Unincorporated Area / ETJ

Unincorporated Dallas County Has Its Own Rules

Small patches of Dallas County lie outside any city, and building or developing there requires a county permit instead of a city permit.

Dallas County Home & Property

Not all of Dallas County is inside a city. Land outside city limits falls under the county's Unincorporated Area Services (DUAS) office. If you want to build or subdivide in an unincorporated area, contact DUAS at (214) 653-6565 before you start.

Many unincorporated patches also sit inside a city's Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The ETJ is an area where a city can eventually annex land. Dallas has a 5-mile ETJ buffer around its city limits. Land inside an ETJ may still need to follow the nearby city's subdivision rules. Check the ETJ map at dallascounty.org.

Source to confirm: Dallas County – Department of Unincorporated Area Services

More Dallas County notes

Property Tax Basics

Who Appraises Your Property in Dallas County

The Dallas Central Appraisal District sets the value of your property each year, and that value drives your tax bill.

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Homestead Exemption

The Homestead Exemption Cuts Your School Taxes

Texas law requires school districts to exempt $140,000 of your home's value from school property taxes if you qualify.

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Age 65 / Disability Exemption

Extra Tax Break for Seniors and Disabled Homeowners

If you are 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability, you get an additional $60,000 off your home's school-taxable value.

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Veteran Exemption

Veterans with Disabilities Get a Property Tax Break

Texas gives disabled veterans a property tax exemption based on their VA disability rating.

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