Bolthole Index

Hidalgo County, Texas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in McAllen, Texas

McAllen, Texas requires a building permit from the city's Building Permits and Inspections Department to build, expand, move or demolish a building1. McAllen also has its own zoning through the Unified Development Code2, so Hidalgo County's lack of county zoning does not apply inside city limits3. We could not confirm who permits septic systems inside the city.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the City of McAllen for building, expanding, moving or demolishing1
Zoning
Yes, city zoning districts under the Unified Development Code24
Minimum permit fee
$48, plus 16 cents per square foot for new construction5
Plan review
About three business days for a complete residential submittal6
R-1 minimum lot
5,000 square feet and 45 feet wide7
Septic inside the city
Hidalgo County septic rules exclude areas inside a municipality; the city rule is not confirmed8

Who to call

Building permits

City of McAllen Building Permits and Inspections Department

Building permits and inspections for construction inside McAllen city limits

(956) 681-1300

devservices@mcallen.net

311 N. 15th Street McAllen, TX 78501

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 McAllen means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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

Do you need a building permit in McAllen, Texas?

Yes. Anyone who intends to build, expand, modify, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building inside McAllen city limits must first apply to the Building Permits and Inspections Department91. Cosmetic finish work such as painting, papering, tiling and carpeting does not need a permit, and a storage shed under 200 square feet that sits outside subdivision setbacks does not need one either1.

McAllen has adopted the 2024 edition of the International Building Code, with section 1110.4 on adult changing stations excluded10. Hidalgo County's own development permit applies only to land under county jurisdiction, not to property inside the city11.

Who issues building permits in McAllen, and what do they cost?

The City of McAllen Building Permits and Inspections Department issues building permits for construction inside the city; call (956) 681-1300 or email devservices@mcallen.net9. Fees follow the improvement value or the square footage of new construction, with a minimum permit fee of $48 and 16 cents per square foot for new construction or additions5. A park fee of $700 may also apply to a new residence, so confirm it with the city's Planning staff5.

A residential application needs a floor plan and a site plan or plot plan, plus engineered wall-bracing plans and energy reports when they apply6. A complete submittal is reviewed in about three business days, and the permit clerk issues the permit after approval69.

Does McAllen, Texas have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. McAllen zones land inside city limits through the Unified Development Code, and development must follow the standards of the district it sits in2. The base districts include Agricultural and Open Space (A-O), Low-Density Residential (R-1), Medium-Density Residential (R-2) and High-Density Residential (R-3)4. Check your parcel's district on the city's zoning map or with the city before you buy.

In the R-1 district, lots need at least 5,000 square feet and 45 feet of width7. R-1 setbacks are 20 feet in front, 10 feet in back, 5 feet on the side and 10 feet on a corner side, coverage is capped at 50%, and height at 35 feet121314. In the A-O district, lots need at least 5 acres and 150 feet of width15. A-O setbacks are 50 feet in front, 20 feet in back, 20 feet on the side and 35 feet on a corner side16. A-O coverage is capped at 10%, with the same 35-foot height limit1718. An easement larger than a setback becomes the minimum setback12.

How do septic permits work inside McAllen, Texas?

We could not confirm the septic rule for lots inside McAllen city limits. Hidalgo County's septic rules, handled by its Environmental Health Department, apply to all of the county except areas within the boundaries of a municipality8. Texas requires a permit and approved plan to build or alter an on-site sewage facility, and local programs can be stricter than the state minimum19.

If the lot you are looking at is not on city sewer, ask the McAllen Building Permits and Inspections Department who permits septic there before you make an offer9.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in McAllen, Texas?

We could not confirm McAllen's rules on living in an RV, a tiny home or a manufactured home on private land inside the city. Those rules would sit in the city's Unified Development Code, so ask the Building Permits and Inspections Department at (956) 681-1300 before you plan to occupy anything while you build9.

Outside city limits, Hidalgo County's Planning Department has stopped granting development permits and utility clearances for RVs and travel trailers used as primary residences. That county rule does not govern land inside McAllen, and the county's land outside the city is covered on the Hidalgo County page.

Building a home in McAllen: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel is inside McAllen city limits, and find its zoning district under the Unified Development Code2.
  2. Check the district's lot size, setbacks, coverage and height limits4.
  3. Ask the city how wastewater is handled on your lot, since we could not confirm the septic rule9.
  4. Prepare a floor plan and a site plan or plot plan, and add wall-bracing plans and energy reports if they apply6.
  5. Submit the application to the Building Permits and Inspections Department and expect about three business days of review for a complete package6.
  6. Pay the permit fee, and ask Planning about the potential $700 park fee for a new residence5.
  7. Request inspections through the city after the permit is issued9.

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

Land outside McAllen's limits falls under Hidalgo County, which has no county zoning authority but does require a development permit for construction and separate OSSF approval for septic31120. See the Hidalgo County page for those rules.

Before you buy, confirm the parcel is truly inside city limits, learn its zoning district, and ask about flood zones, because we could not confirm McAllen's floodplain development rule. Hidalgo County's effective property tax rate is 1.8%21.

Watch-outs

  • Septic, well, floodplain, driveway and certificate-of-occupancy rules inside McAllen city limits were not confirmed, so ask the Building Permits and Inspections Department at (956) 681-1300 before you rely on any of them9.
  • Hidalgo County's rules on septic and development permits apply outside municipalities, not inside McAllen city limits8.
  • The $700 park fee for a new residence may apply and should be verified with the city's Planning staff5.

Sources

  1. Permits - City of McAllen (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  2. Article 2.2 Base Districts - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  3. Fair Housing Activity Statement – Texas, quoted and re-checked
  4. Article 2.2 Base Districts - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  5. Permits - City of McAllen (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  6. Permits - City of McAllen (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article 2.2 Base Districts - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  8. Hidalgo County Permitting Procedures, quoted and re-checked
  9. City of McAllen Building Permits and Inspections Department (mcallen.net)
  10. Article II Building Code - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  11. Construction Permit, quoted and re-checked
  12. Article 2.2 Base Districts - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  13. Article 2.2 Base Districts - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  14. Article 2.2 Base Districts - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  15. Article 2.2 Base Districts - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  16. Article 2.2 Base Districts - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  17. Article 2.2 Base Districts - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  18. Article 2.2 Base Districts - City of McAllen, TX (McAllen), quoted and re-checked
  19. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Hidalgo County Permitting Procedures, quoted and re-checked
  21. Effective property tax rate: 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 McAllen

McAllen’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Owners or authorized agents building, expanding, modifying, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building inside McAllen city limits.

    • Cosmetic work listed by the City—painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work—does not require permits.
    • A storage shed or similar structure under 200 square feet and outside subdivision setbacks does not require a building permit.

    storage-shed exemption threshold: < 200 square feet (Must be outside subdivision setbacks.)

    “Any owner or authorize agent (building, contractor) who intends to build, expand, modify, move demolish or change the occupancy of a building shall first make application to the Building Permits and Inspections Department and obtain the required permits.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside McAllen city limits.

    • IBC § 1110.4 concerning adult changing stations is excluded.
    • A copy is filed in the building official's office.

    International Building Code edition: 2024 (Section 1110.4 is excluded.)

    “There is hereby adopted for and by the city, the International Building Code, 2024 edition, including appendices B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K and P prepared by the International Code Council, published in booklet form, which is referred to, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. Also, the following code section is excluded: section 1110.4 (adult changing stations).”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside McAllen city limits, subject to the Unified Development Code base districts.

    • Development must follow the applicable district standards and Chapter 3 use regulations.
    “Dimensional Standards. Development in the Low-Density Residential (R-1) District shall follow the standards in Table 2.2.2-1.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside McAllen city limits.

    • Uses are governed by the cited district plus Table 3.1.3-2 and applicable Chapter 3 regulations.
    “§ 2.2.1 Agricultural and Open Space (A-O) District. § 2.2.2 Low-Density Residential (R-1) District. § 2.2.3 Medium-Density Residential (R-2) District. § 2.2.4 High-Density Residential (R-3) District.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Agricultural and Open Space (A-O) District inside McAllen city limits.

    • An easement greater than the setback requirement is the minimum setback requirement; Chapters 3 and 4 also apply.

    minimum lot area: 5 acres · minimum lot width: 150 feet

    “Lot Requirements A | Lot Area (min.) | 5 acres B | Lot Width (min.) | 150 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Agricultural and Open Space (A-O) District inside McAllen city limits.

    • Where an easement is greater than the stated setback, the easement is the minimum setback.

    front-yard minimum: 50 feet · rear-yard minimum: 20 feet · side-yard minimum: 20 feet · corner-side-yard minimum: 35 feet

    “Setback Requirements D | Front Yard (min.) | 50 feet E | Rear Yard (min.) | 20 feet F | Side Yard (min.) | 20 feet G | Corner Side Yard (min.) | 35 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Low-Density Residential (R-1) District inside McAllen city limits.
      “Setback Requirements D | Front Yard (min.) | 20 feet E | Rear Yard (min.) | 10 feet F | Side Yard (min.) | 5 feet G | Corner Side Yard (min.) | 10 feet”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Agricultural and Open Space (A-O) District inside McAllen city limits.

    • Additional Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 standards apply.

    maximum lot coverage: 10 percent

    “Lot Requirements A | Lot Area (min.) | 5 acres B | Lot Width (min.) | 150 feet C | Lot Coverage (max.) | 10%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Low-Density Residential (R-1) District inside McAllen city limits.
      “Lot Requirements A | Lot Area (min.) | 5,000 square feet B | Lot Width (min.) | 45 feet C | Lot Coverage (max.) | 50%”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Agricultural and Open Space (A-O) District inside McAllen city limits.

    • Additional Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 standards apply.

    maximum building height: 35 feet

    “Building Requirements H | Building Height (max.) | 35 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits inside McAllen city limits.

    • Fees are based on improvement value or new-construction square footage.
    • A park fee may apply to a new-residence construction permit and must be verified with Planning.
    • The Board of Commissioners may modify the permit fee schedules from time to time.

    minimum residential permit fee: 48 USD · residential new construction/addition fee: per 0.16 USD per square foot · potential park fee: 700 USD (May apply to a new residence; verify with Planning.)

    “The permit fees are determined by the improvement value or the square footage of the new construction. The minimum permit fee is $48.00. Remodel = Improvement Value x .006 New Construction/Addition = 16 cents a square foot”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential building permits inside McAllen city limits.

    • A completed application is required.
    • Floor plan and site plan/plot plan are required; engineered wall-bracing plans and energy reports are required if applicable.
    • Complete residential submittals are reviewed in approximately three business days.
    • The clerk issues the permit after approval and supplies conditions for approval.

    stated residential plan-review period: 3 business days (If submittal documents are complete.)

    “If your submittal documents are complete, please allow three business days for plan review. You will be notified by staff when the permit application has been approved.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside McAllen city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of completed improvements inside McAllen city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Principal dwellings inside McAllen city limits.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside McAllen city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside McAllen city limits.
13 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 McAllen publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Hidalgo County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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