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Home & Property
Local Notes
Home & Property notes
DeWitt County · Flood Risk
The Guadalupe River Brings Flood Risk to Parts of DeWitt County
The Guadalupe River runs through DeWitt County and has a history of flooding — check the official FEMA flood map before buying or building near it.
Dickens County · Water Wells
Dickens County Has No Groundwater Conservation District
Most of Dickens County is not inside a groundwater conservation district, which means well drilling and use face fewer local rules but also less coordinated oversight.
Dimmit County · Water & Wells
A Groundwater District Regulates Wells in Dimmit County
If you drill a water well in Dimmit County, the Wintergarden Groundwater Conservation District has rules you must follow.
Donley County · Groundwater
Water Wells in Donley County Require a Permit or Registration
Donley County sits inside the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District, which regulates new water wells and requires permits before drilling.
Donley County · Wildfire Risk
Wildfire Is a Real Hazard for Donley County Landowners
The Texas Panhandle sees some of the most dangerous wildfire conditions in the state, and Donley County has had fires large enough to qualify for federal disaster grants.
Duval County · Water & Wells
Duval County Has Its Own Groundwater District
If you plan to drill a water well in Duval County, you need to work with the Duval County Groundwater Conservation District.
Duval County · Mineral Rights & Oil/Gas
Oil and Gas Activity Is Long-Standing in Duval County
Duval County has produced oil and gas since 1905, so mineral rights questions are common when buying land here.
Eastland County · Mineral Rights & Oil/Gas
Oil and gas activity in Eastland County is regulated by the Railroad Commission
If you own or are buying land in Eastland County, mineral rights may be separate from surface rights, and the Texas Railroad Commission oversees any active wells.
Eastland County · Water & Wells
Private water wells in Eastland County are subject to state rules
Many rural properties in Eastland County use private water wells, and state agencies track well records and set drilling standards.
Ector County · Mineral Rights
In Ector County, Mineral Rights and Surface Rights Are Often Separate
When you buy land in Ector County, you may not own the oil and gas below it — those rights are often already owned by someone else.
Ector County · Groundwater Protection
Oil Drilling Near Water Wells Requires a Groundwater Protection Review
Before drilling an oil or gas well in Ector County, operators may need a groundwater protection review to show they won't harm local water sources.
Ector County · Flooding
Playa Lakes Create Flood Risk in Ector County
Shallow seasonal lakes called playa lakes dot Ector County; properties near them are more likely to flood after heavy rain.
Ector County · Water Supply
Water Is Scarce in Ector County — Know Your Source Before You Buy
Ector County averages only about 13–14 inches of rain per year; properties outside city water service may depend on wells or trucked water.
Ector County · Wildfire Hazard
Wildfire Risk Is High in Ector County
Dry conditions, sparse vegetation, and West Texas winds make wildfires a serious hazard for homeowners in Ector County.
Ector County · Septic Systems
You Need a Permit for a Septic System Outside City Limits
Any on-site sewage system — like a septic tank — built outside Odessa's city sewer service requires a permit before installation.
Edwards County · Groundwater & Wells
Drilling a Water Well in Edwards County Requires a Permit First
Edwards County sits in the Real-Edwards Conservation and Reclamation District, and you must get a permit before drilling any new water well.
El Paso County · Flood Risk
El Paso County Now Has Its First Complete Digital Flood Maps
FEMA released revised preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps for El Paso County — the first complete set of digital flood maps the county has had.
El Paso County · Weather Hazards
El Paso Faces Frequent Drought and Intense Summer Heat
El Paso County is one of the hottest and driest parts of Texas, with drought conditions present in most years and summer temperatures regularly above 100 degrees.
El Paso County · Water Conservation
El Paso Has Water Restrictions — Outdoor Watering Is Regulated
El Paso Water limits when and how much you can water outdoors, and those limits get stricter when drought conditions worsen.
El Paso County · Water Infrastructure
El Paso Recycles Treated Water Back Into the Aquifer
El Paso Water sends treated water into infiltration ponds so it soaks back into the Hueco Bolson aquifer underground.
El Paso County · Water Supply
El Paso's Water Comes from the Rio Grande and Two Underground Basins
El Paso Water serves hundreds of thousands of people using water from the Rio Grande and two large underground basins.
El Paso County · Mineral Rights
In El Paso County, Mineral Rights and Surface Rights Can Be Separate
When you buy land in Texas, you may not own what is underground — mineral rights and surface rights are often held by different owners.
El Paso County · Unincorporated County
Living Outside City Limits in El Paso County Means No Zoning
If your property is in unincorporated El Paso County — outside any city — there are no county zoning rules and the county cannot issue building permits.
El Paso County · City vs. County Jurisdiction
The City's ETJ Reaches Beyond Its Official Limits
El Paso has an ETJ — a zone just outside city limits where some city rules still apply to land development.
El Paso County · Fire Hazard
Wildfire Is a Real Risk in El Paso — Especially in Spring
El Paso's dry desert climate and frequent drought make wildfire a serious hazard, particularly during spring when winds pick up.
Ellis County · Flood Risk
Check the FEMA flood map before buying property in Ellis County
Parts of Ellis County fall in FEMA flood zones. Check the flood map before you buy property near Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian, Red Oak, or other local communities.
Ellis County · Development Rules
Ellis County has its own rules for dividing land and building roads
If you want to split land or build roads in rural Ellis County, the county has rules you must follow before you start.
Ellis County · Growth & Development
Ellis County is growing fast as DFW expands southward
Ellis County sits about 30 miles south of Dallas on I-35E. Its northern cities have grown fast as the DFW metro pushes south.
Ellis County · Weather Hazards
Ellis County sits in a hail-prone corridor of North Texas
Ellis County gets regular severe thunderstorms with large hail. It is in a storm-prone part of North Texas.
Ellis County · Soil and Land
Ellis County sits on Blackland Prairie — clay-rich soil that swells and shrinks
The heavy clay soils of the Blackland Prairie that cover Ellis County expand when wet and shrink when dry, which can damage foundations and pipes.
Ellis County · Septic Systems
You need a permit before installing a septic system in Ellis County
Homes outside city sewer service areas need an on-site sewage system, and Ellis County adopted its own rules for permitting and inspecting those systems.
Erath County · Water Supply
Private Water Wells Are Common in Rural Erath County
Many rural properties in Erath County rely on private water wells. State records can help you research a well before you buy.
Erath County · Flood Risk
The Paluxy and Bosque Rivers Can Flood Low-Lying Land
Land near the Paluxy and Bosque rivers in Erath County may sit in a FEMA flood zone, which affects insurance costs and building rules.
Falls County · Flood Risk
The Brazos River floods parts of Falls County
Property near the Brazos River in Falls County can sit in a high-risk flood zone, which affects insurance costs and mortgage requirements.
Fannin County · Weather Hazard
Fannin County Sits in a Tornado-Prone Part of North Texas
Fannin County lies in an active tornado corridor in North Texas, and the National Weather Service tracks a long record of tornadoes going back to 1880.
Fannin County · Septic & Wastewater
Most Rural Lots in Fannin County Need a Septic System Permit
Homes outside city limits in Fannin County use on-site septic systems, and Texas law requires a permit before you install or repair one.
Fannin County · Flood Risk
The Red River Drainage Raises Flood Risk in Parts of Fannin County
The Red River and Bois d'Arc Creek drain Fannin County, and FEMA flood maps show which areas face the highest flood risk.
Fayette County · Groundwater & Wells
Fayette County has its own groundwater district — it regulates wells
If you plan to drill a water well in Fayette County, you must work with the Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District. It sets the rules on permits and water use.
Fisher County · Agriculture
Cotton and Ranching Still Drive Fisher County's Agriculture
Fisher County has deep roots in cattle ranching and cotton farming, and agricultural land use affects how property is taxed and what restrictions may apply.
Floyd County · Water Supply
Your well water comes from a shrinking aquifer
Floyd County sits over the Ogallala Aquifer, a large but declining underground water source that supplies most wells and irrigation in the area.
Foard County · Water Supply
Foard County Is Served by the Gateway Groundwater Conservation District
Foard County is served by the Gateway Groundwater Conservation District, headquartered in Quanah, and the county falls within Groundwater Management Area 6.
Foard County · Mineral Rights
Oil and Gas Have a Long History in Foard County
Foard County has produced oil since the 1920s, so buyers should ask about mineral rights and check Railroad Commission records before purchasing land.
Foard County · Weather Hazard
Tornadoes Are a Real Risk in Foard County
Foard County has a documented tornado history going back over a century, including deadly storms and a recent strong tornado in 2022.
Fort Bend County · Flood Risk
Fort Bend County flood maps were updated after a major mapping project
Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Fort Bend County were revised after a five-year study; look up your address before you buy.
Fort Bend County · Neighborhoods
Fort Bend County has many large master-planned communities
Large planned communities like Greatwood, Sienna Plantation, and Sugar Creek are common in Fort Bend County and usually come with HOAs and MUD taxes.
Fort Bend County · Subsidence Risk
Land sinking from groundwater pumping made flooding worse in parts of Fort Bend County
Decades of heavy groundwater pumping caused parts of the Houston-Fort Bend area to sink, increasing flood risk.
Fort Bend County · Mineral Rights
Mineral rights can be owned separately from the land in Fort Bend County
In Texas, the owner of oil and gas beneath a property may be a different person from the owner of the land surface.
Fort Bend County · Groundwater & Subsidence
Most water wells in Fort Bend County need a permit
The Fort Bend Subsidence District regulates groundwater wells to stop land sinking that makes flooding worse.
Fort Bend County · River Flooding
The Brazos River is the main flood threat in Fort Bend County
The Brazos River runs diagonally through the county and can flood widely after heavy rain, especially in low-lying areas near the river.
Franklin County · Septic Systems
Rural Homes Need a Septic Permit Before You Build
Most rural properties in Franklin County are not on public sewer, so a permitted septic system is required by state law.
Freestone County · Mineral Rights
Oil and gas have shaped Freestone County since 1916
Freestone County has active oil and gas production, so when you buy land here, check whether the mineral rights are included or have already been severed.
Freestone County · Septic / OSSF
Rural properties in Freestone County usually need a septic permit
Most rural homes in Freestone County are not on a public sewer, so a permitted septic system is required before you can build or renovate.
Frio County · Water Wells
Frio County Has a Groundwater District That Regulates Wells
The Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District covers all of Frio County and requires permits or registration for most new water wells.
Gaines County · Mineral Rights & Oil/Gas
Oil and gas production is a big part of life in Gaines County
Gaines County has active oil and gas production, so buyers of land here should know that mineral rights may be owned separately from the surface.
Gaines County · Groundwater & Wells
Water wells in Gaines County draw from the Ogallala Aquifer
Nearly all water in Gaines County comes from the Ogallala Aquifer underground, and it is being used faster than it refills.
Galveston County · Flood Insurance
Flood Insurance Is Separate From Home Insurance in Galveston County
Standard home insurance does not cover flood damage, so many Galveston County homeowners carry a separate federal flood policy.
Galveston County · Mineral Rights
Mineral Rights and Surface Rights Can Be Owned Separately in Texas
In Texas, you can buy a home without owning the oil, gas, or other minerals beneath it — and the mineral owner's rights often take priority.
Galveston County · Windstorm Insurance
Most Galveston County Homes Need a Separate Windstorm Policy
Private home insurance in Galveston County usually does not cover hurricane wind damage, so many owners must buy a separate policy from TWIA.
Galveston County · Water Supply
Most of Galveston County Uses Public Water, Not Private Wells
Galveston Island and most developed areas use treated public water. Private wells are limited and often poor quality because of saltwater in the ground.
Galveston County · Flood Risk
Much of Galveston County Is in a High-Risk Flood Zone
Galveston County has updated federal flood maps, and many properties — especially on the island — are in zones that require flood insurance.