Bolthole Index

Medina County, Texas

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

64Index Score / 100
#75 of 254 in Texas

Medina County, Texas requires a floodplain development permit for building in a floodplain; a general residential building permit outside that process remains unconfirmed1. Unincorporated Medina County appears to have no county zoning ordinance, while municipal zoning applies inside city limits23. Environmental Health handles county septic applications; inside Lytle, a septic permit from the superintendent of utilities is also required45.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for floodplain development; a general residential permit outside the floodplain is unconfirmed67
Zoning
Appears to be no county zoning ordinance for unincorporated land; municipal zoning applies inside city limits23
RV / tiny home / minimum home size
No county rule sets one on unincorporated land; septic, floodplain and subdivision rules still apply8
Septic permit
Required countywide; licensed design and installation plus county inspection910
Floodplain development permit
$45, required before any development in the floodplain7
Water well
A registered well is required when the property lacks public or community water11
Driveway / utility permit
Issued by your precinct commissioner's office, not a single countywide office12
Septic soil difficulty
About 15.7% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field13

Who to call

Septic permits

Medina County Environmental Health Department

OSSF (septic) permitting and inspection for Medina County; either the homeowner or the designer/installer can obtain the permit here

(830) 741-6195

1502 Avenue K, 2nd Floor, Hondo, Texas 78861

Floodplain permits

Medina County Environmental Health Department (Floodplain Administrator)

Floodplain development permits for any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate in a mapped floodplain, including buildings, grading, filling, and excavation

(830) 741-6195

1502 Avenue K, 2nd Floor, Hondo, Texas 78861

Also useful

Medina County Clerk

Recording and filing of final subdivision plats; a plat approved by Commissioners Court must be filed here before construction can begin on a subdivided lot

(830) 741-6000

1100 16th Street, Hondo, TX

Roads & driveways

Medina County Precinct 1 Commissioner's Office

Driveway and utility permits for Precinct 1; Medina County's other three precincts issue their own driveway and utility permits separately (Precinct 2: 830-931-4000, Precinct 3: 830-741-6006, Precinct 4: 830-665-8015, per the county's own permits guide)

(830) 741-6016

275 County Road 341, Hondo, TX 78861

Also useful

Medina County 911 Addressing Department

Assigns the physical address EMS and the Sheriff's Department use to find a residence in an emergency; needed before applying for other permits

830 741 8997

Well permits

Medina County Ground Water Conservation District

Well registration for properties not on public or community water

830 741 3162

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

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Medina 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 Medina County, Texas?

Medina County requires a $45 floodplain development permit before building or other floodplain development; work cannot start until an Authorization to Construct number is issued, and the permit must be renewed if work remains unfinished after a year1. We could not confirm a general residential building permit or inspection outside that process; ask your precinct commissioner614. Construction in a regulated unincorporated subdivision generally requires Commissioners Court approval and County Clerk recording of the Final Plat first15. Medina County does not enforce the International Building Codes it defers to16.

Devine, Castroville and Natalia administer their own building permits inside city limits171819. San Antonio and Lytle reach into Medina County and also administer city building permits2021. County septic applications go to Environmental Health; Lytle separately requires approval from its superintendent of utilities45.

Who handles septic, floodplain, and driveway permits in Medina County, and how do you reach them?

Medina County's published permit list identifies floodplain, septic, driveway and utility approvals but does not identify a general building department for unincorporated homes22. Ask your precinct commissioner whether another approval or inspection applies to your parcel because a general residential permit remains unconfirmed6. The Environmental Health Department handles OSSF applications and floodplain permits at 1502 Avenue K, 2nd Floor, Hondo, Texas, phone (830) 741-6195232425. Driveway and utility permits come from the commissioner or designee for the relevant precinct12. The Ground Water Conservation District handles well registration, with a one-time $10 fee for a domestic or livestock exempt well26, while the county's 911 Addressing Department assigns the physical address needed for a septic application11272829.

Does Medina County have zoning?

Unincorporated Medina County appears to have no county zoning ordinance and instead regulates development through subdivision, septic and floodplain rules230. Subdivision minimum average lot areas depend on geological zone and public water or sewer service30. Subdivision plats generally require setbacks of 50 feet from state and federal road rights-of-way and 25 feet from other road rights-of-way; different municipal setbacks control in an extraterritorial jurisdiction31.

Devine, Castroville and Natalia set their own zoning inside city limits323334. San Antonio and Lytle reach into Medina County and also set municipal zoning3536. Environmental Health remains the county septic application office; Lytle requires a separate septic permit from its superintendent of utilities45.

How do septic permits work in Medina County?

Medina County Environmental Health handles county OSSF applications, and septic systems must be designed and installed by licensed individuals regardless of lot size or an agricultural plat exception43738. An owner may obtain the septic permit, but may install the system only with an OSSF installer license3938.

For authorization to construct, submit a physical address from 911 Addressing, licensed design, septic locator map, color FEMA floodplain map with the panel or FIRMette number, and legal description showing the owner and property address38. Aerobic systems also need a signed maintenance agreement and a notarized affidavit filed with the County Clerk27. Conventional septic permits cost $200, aerobic permits $400 and reinspections $5040. Pay by cash, money order or individual check payable to Medina County; fees are non-refundable and valid for a year38. Inspections occur Monday, Wednesday and Friday and must be booked at least a day ahead38. Only about 15.7% of county soils lack severe limits for conventional drain fields, so arrange a site evaluation before choosing a system13.

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

Medina County sets no rule on RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, accessory dwellings or temporary camping on unincorporated land, because it has adopted no county zoning ordinance8. Sanitation, subdivision and floodplain requirements still apply, so discuss your plan with Environmental Health414243. Private on-site wastewater needs Environmental Health approval and licensed design and installation, and floodplain development needs a permit before work begins4142. Manufactured homes in specified mapped flood zones must meet elevation and permanent anchoring requirements44. A structure in a regulated subdivision cannot be occupied until it connects to a public or individual water supply and either public sewer or a county-approved on-site wastewater system43. City rules vary across Medina County, so confirm the jurisdiction before relying on the unincorporated-area answer45. We could not confirm county rules for privies or graywater systems; ask Environmental Health before preparing the site24.

How do you build a home in Medina County, step by step?

  1. Call the 911 Addressing Department for the physical address needed in the septic application2729.
  2. Ask your precinct commissioner whether a general building permit or inspection applies outside a floodplain, where the requirement remains unconfirmed6. Confirm that a regulated subdivision's Final Plat is approved and recorded before construction, or that an agricultural exception applies1537.
  3. If the property lacks public or community water, contact the Ground Water Conservation District to register the well1128.
  4. Apply to Environmental Health for the septic permit and licensed design and installation; the published fees are $200 for conventional and $400 for aerobic2740.
  5. Before any floodplain development, obtain the $45 permit; Environmental Health will require the parcel to comply with subdivision and OSSF rules4246.
  6. Schedule the septic installation inspection at least one day ahead47.
  7. Before crossing a public right-of-way with a driveway or utility, get the relevant precinct commissioner's permit12.

What should you check before buying land in Medina County?

Confirm whether Medina County's subdivision rules or a city's rules control the parcel, because city zoning varies and extraterritorial-jurisdiction agreements can affect subdivision oversight4530. For divided agricultural or ranch land outside municipal limits, verify the qualifying use and absence of land laid out for public dedication; ending the qualifying use triggers platting requirements37. An owner can apply to Commissioners Court for a determination acknowledging a plat exception for the specific parcel circumstances; septic and floodplain rules still apply37. Get a septic site evaluation before closing: every OSSF needs a county permit, and only about 15.7% of Medina County soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field2713. Check the floodplain map early because all floodplain development needs a permit, and a permit depends on subdivision and OSSF compliance4246. If the property lacks public or community water, plan to register its well11. A driveway onto a state highway requires the TxDOT access process, while encroachment into a county public right-of-way requires the relevant precinct's permit484912.

Watch-outs

  • Driveway and utility permits are issued precinct by precinct, not by one countywide office; confirm which of Medina County's four precincts your land is in before you call5012.
  • A general residential permit, building inspection and certificate of occupancy remain unconfirmed outside Medina County's floodplain and subdivision requirements61415.
  • An agricultural plat exception does not waive septic permits, regardless of lot size, or floodplain requirements37.

Sources

  1. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County?, quoted and re-checked
  2. Medina County - What Type of Permits Are Required (2026 county census)
  3. Medina County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan, quoted and re-checked
  4. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County?, quoted and re-checked
  5. Lytle: Lytle Code of Ordinances, Sec. 42-135, Permit required (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  6. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County? (2026 county census)
  7. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County?, quoted and re-checked
  8. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  9. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County?, quoted and re-checked
  10. Septic Tank Applications Permit, quoted and re-checked
  11. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County?, quoted and re-checked
  12. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County?, quoted and re-checked
  13. 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
  14. Floodplain Development Permit, quoted and re-checked
  15. Medina County Subdivision Rules & Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  16. 2025 Medina County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan, quoted and re-checked
  17. Devine: Code Compliance – City of Devine, Texas (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  18. Castroville: Permitting (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  19. Natalia: Residential New Home Building Requirements (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  20. San Antonio: official source (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  21. Lytle: Lytle Code of Ordinances, Sec. 8-52, Subcontractors; general contractors (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  22. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County?, quoted and re-checked
  23. Medina County Subdivision Rules and Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  24. Medina County Environmental Health Department (medinatx.gov)
  25. Medina County Environmental Health Department (Floodplain Administrator) (medinatx.gov)
  26. Forms/Publications — Medina County Groundwater Conservation District, quoted and re-checked
  27. Septic Tank Applications Permit, quoted and re-checked
  28. Medina County Ground Water Conservation District (medinatx.gov)
  29. Medina County 911 Addressing Department (medinatx.gov)
  30. Commissioners Court | Medina County TX, quoted and re-checked
  31. Medina County Subdivision Rules & Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  32. Devine: Class B Single-Family Residence District, use regulation (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  33. Castroville: Zoning (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  34. Natalia: Code of Ordinances, Sec. 44-81, District R-2 (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  35. San Antonio: Unified Development Code § 35-371, Accessory Dwellings (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  36. Lytle: Lytle Code of Ordinances, Sec. 46-164, Districts established (Medina County), quoted and re-checked
  37. Medina County Subdivision Rules & Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  38. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County?, quoted and re-checked
  39. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County?, quoted and re-checked
  40. Medina County Environmental, quoted and re-checked
  41. Medina County Subdivision Rules and Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  42. What Type of Permits Are Required In Medina County?, quoted and re-checked
  43. Medina County Subdivision Rules and Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  44. Medina County Flood Damage Prevention Court Order, quoted and re-checked
  45. Medina County Subdivision Rules and Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  46. Medina County Subdivision Rules & Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  47. SEPTIC TANK APPLICATIONS PERMIT, quoted and re-checked
  48. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  49. Section 4: Driveway Permits, Design, and Materials (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  50. Medina County Precinct 1 Commissioner's Office (medinatx.gov)

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Medina County has no countywide zoning.

RuleMedina CountyBandera CountyBexar CountyFrio CountyUvalde CountyKendall CountyKerr County
Building permitLimitedLimitedNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredLimitedLimited
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Septic permitsCounty Env. Health Dept.County OSSF InspectorCounty Env. ServicesFrio CountyCounty SanitarianCounty DevelopmentCounty Env. Health Dept.

County locator

Medina County in Texas

64
County map
Medina County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Medina County scores

Seclusion59100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency4296% ev.
Admin Boringness7490% ev.
Durability42100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost73100% 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 →

$325kTypical home
1.3%Property tax
$3,805Land / acre
28.5"Annual rain
43.7% of yrsSevere drought
46.2 / yr (+30.5)Mid-century 100°F days
28.6 daysMid-century dry spell
2.22" (+6.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.37×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,029Home insurance / yr
0.8% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
7,923People within 30 min
3,143,084People within 2 hr
20,616Radius comparison (15 mi)
41.3People / sq mi
0.2%Federal land
90.1%Land at 15% slope or less
15.7%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
123,211 acWorkable land screen
29.2%Wooded land
14.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac
69.4°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Medina 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: LaCoste

Answers from the rulebook for Medina County

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

Medina County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Development, including buildings or other structures, located in a Medina County floodplain or special flood hazard area.

    • A floodplain development permit is required for any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate in the floodplain, including buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials.
    • No work may start until the Development Permit is completed and an Authorization to Construct number has been issued.
    • The permit applies only to Medina County Floodplain Management Regulations; other federal, state, or local permits may be required.
    • The floodplain development permit fee is $45.00.
    • The permit is valid for one year from the date issued and must be renewed if work is not completed within that year.

    floodplain development permit fee: 45 USD · permit validity: 1 year from date issued (Must be renewed if work is not completed within that year)

    “If you are doing any type of development in the floodplain [...] you need to have a permit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction or development activities in a subdivision outside the corporate limits of a municipality in Medina County.
      “An Owner or Developer may not commence any construction or Development activities, except as permitted, or for common infrastructure facilities, until the Commissioners Court has approved a Final Plat Application, and the Plat has been filed for record with the County Clerk.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner seeking an on-site sewage facility permit from Medina County Environmental Health.

    • All on-site sewage systems in Medina County must be permitted.
    • The system must be designed and installed by licensed individuals.
    • The owner or the designer/installer may obtain the OSSF permit from the Environmental Health Department.
    • This claim concerns OSSF permit application authority and does not establish an exemption from other county, state, floodplain, subdivision, or municipal requirements.
    “They must be designed and installed by licensed individuals. Either you or the designer/installer can obtain an OSSF permit from the Environmental Health Department.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    County-level building-code adoption and enforcement in Medina County.

    • The county defers to the International Building Codes followed by the State of Texas.
    • The county does not enforce those International Building Codes.
    • The source states that the county was in the final stages of adopting the 2021 International Fire Code; it does not state that the fire-code adoption was completed.
    • The source separately reports municipal building-code adoptions, which are not county adoptions.

    referenced fire code: 2021 International Fire Code (Adoption completion is not stated)

    “The County defers to the International Building Codes followed by the State of Texas, but does not enforce. [...] adopting the 2021 International Fire Code.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Inspections by the Medina County Floodplain Administrator or representative for development subject to Medina County Floodplain Management Regulations.

    • The applicant consents to reasonable inspections required to verify compliance.
    • The floodplain development permit applies only to Medina County Floodplain Management Regulations.
    • Other federal, state, or local permits may be required.
    • Development may not be used or occupied until a Permit Number or an OSSF License to Operate has been issued.
    • A Final Foundation Elevation Certificate is required within 10 business days of foundation completion or the License to Operate will not be issued.

    final foundation elevation certificate deadline: 10 business days after foundation completion (If not provided, License to Operate will not be issued)

    “Applicant hereby gives consent to the local Floodplain Administrator or his/her representative to make reasonable inspections required to verify compliance.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Countywide aggregate of land-use controls in Medina County: municipal zoning applies in identified incorporated cities, while county materials separately identify county subdivision, floodplain, and OSSF regulation.

    • The cited zoning ordinances are municipal rules administered by the respective cities, not by Medina County Commissioners Court.
    • The official county hazard mitigation plan identifies zoning ordinances for Castroville, Devine, Hondo, La Coste, and Natalia.
    • County subdivision, floodplain, and OSSF requirements may still apply according to the location and activity.
    “City of Castroville Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map Zoning requirements and restrictions Identifying zone locations and restrictions to limit future hazard exposure [...] City of Natalia Zoning Ordinance Zoning requirements and restrictions Identifying zone locations and restrictions to limit future hazard exposure”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Local zoning within Medina County; this is a countywide aggregate conclusion concerning municipal zoning, not a statement that Medina County administers municipal zoning ordinances.
      “The regulations for a given site depend on the zoning district(s) in which that site is located.”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Medina County: no county rule sets this, because Medina 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 medinatx.gov.

    • 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 Medina County: no county rule sets this, because Medina 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 medinatx.gov.

    • 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 Medina County: no county rule sets this, because Medina 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 medinatx.gov.

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

    Building and setback lines shown on preliminary and final subdivision plats in unincorporated Medina County.

    • Fifty feet from the edge of the right-of-way applies on all state and federal roads.
    • Twenty-five feet from the edge of the right-of-way applies on all other roads.
    • If the setback lines differ from those adopted by a municipality with extraterritorial jurisdiction, the municipality's setbacks apply.
    • The rules also contain separate setback standards for specified high-density subdivision types and environmental features.

    setback from right-of-way on state and federal roads: 50 feet · setback from right-of-way on all other roads: 25 feet (Municipal extraterritorial-jurisdiction setbacks apply if different.)

    “fifty feet (50’) [...] twenty-five feet (25’)”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Medina County: no county rule sets this, because Medina 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 medinatx.gov.

    • 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 Medina County: no county rule sets this, because Medina 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 medinatx.gov.

    • 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 Medina County: no county rule sets this, because Medina 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 medinatx.gov.

    • 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 Medina County: no county rule sets this, because Medina 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 medinatx.gov.

    • 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 Medina County: no county rule sets this, because Medina 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 medinatx.gov.

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

    Placement or substantial improvement of manufactured homes in Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on Medina County's community Flood Insurance Rate Map.

    • For sites outside a manufactured home park or subdivision, in a new manufactured home park or subdivision, in an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision, or in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision where the manufactured home has incurred substantial flood damage, the home must be elevated on a permanent foundation so that its lowest floor is at least 18 inches above base flood elevation and securely anchored to a permanent foundation anchoring system.
    • For sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision not subject to the preceding paragraph, the home must either have its lowest floor at least 18 inches above base flood elevation or have its chassis supported by reinforced piers or equivalent foundation elements at least 36 inches above grade and be securely anchored to a permanent foundation anchoring system.
    • The requirements address flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.

    minimum lowest-floor elevation above base flood elevation: >= 18 inches (The existing manufactured-home-park alternative may use reinforced piers or equivalent foundation elements at least 36 inches above grade instead.) · minimum foundation-element height in existing manufactured-home-park alternative: >= 36 inches above grade (Applies to the alternative involving reinforced piers or equivalent foundation elements.)

    “lowest floor of the manufactured home is at least 18 inches above the base flood elevation”
  • Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Medina County: no county rule sets this, because Medina 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 medinatx.gov.

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

    On-site sewage facilities in Medina County.

    • The Medina County Commissioners Court is the TCEQ-designated authorized agent for licensing and regulating OSSFs in the county.
    • The county rules apply to unincorporated areas, except where a specific written agreement with a city modifies the rules within that city's ETJ or delegates subdivision oversight to the city.
    “The Commissioners Court of Medina County has been designated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as the authorized agent for the licensing and regulation of on-site sewage facilities within Medina County”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County — On-site sewage facility permitting and inspection administration in Medina County.
      “Either you or the designer/installer can obtain an OSSF permit from the Environmental Health Department.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    All on-site sewage facilities installed in Medina County, Texas.

    • Authorization to construct requires the listed application prerequisites.
    • Homeowners may not install their own septic system unless they are an OSSF licensed installer.
    • All OSSFs require a design by a licensed Site Evaluator, a Registered Sanitarian with a site evaluators license, or a licensed Professional Engineer.
    • An approved physical site address issued by 911 addressing is required.
    • A septic tank locator map is necessary.
    • A color copy of the 2020 FEMA Floodplain Map, including the Community-panel number or Firmette Number and the marked septic site, is required.
    • For an aerobic system, a signed Maintenance Agreement and an Affidavit to the Public notarized and filed at the Medina County Clerk Office are required.
    • A legal description of the property with the owner's name and property address, such as a deed or tax ID card, is required.
    • Cash, money order, or individual check per application is required; payment is payable to Medina County and fees are listed on the application.
    • Failure to complete required paperwork delays review.
    • Inspections are conducted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and must be scheduled at least one day in advance.
    • The applicant must call between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. on the inspection day to learn the assigned inspection time; the applicant may not request a time.
    • A $50.00 reinspection fee applies after the first inspection if additional visits are required.
    • All permit fees are non-refundable and valid for only one year.
    • The document states Revision June 30, 2021; this is a revision date, not an effective date.

    reinspection fee: 50 USD (Applies if additional visits are required after the first inspection.) · permit validity: 1 year (All permit fees are non-refundable and only good for 1 year.)

    “All on- site sewage systems in Medina County must be permitted. They must be designed and installed by licensed individuals.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Inspections associated with on-site sewage facility construction in Medina County.

    • Inspections are conducted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
    • Inspection must be scheduled at least one day in advance.
    • The applicant must call between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. on the inspection day to receive the assigned inspection time.
    • The applicant may not request a specific inspection time.
    • Additional visits after the first inspection incur a $50 re-inspection fee.

    reinspection fee: 50 USD per additional visit

    “Inspections are conducted on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You are required to schedule your inspection at least one day in advance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — OSSF construction inspections administered by Medina County Environmental Health.
      “Inspections are conducted on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You are required to schedule your inspection at least one day in advance.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private on-site wastewater sanitation where public sewer is unavailable in Medina County.

    • An on-site wastewater system may be used instead of public sewer only after approval and permitting by the Medina County Environmental Health Group.
    • All OSSFs must be designed and installed by licensed individuals.
    • Aerobic systems require a signed maintenance agreement and notarized affidavit to the public filed at the courthouse.
    • Subdivision occupancy remains subject to the county's public-sewer-or-approved-OSSF requirement.
    “All on- site sewage systems in Medina County must be permitted. They must be designed and installed by licensed individuals.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Groundwater wells within the Medina County Groundwater Conservation District.

    • Domestic/livestock exempt wells require one-time registration before drilling; the district states a $10 registration fee.
    • Exempt wells are limited to individual, family, or household drinking, cooking, washing, livestock-tank, and livestock/poultry watering uses and may not be equipped to produce more than 25,000 gallons per day.
    • Non-exempt wells include wells producing more than 25,000 gallons per day or wells drilled for agricultural, industrial, or public use.
    • A new non-exempt well requires a well construction application before drilling, an operating permit before pumping, an installed meter, and an annual use report.
    • The district states a $250 well application fee and a $250 operating-permit fee for non-exempt wells.
    • Well-location conditions include at least 100 feet from a septic system and 50 feet from any watertight sewage or liquid-waste collection facility and any property line; irrigation wells have additional spacing requirements.

    exempt-well production threshold: <= 25000 gallons/day (Use must be domestic/livestock exempt use.) · exempt well registration fee: 10 USD (One-time registration fee.) · non-exempt well construction application fee: 250 USD (District states this fee for non-exempt wells.) · non-exempt operating permit fee: 250 USD (In addition to the well application fee.) · minimum separation from septic system: >= 100 feet · minimum separation from watertight sewage or liquid-waste collection facility: >= 50 feet · minimum separation from property line: >= 50 feet (Irrigation wells have additional spacing requirements.)

    “Exempt from permitting requirements Requires a one time well registration Domestic/household/livestock Consumption Can water yard, not field Well can not be equipped to pump more than25,000 gallons per day”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — A property in Medina County that will not use public or community water.
      “If you are not going to be on public or community water, you will need a registered well. Please call the Medina County Ground Water Conservation District at 830 741 3162.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Structures in subdivisions governed by the Medina County Subdivision Rules and Regulations.

    • No structure in a subdivision may be occupied until connected to either a public water system or an individual water system.
    • No structure in a subdivision may be occupied until connected to either a public sewer system or an on-site wastewater system approved and permitted by the Medina County Environmental Health Group.
    • The county subdivision rules apply to unincorporated areas, subject to written city agreements or delegated subdivision oversight within a municipality's ETJ.
    “No structure in this Subdivision shall be occupied until connected to a public sewer system or to an on-site wastewater system that has been approved and permitted by the Medina County Environmental Health Group.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A division of land outside municipal limits in Medina County where the land will be used primarily for agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production purposes and the owner does not lay out land for dedication to public use.

    • The division must be outside the limits of a municipality.
    • The owner must not lay out streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts of the tract intended for dedication to public use.
    • The land must be used primarily for agricultural use as defined by Texas Constitution Article VIII, Section 1-d, or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production within the constitutional meaning.
    • If any part of a tract divided under the exception ceases to be used primarily for the qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production use, platting requirements apply.
    • An owner using an exception must still comply with the Medina County Rules for On-Site Sewage Facilities and the Medina County Flood Damage Prevention Court Order.
    • Upon request and application by the owner, the Commissioners Court may issue a determination acknowledging that an exception exists for the specific facts and circumstances presented.
    • A septic permit is required for all onsite sewage facility systems regardless of lot size.
    “The land is to be used primarily for agricultural use”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Exception to Medina County plat-approval requirements for a subdivision outside municipal limits where the land is used primarily for agricultural use or for farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production use within the constitutional meaning.
      “4.1.1 The land is to be used primarily for agricultural use, as defined by Tex. Const. art VIII, §1-d, or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use within the constitutional meaning. However, if any part of a tract divided under this exception ceases to be used primarily for agricultural use or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use as so defined, the platting requirements shall apply.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and development of land in the unincorporated areas of Medina County, Texas.

    • The regulations apply to all unincorporated areas except where a specific written agreement with a city modifies the regulations within that city's extraterritorial jurisdiction or delegates subdivision oversight to that city.
    • Medina County currently has interlocal agreements concerning development within the ETJs of Castroville, Devine, Hondo, La Coste, and San Antonio; applicable municipal standards and approval procedures under those agreements apply.
    • A plat application is reviewed for completeness within ten business days of receipt.
    • The Commissioners Court must act on a complete plat application no later than the 30th day after the County Judge's office notifies the applicant that the application is complete; extensions must be requested in writing by the applicant and approved by the Commissioners Court.
    • Conditional approval or disapproval requires a written statement of specific conditions or reasons, and the order expires after twelve months if the final plat has not been approved and recorded.
    • An OSSF or floodplain development permit will not be issued for a parcel unless it complies with the subdivision regulations and Medina County OSSF rules, except that divisions occurring before June 1, 1984 are grandfathered but must have a legal OSSF, and completed OSSF or floodplain permit applications received before the effective date are considered under the regulations then in effect.
    • Plat approval is not required for specified divisions outside municipal limits, including qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production divisions; qualifying transfers of four or fewer parts to relatives within the third degree; divisions where all lots exceed ten acres; and other statutory exceptions in Article IV. Agricultural-use exceptions cease when the qualifying use ceases, and related-party exceptions do not apply to sham or larger planned developments and lose the exception if a lot is transferred to a non-relative.
    • Minimum average lot area depends on geological zone and public water or sewer service. Outside Edwards Aquifer recharge or contributing zones, the listed averages are 3 acres without public water and sewer, 1 acre with either public water or public sewer, and 30,000 square feet with both. Within those zones, the listed averages are 5 acres, 2 acres, and 1 acre, respectively, subject to the rainwater-catchment incentive and other Article IX rules.
    • For the rainwater-catchment incentive, all lots must be restricted by plat note and restrictive covenant to water supplied solely by rainwater catchment, with wells and public-water connections prohibited; the minimum average lot area is 70 percent of the otherwise applicable Section 9.5 minimum, and an applicant may designate only sections or phases.
    • No lot may be less than 80 percent of the applicable minimum average lot area, and no more than 20 percent of subdivision lots may be below the minimum lot area.
    • If final-plat approval is sought before roads, streets, and drainage improvements are complete, a performance bond or financial guarantee equal to 100 percent of verified construction costs is required, with construction completed within two years after final-plat approval.
    • The source PDF states that the regulations were adopted February 10, 2025; a Section 3.2.6 page is marked amended October 20, 2025, which is reported as an amendment notation rather than treated as an effective date.

    plat-application-completeness review: 10 business days · Commissioners Court action after completeness notice: 30 days (Applicant-requested written extensions approved by Commissioners Court) · conditional approval/disapproval order expiration: 12 months (Final plat must be approved and recorded within that period) · outside Edwards recharge/contributing zones, no public water or sewer: 3 acres average lot area (Subject to Article IX rules and Section 9.13) · outside Edwards recharge/contributing zones, either public water or public sewer: 1 acre average lot area (Subject to Article IX rules and Section 9.13) · outside Edwards recharge/contributing zones, public water and public sewer: 30000 square feet average lot area (Subject to Article IX rules and Section 9.13) · within Edwards recharge/contributing zones, no public water or sewer: 5 acres average lot area (Subject to Article IX rules and Section 9.13) · within Edwards recharge/contributing zones, either public water or public sewer: 2 acres average lot area (Subject to Article IX rules and Section 9.13) · within Edwards recharge/contributing zones, public water and public sewer: 1 acre average lot area (Subject to Article IX rules and Section 9.13) · rainwater-catchment minimum average lot area: 70 percent of applicable Section 9.5 minimum (All lots must be restricted to sole rainwater catchment; wells and public-water connections prohibited) · minimum individual lot size: >= 80 percent of applicable minimum average lot area · lots below minimum lot area: <= 20 percent of subdivision lots · performance bond or financial guarantee: 100 percent of verified construction costs (Required when final-plat approval precedes completion of roads, streets, or drainage improvements) · road, street, and drainage completion after final-plat approval: <= 2 years (Applies when the performance-bond process is used)

    “These Regulations are intended to govern the subdivision and development of land in the unincorporated areas of Medina County, and they apply to all unincorporated areas of the County, except where, by specific written agreement with a city, the County has modified these Regulations within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of that city, or delegated its responsibility for subdivision oversight to that city.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveway construction or other encroachment into public rights-of-way or easements in unincorporated Medina County.

    • The permit is from the County Commissioner or the commissioner's designee.
    • The rule addresses driveway or utility construction and other encroachment into public right-of-way or easements; it does not establish a permit requirement for every driveway on private property.
    • Access location and design are evaluated based on safety and traffic-operation considerations.
    “No driveway or utility construction, or any other encroachment into public right-of-way or easements shall be allowed without first obtaining a permit from the County Commissioner or his or her designee.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Any development in the Medina County floodplain, including man-made changes to improved or unimproved real estate such as buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, drilling, or storage of equipment or materials.

    • A floodplain development permit is required before the described development proceeds.
    • The Medina County Environmental Health Department is the contact for the permit at (830) 741-6195.
    • The listed floodplain development permit fee is $45.00.
    • Medina County has authorized and adopted the 2020 FEMA maps; the county page states that the maps became effective May 15, 2020 and that old maps will no longer be accepted.

    floodplain development permit fee: 45 USD · permit contact telephone: (830) 741-6195 · FEMA map effective date: 2020-05-15 (The county states that old maps will no longer be accepted.)

    “If you are doing any type of development in the floodplain [...] you need to have a permit.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Floodplain Development Permit applications for parcels in the unincorporated areas governed by Medina County subdivision regulations.
      “shall not issue an [...] Floodplain Development Permit on any parcel of land unless that property complies with these Subdivision Regulations”
    • Required — Any development in the Medina County floodplain, including man-made changes to improved or unimproved real estate.
      “If you are doing any type of development in the floodplain which means any man-made change to improved and unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials you need to have a permit.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Fees listed by Medina County for county environmental-health, floodplain-development, and food-vendor permits.

    • The page publishes fees by permit type; it does not state an effective or adoption date for this fee schedule.
    • The food-vendor fee is expressly for a 1-year permit.

    conventional septic system permit: 200 USD · aerobic septic system permit: 400 USD · septic reinspection fee: 50 USD · floodplain development permit: 45 USD · food vendor permit: 100 USD (1 year)

    “Fee Schedule: Conventional septic system permit $200.00 Aerobic septic system permit $400.00 Septic reinspection fee $50.00 Floodplain development permit $45.00 Food vendor permit (1 year) $100.00”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — Fees listed by the Medina County Environmental Health and Floodplain Administrator for county-administered environmental-health and floodplain permits.
      “Fee Schedule: Conventional septic system permit $200.00 Aerobic septic system permit $400.00 Septic reinspection fee $50.00 Floodplain development permit $45.00 Food vendor permit (1 year) $100.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County permit requirements and application contacts for floodplain development and on-site sewage systems in Medina County.

    • Floodplain development includes any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials.
    • All on-site sewage systems in Medina County must be permitted and must be designed and installed by licensed individuals.
    • For septic authorization to construct, homeowners may not install their own system unless they are OSSF licensed installers.
    • All OSSFs require a design by a licensed site evaluator, a registered sanitarian with a site-evaluator license, or a licensed professional engineer.
    • A physical 911 site address, septic tank locator map, and color copy of the 2020 FEMA floodplain map with the community-panel or FIRMette number are required for septic applications.
    • Aerobic systems require a signed maintenance agreement and notarized affidavit to the public filed at the Medina County Courthouse.
    • A legal description of the property with the owner's name and property address is required.
    • Payment must be by cash, money order, or individual check payable to Medina County; fees are listed on the application.
    • Incomplete paperwork delays review.
    • Inspections occur Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and must be scheduled at least one day in advance; inspection times are assigned by the department.
    • Additional visits after the first inspection incur a $50.00 reinspection fee.
    • Permit fees are non-refundable and valid for 1 year.
    • The floodplain permit contact is the Environmental Health Department at 830-741-6195; the septic application is sent to the Medina County Environmental Health Department during 8 AM-12 PM or 1 PM-5 PM Monday through Friday.
    “BEFORE AUTHORIZATION TO CONSTRUCT can be issued: 1) Home owners MAY NOT install their own septic system, unless they are an OSSF licensed installer. 2) ALL OSSFs installed in Medina County require a Design to be completed by a licensed Site Evaluator, Registered Sanitarian with a site evaluators license or licensed Professional Engineer.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — County permit process for floodplain development, onsite sewage systems, and driveway and utility access in Medina County.
      “All on- site sewage systems in Medina County must be permitted. They must be designed and installed by licensed individuals.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Texas counties have no zoning authority in unincorporated areas; Medina County regulates land via subdivision rules, not zoning.

    Medina County - What Type of Permits Are Required ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • 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 Medina County

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

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction projects within the City of Devine's jurisdiction in Medina County, Texas.

    • The City states that all federal, state, and local requirements apply to projects in its jurisdiction, whether specifically listed or not.
    • Effective March 1, 2024, Devine states it uses the 2021 International Building, Residential, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Energy Conservation Codes, and the 2020 National Electrical Code.
    • No amendments or appendices were adopted for the listed 2021 International Code editions.
    • For the 2020 National Electrical Code, permanent electrical wiring or connectors may not be aluminum or smaller than 12 gauge on the customer's side of the electrical meter socket.
    • Before a construction permit issues, the Building Department must approve all plans and documents and applicable city fees must be paid.

    International Building Code edition: 2021 · International Residential Code edition: 2021 · International Fire Code edition: 2021 · International Plumbing Code edition: 2021 · International Mechanical Code edition: 2021 · International Energy Conservation Code edition: 2021 · National Electrical Code edition: 2020 (Permanent electrical wiring or connectors may not be aluminum or smaller than 12 gauge on the customer's side of the electrical meter socket.)

    “The City of Devine, Texas, has adopted the following codes and/or standards regulating building construction.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land development and land use within the City of Hondo and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

    • The City of Hondo's Unified Development Code regulates land development and the use of land, buildings, and structures within the City Limits and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.
    • Land uses are regulated by zoning district, including residential, commercial, and industrial districts, with controls on type, density, height, lot size, placement, building bulk, and other development standards.
    • A proposed use may require a Specific Use Permit; rezoning requires review by the Development Officer, recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and approval of an ordinance amendment by the City Council.
    • This claim applies to Hondo municipal jurisdiction and does not establish a countywide rule for unincorporated Medina County or other municipalities.
    “In 2018, the City adopted the Unified Development Code which regulates all land development, and the use of all land, buildings, and structures within the City Limits and the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. The zoning regulations within the Unified Development Code provide for the division of land into different zoning districts, including various residential, commercial, and industrial districts.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for residential structures in unincorporated Medina County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental regulation in Medina County, including unincorporated areas.

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.

Living off-grid in Medina County, Texas

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

Medina County scores 64/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure and workable self-sufficiency basics (28.5″/yr rainfall).

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

Medina 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 Medina County Environmental Health Department (TCEQ 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 Medina County?

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

Land in Medina County runs about $3,805 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Medina County?

Medina County gets about 28.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 43.7% of years.

How remote is Medina County?

A representative private-land location has about 7,923 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,143,084 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 Medina compares in Texas

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