Topic · Page 9
Home & Property
Local Notes
Home & Property notes
Ochiltree County · Agriculture
Ochiltree County Is a Major Wheat-Farming Area
Wheat, cattle, and High Plains soil shape rural land here, and Texas productivity appraisal can change how working acres are taxed.
Ochiltree County · Water Wells
The Ogallala Aquifer Is Deep Here — and You Need a Permit to Drill
Ochiltree County sits over one of the thickest parts of the Ogallala Aquifer, but anyone who wants to drill a water well must get a permit first.
Oldham County · Groundwater
No Groundwater District Here: What That Means for Your Well
Oldham County sits over the Ogallala Aquifer. Rural well rules here can differ from nearby Panhandle counties.
Orange County · Development permits
In Flood-Prone Orange County, the Land Itself Needs a Permit
Unincorporated Orange County has no zoning, but its low, wet ground means most building or major rebuilding still needs a county development permit.
Orange County · Septic / OSSF
New Septic Systems in Orange County Need a County Permit
If you are outside city sewer service in Orange County, you need a county permit before you can install a septic system.
Orange County · Climate and Flooding
Orange County Gets More Rain Than Almost Anywhere in Texas
Orange County averages about 56 inches of rain per year, among the highest in the state, which makes flooding a persistent concern for homeowners.
Orange County · Wind Insurance
Orange County Is Not in the TWIA Windstorm Insurance Zone
TWIA is the state's backup windstorm insurer for coastal counties. Orange County is not on its covered list.
Orange County · Flood Risk
Orange County's FEMA Flood Maps Have Been Updated
FEMA released revised preliminary flood maps for Orange County in early 2025, which may change flood insurance requirements for some properties.
Palo Pinto County · Water Supply
Lake Palo Pinto Supplies Drinking Water to Mineral Wells
Lake Palo Pinto is the main water supply for Mineral Wells — rural properties outside city service areas often rely on private wells.
Palo Pinto County · Lake Levels
Lake Views Leave Out the Moving Numbers
Texas reservoir dashboards show how water levels and storage at Possum Kingdom and Lake Palo Pinto compare with recent days, months, and years.
Palo Pinto County · Mineral Rights
Oil and Gas Has a Long History in Palo Pinto County — Mineral Rights Matter
Palo Pinto County has produced oil and gas since the early 1900s — if you buy land here, find out whether mineral rights are included.
Panola County · Water Wells
Drilling a Water Well in Panola County
Panola County has its own Groundwater Conservation District that oversees wells tapping the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, the county's main underground water source.
Panola County · Oil and Gas
Mineral Rights and the Haynesville Shale in Panola County
Panola County sits over the Haynesville/Bossier Shale, a major natural gas formation, so buyers here should always ask whether mineral rights are included in a land sale.
Parker County · Flood Risk
FEMA updated Parker County's flood maps — check your zone
Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps were released for Parker County in early 2025, and residents had a chance to appeal.
Parker County · Water Wells
Many Parker County properties rely on private water wells
Homes outside city water service often use private wells, and TCEQ keeps records of well drilling reports for the county.
Parker County · Drainage & Water
Parker County drains into two different river systems
The western part of the county flows into the Brazos River, while the eastern part drains toward the Trinity River.
Parker County · Growth & Development
Parker County is a fast-growing edge of the DFW metro
Parker County's population grew from about 33,000 in 1970 to over 123,000 by 2014 as DFW sprawl moved west.
Parker County · Land & Terrain
Parker County sits in the Cross Timbers ecological zone
The Cross Timbers region gives Parker County rolling hills, mesquite, oak, and sandy soils — different from the flat prairie to the east.
Parmer County · Groundwater / Water Wells
Water Wells in Parmer County Require a Permit
Parmer County sits over the Ogallala Aquifer, and any well expected to pump more than 17.5 gallons per minute needs a permit before drilling.
Pecos County · Water Supply
Groundwater and Wells in Pecos County
Pecos County wells can vary a lot from one tract to the next, so private well water needs real testing before anyone drinks it.
Pecos County · Mineral Rights
Oil and Gas Activity in Pecos County
Pecos County has active oil and gas production, so understanding mineral rights matters if you buy land here.
Polk County · Flood Zones
Check the building, not just the parcel, on Polk flood maps
A mapped flood area can change the building site, county permit path, lender requirements, and insurance question.
Polk County · Building Permits
In Rural Polk County, No Development Permit Means No Power Hookup
Before you build on unincorporated land in Polk County, you need a development permit, and the electric co-op won't set you up with service until you have one.
Polk County · Septic / OSSF
Polk County septic review starts with the tract and the shoreline
Most projects use the county OSSF permit path, but a narrow ten-acre filing and Lake Livingston jurisdiction can change the first office.
Polk County · Property Records
Polk County's Deed Records Go Back to 1846 — Here's How to Search Them
Deeds, plats, and liens for Polk County land are kept by the County Clerk, with records reaching back to the county's founding year, but you search by name, not by address.
Polk County · Groundwater & Wells
Register a Polk County water well before the drill arrives
A new Polk County well starts with Lower Trinity groundwater-district registration before drilling.
Potter County · Mineral Rights
Oil and Gas Rights Work Differently From Surface Rights
Buying the surface of a Potter County property does not necessarily mean the mineral estate comes with it.
Potter County · Water
Potter County Has Two Groundwater Districts
Potter County includes territory served by both the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District and the High Plains Water District.
Potter County · Weather Hazards
Severe Storms Can Bring Hail and High Wind
Potter County storms can bring large hail, damaging wind, lightning, flash flooding, and tornadoes, so a little record-checking helps before a purchase.
Presidio County · Water Wells
Drilling a Water Well in Presidio County
Presidio County has its own groundwater district, and all wells must be registered with it before drilling.
Rains County · Septic Systems
You Need a Permit Before Installing a Septic System in Rains County
Rains County has its own septic permit packet for homes that will use an OSSF.
Randall County · Flood Hazard
Flash Floods Can Strike Fast in Randall County
Even in a dry region like the Panhandle, intense thunderstorms can cause dangerous flash flooding in draws, canyons, and low-lying areas of Randall County.
Randall County · Mineral Rights
Randall County Has No Significant Oil or Gas Production
Unlike many Texas counties, Randall County has no significant mineral deposits, so oil and gas royalties are not a common consideration for property buyers here.
Randall County · Septic Systems
Rural Homes in Randall County Need a Septic Permit
If your property outside city limits is not connected to a public sewer, you need a permitted on-site sewage facility (OSSF), commonly called a septic system.
Randall County · Groundwater
The Ogallala Aquifer: Where Randall County Gets Its Water
Randall County sits above the Ogallala Aquifer, the main source of water for drinking and farming, and levels have been dropping for decades.
Reagan County · Mineral Rights & Oil
Check Mineral Rights Before Buying Land in Reagan County
Reagan County's oil history makes mineral ownership and RRC records part of a land check.
Reagan County · Water & Wells
Groundwater rules in Reagan County
Most of Reagan County falls inside the Santa Rita Underground Water Conservation District, which regulates well drilling and water use.
Real County · Water & Wells
Real County Has Its Own Groundwater District
For rural Real County land, groundwater questions start with the Real-Edwards district.
Red River County · Septic / OSSF
Rural Properties Need a Permitted Septic System
Most rural lots in Red River County are not on city sewer, so a new home or repair will require a permitted on-site sewage facility.
Reeves County · Water Supply
Groundwater in Reeves County can have quality problems
The Pecos Valley Aquifer underlies Reeves County, but the water can be salty, hard, or contaminated from old oil field activity.
Reeves County · Mineral Rights
Oil and gas activity is significant in Reeves County
Reeves County is one of RRC's Permian Basin counties, so mineral rights and nearby well activity deserve an early look.
Refugio County · Groundwater & Wells
A groundwater district regulates water wells across Refugio County
Refugio Groundwater Conservation District covers the whole county and manages many water-well rules.
Refugio County · Windstorm Insurance
Refugio County is in the TWIA windstorm insurance zone
Refugio County is one of the first-tier coastal counties where TWIA wind and hail coverage can come into play after a private-market denial.
Roberts County · Groundwater
Water wells here draw from the Ogallala Aquifer, which is managed and slowly declining
Most water in Roberts County comes from the Ogallala Aquifer, the largest in the U.S., but pumping exceeds recharge rates, and new wells above a certain size require a permit from the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District.
Roberts County · Wildfire Hazard
Wildfire is a real risk in Roberts County, especially in dry and windy weather
The Panhandle mix of dry grass, wind, and open ranch country makes wildfire a practical home-and-ranch check in Roberts County.
Robertson County · Water Wells
Robertson County Groundwater Is Managed by a Local District
If you drill a water well in Robertson County, the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District sets the rules and may require a permit.
Rockwall County · Flood Zones
Check FEMA flood maps before buying property near creeks or the lake in Rockwall County
Parts of Rockwall County along creeks and the East Fork Trinity River sit in FEMA-designated flood zones that require flood insurance for federally backed mortgages.
Rockwall County · Severe Weather
Tornadoes are a real seasonal threat in Rockwall County
Rockwall County sits in North Texas where spring and fall storms bring real tornado and large hail risks that homeowners should plan for.
Rockwall County · Water & Utilities
Water service in Rockwall city is governed by city ordinance
The City of Rockwall runs water service within city limits and sets the rules for connections, usage, and billing through its city ordinance.
Rockwall County · City vs. County Jurisdiction
Where you live in Rockwall County — city, ETJ, or unincorporated — changes the rules
Rockwall County has several cities. Each city also has an ETJ, a strip just outside its border, and some city rules apply there even if you are not inside city limits.
Runnels County · Water Wells
Drilling a Water Well? A Conservation District Regulates It
Part of Runnels County is in the Lipan-Kickapoo Water Conservation District, so rural well plans should start with the district's rules before drilling.
Rusk County · Groundwater & Wells
A Local District Oversees Your Water Well
The Rusk County Groundwater Conservation District regulates all private water wells in the county and requires registration of any new well.
Rusk County · Land Records
Every Rusk County Deed Lives in the Clerk's Records
Rusk County deeds, liens, plats, and foreclosure notices run through the County Clerk in Henderson.
Rusk County · Plats
In Henderson, You Plat the Land Before You Split It or Build on It
Inside Henderson, an approved plat comes before building permits and legal subdivision sales.
Rusk County · Land Character
Piney Woods Shape Rusk County Land
Rusk County sits in East Texas Pineywoods country, with pine-oak uplands, hardwood bottoms, and land questions that often start with water, timber, and access.
San Augustine County · Septic Systems
Most Homes Outside Town Need a Septic Permit
If you build or repair a septic system in rural San Augustine County, you need a permit — and the Attoyac Bayou watershed near Sam Rayburn Reservoir gets extra attention.
San Jacinto County · Septic / Water
Most of San Jacinto County Uses Septic Systems, Not City Sewer
San Jacinto County septic permits usually start with the county permit office, but Lake Conroe-area systems may fall under SJRA.
San Patricio County · Windstorm Insurance
Coastal Windstorm Insurance Is Available Through TWIA
San Patricio County is one of 14 Texas coastal counties where homeowners can get windstorm coverage through TWIA if private insurers won't cover them.
San Patricio County · Floodplain Permit
Moving Dirt Outside Town May Need a Floodplain Permit First
Floodplain development in unincorporated San Patricio County needs a permit before work starts.
San Patricio County · Property Records
The County Clerk Holds Deeds Back to 1848
San Patricio County deed, lien, plat, oil-and-gas, and special-deed records run through the County Clerk.