Unincorporated Collin County Has Almost No Zoning Rules

Collin County does not have zoning rules for most unincorporated land. A few exceptions exist. Sexually-oriented businesses, salvage yards, and animal slaughter operations do have rules. Outside those uses, a neighbor can run certain businesses on rural land that a city would not allow. You still need a county building permit. Permits are required for new structures, additions, pools, fences, and major remodels.

ETJ stands for extraterritorial jurisdiction. It is the unincorporated land just outside a city limit. The city has some authority there. In Collin County, most cities have deals giving them the right to approve how land is divided in their ETJ. That is called platting authority. If your land is in a city's ETJ, call that city before you divide or develop it. Their subdivision rules apply. Check the county's ETJ Verification form process at collincountytx.gov.