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Home & Property

Local Notes

Home & Property notes

683 notes

Williamson County · Weather Hazards

Williamson County Gets Hot Summers and Significant Hail Storms

Williamson County averages a July high of about 96°F and gets roughly 34 inches of rain per year, with severe thunderstorms and hail common in spring.

Williamson County · Floodplain Permit

You Need a Permit to Build Near a Floodplain in Unincorporated Areas

Building or improving property near a 100-year floodplain in unincorporated Williamson County requires a county permit.

Wilson County · Water Wells

Drilling a water well in Wilson County requires a permit

Wilson County is fully inside the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District, which regulates water wells and requires permits for most new drilling.

Wilson County · Mineral Rights

In Wilson County, mineral rights are often owned separately from the land

Oil was discovered in Wilson County in 1941, and decades of production mean the mineral estate under many properties may belong to someone other than the surface owner.

Wilson County · Groundwater

Rural Wilson County relies heavily on the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer

The Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer is the main groundwater source for much of Wilson County, and the Evergreen district monitors its levels to protect long-term supply.

Wilson County · Flooding

Wilson County has official FEMA flood maps — check before you build

FEMA has mapped flood zones in Wilson County; properties near the San Antonio River, Cibolo Creek, and Ecleto Creek carry the highest risk.

Winkler County · Mineral Rights

Surface and Mineral Rights Are Often Owned Separately Here

In Winkler County's oil country, the person who owns the land surface may not own the oil and gas underneath it — and Texas law gives mineral owners the upper hand.

Winkler County · Geologic Hazard

Two Large Sinkholes Near Wink Are Still Growing

Two giant sinkholes — Wink Sink 1 and Wink Sink 2 — formed near Wink in 1980 and 2002, and researchers say the ground around them is still sinking.

Winkler County · Water Wells

Winkler County Has No Groundwater Conservation District

Unlike many Texas counties, Winkler County is not inside a groundwater conservation district, so there is no local agency overseeing well permits or pumping limits.

Wise County · Mineral Rights

In Wise County, the Land and What's Under It Can Have Different Owners

Buying land in Wise County does not always mean you own the oil and gas beneath it.

Wise County · Water Wells

Private Wells in Wise County Tap the Trinity and Woodbine Aquifers

Rural Wise County residents rely on private water wells, and the area sits over the Northern Trinity and Woodbine aquifers.

Wise County · Septic Systems

Rural Properties in Wise County Need a Septic Permit

If your Wise County property is not on a public sewer, you need a county permit before installing or changing a septic system.

Wise County · Flooding

The West Fork of the Trinity River Drains Most of Wise County

About two-thirds of Wise County drains through the West Fork Trinity River, making flood risk a real concern for low-lying land.

Wise County · Growth and Development

Wise County Is Growing as a DFW Commuter County

Wise County's population has grown steadily as people move out of the DFW metro and commute to jobs in Fort Worth and beyond.

Wise County · Groundwater Planning

Wise County Is in a Priority Groundwater Management Area

State regulators have flagged the Wise County area as having groundwater supply concerns because of heavy regional demand.

Wise County · Weather Hazards

Wise County Is in Tornado and Hail Country

Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and large hail are real seasonal risks in Wise County.

Wood County · Mineral Rights

Mineral Rights and Surface Rights Can Be Owned Separately

In Wood County, the person who owns the land surface may not own the oil, gas, or minerals beneath it — these are two legally separate estates in Texas.

Wood County · Unincorporated Areas

Most of Wood County Has No Zoning or Deed Restrictions

Land outside city limits in Wood County is generally unincorporated with no county-level zoning, meaning land use is largely unrestricted — but cities do have their own rules inside their boundaries and ETJ.

Wood County · Groundwater & Wells

What to Know Before Drilling a Water Well

Many rural properties in Wood County rely on private water wells, and Texas law requires licensed drillers to file reports on every well drilled.

Yoakum County · Water Wells

A local district regulates groundwater wells in Yoakum County

Before drilling a water well in Yoakum County, you must work with the Sandy Land Underground Water Conservation District.

Yoakum County · Mineral Rights & Oil/Gas

Oil and gas activity is high here — know who regulates it

Yoakum County has had active oil and gas production since 1936, and the Railroad Commission of Texas regulates all of it.

Zapata County · Mineral Rights

Surface vs. Mineral Rights in Zapata County

Oil and gas have been produced in Zapata County since 1919, so many properties here have split estates — meaning someone else may own the mineral rights under your land.

Zavala County · Mineral Rights

Oil and gas have been produced in Zavala County since 1937

Zavala County has an oil and gas production history going back to 1937, which matters if you are buying land and want to know what is underground.