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.
Texas cities control land use inside their city limits. They also have an Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, or ETJ. The ETJ is a buffer zone just outside city limits. Under Texas law, cities cannot apply their zoning ordinances in the ETJ, and the ETJ is not subject to city property taxes. Outside both the city limits and the ETJ, you are in unincorporated county territory. There, only state and county rules apply.
Here is what this means in practice. Inside the city of Victoria, you need city permits to build and you must follow zoning rules. In the ETJ or in unincorporated county land, you have more flexibility, but you still need state and county permits. For example, you still need a permit for a septic system.
Before you buy or build, confirm where your parcel sits. Contact Victoria County or the City of Victoria to check.
Source to confirm: Texas Local Government Code — Chapter 42 (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction)