Topic · Page 5
Home & Property
Local Notes
Home & Property notes
Galveston County · Coastal Building Code
New Coastal Construction in Galveston County Needs a WPI-8 Certificate
Homes in the Texas coastal zone must be built to windstorm-resistant standards and get a certificate — without it, getting wind insurance can be hard.
Galveston County · Septic / OSSF
Septic Systems in Unincorporated Galveston County Are Regulated by the County
If your property is not on a public sewer, you need a septic system. In unincorporated Galveston County, the Health District handles permits and inspections.
Garza County · Water / Wells
Groundwater and water wells in Garza County
Garza County has its own Underground Water Conservation District that oversees well drilling and groundwater use in this dry West Texas region.
Garza County · Mineral Rights / Oil & Gas
Oil and gas activity in Garza County — what landowners should know
Garza County has had active oil production since 1926, so many properties here come with split mineral rights — meaning someone else may own what's underground.
Gillespie County · Water Wells
Groundwater in Gillespie County Is Managed by a Local District
If you drill a water well in Gillespie County, you must deal with the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District.
Gillespie County · Weather Hazards
Wildfire and Flash Floods Are Real Hazards in Gillespie County
Dry conditions and steep terrain make Gillespie County prone to both wildfires and sudden flash flooding.
Glasscock County · Mineral Rights & Oil Wells
Oil and gas wells are common here — you can look them up before you buy
Glasscock County sits in an active oil-producing area; the Railroad Commission has a free online map to see wells near any property.
Glasscock County · Groundwater Rules
You need a permit before drilling a water well in Glasscock County
The Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District requires a permit for any new well drilled in the county.
Goliad County · Water Wells
A groundwater district oversees water wells in Goliad County
If you plan to drill a water well on rural property here, the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District has rules you need to follow.
Goliad County · Mineral Rights
Oil and gas production has a long history in Goliad County
Goliad County has active oil and gas production, so if you buy land here, mineral rights are worth asking about.
Gonzales County · Water Wells
A Groundwater District Oversees Water Wells in Gonzales County
If you plan to drill a water well or buy rural land in Gonzales County, a local groundwater district has rules you need to know first.
Gonzales County · Flood Risk
The Guadalupe River Floods Hard in Gonzales County
The Guadalupe River runs through the county and can flood far beyond its banks — check FEMA maps before buying land near the river.
Gray County · Water Wells
A Groundwater District Regulates Water Wells in Gray County
Gray County is inside the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District, which means drilling or using a well here requires following district rules.
Gray County · Mineral Rights
Oil and Gas Are a Big Part of Gray County's Economy
Gray County has produced oil and gas since the 1920s, so if you buy land here, mineral rights and Railroad Commission activity are things to check.
Grayson County · Flood Insurance
Grayson County Got New FEMA Flood Maps in 2022
Updated flood maps for Grayson County took effect in September 2022, so your property's flood risk zone may be different than it was before.
Grayson County · Weather Hazards
Grayson County Is in Tornado and Severe Storm Country
Grayson County sits in the southern edge of Tornado Alley, and severe thunderstorms with large hail, high winds, and tornadoes are a real seasonal risk.
Grayson County · Mineral Rights
In Texas, Mineral Rights Can Be Owned Separately from the Surface
When you buy land in Grayson County, the mineral rights may already belong to someone else. That can affect what happens on your property.
Grayson County · Septic / OSSF
Septic Systems Outside City Limits Require a County Permit
If your rural Grayson County home is not on a city sewer system, you need a permit before you install or replace a septic system.
Grayson County · Floodplain
Sherman Has a Floodplain Management Program for City Properties
The City of Sherman manages local floodplain information and works with FEMA flood maps to help property owners understand their flood risk.
Grayson County · Geography
The Red River Forms Grayson County's Northern Border with Oklahoma
The Red River runs along the top of Grayson County, marking the state line with Oklahoma, and Lake Texoma sits on that border.
Grayson County · City vs. County Rules
Where You Live Determines Which Rules Apply to Your Property
Where you live in Grayson County matters. Inside a city, city rules apply. Outside a city, county rules apply instead.
Gregg County · Flood Risk
Flooding is a real risk in parts of Gregg County
Parts of Gregg County — including areas in and around Longview, Kilgore, and Gladewater — lie in FEMA-mapped flood hazard areas.
Gregg County · City Limits & ETJ
Living inside or outside city limits matters in Gregg County
Whether your address falls inside a city, in a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), or in unincorporated Gregg County affects your taxes, services, and building rules.
Gregg County · Septic Systems
No city sewer? You need a septic permit in Gregg County
Homes in unincorporated Gregg County that are not on a city sewer must have a permitted septic system, called an on-site sewage facility (OSSF).
Gregg County · Water Wells
Water wells in Gregg County: what you need to know
If your Gregg County property is not on a public water system, you may rely on a private water well — and there are state rules even without a local groundwater district.
Grimes County · Septic / OSSF
Most Rural Homes in Grimes County Use a Septic System
Outside of Navasota and other small towns, most Grimes County homes are not on a public sewer line. They use a septic system instead.
Grimes County · Flood Risk
The Navasota River Floods — Know Your Property's Risk
The Navasota River runs through Grimes County and can rise quickly during heavy rain, putting roads and low-lying properties at risk.
Guadalupe County · Water Supply
Canyon Lake Is the County's Main Surface Water Source
The Guadalupe River basin — including Canyon Lake — provides the main surface water supply for the county and surrounding region.
Guadalupe County · Growth & Development
Guadalupe County Is Growing Fast
Guadalupe County has grown rapidly in recent decades, driven largely by its location between San Antonio and Austin on the I-35 corridor.
Guadalupe County · Flood Planning
Guadalupe County Is Part of a State Flood Planning Region
The Texas Water Development Board oversees regional flood planning for the Guadalupe area, which includes Guadalupe County.
Guadalupe County · Septic / OSSF
Septic Systems in Unincorporated Guadalupe County
Homes outside city sewer service in Guadalupe County use on-site sewage systems, which require permits and inspections.
Guadalupe County · Groundwater
The County Has Its Own Groundwater District
The Guadalupe County Groundwater Conservation District regulates wells and helps manage the county's underground water supply.
Guadalupe County · Flood Risk
The Guadalupe River Floods — Know Your Risk
The Guadalupe River runs through the county and has a history of serious flooding, so buyers should check FEMA flood maps before purchasing.
Guadalupe County · Environmental
There Is a Superfund Site in Guadalupe County
Kingsbury Metal Finishing is listed as a Superfund site in Guadalupe County under TCEQ's hazardous waste remediation program.
Hale County · Weather Hazards
Hale County sits in prime tornado and hail country
The South Plains around Plainview sees frequent severe thunderstorms, large hail, and occasional tornadoes, especially from March through June.
Hale County · Mineral Rights
Mineral rights and surface rights are often owned by different people in Hale County
Oil was discovered in Hale County in 1946, and mineral rights on many properties were severed from surface rights long ago — check before you buy.
Hale County · Flood Risk
Running Water Draw can flood — check FEMA maps before buying near it
Running Water Draw passes through Hale County and its floodplain is mapped by FEMA — property near it may require flood insurance.
Hale County · Groundwater
Your well water in Hale County comes from the Ogallala Aquifer — a finite resource
Hale County sits over the Ogallala Aquifer, which supplies most irrigation and many private wells but is slowly declining.
Hall County · Agriculture
Farming and Ag Valuation in Hall County
Hall County is an agricultural county where cotton, peanuts, and cattle dominate, and rural land may qualify for a lower ag-use property tax valuation.
Hall County · Water & Wells
Groundwater Rules for Hall County Properties
Hall County sits within the Mesquite Groundwater Conservation District, which regulates wells and water use drawn from underground aquifers.
Hamilton County · On-Site Sewage Rules
Septic Permits for Rural Property in Hamilton County
Most rural properties in Hamilton County are not on a public sewer, so a permitted septic system is required before you can build or sell.
Hansford County · Groundwater
Your Well Water Comes from the Ogallala Aquifer
Almost all water in Hansford County is pumped from the Ogallala Aquifer, a vast underground reservoir that has been slowly declining for decades.
Hardeman County · Mineral Rights
Oil, Gas, and Mineral Rights in Hardeman County
Oil was discovered in Hardeman County in 1944, and the Railroad Commission of Texas still regulates all oil and gas activity here.
Hardeman County · Water Supply
Water Wells and Groundwater in Hardeman County
Rural properties in Hardeman County often rely on water wells, and the Texas Water Development Board has published data on local groundwater.
Hardin County · Water Wells
Hardin County has no groundwater conservation district — wells are less regulated
Hardin County does not appear to have a local groundwater conservation district. That means private well owners have less local oversight than in counties that do have one.
Hardin County · Flooding
Much of Hardin County is in a flood-prone river basin — check your address
The Neches River and several creeks drain through Hardin County, putting many low-lying properties in or near FEMA flood zones.
Harris County · Floodplain Permits
Building Near a Floodplain in Harris County Requires Permits
If you want to build, fill, or place structures in or near a floodplain in unincorporated Harris County, you must get a floodplain development permit.
Harris County · Flood Risk Resources
Harris County Has Official Resources to Help You Understand Flood Risk
Harris County offers free flood risk information through HCFCD's website, including interactive maps, flood-zone lookup, and the MAAPnext updated modeling project.
Harris County · Flood Risk
Harris County Has One of the Most Active Flood Programs in the Country
Harris County is one of the most flood-prone counties in the United States, and the county runs a major flood control agency to manage that risk.
Harris County · Online Property Tools
Harris County Homeowners Can Manage Their Property Records Online
HCAD's online owner portal lets Harris County property owners check their appraisal, file exemptions, and protest their value without visiting an office.
Harris County · Flood Mapping
Harris County Is Rebuilding Its Flood Maps With FEMA Help
The MAAPnext project is creating the most detailed and accurate set of flood maps Harris County has ever had.
Harris County · Hurricane Risk
Harris County Sits in a Major Hurricane Corridor
Harris County is exposed to Gulf of Mexico hurricanes that can bring storm surge, extreme rainfall, and damaging winds.
Harris County · Home Buyout Program
Harris County Will Buy Your Home If It Floods Repeatedly
The Harris County Flood Control District runs a voluntary buyout program for homes that flood repeatedly, purchasing properties so owners can move to safer ground.
Harris County · Flood Insurance / FEMA Maps
How to Check Your Flood Zone Before Buying in Harris County
FEMA flood maps show which Harris County properties are in high-risk flood zones that require flood insurance if you have a federally backed mortgage.
Harris County · Water Districts
Look Up Which Water District Serves Your Harris County Address
TCEQ's Water Districts Map Viewer lets you search any Harris County address to find which water or utility district supplies it.
Harris County · Windstorm Insurance
Parts of Harris County Can Get Windstorm Insurance Through TWIA
Homeowners in the eastern part of Harris County — east of Highway 146 — may qualify for windstorm and hail insurance through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
Harris County · Municipal Utility Districts
What a MUD Is — and Why It Matters in Harris County
Harris County has hundreds of Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) that provide water, sewer, and drainage to homes outside city limits.
Harrison County · Mineral Rights
Mineral Rights and Oil Production in Harrison County
Harrison County has a history of oil and gas production, and in Texas the mineral estate and surface estate are often owned by different people.
Harrison County · Septic / OSSF
Septic Systems in Harrison County Require a Permit
If your Harrison County property has no public sewer, you need a permitted on-site sewage system. You must get a permit before you install or repair one.
Hartley County · Water Wells
Drilling a Well in Hartley County Requires a Permit From a Groundwater District
Hartley County sits over the Ogallala Aquifer, and anyone planning to drill a new well that will produce more than a small amount of water must get a permit first.