Bolthole Index

Mitchell County, Texas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Colorado City, Texas

Colorado City, Texas (in Mitchell County) requires building permits from the city's building official for work covered by its adopted codes1, and the city sets its own zoning2. Septic permits are a separate question: Mitchell County's septic program covers the county outside Colorado City3, and we could not confirm who permits septic systems inside city limits.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside city limits when an adopted code calls for one; issued by the city building official1
Building code
2021 International Building Code adopted by ordinance4
Zoning
Yes, the city has a comprehensive zoning ordinance and zoning map25
Tiny homes
Listed as a permitted use only in the R3 district6
Manufactured homes
Only in areas zoned for HUD-code manufactured homes7
Owner-builder
Homestead owners may do their own work on their own single-family home under conditions8
Septic inside city limits
Not confirmed; ask the city building department3

Who to call

Building permits

Colorado City Building Department (City Hall)

Building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and demolition permits, plan review and inspections inside Colorado City limits

(325) 728-5331

utilityclerk@cityofcoloradocity.org

Also useful

Mitchell County Judge's Office

County administration; the starting point for septic and floodplain questions on land outside Colorado City

(325) 728-8439

mredwine@co.mitchell.tx.us

349 Oak Street, Colorado City, TX 79512

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

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Does Colorado City, Texas have zoning, and what does it mean for tiny homes and manufactured homes?

Yes. The City of Colorado City has adopted a comprehensive zoning ordinance that creates districts and a zoning map25. Land inside city limits may be used only as the ordinance allows for its district5.

Tiny homes are the clearest example. The city's use chart marks tiny homes as a permitted use only in the R3 district, and other district rules and building-code requirements may still apply6. HUD-code manufactured homes are allowed only in areas zoned as a HUD-code manufactured home district, shown on an overlay map held by the city secretary7.

We could not confirm Colorado City's minimum lot sizes, setbacks, minimum home size, height limits or accessory dwelling rules. Ask the city before you buy, and get the zoning district for the exact parcel.

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

Yes, when an adopted code requires one. Colorado City makes it unlawful to install, alter or repair a building or structure without first getting the proper permit or permission from the city building official1. The city has adopted the 2021 International Building Code4.

Starting work without a required permit costs a double permit charge on top of any other action the city takes1. The city's building department issues building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and demolition permits and inspects work, and its jurisdiction covers the city limits only9.

Fees are set in the city's Master Fee Schedule, and building-related fees in the defined downtown area are reduced by 50 percent10. We could not confirm a general residential inspection requirement beyond the adopted codes, so ask the building department what your project triggers.

Can you build your own house in Colorado City?

Under certain conditions, yes. Colorado City issues permits for licensed-trade work to licensed persons and to homeowners who perform the work themselves on their own single-family residence8. The homeowner must own the home, use it as a primary residence, and have it carry homestead status with the county appraisal district8.

Texas also exempts owners from state electrician licensing for work on a dwelling they own and live in, but that exemption does not waive locally administered building permits or inspections11. Cutting a lot into smaller parcels is regulated too, with preliminary and final plat steps12.

How do septic permits work in Colorado City, Texas?

We could not confirm who permits septic systems inside Colorado City limits. Mitchell County's septic program covers the county except the city, and the state lookup lists the city separately3. The reader's practical first call is the city building department, which can say whether septic goes to the city or elsewhere9.

For land outside city limits, Texas requires a permit and approved plan to build, alter, repair or operate a septic system, with a narrow exemption for a single home on a tract of at least 10 acres that meets every state condition13. Local programs may be stricter than state minimums14. Mitchell County's soils are a caution: USDA rates about 29% as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation15.

Can you live in an RV in Colorado City, Texas?

We could not confirm. We did not find an operative rule on living in an RV on a private lot inside the city, and the same is true of temporary camping. Manufactured-home parks need an annual certificate of occupancy from the city building official16.

Because city zoning controls land use inside the limits5, do not assume an RV is allowed on a lot just because the county is quiet on the subject. Call the building department at (325) 728-5331 first9.

Building a home in Colorado City: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel's zoning district and that your housing type (site-built, tiny home or manufactured home) is allowed there57.
  2. If the lot will be divided, work through the city's plat procedures first12.
  3. Ask the city building department who permits septic at your address9.
  4. Get the building permit from the city building official before work starts1.
  5. If the driveway meets a state highway, file TxDOT Form 105817.
  6. Schedule inspections with the building department9.

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

The county's rules apply to land outside city limits; see the Mitchell County page for that land. Septic outside the city runs through the county's authorized-agent program3.

A driveway onto a state highway needs a state permit: a completed Form 1058 is necessary for new or modified access driveways17.

On costs, Mitchell County's effective property tax rate is about 2%18 and the median property tax bill is $1,680 a year19. The typical home is valued at about $96,72820. These are county-level figures, not specific to the city.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm who issues septic permits for lots inside Colorado City limits; ask the city building department at (325) 728-5331 before you buy9.
  • The city's building page links a separately updated building code ordinance, so ask the building department which code edition applies to your project9.
  • Zoning dimensions (lot size, setbacks, height) were not confirmed, so ask for the district rules for your parcel before you buy5.

Sources

  1. Article 3.01 General Provisions - Colorado City, TX (Colorado City), quoted and re-checked
  2. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - Colorado City, TX (Colorado City), quoted and re-checked
  3. TCEQ OSSF Authorized Agent search (OARS) (2026 county census)
  4. Article 3.02 Building Code - Colorado City, TX (Colorado City), quoted and re-checked
  5. Exhibit 14A Zoning Ordinance - Colorado City, TX (Colorado City), quoted and re-checked
  6. Article II Permitted Uses and Area Regulations - Colorado City, TX (Colorado City), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article 3.09 HUD-Code Manufactured Homes and Home Parks - Colorado City, TX (Colorado City), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article 3.01 General Provisions - Colorado City, TX (Colorado City), quoted and re-checked
  9. Colorado City Building Department (City Hall) (coloradocitytexas.org)
  10. Article 3.01 General Provisions - Colorado City, TX (Colorado City), quoted and re-checked
  11. Exemptions to Electrician Licensing (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Exhibit 10A Subdivision Ordinance - Colorado City, TX (Colorado City), quoted and re-checked
  13. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. 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
  16. Article 3.09 HUD-Code Manufactured Homes and Home Parks - Colorado City, TX (Colorado City), quoted and re-checked
  17. General Access Driveway Policy, quoted and re-checked
  18. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Typical home value (Zillow): 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 Colorado City

Colorado City’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Installation, alteration, or repair of a building, structure, or appurtenance inside Colorado City city limits when a permit is required by an adopted code.

    • The provision applies only to work for which a permit is required under the adopted codes.
    • The proper permit or permission must be obtained from the building official before work begins.
    • Working without a required permit or prior permission triggers a double permit charge in addition to other punitive action.
    “without first obtaining the proper permit or permission from the building official prior to commencing work.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A homeowner performing work on the homeowner's own single-family residence inside Colorado City city limits.

    • The homeowner must own the dwelling, intend to use it as their primary residence, and the residence must be homestead property according to the county appraisal district.
    • The homeowner must personally perform the work on that residence.
    • The provision concerns issuance of permits for work otherwise regulated by a federal, state, or municipal licensing act, law, or ordinance.
    “and, to homeowners, as defined in this chapter, who themselves will perform such work on their own single-family residence.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Property, buildings, and structures inside Colorado City city limits.

    • The adopted code includes all appendix chapters and regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions, and terms on file with the city secretary.
    • Ordinance 2024-15 was adopted July 23, 2024.

    building code edition: 2021 International Building Code

    “International Building Code, 2021 edition, including all appendix chapters [...] is hereby adopted as the building code of the city”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    HUD-code manufactured-home parks inside Colorado City city limits.

    • A park may not operate before securing a certificate from the city building official.
    • Certificates last no more than one year, expire January 31, and renewal requires a proper application and required fee or proof of payment.
    • Renewal also requires approved plans on file, substantial conformity, and a satisfactory physical inspection by the building official and authorized health officer within three months before the application.

    certificate term: <= 1 year (Expires January 31 of each calendar year.)

    “No person shall operate a HUD-code manufactured home park until he first secures a certificate of occupancy from the city building official.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Colorado City city limits.

    • The ordinance establishes comprehensive zoning regulations and provides for their administration, enforcement, and amendment.
    “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COLORADO CITY, TEXAS ESTABLISHING COMPREHENSIVE ZONING REGULATIONS FOR THE CITY OF COLORADO CITY”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Colorado City city limits.

    • The ordinance creates and delineates districts together with a zoning map.
    • Uses are allowed only as specified for the district in which land or a structure is located.
    “together with a map creating and delineating the following districts.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Colorado City city limits.

    • The municipal subdivision ordinance includes preliminary-conference, preliminary-plat, final-plat, withholding-of-improvements, and performance-guarantee procedures.
    • The ordinance also includes minimum design standards and special conditions.
    “ARTICLE II PROCEDURES AND PLAT REQUIREMENTS [...] ARTICLE III MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS [...] ARTICLE IV SPECIAL CONDITIONS”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Municipal building permits inside Colorado City city limits.

    • Permit fees are contained in Appendix C, Master Fee Schedule.
    • Building-related fees for property in the defined Downtown Area are reduced by 50 percent.
    • The cited provision was amended by Ordinance 2025-18 adopted August 26, 2025.

    downtown building-fee reduction: 50 percent (Applies to properties within the Downtown Area described in § 3.01.004(b).)

    “All permit fees shall be found in Appendix C, "Master Fee Schedule."”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building work covered by municipal adopted codes inside Colorado City city limits.

    • A permit or permission from the building official must be obtained before commencing work when required by an adopted code.
    • Permit issuance for work governed by a federal, state, or municipal license act, law, or ordinance is limited to duly licensed persons and qualifying homeowners performing their own work on their own single-family residence.
    “Permits [...] shall be issued only to persons duly licensed to perform such work and, to homeowners, as defined in this chapter”

Rules another office applies inside Colorado City

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

  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny homes in the R3 zoning district inside Colorado City city limits.

    • The use chart identifies an X as a use permitted in the indicated district.
    • The chart lists Tiny Homes with an X only in R3 among the displayed district columns.
    • Other district restrictions, building-code requirements, and permits may apply.
    “Tiny Homes | 2/unit | | | | X | | | | | |”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    HUD-code manufactured homes and HUD-code manufactured-home parks inside Colorado City city limits.

    • Individual HUD-code manufactured homes are permitted in areas zoned HUD-code manufactured home district as shown on the overlay-zone map held by the city secretary.
    • A manufactured-home park must comply with the city article and applicable zoning, building, permit, and certificate requirements.
    “permit the installation of individual HUD-code manufactured homes in areas zoned HUD-code manufactured home district”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Colorado City or Mitchell County directly.

  • Inspections — Residential construction inside Colorado City city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings inside Colorado City city limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Colorado City city limits.
  • Setbacks — Residential structures inside Colorado City city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Residential lots inside Colorado City city limits.
14 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Colorado City publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Mitchell County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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