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Rules & Licenses
Local Notes
Rules & Licenses notes
Galveston County · Weather Hazard
Hurricane Season Runs June Through November in Galveston County
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, but the useful work happens before a storm enters the Gulf.
Galveston County · Hurricane Evacuation
Know Your Evacuation Zone Before Hurricane Season in Galveston County
All of Galveston Island is in Zip Zone Coastal. Learn the route and the local decision-maker before a storm is near.
Galveston County · Right Of Way
Running a Utility Line Across a Galveston County Road Takes a Permit and a Bond
Trenching a water, gas, or fiber line along or across an unincorporated county road takes a right-of-way permit and a county bond form.
Galveston County · Plat Review
Splitting Rural Land in Galveston County Needs County Plat Review
Carving a family tract into two lots out in the unincorporated county isn't a private decision. The split has to clear county plat review before it's recognized.
Galveston County · City Limits vs. Unincorporated
Whether You Are in City Limits Matters a Lot in Galveston County
Living inside a city means following city rules. Living outside city limits means county rules apply instead, and they can be very different.
Glasscock County · Hunting License
You need a Texas hunting license to hunt in Glasscock County
Almost everyone who hunts in Texas needs a license, even on private land — there are few exceptions.
Grayson County · Outdoor Burning
Burning Brush in Rural Grayson County Starts With a Phone Call
In rural Grayson County, call 903-813-4411 the day you plan to burn. That call checks the address and the day's rules before anything gets lit.
Grayson County · Oil and Gas
Grayson County Has a History of Oil and Gas Production
Oil and gas production has been part of Grayson County's economy. The Railroad Commission of Texas regulates all oil and gas activity in the state.
Grayson County · Agriculture
Grayson County's Farm Economy Centers on Cattle, Wheat, and Nurseries
Grayson County is still a farming county. Beef cattle, wheat, and nursery products are among its top farm outputs.
Grayson County · County Permits
Rural Grayson projects can still need county sign-offs
Much of unincorporated Grayson County has no zoning, but new addresses, culverts, septic systems, and floodplain work still run through county rules.
Grayson County · Boating Rules
Used Lake Texoma boat paperwork runs on TPWD rules
Used boat, motor, and trailer paperwork split different ways, so Lake Texoma buyers should sort the TPWD title papers before money changes hands.
Gregg County · Marriage license
Getting a marriage license in Gregg County
The County Clerk issues marriage licenses from the second floor of the Longview courthouse, and the two things that trip couples up are the appointment and the 72-hour wait between buying the license and saying 'I do.'
Gregg County · Game Warden
How to reach Gregg County's game warden
Gregg County has a TPWD game warden who enforces hunting, fishing, and boating laws in the county.
Gregg County · Emergency planning
If your Gregg County business stores chemicals, you may owe a Tier II report
A facility holding hazardous chemicals above the state thresholds has to file a Tier II inventory every year by March 1, and in Gregg County a copy goes to the local emergency planners, not just the state.
Gregg County · Mineral Rights
Oil and gas wells in Gregg County are regulated by the Railroad Commission
The Texas Railroad Commission regulates all oil and gas activity in Gregg County, a county with a long history of petroleum production.
Gregg County · Outdoor burning
When you can burn brush in unincorporated Gregg County
Before you burn brush outside Gregg County city limits, check the Fire Marshal page or call 903-234-3144. The answer can change with local orders and dry weather.
Guadalupe County · Fire Marshal
Check Fire Marshal Permits Before Opening a Business
A commercial project in unincorporated Guadalupe County may need Fire Marshal permitting before construction, renovation, or a change of occupancy.
Guadalupe County · Road Permits
County-Road Driveways Need Road and Bridge Review
Guadalupe County Road and Bridge permits and inspects new driveways along county roads.
Guadalupe County · Small Business
File an Assumed Name With the County Clerk
Unincorporated business names in Guadalupe County use the County Clerk's assumed-name form.
Guadalupe County · Floodplain
Floodplain Work May Need a County Permit
Guadalupe County uses floodplain development permits to regulate work in the regulatory floodplain.
Guadalupe County · County Clerk
Get Marriage Records From the Guadalupe County Clerk
The Guadalupe County Clerk keeps marriage records and now sells certified copies online, so you may not need to drive to Seguin at all.
Guadalupe County · Septic Permit
Septic Systems Need a Guadalupe County OSSF Permit
Guadalupe County requires an OSSF permit before installing or operating a septic system.
Hardin County · Marriage License
A Hardin County marriage license: both of you, in person, before 4:30
Both partners have to show up in person with photo ID at the County Clerk in Kountze, and a Twogether in Texas course certificate cuts the $81 fee down to $21.
Hardin County · City vs. County
Most of Hardin County is unincorporated — city rules may not apply
Hardin County covers 897 square miles. Only a small part of that land is inside a city. Most people here live under county rules, not city rules.
Hardin County · Assumed Name
Running a business under a different name in Hardin County means a $18 DBA at the courthouse
A sole proprietor or partnership operating under a name that isn't the owner's legal name files an $18 assumed name certificate with the Hardin County Clerk.
Hardin County · Livestock Brands
Your cattle brand is a courthouse record in Hardin County — and it expires in 2031
A livestock brand isn't just ranch tradition here; it's recorded with the County Clerk for $15, and every current Hardin County brand lapses on August 31, 2031.
Harris County · Fishing License
Buy Your Texas Fishing License Online Before You Head to the Water
Texas fishing licenses, required for anglers 17 and older in public waters, can be purchased online through TPWD before you arrive at the water.
Harris County · Air Quality Forecast
Check the Daily Air Quality Forecast Before Going Outside in Harris County
TCEQ posts a daily air quality forecast for the Houston area that tells you whether ozone levels may be unhealthy.
Harris County · Business Names
File a Harris County DBA With the County Clerk
If you run a Harris County business under a name that isn't your own, file an assumed name (DBA) with the County Clerk — in person or by mail.
Harris County · Marriage License
Get a Harris County Marriage License Through the Clerk
Harris County marriage licenses come from the County Clerk, with in-person service at any of the Clerk's locations across the county.
Harris County · Voting by Mail
Harris County Mail Ballots Require a Fresh Application
Voting by mail in Harris County is limited to specific situations, and you have to re-apply every year with the right ID number on the form.
Harris County · Land Use / Zoning
Houston Has No Traditional Zoning — and That Affects the Whole County
The City of Houston does not have traditional land-use zoning, which means a business can legally open next to a home in many areas.
Harris County · Short-Term Rentals
Houston Now Requires Short-Term Rental Registration
If you rent out a home on Airbnb or a similar platform inside Houston city limits, the city now requires you to register and pay fees.
Harris County · Air Quality / Ozone
Houston's Ozone Status Is a Real Health Signal, Not a Daily Forecast
Harris County is part of the six-county Houston area classified as serious nonattainment for the 2015 ozone standard, while daily conditions still vary.
Harris County · Deed Restrictions
In Harris County, Deed Restrictions Often Replace Zoning
Because Houston has no traditional zoning, many neighborhoods use deed restrictions to control what can be built or operated on private property.
Harris County · City vs. Unincorporated Area
Living Outside Houston City Limits in Harris County Is Common
A large portion of Harris County's population lives in unincorporated areas, outside any city, which means different rules for zoning, permits, and services.
Harris County · Voting
Register With the Harris County Voter Registrar Before the Deadline
Harris County voter registration runs through the Tax Assessor-Collector, who is also the county Voter Registrar, and the cutoff is 30 days before an election.
Harrison County · DBA / Assumed Name
Filing a DBA in Harrison County: Who Gets Your Paperwork
Since September 2019, a sole proprietor's DBA goes to the Harrison County Clerk, but a corporation or LLC files its assumed name with the Texas Secretary of State instead.
Harrison County · Marriage License
Getting a Marriage License in Harrison County
The Harrison County Clerk issues marriage licenses from the historic 1900 courthouse on the Marshall square, and Texas runs a 72-hour clock from the day you apply.
Harrison County · Building Permits
Near Marshall, ask which rules apply before building
A Marshall-area project may need city review, county septic review, subdivision review, floodplain paperwork, or more than one of those.
Harrison County · Food Permits
Permits for a Food Truck or Concession Stand in Harrison County
Selling food to the public in Harrison County means a health permit and an inspection, and which one depends on whether you're permanent, temporary, or working a festival stand.
Harrison County · Burn Ban
When You Can Burn Brush in Harrison County
Harrison County posts burn-ban status online; as checked July 2, 2026, the county still showed the March 11 order lifting the ban.
Hays County · DBA
A Hays County DBA is a ten-year filing, not a business license
If you run a Hays County business under a trade name, the County Clerk is where the local DBA record lives.
Hays County · Hunting Regulations
Deer hunting rules in Hays County depend on which side of IH-35 you hunt
Hays County straddles two deer hunting zones, so the bag limit and antler rules for white-tailed deer change depending on where you are hunting.
Hays County · Food Permit
Hays County food permits cover fixed kitchens and local market booths
Hays County still permits fixed kitchens, event booths, farmers-market vendors, and yard-egg sellers in its service area, while mobile food units moved to a statewide permit in July 2026.
Hays County · Marriage
The Hays County Clerk has your marriage license — and your cattle brand
Getting married in Hays County, or digging up an old record, runs through the County Clerk's Records Division, the same office that's been filing deeds since 1848 and still records livestock brands.
Henderson County · Burn bans
A Henderson County burn ban is a live safety rule
Commissioners Court may restrict outdoor burning in unincorporated areas when drought or other conditions create a public hazard.
Henderson County · DBA filing
A Henderson County DBA is filed at the courthouse, not bought as a license
A sole owner or general partnership using an assumed name files with the county clerk; most registered entities file with the state instead.
Henderson County · Marriage license
Getting married in Henderson County starts at the clerk's window in Athens
A Texas marriage license comes from any county clerk, and in Henderson County that means Room 101 on the Athens square, with a 72-hour wait built in before you can say your vows.
Henderson County · Building permits
Inside the Athens city limits, you pull a permit before the first nail
Build or remodel inside the City of Athens and you need a permit in hand before work starts, and the whole thing runs online through a portal called MGOconnect.
Hidalgo County · Floodplain Permits
County Floodplain Clearance Applies to Unincorporated Building
For county-permitted work in unincorporated Hidalgo County, mapped A, AE, AH, and AO land needs floodplain approval and elevation certificates before clearance.
Hidalgo County · Business Filings
File a Local Assumed Name Certificate Before Using a DBA
The Hidalgo County Clerk's Recording Department processes assumed name certificates for businesses using a name other than their legal name.
Hidalgo County · Marriage License
Finish Your Marriage License With the County Clerk
Hidalgo County lets couples start the marriage-license application online, but both applicants still need to appear with the County Clerk.
Hidalgo County · Food Permits
Food Businesses Need County Health Approval
Hidalgo County Health and Human Services regulates many food enterprises in the county's unincorporated areas, including mobile vendors and temporary food events.
Hidalgo County · Outdoor Burning
Get a Burn Permit Before Burning Brush
Hidalgo County routes outdoor burning questions and brush burn permits through the Fire Marshal's office.
Hidalgo County · Planning Rules
RVs No Longer Get County Utility Clearances as Primary Homes
Hidalgo County's Planning Department says it no longer grants development permits or utility clearances for RVs used as primary residences.
Hidalgo County · Septic / OSSF
Septic Work Needs an OSSF Permit and Inspection
Texas calls septic systems OSSFs, and most construction, repair, or changes need a permit before the work is done.
Hidalgo County · Subdivision Rules
Splitting Land Outside City Limits Can Trigger County Subdivision Review
Hidalgo County's Subdivision Advisory Board reviews development outside city corporate limits for compliance with county subdivision rules.
Hidalgo County · Building Permits
Start Residential Building Questions With the County Planning Office
For unincorporated Hidalgo County projects, the Planning Department is the office to check for residential requirements, inspections, and utility clearance.
Hill County · Public Hunting Permit
You need a permit to hunt on Corps of Engineers land near Lake Whitney
About 18,000 acres of public hunting land around Lake Whitney in Bosque and Hill counties require a permit through recreation.gov.