Texas Porch
Floodplain Development Practical

Unincorporated Development Starts With a County Permit

Dallas County Home & Property

Before you build or move dirt in unincorporated Dallas County, ask the county about a development permit. That permit covers grading, fill, digging, drainage work, and any work in a floodplain. Even a fence can need floodplain review. A mapped flood zone may bring added plans or engineering.

The Department of Unincorporated Area Services handles the first permit check. Its current phone numbers are 214-653-6565 and 214-653-6568. The permit page sends online forms through MyGov. If the land is inside a city, start with the city instead. A county permit does not replace city review.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

Keep reading

More stories and useful context near Dallas County

A balanced next shelf: local character first, with practical context close by.

Stories & local character

The Old Red Courthouse Is a Dallas Landmark from 1892

The 1892 Dallas County Courthouse, known as Old Red, was restored and rededicated as a history museum in 2007.

Read note →

Practical

Rural Dallas County Homes May Use On-Site Septic Systems

Dallas County Health and Human Services reviews septic designs, issues permits, and inspects installations in its OSSF jurisdiction.

Read note →

Stories & local character

The Railroad Made Dallas County a Commerce Hub

Two major railroads arrived in the early 1870s, transforming Dallas County from a farm settlement into a regional trade center.

Read note →

Practical

Unincorporated Dallas County Has Its Own Rules

Small patches of Dallas County lie outside any city, and building or developing there requires a county permit instead of a city permit.

Read note →

Place pages in Dallas County

AddisonBalch SpringsCarrolltonCedar HillCockrell HillCombine

Nearby county shelves

Rockwall (30) Ellis (32) Tarrant (67) Kaufman (20) Collin (57) Denton (48)