Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Graham, Texas
Graham is a city in Young County, Texas. Septic permits inside Graham come from the county and state together. 6 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 18, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Young County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Graham
Graham’s own rules
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Unplatted tracts of three acres or less where the building inspector allows a permit while platting is underway.
Owner must sign an agreement to commence platting proceedings.
Certificate of occupancy and compliance is withheld until platting is approved and recorded.
Permanent public-utility connections are also withheld until approval and recording.
unplatted tract size: <= 3 acres (Only if owner signs the specified platting agreement.)
“a certificate of occupancy and compliance and all permanent connection for public utilities will be withheld until the platting of such property has been so approved”
Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)
On-site sewage disposal inside Graham city limits where a premises is not required to connect to the sewer system.
A septic tank must meet state health-authority requirements.
The city ordinance requires septic where sewer connection is not required by section 25-3.
“his premises shall be provided with a septic tank meeting the requirements of the state health authorities.”
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Sanitation systems inside Graham city limits.
Privies are prohibited.
Sewage must be disposed through sanitary sewer or a septic tank meeting chapter requirements.
Where sewer connection is not required by distance, the septic tank must meet state health-authority requirements.
“shall be unlawful for any person to [...] use any privy within the city, and all sewage shall be disposed [...] through sanitary sewer or septic tank.”
Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)
Occupied buildings inside Graham city limits that use water or are within 150 feet of public sewer.
Water users must connect through a city meter unless the building official issues a no-charge variance.
Sewer applies to occupied buildings within 150 feet of public sewer.
Where sewer connection is not required because of distance, septic is required.
public sewer distance: <= 150 feet (Occupied building or portion occupied by people for any purpose.)
“within one hundred fifty (150) feet of a public sewer, shall have a water closet connected with such sewer. [...] structures utilitizing water must be connected”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivisions inside Graham city limits.
The chapter also applies in the City's stated extraterritorial jurisdiction, subject to the stated enforcement limitation outside city limits.
No permits issue except on an original or resubdivided lot in an approved and recorded subdivision, subject to the limited unplatted-tract exception in section 22-4.
“This chapter shall apply to all subdivisions within the city and within the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction”
Building in a floodplainLimited
Oil or gas wells proposed in a FEMA-identified floodplain or floodway inside Graham city limits.
Applicant must provide proof of FEMA approval.
A floodplain development permit from the public works department is required.
City council approval to apply for a well permit in the floodway is required.
“No well permit shall be issued for [...] well to be drilled within any floodplain or floodway identified by FEMA [...] Without obtaining a floodplain development permit”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Graham or Young County directly.
Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Graham city limits.
Minimum dwelling size — Residential districts inside Graham city limits.
Minimum lot size — Residential districts inside Graham city limits.
Setbacks — Residential districts inside Graham city limits.
Lot coverage — Residential districts inside Graham city limits.
12 more unanswered
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Septic permit
Septic inspection
Well permit
Agricultural exemption
Driveway access
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 Graham publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Young County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Graham means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
