    • The city uses an outside contractor to process building permit applications and conduct inspections.
    • The city states that inspections examine compliance with building, gas, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing codes.

    International Building Code edition: 2018 edition · International Residential Code edition: 2018 edition · National Electric Code edition: 2017 edition

    “adopted the 2018 editions of the International Building / International Residential Codes”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within the corporate limits of the City of Plainview, Hale County, Texas; the ordinance excludes the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

    • The zoning ordinance applies within the corporate limits of Plainview.
    • No provision of the cited chapter applies within the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
    • Zoning districts regulate the location, construction, alteration, and redevelopment of buildings and specified uses.
    “Unless otherwise noted all provisions of this Chapter apply within the corporate limits of the City of Plainview, Texas. No provision of this Chapter shall apply within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) of the City. Zoning Districts. This ordinance divides the City into zones or districts which restrict and regulate the location, construction, alteration, and redevelopment of the usage of all buildings for trade, industry, residence, and other specified uses.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Zoning administration within the City of Plainview, a municipality located in Hale County.
      “The City of Plainview Planning & Zoning Administration work to encourage growth and orderly development in line with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan via the City’s zoning regulations.”
    • Present (with conditions) — Land-use and development proposals within the City of Plainview.
      “The Department works to ensure that zoning ordinances, subdivision ordinances and associated maps are updated as required and followed accordingly.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City of Abernathy building permit fees.

    • Permit fees must be paid when the Building Permit Application is submitted.
    • If the permit is not issued, the amount paid is refunded.
    • After the permit is issued, the amount paid is non-refundable.
    • The fee amounts are located in Appendix A of the City of Abernathy Code of Ordinances.
    “Permit fees can be found in Appendix A of the City of Abernathy Code of Ordinances.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspection requirements for construction in unincorporated Hale County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for buildings in unincorporated Hale County.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer utility connection requirements in Hale County.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemptions from applicable development or construction requirements in unincorporated Hale County.
  • Subdividing land — Subdivision regulation in unincorporated Hale County.
1 more unanswered
  • Short-term rentals

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

Water rights & wells in Hale 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 ↗
  • Briscoe, Hale & Swisher Counties Priority Groundwater Management Areapartial of county

    TCEQ-designated Ogallala/High Plains 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 Hale County, Texas

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

Hale County scores 42/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: thin water margin (19.1″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Hale County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Hale County Special Projects Coordinator (TCEQ OSSF authorized agent). 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 Hale County?

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

Land in Hale County runs about $1,573 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Hale County?

Hale County gets about 19.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 39.8% of years. On water rights, Hale County lies in the Briscoe, Hale & Swisher Counties Priority Groundwater Management Area — TCEQ-designated Ogallala/High Plains critical-groundwater area; drives GCD coverage. Domestic/livestock wells remain exempt but spacing/registration may apply..

How remote is Hale County?

A representative private-land location has about 28,640 people within a 30-minute drive and 720,321 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 Hale compares in Texas

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