Bolthole Index

Motley County, Texas

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

39Index Score / 100
#218 of 254 in Texas

Unincorporated Motley County, Texas does not require a building permit for a home, and the county has no zoning ordinance, so county rules set no minimum home size, setbacks or limits on RVs, tiny homes or manufactured homes123. Septic permits are the exception: they come from TCEQ's Region 2 office in Lubbock, because the county has no local authorized agent45. Water wells are permitted by the Gateway Groundwater Conservation District, which covers all of Motley County6.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required in unincorporated Motley County1
Zoning
No county zoning; Motley County cannot zone under Texas law2
Septic permit
Required through TCEQ Region 2 (Lubbock); a 10-acre exemption may apply47
RV living
Unrestricted by county zoning (there is none)3
Tiny home / manufactured home
Unrestricted by county zoning (there is none)3
Minimum home size
None set by the county (no zoning ordinance)3
Water wells
Permitted under Gateway Groundwater Conservation District rules6
Septic soils
About 38% of the county's soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field8

Who to call

Septic permits

TCEQ Region 2 (Lubbock) Office

OSSF (septic) permitting authority for Motley County. TCEQ's own county lookup tool returns this office, not a city or county authorized agent, as Motley County's permitting authority, confirming the bundle's census finding that Motley County has no local authorized agent.

806-796-7092

5012 50th St, Ste 100, Lubbock, TX 79414-3426

Online permits →

Also useful

Motley County Judge / Commissioners' Court

Presides over Commissioners' Court, the county's governing body; general point of contact for county roads and anything not covered by a named county office. The county's own office list names no building, zoning, or planning department.

806-347-2334

701 Dundee Ave, Matador, TX 79244

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

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Motley 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 Motley County, Texas?

No: unincorporated Motley County does not require a building permit for a home, barn, shed, or workshop1. Texas abolished statewide mandatory residential building-code enforcement in 2009, and general-law counties like Motley County have only narrow, specific permitting powers granted by the legislature, none of which cover ordinary site-built homes here19. Texas does let some counties adopt a fire code or a residential-code resolution, but that authority is limited to counties over 250,000 people (or adjacent to one) for the fire code, and to counties within 50 miles of the international border or with a specific population threshold for the residential-code option; Motley County's population of about 1,000 does not put it in either category910.

Who issues building and septic permits in Motley County, and how do you reach them?

Motley County has no building or zoning department, and its own office list names only the County Judge, Commissioners' Court, County Clerk, Chief Appraiser, Justice of the Peace, County Treasurer, County Attorney, Tax Assessor-Collector, and Sheriff11. For a septic permit, contact TCEQ's Region 2 office directly at 5012 50th St, Ste 100, Lubbock, TX 79414-3426, phone 806-796-70925. For anything else county government handles, including roads, the County Judge's office at the courthouse, 701 Dundee Ave, Matador, TX 79244, phone 806-347-2334, is the place to start11. Whether the towns of Matador and Roaring Springs set their own building or zoning rules was not confirmed; ask the town office before building inside city limits.

Does Motley County have zoning?

Motley County has no zoning ordinance and, as a general-law county, cannot adopt one for unincorporated land2. Texas gives counties zoning power only for a short list of specific places named in state law, and Motley County is not one of them12. With no county zoning ordinance, county rules set no minimum lot size, setback, height limit or dwelling size, and RVs, tiny homes, manufactured homes and accessory dwellings are unrestricted by county zoning3. Zoning inside the incorporated towns of Matador and Roaring Springs is a separate question for each town.

How do septic permits work in Motley County?

Any on-site sewage facility (OSSF) in Motley County needs a state permit before you build it47. Because Motley County has no local authorized agent, TCEQ's Region 2 office in Lubbock is the permitting authority, confirmed by TCEQ's own county-lookup tool, which returns "Region 02 - Lubbock" as Motley County's sole authorized agent5. The permitting authority must approve or deny a complete application within 30 days13. If your tract is at least 10 acres, you may qualify for an exemption from the permit requirement, but every condition has to be met: a licensed site evaluation, a single-family home as the only dwelling on the tract, no nuisance or groundwater pollution, every part of the system at least 100 feet from the property line, and effluent disposed of entirely on your own property13. Soils here are middling for a conventional system: about 38% of Motley County's land is rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so get a site evaluation before you count on the cheapest option8. Off-grid, your OSSF still has to comply with all applicable state planning, construction, installation, and operation requirements unless the grandfathered-system, 10-acre, or emergency-repair exception applies14. An owner may install their own system only if they own the home and the property, and only where the permitting authority allows it; the owner-installer rule does not exempt anyone from building permits or inspections15.

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

Unincorporated Motley County has no zoning ordinance, so there is no county rule against living in an RV, tiny home, or manufactured home on your own land3. That does not remove the septic requirement: whatever you live in, if it isn't on a public sewer you still need a permitted OSSF, or you need to qualify for the 10-acre exemption, before you can legally use a toilet there7. A factory-built structure sold as "industrialized housing" (as opposed to an ordinary manufactured/mobile home) has to meet Texas's mandatory 2021-edition building codes regardless of county zoning16.

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

  1. Confirm your OSSF plan with TCEQ Region 2 (5012 50th St, Ste 100, Lubbock, TX 79414-3426; 806-796-7092), or check whether your tract qualifies for the 10-acre exemption instead513.
  2. If you don't qualify for the exemption, get a site evaluation from a licensed site evaluator; Motley County's soils are only rated free of severe limits on about 38% of the land, so this step matters8.
  3. Submit your OSSF planning materials and permit application to TCEQ Region 2 and wait for approval, which the agency must decide within 30 days13.
  4. Contact the Gateway Groundwater Conservation District about a well permit before you drill6.
  5. If your driveway will connect to a state highway, apply for a TxDOT access driveway permit on Form 1058 before you build it17.
  6. Build: unincorporated Motley County has no county building permit or inspection requirement, so no county sign-off is needed to start construction on an ordinary site-built home1. If you're installing your own OSSF, you can do it yourself if you own the home and the property, meet TCEQ's other conditions, and use licensed help for anything you're not qualified to do18.
  7. If anything else comes up that isn't covered by a named county office, call the County Judge's office at 806-347-233411.

What to check before you buy land in Motley County

Septic: get a site evaluation before you buy, since only about 38% of the county's soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, and find out whether your tract is large enough (10 acres or more) to qualify for the state's septic-permit exemption813. Access: a driveway onto a state highway needs a TxDOT permit on Form 1058, paid for and built to TxDOT's standards17. Water: all of Motley County lies inside the Gateway Groundwater Conservation District, which has adopted and enforces well permitting rules and may deny a well construction permit or limit withdrawals, so confirm the district's rules before you drill6. Dividing land: a tract outside city limits that is used primarily for agriculture, ranching, wildlife management or timber can qualify for an exemption from state subdivision platting requirements, but the exemption ends if the land stops being used that way19. Zoning: there is none in unincorporated Motley County, and none is coming, since the county has no legal authority to adopt it212. Climate: this is dry, hot country, with about 23 inches of rain a year and severe drought in nearly 42% of years historically2021. Taxes: Motley County's effective property tax rate runs about 1.1%, with a median annual property tax bill around $8902223. The county is very sparsely populated, at about 1 person per square mile, with the nearest city of 100,000 or more roughly 70 miles away2425.

Watch-outs

  • Factory-built "industrialized housing," as distinct from an ordinary manufactured or mobile home, must meet Texas's mandatory building, energy, and electrical codes (2021 editions with amendments) for construction starting on or after July 1, 2024, even though Motley County itself has no building-permit requirement16.
  • We could not confirm whether Motley County has any local rule on driveway access to county or local roads (as opposed to state highways, which do need a TxDOT permit); ask the County Judge's office before you build a new approach11.
  • We could not confirm building-inspection requirements, certificate-of-occupancy rules, or a short-term-rental ordinance for Motley County; the county's own website does not publish any of these, so ask the County Judge's office directly rather than assume none exist1.
  • Water wells in Motley County fall under the Gateway Groundwater Conservation District, whose rules can limit production and deny a well construction permit6.

Sources

  1. Texas Real Estate Research Center (Texas A&M), Land-Use Restrictions in Texas (2026 county census)
  2. Texas Real Estate Research Center (Texas A&M), Land-Use Restrictions in Texas (2026 county census)
  3. Texas law on county zoning and building authority
  4. TCEQ, Getting a Permit for an OSSF (Septic System) (2026 county census)
  5. TCEQ Region 2 (Lubbock) Office (tceq.texas.gov)
  6. Gateway Groundwater Conservation District Management Plan, quoted and re-checked
  7. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  8. 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
  9. Local Government Code Chapter 233, County Regulation of Housing and Other Structures (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. County population: Bolthole Index county data
  11. Motley County Judge / Commissioners' Court (co.motley.tx.us)
  12. Local Government Code Chapter 231, County Zoning Authority (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  14. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  15. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  16. Industrialized Housing and Buildings Mandatory Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  17. Section 6: Access Driveways, quoted and re-checked
  18. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (2026 county census)
  19. Local Government Code Chapter 232, quoted and re-checked
  20. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Motley County requires no county building permit for a home.

RuleMotley CountyDickens CountyCottle CountyFloyd CountyHall CountyCrosby CountyKing County
Building permitNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Septic permitsNot publishedTCEQ Region 2TCEQNot publishedTCEQGarza CountyTX Commission on Env. Quality

County locator

Motley County in Texas

39
County map
Motley County highlighted among the Texas counties · colored by Index score

How Motley County scores

Seclusion85100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1496% ev.
Admin Boringness92100% ev.
Durability23100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost8094% ev.

Evidence strength: 99%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$135kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$1,118Land / acre
22.8"Annual rain
41.8% of yrsSevere drought
44.9 / yr (+28.3)Mid-century 100°F days
32.5 daysMid-century dry spell
1.77" (+4.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.29×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
state median fallbackInsurance basis
881Radius comparison (15 mi)
1People / sq mi
0%Federal land
93.6%Land at 15% slope or less
37.5%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
231,514 acWorkable land screen
3.9%Wooded land
3.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
62.2°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Motley 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.

Town of Matador · Town of Roaring Springs

Answers from the rulebook for Motley County

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

Motley County rules

  • Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule

    Unincorporated Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

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

    Unincorporated Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

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

    Unincorporated Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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 Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

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

    Unincorporated Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

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

    Unincorporated Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu.

    • 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.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Groundwater wells and groundwater withdrawals within the Gateway Groundwater Conservation District, which encompasses all of Motley County.

    • The District has adopted rules for permitting wells and groundwater production, and those rules are enforced.
    • District rules may regulate groundwater withdrawals through production limits, fees, spacing regulations, and export fees and requirements.
    • The District may deny a well construction permit or limit groundwater withdrawals in accordance with District rules.
    • Applicants may seek a waiver from one or more District rules on grounds of adverse economic effects or unique local conditions; the Board considers potential adverse effects on adjacent landowners.
    “The District has adopted District rules for permitting wells and the production of groundwater.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    Under Texas law, general-law counties have no comprehensive zoning authority over unincorporated land; Motley County does not (and cannot) impose zoning outside incorporated cities.

    Texas Real Estate Research Center (Texas A&M), Land-Use Restrictions in Texas ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Texas rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Industrialized housing or buildings installed in Texas, including purchasers or lessees acquiring a unit for their own or their company’s use.

    • A person purchasing or leasing an industrialized house or building for their own use or their company’s use may file for an installation permit instead of registering as an industrialized builder.
    • A person responsible for assembly, connection, and on-site construction for persons other than themselves must be registered as an industrialized builder.
    • Municipalities may require applicable local permits and licenses before construction begins when the municipality regulates the installation.
    “A person who is a retailer of industrialized housing or buildings, or who is responsible for the assembly, connection, and on-site construction and erection of an industrialized house or building for persons other than themselves, must be registered as an industrialized builder. Subcontractors do not require the registration unless required by other applicable state laws. For example, electricians, HVAC contractors, and plumbers must be licensed in accordance with the applicable state law. If you are purchasing or leasing an industrialized house or building for your own use, or your company's use, you may file for an installation permit in lieu of registering as an industrialized builder.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner installing an on-site sewage facility for a single-family dwelling in Texas.

    • Whether an owner may install the OSSF depends on whether the permitting authority allows it under local requirements.
    • The owner must own the single-family dwelling and the property.
    • No part of the property may be developed for sale or lease.
    • All permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements of the permitting authority must be met.
    • If another person assists with any phase, that person generally must be a licensed installer, subject to the stated electrician and tank-delivery exceptions.
    • This OSSF owner-builder rule does not establish an exemption from building permits or building inspections.
    “This depends on whether the permitting authority allows this in their local requirements. Otherwise yes, provided you have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to do so AND: the OSSF is for a single family dwelling that you own, you also own the property, no part of the property will be developed for sale or lease, all permitting, construction, and maintenance requirements of the permitting authority are met.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — An owner performing electrical, plumbing, or air-conditioning and refrigeration work on the owner's own residence or homestead in Texas.
      “A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed as electricians.”
    • Conditional — Electrical work on a dwelling owned and occupied by the property owner in Texas.
      “A person who perform electrical work on a dwelling that they own and reside in is not required by the state to be licensed”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

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

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

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

    “July 1, 2024, all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply with the following codes, as amended in §70.101 of the IHB Rules:”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components located in Motley County and elsewhere in Texas.
      “Effective July 1, 2024, all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply with the following codes, as amended in 70.101 of the IHB Rules:”
    • Partial — Industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components built for Texas under the Industrialized Housing and Buildings program.
      “Effective July 1, 2024, all industrialized housing and buildings, modules, and modular components shall comply with the following codes, as amended in §70.101 of the IHB Rules:”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    OSSF permitting, inspection, and administration throughout Texas.

    • TCEQ administers the program in areas where no local jurisdiction has been authorized.
    • A local governmental entity may administer the program only after an order, ordinance, or resolution is approved by TCEQ.
    • The authorized agent administers the program within its approved area of jurisdiction.
    • Local programs may adopt requirements more stringent than state minimums.
    “The authorized agent is responsible for the proper implementation of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 366, 30 TAC Chapter 285, including reviewing OSSF permit applications, conducting inspections, investigating complaints, and more.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Mixed — On-site sewage facilities, including septic systems, throughout Texas
      “TCEQ is not often the OSSF permitting authority. [...] The TCEQ regional office will be the permitting authority in locations where a local jurisdiction has not been authorized.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, and operation of OSSFs in Texas, subject to stated exemptions and local requirements.

    • A permit and approved plan are required for construction, alteration, repair, extension, and operation of an OSSF.
    • A permit is generally required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF.
    • A local permitting authority must be checked because local programs may be more stringent than state minimums.
    • The 10-acre exemption requires compliance with 30 TAC Chapter 285 planning, construction, and installation standards; a site evaluation by a TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or professional engineer; service to a single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres; no nuisance or groundwater pollution; all OSSF parts at least 100 feet from the property line; on-site effluent disposal; and the single-family dwelling must be the only dwelling on the tract.
    • Emergency repairs listed by TCEQ do not require a permit but must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.
    • Grandfathered systems may be exempt if installed before the local program was authorized or before September 1, 1989, whichever is earlier, and if they are not creating a nuisance, are not in need of repair, and have had no significant increase in use or other alteration.
    • The permitting authority must approve or deny planning materials and the permit application within 30 days of receipt.

    minimum tract size for 10-acre exemption: >= 10 acres (single-family dwelling and all other stated conditions must be met) · minimum OSSF setback under 10-acre exemption: >= 100 feet from property line (all parts of the OSSF) · emergency repair reporting deadline: <= 72 hours (after repairs have begun) · permit application decision deadline: <= 30 days (from receipt by permitting authority)

    “A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, and operation of OSSFs, including septic systems and holding tanks, in Texas, including Motley County.
      “A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”
    • Required — Construction, installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an OSSF in Texas
      “A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. [...] An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”:”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    OSSF installation and, where applicable, maintenance inspections in Texas

    • Authorized agents or their designated representatives inspect system installation.
    • Some permitting authorities impose more stringent requirements.
    • Maintenance-provider inspection and reporting requirements apply to systems and circumstances governed by 30 TAC §285.91(4).
    • Electronic monitoring may reduce reporting to every six months where the stated monitoring conditions apply.

    reduced maintenance reporting interval with qualifying electronic monitoring: 6 months (only where the system uses the specified electronic monitoring, automatic notification, and disinfection monitoring)

    “Many times, the AA has a "designated representative" (DR) to assist them with their responsibilities, which include reviewing plans for constructing, altering, extending or repairing each OSSF; issuing permits; and inspecting system installation. [...] If the system uses an electronic monitor, automatic radio or telephone to notify the maintenance provider of system or component failure and to monitor the amount of disinfection in the system, reporting may be reduced to every six months.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — OSSFs using secondary treatment or drip irrigation in Texas.
      “A system using secondary treatment or drip irrigation must be inspected by a valid maintenance company once every four months, or be maintained by the single family homeowner, where allowed.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid wastewater sanitation through an OSSF in Texas.

    • An OSSF generally requires a permit and approved plan before construction, installation, alteration, extension, repair, or operation.
    • A qualifying single-family dwelling on a tract of at least 10 acres may use the 10-acre permitting exemption only if every stated site-evaluation, setback, nuisance, groundwater, on-site disposal, and single-dwelling condition is met.
    • Local permitting authorities may impose requirements more stringent than state minimums.
    • Emergency repairs are exempt from permitting only for the listed repair types and must be reported in writing within 72 hours after repairs begin.

    10-acre exemption tract size: >= 10 acres (all TCEQ conditions must be satisfied) · 10-acre exemption OSSF setback: >= 100 feet from property line (all parts of the OSSF)

    “An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”:”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Off-grid sanitation using an OSSF, septic system, or holding tank in Motley County, Texas.
      “Permits are required for on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs) including septic systems and holding tanks.”
    • Limited — Composting toilets used as on-site sewage facility treatment systems in Texas.
      “Composting toilets will be approved by the executive director provided the system has been tested and certified under NSF International Standard 41 (1999) or under any other standards approved by the executive director.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Subdivision plat requirements for a tract outside municipal limits under Texas Local Government Code § 232.0015(c), where the statutory subchapter applies.

    • The tract must be outside the limits of a municipality.
    • The owner must divide the tract into two or more parts.
    • The owner must not lay out a part of the tract described by Local Government Code § 232.001(a)(3).
    • The land must be used primarily for agricultural use, or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use under the cited constitutional definitions.
    • If the tract ceases to be used primarily for the qualifying agricultural, farm, ranch, wildlife-management, or timber-production use, the platting requirements apply.
    • The exception is subject to the Chapter 232 applicability rules and does not establish that Motley County has adopted or administers a local subdivision program.
    “A county may not require the owner of a tract of land located outside the limits of a municipality who divides the tract into two or more parts to have a plat of the subdivision prepared if: (1) the owner does not lay out a part of the tract described by Section 232.001(a)(3); and (2) the land is to be used primarily for agricultural use, as defined by Section 1-d, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, or for farm, ranch, wildlife management, or timber production use within the meaning of Section 1-d-1, Article VIII, Texas Constitution.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

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

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

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

    “A driveway must be constructed in accordance with a fully executed driveway permit”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New or modified access driveways connecting property to a state highway in Motley County
      “A completed Permit Form 1058 is necessary whenever new access driveways are constructed or existing access driveways are modified.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Constructing a new driveway or revising an existing driveway on the right of way of a Texas state highway.

    • The applicant should contact the local District TxDOT office.
    • The applicant must submit Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way.
    • The application must be for the bona fide purpose of securing or changing access to the owner's property, not parking or servicing vehicles on state highway rights of way.
    • No construction may begin on the right of way until a fully executed driveway permit is received and the applicant gives TxDOT 24-hour notification.
    • The driveway must comply with the executed permit and applicable regulations; TxDOT inspection must find construction satisfactory.
    • Where a local public agency has permitting authority, drainage impacts on the state highway system still require TxDOT approval before local approval.
    • Driveway geometrics, utilities, environmental requirements, wetlands considerations, ADAAG, TAS, and other applicable state and federal laws must be considered.

    required form: Form 1058, Permit to Construct Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way · advance notification: 24 hours (Notification to TxDOT is required before construction on the right of way.) · private residential driveway maximum width: <= 24 feet (Except as increased by permissible radii.) · minimum driveway radius to highway pavement: >= 15 feet

    “The applicant shall complete and submit to TxDOT a Form 1058”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — OSSF permitting in Motley County and statewide Texas
      “The permitting authority must either approve or deny the planning materials and permit application within 30 days of receipt.”
  • 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.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspections for residential construction in unincorporated Motley County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for residential buildings in unincorporated Motley County.
  • Local zoning — Zoning administered by municipalities located within Motley County, including Matador, Roaring Springs, and Flomot if applicable.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer connection requirements for property in Motley County, Texas.
  • Subdividing land — County-administered subdivision or platting requirements in Motley County, including any locally adopted rules.
3 more unanswered
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Motley County, Texas

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

Motley County scores 39/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and sparse surroundings — about 881 people within 15 miles. Watch-outs: thin water margin (22.8″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

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

Motley County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regional office (OSSF permitting authority absent a local 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 Motley County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Motley County is allowed: Unincorporated Motley County: no county rule sets this, because Motley 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 trerc.tamu.edu. 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 Motley County, Texas?

Land in Motley County runs about $1,118 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Motley County?

Motley County gets about 22.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 41.8% of years.

How remote is Motley County?

A typical private-land location has about 881 people within 15 miles and 687,444 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

How Motley compares in Texas

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