Topic · Page 11
Home & Property
Local Notes
Home & Property notes
Tom Green County · Water & Geography
The Concho River and Three Reservoirs Shape This County
Tom Green County sits where three branches of the Concho River meet, and three reservoirs supply water to the San Angelo area.
Tom Green County · Geography
Two Distinct Landscapes Divide Tom Green County
Tom Green County sits at the meeting point of the Osage Plains and the Edwards Plateau — two very different landscapes with different land uses.
Travis County · Development Regulations
Building in Unincorporated Travis County: Chapter 482 Rules
If you subdivide or develop land outside any city in Travis County, state and county development rules apply.
Travis County · Jurisdiction Basics
City Limits vs. ETJ vs. Unincorporated Travis County
Where your property sits — inside city limits, in an ETJ, or in unincorporated county land — determines which rules apply.
Travis County · Water Supply & Drought
Drought and Water Supply in Travis County
Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan are the main water reserves for the region — their levels can drop sharply during drought.
Travis County · Flood Insurance & FEMA Maps
FEMA Flood Maps and Travis County Properties
FEMA flood maps show whether your property is in a high-risk flood zone, which affects your mortgage and insurance requirements.
Travis County · Mineral Rights
Mineral Rights in Travis County: What Landowners Should Know
Mineral rights in Texas can be owned separately from surface rights, and buyers should check whether those rights are included in a sale.
Travis County · MUDs and Water Districts
Municipal Utility Districts: What They Mean for Your Home
Many homes in unincorporated Travis County are in a MUD, which provides water and sewer — and adds an extra tax rate.
Travis County · Septic / OSSF Permits
Septic Systems in Travis County: What You Need to Know
Homes outside city sewer service need an approved septic system, and Travis County oversees the permitting process.
Travis County · Groundwater & Wells
The Edwards Aquifer and Water Wells in Travis County
Parts of Travis County sit over the Edwards Aquifer, which triggers stricter rules for wells, septic, and land development.
Travis County · LCRA Overview
What the LCRA Does for Travis County Residents
The Lower Colorado River Authority manages water, power, and flood control across the Colorado River basin, including Lake Travis.
Trinity County · Water Wells / Rural Water
Drilling a Water Well in Trinity County: No Local Groundwater District
Trinity County has no local groundwater conservation district. That means fewer local permit rules for private wells, but also less local oversight of the water supply.
Tyler County · Septic Systems
Building Outside City Limits Means You Need a Septic Permit
Most of Tyler County has no sewer service, so new homes and additions require a permitted on-site sewage system before construction begins.
Upshur County · Flood Risk
Check the FEMA Flood Map Before Buying in Upshur County
East Texas gets significant rainfall, and low-lying land near creeks and streams in Upshur County can sit in a FEMA-designated flood zone.
Upshur County · Water Supply
Many Rural Properties in Upshur County Rely on Private Wells
Homes outside city limits in Upshur County often use private water wells, which are tracked by the Texas Water Development Board.
Upshur County · Mineral Rights
Upshur County Has a Long Oil and Gas History
Oil was discovered in Upshur County in 1931, and the Railroad Commission of Texas (District 6, based in Henderson) regulates all oil and gas activity here today.
Upton County · Mineral Rights / Oil & Gas
Oil and gas activity is regulated by the Railroad Commission
Upton County has heavy oil and gas production, and the Texas Railroad Commission regulates every well drilled — which matters if you own land or mineral rights here.
Upton County · Water / Wells
Upton County has a water district but limited groundwater conservation district coverage
Most of Upton County has no local groundwater district to set rules on well drilling. A small part of the county does fall inside a regional district. A county water district also exists, but it handles other water services.
Uvalde County · Water Wells
A groundwater district oversees wells in Uvalde County
If you plan to drill a water well in Uvalde County, you must work with the local groundwater conservation district.
Uvalde County · Water & Flooding
Five rivers run through Uvalde County
Uvalde County has five named river systems, which shape property values, flood risk, and water supply.
Val Verde County · Water Rights
Val Verde County Has No Groundwater Conservation District
Unlike many Texas counties, Val Verde County does not have a groundwater conservation district, which affects what rights you have over water under your land.
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
In unincorporated areas of Victoria County, homeowners must get a permit before installing or changing a septic system or on-site sewage facility.
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 · Septic & Sewage
Septic System Rules for Unincorporated Walker County
If your rural Walker County property is not on a city sewer line, a septic system permit is almost always required before you can build.
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 · Municipal Utility Districts
Many Waller County Subdivisions Are Inside a MUD
A Municipal Utility District — called a MUD — is a small local government that provides water, sewer, and drainage to a subdivision, and it adds its own tax rate on top of 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.
Ward County · Mineral Rights
Surface rights and mineral rights can be owned separately in Ward County
In this Permian Basin county, buying land does not always mean you own the oil and gas underneath it — and the mineral owner often has the right to come onto your land.
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 — 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 · Septic / OSSF
Septic Systems Outside City Limits in Webb County
If your home is outside the city limits of Laredo and not connected to a public sewer, you likely need a permitted on-site sewage facility (septic system).
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
Nearly all water in the Texas Panhandle comes from the Ogallala Aquifer, which is being used faster than rain refills it.
Wichita County · City vs. County
Four Cities Share the County—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.
Wichita County · Climate
Wichita County Has Hot Summers and Cold Winters
Wichita County averages a high of 98°F in July and a low near 28°F in January, with about 27 inches of annual rainfall spread unevenly through the year.
Wilbarger County · Wildfire Hazard
Wilbarger County Sits in a High Wildfire Risk Zone
The county's dry climate, grasslands, and wind make wildfire a real property hazard — the state has included Wilbarger County in past disaster declarations.
Willacy County · Windstorm Insurance
Willacy County Homeowners May Need Separate Windstorm Insurance
Willacy County is one of 14 Texas coastal counties where the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) provides wind and hail coverage as a last-resort insurer.
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 · 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.