Topic · Page 11
Home & Property
Local Notes
Home & Property notes
Van Zandt County · Utilities
Running a utility line across a Van Zandt road shoulder has rules
Extending water, power, or fiber to rural land usually crosses county road right-of-way, and Van Zandt has firm rules on how the line gets buried.
Van Zandt County · Land Development
Splitting Van Zandt land for sale can put you in front of Commissioners Court
Carving a parent tract into lots for sale or development triggers the county's subdivision review, with an application, a checklist, and platting standards to clear.
Van Zandt County · Private Roads
That road into the subdivision may never be the county's problem
A road shown on a Van Zandt subdivision plat isn't automatically a county road — the developer's certificate can leave it private for good.
Victoria County · Hurricane Risk
Hurricane Harvey hit Victoria County hard in 2017
Hurricane Harvey made landfall nearby in 2017 and brought strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding to Victoria County.
Victoria County · Flood Zone Risk
Look up your parcel on FEMA flood maps before you buy
FEMA flood maps show whether a specific property is in a high-risk flood zone, which affects insurance requirements and mortgage costs.
Victoria County · Mineral Rights
Oil and gas rights can be owned separately from your land
In Victoria County, oil and gas mineral rights are often severed from surface ownership, meaning what is below your land may belong to someone else.
Victoria County · Windstorm Insurance
Victoria County is not in the TWIA windstorm insurance territory
TWIA is the state's backup windstorm insurer. It covers only 14 coastal counties, and Victoria County is not one of them.
Victoria County · City Limits vs. Unincorporated
Where you live in the county affects what rules apply to your property
Whether your property is inside the city, in the ETJ buffer zone, or in unincorporated county land determines which rules apply.
Victoria County · Septic Systems (OSSF)
You need a permit to install or replace a septic system
If a Victoria County property is outside sewer service, plan on the state OSSF permit process before installing, repairing, or replacing a septic system.
Walker County · Weather Hazards
Heat and Storms: Weather Hazards in Walker County
Walker County has hot, humid summers with heat index values that can top 105°F, plus a long thunderstorm and flooding season.
Walker County · Water Wells
Walker County Has a Groundwater Conservation District
Walker County is part of the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District, which oversees well permits and protects local aquifer water.
Waller County · Building permits
Building a House on Rural Waller County Land Starts With a Culvert
On an unincorporated tract, Waller County routes the 9-1-1 address, residential permit, culvert permit, and fill-dirt request through its permit process.
Waller County · Municipal Utility Districts
Many Waller County Subdivisions Are Inside a MUD
A Municipal Utility District (a MUD) is a small local government that provides utility service to a set area, and it can add its own taxing-unit line next to county and school taxes.
Waller County · Flood Zones
Parts of Waller County Have Serious Flood Risk
The Brazos River and several creeks create real flood risk in Waller County, and some properties sit inside FEMA-designated flood zones where flood insurance is required.
Waller County · Rural addressing
Your Waller County 9-1-1 Address Comes Before Any Permit
In unincorporated Waller County, the 9-1-1 address comes before county permits can move.
Ward County · Mineral Rights
Surface rights and mineral rights can be owned separately in Ward County
In Ward County, a deed can give you the surface while someone else keeps the oil and gas rights.
Ward County · Water Supply
Water in Ward County comes from a desert aquifer
Ward County is arid, and the region relies heavily on the Pecos Valley Alluvium Aquifer for water during droughts and shortfalls.
Washington County · Mineral Rights
Oil, Gas, and Other Minerals Are Found in Washington County
Washington County has oil, natural gas, lignite, and other mineral resources, so buyers of rural land should ask whether mineral rights are included in the sale.
Washington County · Water Wells
Washington County Has No Local Groundwater Conservation District
Washington County may not have a local groundwater conservation district, so verify current coverage before drilling, since the answer affects what permits you need.
Webb County · Unincorporated Areas
Colonias: Unincorporated Communities Outside Laredo
Some communities in Webb County are outside city limits and lack basic services — knowing whether a property is in a colonia matters before you buy.
Webb County · Flood Risk
Flooding Along the Rio Grande in Webb County
The Rio Grande can rise quickly in Laredo and cause flooding — check FEMA flood maps before buying property near the river.
Webb County · City Limits / ETJ
Laredo's City Limits and Its ETJ Extend Far Into Webb County
Laredo can regulate subdivisions up to 5 miles beyond its city limits — this affects what you can build even on unincorporated land nearby.
Webb County · Water Rights
Rio Grande Water Rights Run Through a TCEQ Watermaster
A Webb County tract can touch the Rio Grande without carrying the right to divert or sell river water.
Webb County · County Planning
Webb County Development Starts With a Planning Determination
On unincorporated Webb County land, the Development Determination Application comes before the floodplain, septic, utility, or platting path.
Webb County · Property Records
Webb County Property Records Start With the County Clerk
The Webb County Clerk is the local starting point for recorded deeds, liens, plats, and other real property records.
Webb County · Weather & Climate
Webb County's Climate: Hot, Dry, and Semi-Arid
Webb County is a hot, semi-arid region with an average of about 20 inches of rain per year and summer temperatures that regularly top 100°F.
Wharton County · Weather Hazards
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Reach Wharton County
Wharton County sits about 35 miles from the Gulf Coast and can see strong winds and heavy rain from tropical storms and hurricanes.
Wharton County · Mineral Rights & Oil/Gas
Oil and Gas Is Part of Wharton County's History — and Still Active
Oil production began in Wharton County in 1925 and continues today; if you buy land, check whether mineral rights are included.
Wharton County · Flood Risk
The Colorado River Floods — and Wharton County Has a Long History of It
The Colorado River cuts through Wharton County, and its floodplain puts many homes at serious flood risk.
Wharton County · Groundwater & Water Wells
Wharton County Has Its Own Groundwater District for Water Wells
The Coastal Bend Groundwater Conservation District regulates water wells in Wharton County and draws from the Gulf Coast Aquifer.
Wheeler County · Water Wells
Drilling a Water Well in Wheeler County Requires a Permit
Wheeler County is inside the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District, so you need a permit before drilling a water well.
Wheeler County · Mineral Rights
Oil and Gas Production Has Long Shaped Wheeler County
Wheeler County has produced oil and natural gas since the 1920s, so mineral rights and surface-owner rights matter when buying land here.
Wheeler County · Groundwater
Wheeler County Depends on the Ogallala Aquifer for Water
TWDB's 2024 Wheeler County planning sheet names the Ogallala in the supply mix for irrigation, livestock, mining, and local water systems.
Wichita County · City vs. County
Four Cities Share the County, So Know Which Jurisdiction You're In
Wichita County has four incorporated cities (Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, and Electra), each with its own rules, and unincorporated areas fall under county authority.
Wichita County · Mineral Rights
Mineral Rights Are a Separate Property in Wichita County
Wichita County has a long oil-producing history, and the mineral rights beneath a property may be owned separately from the surface land.
Wichita County · Flood Risk
Parts of Wichita County Are in FEMA Flood Zones
The Wichita River and its tributaries create flood risk in parts of the county, and FEMA flood maps identify which properties may require flood insurance.
Wichita County · Septic Systems
Rural Properties Need a Septic Permit Before Building
Outside of city sewer areas in Wichita County, homes need an on-site sewage facility permit, and the Wichita Falls Health District handles local permitting.
Wichita County · Weather Hazard
Wichita County Has a Serious Tornado History
More than 60 tornadoes have been recorded in Wichita County since 1900, including a catastrophic 1979 storm that killed 42 people.
Wilbarger County · Wildfire Hazard
Wilbarger County Treats Wildfire as a Real Grassland Risk
Dry grass, wind, and recent state disaster declarations make wildfire a practical home and land concern in Wilbarger County.
Williamson County · Geography & Terrain
A Geological Divide Splits Williamson County in Two
The Balcones Escarpment runs through Williamson County, separating rocky Hill Country terrain in the west from flat blackland prairie in the east.
Williamson County · Water & Flood
Brushy Creek Is Both a Flood Risk and a Water Supply Source
The Brushy Creek watershed in central and eastern Williamson County is managed by the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District, which oversees flood control.
Williamson County · PID Assessment
Check Williamson County PID Assessments Before You Buy
The Williamson County Tax Office lists Public Improvement District assessments that can appear on a property tax statement but are not ordinary ad valorem property taxes.
Williamson County · Flood Risk
Flooding Is a Real Risk in Williamson County
Flash flooding regularly affects homes and roads in Williamson County, and FEMA flood maps were last updated in 2019.
Williamson County · Water Supply
LCRA Supplies Raw Water to Several Williamson County Communities
The Lower Colorado River Authority is authorized to transfer up to 25,000 acre-feet of water annually into Williamson County under a state law.
Williamson County · Aquifer Review
Parts of Williamson County Fall Under Edwards Aquifer Protection Review
Western Williamson County can fall inside TCEQ's Edwards Aquifer zones, where construction may need plan review before work starts.
Williamson County · Stormwater
Stormwater Rules Matter for Williamson County Development
Williamson County's stormwater program covers construction runoff, post-construction stormwater, and illicit discharge reporting in urbanized unincorporated areas.
Williamson County · Manufactured Home
Used Manufactured Homes Need Ownership and Tax Paperwork in Williamson County
Williamson County says TDHCA maintains manufactured home Statements of Ownership, while the county tax office provides the tax statement TDHCA requires.
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 · Mineral Rights
An oil-well dot does not show who owns the minerals
Texas allows surface and mineral ownership to split; the RRC map shows wells, not the ownership written into deeds and leases.
Wilson County · Water Wells
Every new Wilson County well starts with Evergreen paperwork
Register before drilling; a well that can produce more than 25,000 gallons a day generally follows the production-permit path too.
Wilson County · Flooding
Wilson County's FEMA maps became effective in July 2023
A building-level map check can change the loan, insurance question, and county development path for a Wilson County tract.
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
A Wise County tract outside public sewer still has to clear Texas OSSF rules before a septic system is built, changed, or repaired.
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.