Bolthole Index

Hale County, Texas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Hale Center, Texas

Hale Center, Texas requires a building permit for any new building or structure, issued by the city's Building Official1. The city also has its own zoning ordinance and district map2. We could not confirm who handles septic permits inside city limits, so ask City Hall. Outside city limits, Hale County's Special Projects Coordinator handles septic permits3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside Hale Center; issued by the city Building Official1
Zoning
Yes, the city has a zoning ordinance and official zoning map24
Minimum lot size
7,000 square feet in the R-1 district5
Height limit
30 feet or 2 stories in R-1, R-2 and R-36
Manufactured homes
Allowed only where zoning permits, with a city installation permit; new mobile homes are prohibited7
Septic inside city limits
Not confirmed; ask City Hall8
RV or tiny home living
Not confirmed; ask City Hall before parking or building8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Hale Center, City Hall

Building permits (issued by the city Building Official), zoning questions, permit forms and city utility service inside Hale Center

806-839-2411

702 Main St., Hale Center, TX 79041

Septic permits

Hale County Special Projects Coordinator

Septic (OSSF) permit applications and floodplain permits for unincorporated Hale County

(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 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Hale Center, Texas have zoning?

Yes. The City of Hale Center has adopted a zoning ordinance, and it applies to land within Hale Center city limits2. The city is divided into districts shown on an Official Zoning Map, and the copy kept in the City Secretary's office is the final authority on what a given parcel is zoned4.

The numbers that matter most vary by district. In the R-1 single-family district, the minimum lot area is 7,000 square feet5. In the R-1, R-2 and R-3 districts, no structure may exceed 30 feet or 2 stories6. In the R-3 and R-4 districts, buildings may cover no more than 30 percent of the lot9.

We could not confirm Hale Center rules on RV occupancy, tiny homes, accessory dwellings or a minimum house size, so call City Hall before you buy a lot for any of those8.

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

Yes. Inside Hale Center, no building or other structure may be erected, moved, added to or structurally altered without a permit issued by the city's Building Official1. Applications must include plans in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the lot's dimensions and shape, existing buildings and the proposed work10.

A permit expires if work does not begin within 90 days or is not substantially completed within 2 years1. The city publishes a fee schedule that lists fees for building permits and for zoning and variance applications11. The city's forms page carries a building permit application, so start there or call City Hall at 806-839-24118.

These are city rules. Unincorporated Hale County works differently: its building-related permit is limited to floodplain construction12.

How do septic permits work inside Hale Center?

We could not confirm who issues septic permits for a lot inside Hale Center city limits, or whether the city requires one. The city code we reviewed did not name an on-site sewage authority for property inside the city8. Ask City Hall whether your lot is on city sewer, and if it is not, ask who the permitting authority is before you plan a septic system.

For land outside city limits, the answer is clear. Hale County requires an application for every septic system installed in unincorporated Hale County, and a licensed installer must do the work13. Applications come from the Hale County Special Projects Coordinator at (806) 288-154114. Texas has a 10-acre exemption for a single-family dwelling that meets every state condition, and it matters only for large rural tracts15.

Can you put a manufactured or modular home in Hale Center?

Sometimes. A HUD-code manufactured home must sit in an area that Hale Center's zoning rules permit, and the owner must get a housing installation permit from the city Building Official7. The city prohibits mobile homes, except lawful ones already occupied, which may stay but may not be replaced7.

Before anyone occupies a newly installed HUD manufactured or modular home, the city building official must inspect it16. After that, the building official issues a certificate of occupancy once the premises comply with all city ordinances17. A certificate of occupancy is required before the home is permanently connected to city water or sewer18.

Every HUD-code manufactured home also needs a concrete, gravel or asphalt driveway and off-street parking area19.

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

  1. Call City Hall at 806-839-2411 and ask which zoning district your lot is in; the official zoning map in the City Secretary's office is the final word84.
  2. Check the district's lot size, height and coverage limits against your plans5.
  3. Submit a building permit application with scaled plans in duplicate to the city Building Official10.
  4. Ask City Hall whether your lot is on city sewer or needs a septic permit, and from whom8.
  5. Start work within 90 days of issuance and finish substantially within 2 years, or the permit expires1.
  6. For a manufactured or modular home, pass the building official's inspection and get a certificate of occupancy before occupying it16.

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

Hale Center's rules stop at city limits. For land outside the city, see the Hale County page. In unincorporated Hale County, a floodplain permit is required before construction in floodplain areas20. All of Hale County lies inside the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1, and wells producing less than 25,000 gallons per day or 17.5 gallons per minute are exempt from that district's permitting21. We could not confirm a well rule specific to lots inside Hale Center.

On money and land, Hale County's effective property tax rate is 1.4%22. The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 27 miles from the county center23. USDA rates about 14.4% of Hale County soils as not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so many rural lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system24.

Watch-outs

  • A parcel's zoning is set by the official map in the City Secretary's office, so confirm the district for your exact lot before you buy4.
  • Septic authority inside Hale Center is unconfirmed; ask City Hall at 806-839-2411 before you count on a septic system on a city lot8.
  • We could not confirm whether Hale Center allows RV living, tiny homes or accessory dwellings, so do not assume they are allowed; call City Hall first8.
  • Do not rely on county answers for a city lot: the county's septic and floodplain permits are written for unincorporated Hale County13.

Sources

  1. Exhibit 9A Zoning Ordinance - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  2. Exhibit 9A Zoning Ordinance - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  3. Special Projects, quoted and re-checked
  4. Exhibit 9A Zoning Ordinance - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  5. Exhibit 9A Zoning Ordinance - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  6. Exhibit 9A Zoning Ordinance - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article 4.08 Mobile Homes, HUD-Code Manufactured Homes, and Modular Homes - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Hale Center, City Hall (cityofhalecenter.com)
  9. Exhibit 9A Zoning Ordinance - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  10. Exhibit 9A Zoning Ordinance - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  11. Appendix A Fee Schedule - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  12. halecounty.org, quoted and re-checked
  13. halecounty.org, quoted and re-checked
  14. Hale County Special Projects Coordinator (halecounty.org)
  15. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Article 4.08 Mobile Homes, HUD-Code Manufactured Homes, and Modular Homes - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  17. Article 4.08 Mobile Homes, HUD-Code Manufactured Homes, and Modular Homes - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  18. Article 4.08 Mobile Homes, HUD-Code Manufactured Homes, and Modular Homes - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  19. Article 4.08 Mobile Homes, HUD-Code Manufactured Homes, and Modular Homes - City of Hale Center, TX (Hale Center), quoted and re-checked
  20. halecounty.org, quoted and re-checked
  21. Elections - High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1, quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data
  24. 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 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 Hale Center

Hale Center’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings and other structures erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered within Hale Center city limits.

    • A permit must be issued by the Building Official.
    • A permit may issue following a written order from the Board of Adjustment even if not otherwise conforming.
    • Applications require duplicate scaled plans and required information.
    • A permit expires if work does not begin within 90 days or is not substantially completed within two years.

    work commencement deadline: <= 90 days (Measured from permit issuance; otherwise the permit expires.) · substantial-completion deadline: <= 2 years (Measured from permit issuance; otherwise the permit expires.)

    “No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a permit therefor, issued by the Building Official.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Newly installed HUD manufactured homes and modular homes within Hale Center city limits.

    • Inspection is by the city building official.
    • The home must be found compliant with all city ordinances before occupancy certification.
    “Before a newly installed HUD manufactured home or modular home may be occupied, it must first be inspected by the city building official.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Newly installed HUD manufactured homes and modular homes within Hale Center city limits.

    • The premises must first be inspected and found compliant with all city ordinances.
    “Once the premises has been inspected and found to be in compliance with all city ordinances, the building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within Hale Center city limits.

    • The official zoning map in the City Secretary's office is the final authority on a parcel's current zoning status.
    “The Zoning Regulations and Districts as herein established have been made for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the City of Hale Center.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts and official zoning map for land within Hale Center city limits.

    • The official zoning map is incorporated by reference.
    • The copy in the City Secretary's office is the final authority on current zoning status.
    “The City is hereby divided into zones, or districts, as shown on the Official Zoning Map, which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Ordinance.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    HUD-code manufactured homes within Hale Center city limits.

    • Placement must be in an area permitted by Chapter 9 zoning rules.
    • The applicant must obtain a housing installation permit from the city building official.
    • The home must comply with the article and state law.
    • Before a certificate of occupancy, setback, anchoring, porch, driveway, parking, and skirting conditions apply.
    • Mobile homes are prohibited except lawful preexisting occupied mobile homes, which may remain but may not be replaced.

    housing installation permit fee: per 0.1 USD per square foot of enclosure

    “A HUD-code manufactured home may be parked or located or permitted to be parked or located upon any lot or tract of land not prohibited above as long as such HUD-code manufactured home complies with the terms and provisions of this article and the provisions of state law.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Newly installed HUD manufactured homes and modular homes connecting to City of Hale Center water and/or sewer service.

    • A certificate of occupancy is required before permanent connection.
    • Temporary water and/or sewer service may be provisionally established for no more than 60 days from permit issuance.
    • After 60 days, service may be discontinued without prior notice and reestablished only after a certificate of occupancy issues.

    temporary utility-service period: <= 60 days (Measured from date of permit issuance.)

    “A certificate of occupancy is required prior to permanently connecting any newly installed HUD manufactured home or modular home to the water and/or sewer service of the city, in accordance with the plumbing code of the city.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    HUD-code manufactured homes within Hale Center city limits.

    • A concrete, gravel, or asphalt driveway and off-street parking area are required.
    • Where adjoining a curb along a paved street, a concrete apron must extend five feet from the curb.
    • Driveways may not be within 20 feet of a street intersection.

    concrete apron extension from curb: >= 5 feet (Where driveway and parking area adjoin a curb along a paved street.) · distance from street intersection: >= 20 feet (Driveways may not be located within this distance.)

    “Any HUD-code manufactured home is required to have a concrete, gravel, or asphalt driveway and parking area for off-street parking of vehicles.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City building and development permits and applications within Hale Center city limits.

    • The published fee-schedule index includes building permits and zoning and variance applications; individual fee amounts were not opened.
    “ARTICLE A3.000 BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT RELATED FEES § A3.001 Building permits. § A3.002 Zoning and variance applications.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications within Hale Center city limits.

    • Applications must include duplicate scale plans showing lot dimensions and shape, existing buildings, and proposed building or alteration location and dimensions.
    • The Building Official may require further information needed to determine ordinance conformance.
    “All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by plans in duplicate, drawn to scale showing the actual dimensions and shape of the lot to be built upon”

Rules another office applies inside Hale Center

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

  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 single-family residential district within Hale Center city limits.

    • The district schedule establishes the stated minimum lot area.

    minimum lot area: >= 7000 square feet

    “Lot Area, Lot Width and Setback Regulations. The following minimum requirements shall apply in R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts. District | Lot Area in Square Feet | Lot Width in Feet | Setback in Feet | Setback in Feet”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-3 and R-4 residential districts within Hale Center city limits.

    • The standard is expressed as maximum allowable building area of gross lot or tract area.

    maximum allowable building area: <= 30 percent of gross lot or tract area (R-3 and R-4 districts.)

    “The maximum allowable building area in the R-3 and R-4 District shall be 30 percent of the gross area of the lot or tract of land.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential districts within Hale Center city limits.

    • Either height or story limit may not be exceeded.

    maximum height: <= 30 feet (R-1, R-2, and R-3 districts.) · maximum stories: <= 2 stories (R-1, R-2, and R-3 districts.)

    “Height Regulations. No structure shall exceed 30 feet, or 2 stories in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Hale Center or Hale County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction within Hale Center city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings within Hale Center city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land within Hale Center city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land within Hale Center city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy within Hale Center city limits.
9 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • 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 Hale Center publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Hale County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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