What permits might I need to place a home on rural land?

It depends on your location, but a typical rural placement can involve several separate approvals: a septic (on-site sewage facility) permit, a floodplain development permit if any part of the site is in a mapped flood zone, a driveway or access permit if you connect to a county road or state highway, an address assignment, and electrical work by licensed contractors. If the land is inside a city or its ETJ, add building permits, zoning approval and possibly a certificate of occupancy. Some counties require an address before issuing septic or well permits. Start by calling your county's development or environmental health office and asking for a list.

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

• Access/Driveway PermitKendall County, Texas
• Getting a Permit for an OSSFTexas Commission on Environmental Quality
• Frequently Asked Questions: FloodGuadalupe County, Texas