Topic · Page 2
Rules & Licenses
Local Notes
Rules & Licenses notes
Collin County · Pool Permits
Public Pools Need the Right Annual Health Permit
Collin County permits public pools, spas, and splashpads in unincorporated areas and a short list of cities.
Collin County · Fishing License
You Need a Texas Fishing License to Fish Lake Lavon or Any Public Water
Texas requires a fishing license for anyone age 17 or older fishing in public waters, including Lake Lavon and its tributaries in Collin County.
Comal County · Wildfire & Burn Rules
Comal County Has Burn Bans That Change With Conditions
A county burn-ban check is only the first step; TCEQ's outdoor-burning rules still apply when a ban is off.
Comal County · County Permits
Cutting a Driveway or Building in the Floodplain in Comal County
Comal County uses PIPROW permits for driveway work in the public right-of-way and floodplain permits for certain mapped floodplain projects.
Comal County · River Rules
New Braunfels River Rules Limit Containers, Coolers, and Tubes
Inside New Braunfels, river rules cover disposable containers, cooler size, tube size, and noise.
Comal County · Fire Marshal
The Fire Marshal Signs Off on Commercial Building in Comal County
Comal County Fire Marshal permits and inspects new and remodeled structures when fire safety and code compliance are involved.
Comal County · Hunting & Fishing Licenses
You Need a Texas License to Fish or Hunt in Comal County
Anyone 17 or older needs a valid Texas fishing or hunting license to fish or hunt in Comal County.
Cooke County · Right to Farm
Texas law protects farms from nuisance lawsuits, and affects neighbors too
The Texas Right to Farm Act gives agricultural operations a legal defense against nuisance complaints about noise, odors, and dust. That's something to know before buying land near active farms or feedlots in Cooke County.
Coryell County · Burn bans
Before You Burn a Brush Pile in Coryell County, Check the Order
Coryell County keeps burn-ban orders by year, and Copperas Cove points residents back to county status before outdoor burning.
Coryell County · Building permits
Building in Copperas Cove Means a Stop at 914 S. Main
Inside Copperas Cove, city building permits go through the office at 914 S. Main Street.
Coryell County · Marriage license
Getting Married in Coryell County: the 72-Hour Clock and the $50 Discount
A Coryell County marriage license runs $75, drops to $25 if you finish a Twogether in Texas course, and starts a 72-hour countdown before anyone can say 'I do.'
Coryell County · DBA filing
Where Your Coryell County DBA Actually Gets Filed
After the 2019 law change, sole proprietors still file DBAs with the Coryell County Clerk. LLCs and corporations file with the Texas Secretary of State.
Crosby County · Oil & Gas
Oil and Gas Activity Is Regulated from Lubbock
Crosby County falls under Railroad Commission District 8A, based in Lubbock, which oversees all oil and gas operations in the county.
Dallam County · Hunting & Fishing
Hunting Licenses Are Required in Dallam County
Any person hunting or fishing in Dallam County must have a valid Texas license from Texas Parks and Wildlife, with limited exceptions.
Dallas County · Garage Sale
City of Dallas garage sales need an online permit
The City of Dallas requires an approved garage-sale permit before items are placed out for sale.
Dallas County · DBA
Dallas County DBAs use the County Clerk
Dallas County assumed-name applications may be completed online or at the County Clerk's research library computers.
Dallas County · Nuisance Code
Dallas County Enforces a Nuisance Code Outside City Limits
If you live in unincorporated Dallas County, a county nuisance code prohibits junk vehicles, high weeds, and unsafe structures.
Dallas County · Courts
Dallas County Has Multiple Courts for Property Disputes
Dallas County has district courts and county courts that handle property, landlord-tenant, and real estate cases.
Dallas County · Short-Term Rental
Irving Also Requires Short-Term Rental Registration
The City of Irving requires annual registration for any short-term rental and charges hotel occupancy tax.
Dallas County · Food Permit
Mobile food units need Dallas County health inspection
Dallas County Health and Human Services permits mobile food units by appointment for health and safety inspection.
Dallas County · Burn Ban
Outdoor Burning Rules in Dallas County Can Change Fast
Outdoor burning in unincorporated Dallas County starts with a Fire Marshal permit, and a burn ban can stop the burn for the day.
Dallas County · Short-Term Rental
Short-Term Rentals in Dallas Must Register with the City
The City of Dallas requires all Airbnb-style rentals to register and collect hotel occupancy tax.
Dallas County · Subdivision / Platting
Splitting Land Outside a City Requires County Approval
If you want to divide land in an unincorporated part of Dallas County, you must follow the county's subdivision regulations.
Dallas County · Marriage License
Start a Dallas County marriage license online
Dallas County's marriage-license application starts online, then the order number follows you to the County Clerk's walk-in counter.
Denton County · Land Use Rules
A special ordinance controls land use around Ray Roberts Lake
Denton County adopted a Lake Ray Roberts Land Use Ordinance that governs structures and land within 5,000 feet of the reservoir's shoreline.
Denton County · Outdoor Burning
Burning brush in unincorporated Denton County needs a permit
Residents in unincorporated Denton County must buy a controlled burn permit and check the daily burn status before any open outdoor burning.
Denton County · Marriage License
Denton County marriage licenses have a 72-hour waiting period
Get a Denton County marriage license from the County Clerk; both applicants must usually appear, and the license takes 72 hours to become valid.
Denton County · Fireworks Permit
Fireworks stands in unincorporated Denton County need a county permit too
Retail fireworks stands in unincorporated Denton County need a Temporary Structures and Use Permit from the county Fire Marshal, separate from the state permit.
Denton County · Short-Term Rentals
The City of Denton requires registration for short-term rentals
If you list a home on Airbnb or similar platforms inside Denton city limits, you must register with the city and collect hotel occupancy tax.
Denton County · Business Filing
Where to file a DBA in Denton County
Unincorporated Denton County businesses file an assumed name (DBA) with the County Clerk, available at all six clerk locations.
Denton County · Fishing License
You need a Texas fishing license to fish most public waters in Denton County
Anglers 17 and older must have a valid Texas fishing license to fish Ray Roberts Lake, Lake Lewisville, and other public waters in Denton County.
Dimmit County · Oil & Gas
Oil and Gas Activity Is Regulated by the Railroad Commission
Dimmit County has active oil and gas production, and the Texas Railroad Commission oversees permits, wells, and operator records.
Ector County · Health Permits
Ector County Health Checks Restaurants, Pools, Septic, and Events
Restaurants, public pools, septic systems, and public events in Ector County run through the county Health Department.
Ector County · County Permits
Ector County Permits Start in the Online Portal
County-side building paperwork in Ector County now starts with Development Services and its online permit portal.
Ector County · Environmental Rules
Illegal Dumping, Junk Cars, and Backyard Burns Can Land You in County Court
Illegal dumping, visible junk vehicles, and burning the wrong waste can all become Ector County enforcement matters.
El Paso County · Marriage License
Both People Must Appear for an El Paso County Marriage License
El Paso County marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk, and both people need valid photo ID and an in-person visit.
El Paso County · Burn Ban
Burn Ban Orders Cover Unincorporated El Paso County
El Paso County can issue outdoor burning orders for unincorporated areas when drought and wildfire conditions create a public safety hazard.
El Paso County · Occupational Permits
Coin-Operated Machines Need Annual County Permits
Public establishments in El Paso County need a county occupational permit for each taxable coin-operated machine.
El Paso County · Short-Term Rentals
El Paso Has Rules on Short-Term Rentals and Backyard Events
The City of El Paso restricts renting out residential pools and backyards for events, and has rules that may affect Airbnb-style hosting.
El Paso County · Floodplain Permits
Floodplain Permits Apply in Unincorporated El Paso County
El Paso County's floodplain order and permit process apply to unincorporated areas, not to property inside city limits.
El Paso County · Business Filings
Register a Sole-Proprietor DBA Through the County Clerk
The El Paso County Clerk records assumed names (DBAs) for unincorporated businesses; corporations and LLCs file theirs with the Texas Secretary of State.
El Paso County · Alcohol Licensing
Renew Alcoholic Beverage Licenses Through the County Tax Office
El Paso County alcoholic beverage license renewals are payable through the Tax Office, while new beer, wine, and liquor applications start with TABC.
El Paso County · Septic / OSSF
Rural Septic Work Needs an El Paso County OSSF Permit
El Paso County's On-Site Sewage Facility program requires written authorization before a septic system is constructed.
El Paso County · Alarm Permit
Security Alarms Need a Sheriff's Office Permit
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has a security alarm permit application for residential and commercial alarm systems.
Ellis County · Development Permit
A pond or a carport in rural Ellis County still needs a county permit
Unincorporated Ellis County treats pools, sheds, ponds, tanks, shops, barns, and carports as development-permit items.
Ellis County · Fire Code
Out here, no zoning doesn't mean no rules: the fire marshal still gets a say
In unincorporated Ellis County, commercial buildings, public buildings, and four-or-more-unit multifamily projects need a county fire-code permit.
Ellis County · Event Permits
Throwing a big event on rural Ellis County land? The county wants to hear first
Any gathering on unincorporated Ellis County land gets emailed to the county for review, and once you expect 2,500 people you cross into permit territory.
Ellis County · Land Use
Unincorporated Ellis County has no zoning, but it has some rules
Rural Ellis County outside city limits has no zoning. Neighbors can run businesses or keep livestock without city-style rules, though the county still has some development standards.
Erath County · Jurisdiction Basics
Most of Erath County Is Unincorporated — Rules Differ Outside City Limits
Outside Stephenville and Dublin, most of Erath County is unincorporated. That means fewer local rules but also fewer city services.
Erath County · Right to Farm
Texas Right-to-Farm Law Protects Existing Agricultural Operations
If you move near a farm or ranch in Erath County, state law limits your ability to sue over odors, dust, or noise from that operation.
Fort Bend County · Septic Permit
Check Fort Bend OSSF Rules Before Changing a Septic System
Fort Bend County requires online OSSF applications and says septic-system modifications need county approval before work starts.
Fort Bend County · Assumed Name
File a Fort Bend DBA With the County Clerk
Businesses using an assumed name in Fort Bend County should check the County Clerk's DBA filing page before opening bank accounts or signing paperwork.
Fort Bend County · Water & Wastewater
Fort Bend County regulates water and wastewater connections in unincorporated areas
Outside city limits in Fort Bend County, the county sets rules for how you hook up to water and sewer.
Fort Bend County · Fireworks Permit
Fort Bend Fireworks Sales and Displays Run Through the Fire Marshal
Fort Bend County's Fire Marshal permit materials cover fireworks retail sites, display shows, and other fire-code approvals.
Fort Bend County · Food Permit
Fort Bend Food Businesses Need Environmental Health Review Before Opening
Fort Bend County Environmental Health handles food establishment plan review, permits, and change-of-ownership steps through its online portal.
Fort Bend County · Emergency Preparedness
Fort Bend residents who need evacuation help can register with STEAR
People who cannot evacuate on their own during a disaster can register in advance with the State Texas Emergency Assistance Registry.
Fort Bend County · City Limits & ETJ
Much of Fort Bend County is unincorporated — rules differ outside city limits
Outside city limits, county rules apply; inside city limits or a city's ETJ, additional city rules may also apply.
Fort Bend County · Marriage License
Start a Fort Bend Marriage License Online, Then Sign With the Clerk
Fort Bend County marriage-license applicants start with the County Clerk's online application and finish the license in person.
Gaines County · Hunting License
Hunting in Gaines County requires a Texas license from TPWD
A Texas hunting license gets you started in Gaines County, but pronghorn permits and private-land permission need their own check.
Galveston County · Culvert Permit
Cutting a New Driveway in Rural Galveston County Means a Culvert Permit
Out on the unincorporated mainland, a new driveway off a county road usually means a pipe across the ditch, and only the county is allowed to set it.