Topic · Page 6
Rules & Licenses
Local Notes
Rules & Licenses notes
Smith County · Pipeline Rules
A Smith County road crossing needs county right-of-way review
Smith County distinguishes pipeline work in county right-of-way from pipeline projects on other land. Ask Engineering about the road crossing before work starts.
Smith County · Marriage license
Smith County marriage licenses are handled by the County Clerk
Couples apply for a Smith County marriage license through the County Clerk's office in Tyler.
Smith County · School Districts
Smith County spans ten school districts
Where your property sits in Smith County determines which of ten school districts serves it — and each district sets its own tax rate.
Starr County · DBA / Assumed Name
A Starr County DBA records a name; it does not license the business
If you run a sole proprietorship or partnership under a name that isn't your own, Texas records that name at the county clerk, Room 201 in Rio Grande City for Starr County.
Starr County · Building Permits
In Roma, even a big shed or an attached carport needs a permit
Roma lists different size and attachment triggers for sheds, porches, awnings, and carports, so check the dimensions before starting.
Starr County · Building Permits
One office in Rio Grande City handles permits, addresses, and weedy lots
Inside Rio Grande City, Planning and Code Enforcement handles permits and addresses; outside the limits, confirm the current ETJ and reviewing office for the tract.
Starr County · Marriage License
The marriage license and the certified copy are two different errands
A Texas marriage license comes from the County Clerk, and in Starr County that desk is Room 201 of the courthouse on Britton Avenue.
Starr County · Elections
Voting by mail in Starr County: who qualifies and the four-day catch
Texas limits who may vote by mail, and an emailed or faxed application still needs a mailed original within four business days.
Tarrant County · Alarm Permit
Alarm Permits in Unincorporated Tarrant County Go Through the Sheriff
A monitored alarm at a home or business outside city limits in Tarrant County needs a permit from the Sheriff's Office.
Tarrant County · Alcohol Permit
Alcohol Permits in Tarrant County Involve TABC and Local Offices
Selling alcohol in Tarrant County starts with TABC, then routes through local county offices for wet/dry certification and renewal fees.
Tarrant County · Outdoor Burning
Check the Burn Rules Before Outdoor Burning in Tarrant County
Outdoor burning in Tarrant County is a narrow unincorporated-area option, must follow TCEQ rules, and stops during a county burn ban.
Tarrant County · Invasive Species
Drain First, Then Clean and Dry the Boat
Eagle Mountain Lake has zebra mussels. Texas rules require drained water and removal of visible prohibited species; cleaning and drying add another layer of protection.
Tarrant County · Business Filing
Filing a DBA or Assumed Name in Tarrant County
An unincorporated business operating under a name other than the owner's files that DBA with the Tarrant County Clerk.
Tarrant County · Fireworks Permit
Fireworks Stands and Displays Need Tarrant County Fire Marshal Review
Unincorporated Tarrant County fireworks stands, stores, displays, and launch sites need Fire Marshal inspection and permits.
Tarrant County · Food Permit
Food Establishments Need the Right Tarrant County Health Permit
Tarrant County Public Health permits and inspects food establishments in its jurisdiction, but city requirements may still apply.
Tarrant County · Short-Term Rentals
Fort Worth Short-Term Rentals Belong in Specific Zoning Districts
Inside Fort Worth, rentals of 1 to 29 days are allowed in specified mixed-use, form-based, commercial, and industrial districts, not in the residential districts listed by the city.
Tarrant County · Game Room
Game Rooms Have a Tarrant County Permit Process
Tarrant County posts game room regulations and a permit application through the Sheriff's Office.
Tarrant County · Marriage License
Getting a Marriage License in Tarrant County
The Tarrant County Clerk issues marriage licenses, and a few timing and ID rules catch couples off guard.
Tarrant County · Pool Permit
Public Pools and Spas Are Permitted and Inspected in Tarrant County
Tarrant County Public Health permits and inspects public pools, spas, and interactive water features across many local jurisdictions.
Tarrant County · Fishing License
When You Need a Texas Fishing License in Tarrant County
Most anglers age 17 or older need the right Texas fishing license and endorsement before fishing public water in Tarrant County.
Taylor County · Fishing License
Public-water fishing usually needs a Texas license
Most anglers 17 or older need a Texas fishing license and freshwater coverage, but TPWD lists state-park, private-water, age, and other exceptions.
Taylor County · Oil & Gas Regulation
The Railroad Commission regulates oil and gas in Taylor County
Taylor County is in RRC Oil and Gas District 7B; its maps help screen for nearby activity but do not replace records or a parcel survey.
Terrell County · Oil & Gas
Oil and Gas Activity Is Regulated by the Railroad Commission
Terrell County has oil and gas production, and the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) is the state agency that oversees all drilling and production activity here.
Terry County · Building Permits
Before You Build in Brownfield, Start With the City Inspector
Inside Brownfield, permits and construction inspections run through the city Inspection Department, not the county courthouse or appraisal district.
Tom Green County · DBA filing
A Tom Green County DBA starts a ten-year clock
The county clerk currently charges $23 for an assumed-name filing, but the business structure decides whether the county or state gets it.
Tom Green County · Building permits
Building Inside San Angelo Means a Trip to 52 W. College
Inside San Angelo, city permits apply; outside the city, county floodplain, septic, and subdivision review can still come before construction.
Tom Green County · Food permits
Confirm the food-permit desk before signing the lease
San Angelo and Tom Green County both publish food-permit services, so confirm which office has the address before applying.
Tom Green County · Marriage license
The marriage license belongs on the wedding calendar
The County Clerk issues marriage licenses at 124 W. Beauregard, but its posted hours and application cutoff can change by month.
Travis County · Alcohol Permit
Alcohol Permits in Austin Start With TABC, Then City Signoff
Austin businesses applying for a liquor license or beer permit through TABC must also get the Austin City Clerk's signature on the TABC form.
Travis County · ROW Permit
Austin Right-of-Way Work Needs a ROW Permit
Work in Austin's public right-of-way, or work that uses part of it, requires a City of Austin right-of-way permit.
Travis County · Business Filing
Filing a DBA in Travis County
Sole proprietors and partnerships register a business name with the County Clerk; LLCs and corporations file with the state instead.
Travis County · Food Permit
Food Businesses Need Austin Public Health Permits
Austin Public Health requires food businesses in its jurisdiction to get a permit, pass inspections, and renew the operational permit each year.
Travis County · Marriage License
Getting a Marriage License in Travis County
Both people apply together at the County Clerk's office downtown, then wait three days before the ceremony.
Travis County · Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Hunting and Fishing Licenses in Travis County
Texas requires a hunting or fishing license for most people, but you can fish free from the bank inside any Texas state park.
Travis County · Event Permit
Large Travis County Events May Need Fire Marshal Permits
The Travis County Fire Marshal handles special event and mass gathering permits, including event safety plans and related fire permits.
Travis County · Short-Term Rentals
Short-Term Rentals Inside Austin City Limits
Austin rentals shorter than 30 days need a city license, plus a reachable local contact and current platform listing details.
Travis County · Fire Permit
Some Austin Venues Need Fire Permits Before Opening
Austin Fire and the Office of the Fire Marshal issue permits for public assemblies, hazardous materials, fire protection systems, and prescribed burns.
Travis County · Event Food
Temporary Food Events Need a Permit in Austin-Travis County
Austin Public Health requires a temporary food event permit when food or drinks are offered to the public at an event.
Van Zandt County · Marriage License
A Van Zandt marriage license is by appointment — email the form first
You can't just walk into the courthouse for a marriage license here — the county clerk does them by appointment, and the application comes first.
Victoria County · Short-Term Rentals
Victoria short-term rentals need city registration and a fire inspection
Victoria's city short-term rental program took effect May 15, 2026. It requires an application, a $25 fee, a fire inspection, and applicable hotel taxes.
Walker County · Marriage license
Getting a Marriage License in Walker County
Walker County issues marriage licenses by appointment at the county clerk's office in Huntsville, and Texas has a 72-hour waiting period unless an exception applies.
Walker County · Hunting & Licenses
Public Hunting Access in Walker County
Hunters in Walker County can access tens of thousands of public acres through the Sam Houston National Forest WMA, but a Texas hunting license and TPWD annual public hunting permit are required.
Walker County · Outdoor burning
When Walker County Bans Outdoor Burning
Outdoor-burning restrictions in Walker County can change with drought and fire danger, so check the current status before burning brush or debris.
Walker County · DBA filing
Where Your Walker County DBA Actually Gets Filed
A Walker County sole proprietor or general partnership files a DBA with the county clerk, while LLCs and corporations file with the Texas Secretary of State.
Webb County · Marks & Brands
Record Livestock Marks and Brands With the Webb County Clerk
In ranch-heavy Webb County, a cattle brand only counts as proof of ownership if it's recorded with the County Clerk under Texas law.
Webb County · Fireworks Permit
Selling Fireworks in Webb County Starts With the Fire Marshal
If you want to run a fireworks stand or display in Webb County, the Fire Marshal posts the vendor application and compliance checklist you'll need first.
Wharton County · Hunting Licenses
What You Need to Hunt in Wharton County
All hunters in Texas aged 17 and older need a valid hunting license from TPWD, with additional tags required for deer, turkey, and other game.
Wichita County · Agriculture
Cattle and Wheat Farming Still Matter in Wichita County
Wichita County has hundreds of farms and ranches, with stocker cattle, cows, calves, wheat, and small grains as the main products.
Wichita County · Licenses
The License Rules Are Statewide, With a Lake Arrowhead Exception
Most adults fishing public water need a Texas license, while hunting usually requires its own license at any age. Lake Arrowhead State Park has a handy exception for shore and pier fishing.
Willacy County · County records
Room 153 Records Property; Room 102 Handles District Court
The two clerk offices share a courthouse address, but property and vital records go to Room 153 while district-court work goes to Room 102.
Willacy County · Voting
The County Page Has the Ballot; VoteTexas Handles Registration
Willacy County posts the local ballot and election notices, while statewide services handle registration, updates, and voter-status checks.
Williamson County · Driveway Permit
A New Driveway Onto a County Road Needs a Permit
A driveway onto a Williamson County maintained road runs through the county permit process before the entrance gets built or changed.
Williamson County · Alarm Permit
Alarm Systems Outside City Limits Need a County Permit
The Williamson County Sheriff's Office requires an alarm permit for each system at a home or business outside incorporated city limits.
Williamson County · Burn Ban
Check Williamson's burn-ban page before you burn
Williamson County posts burn-ban status for unincorporated areas, and the answer can change with drought and wind.
Williamson County · Fireworks Permit
Fireworks Sales and Displays Go Through the Fire Marshal
Williamson County Fire Marshal permit pages cover fireworks stands, stand renewals, and fireworks display applications.
Williamson County · Event Permit
Large Events May Need a Williamson County Mass Gathering Permit
Williamson County's mass gathering process requires an early application and a county judge hearing before a qualifying large event.
Williamson County · 911 Addressing
New Rural Structures Need a Williamson County 9-1-1 Address
Williamson County GIS and 9-1-1 Addressing assigns the addresses you need for utilities, emergency response, and new rural development.
Williamson County · Septic Permit
Septic Systems in Williamson County Start With the OSSF Office
Williamson County regulates on-site sewage facilities for most of the county outside the City of Austin.
Williamson County · Subdivision Rules
Splitting Land Can Trigger Williamson County Plat Review
Williamson County applies subdivision regulations to new land-development applications in its jurisdiction, even outside city limits.
Williamson County · Jurisdiction Basics
Where You Live in Williamson County (City, ETJ, or Unincorporated) Matters
Your property's location, whether inside a city, in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction, or in unincorporated county land, determines which rules and services apply to you.