What should I ask the county or city planning office before buying land?

Call before you sign. First, find the right offices: the Texas Association of Counties county map links to each county's official website. Ask: Is the parcel inside city limits or an ETJ? What zoning applies, if any? Is the lot legally platted or exempt? Is a development, building, driveway or culvert permit required? Is any part in a floodplain, and what elevation is required? Is the road public and county-maintained? Who issues septic permits, and what are lot size and setback rules? Are factory-built, temporary or accessory homes treated differently? Request answers by email and note names and dates.

Check your local rule. This varies by state, county or city. Your permitting office has the final word; the official lookup pages below show you who that is.

Sources

• County Information MapTexas Association of Counties
• What You Need to Know About Land-Use Restrictions in TexasTexas A&M Real Estate Research Center
• Getting a Permit for an OSSF, Such as a Septic SystemTexas Commission on Environmental Quality