What to Know About Building in Texas

IN THIS ARTICLE

Introduction
Summary
Permitting
Appendix
Helpful Websites
Texas Structure Galleries

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Introduction

Texas is a vast and diverse state, offering a wide range of landscapes, from rolling hills to expansive plains, forests, deserts, and coastlines. Since we began delivering barn packages across the Lone Star State in the early 1990s, we’ve learned how Texas’ unique geography and climate not only shape its beautiful scenery but also how it shapes construction projects.

The diversity of Texas’ terrain and counties plays a major role in the state’s building codes, project permitting, and structure design. Here, we’ll share insights from our experiences, so you’ll know what to expect along the way and make your project as smooth and efficient as possible.

As with all things construction related, every project cost and timeline are unique no matter where you are building. The below details are trends we have gathered by engineering and shipping numerous structure kits throughout recent decades.

Outline

Introduction
Summary – What Are the Main Things to Know About Building in Texas
Permitting: How to apply for and obtain building permits, if required in your county.
- How to determine if your project will require building permits.
- Potential project details that may be necessary for permitting.
  - Feasibility assessment
  - Site Plan
  - Types of assessments and reports that may be required in your site plan.
  - List of professional services that you may need to work with to gather required land assessments and reports.
Appendix
1. Detailed list of potential land assessments and reports
1. Detailed list of professional services that may be required to conduct assessments and reports on your land.
Helpful Websites
Texas Structure Galleries

Summary – What are the main things to know about building in Texas

Building requirements vary greatly throughout the numerous counties of Texas. Oftentimes, more rural areas require less project details and permitting than urban areas, but this is not always the case. Because of this we recommend contacting your county building department early on in your project to confirm what kind of requirements are needed to build on your land.

This way you can create an accurate project timeline and checklist of any reports or assessments that will need to be completed prior to construction. This information also allows Barn Pros to align with your project timeline and ensure all project information and your structure package are delivered efficiently.

Permitting: How to apply for and obtain building permits if required in your county.

How to Determine if Your Project Will Require Building Permits.

The permitting process in Texas can vary significantly depending on the location of your project. Large urban areas like Houston, Dallas, and Austin will likely have well-established permit procedures, while rural areas may have fewer regulations, but could require additional environmental considerations.

Your county building department will be your best resource for scheduling, land feasibility assessment, and gathering additional information pertaining to permitting, site planning and construction.

Some counties offer permit expediting services that assist you in navigating the permitting process. These services can be very beneficial in saving you time and energy while ensuring you have all the documents, reports and information needed to successfully apply for building permits. Ask your county building department if they offer any services like these.

Potential Project Details That May Be Necessary for Permitting

Feasibility Assessment including zoning, setback and building height or size limits.
Site Plan including any necessary property reports or assessments.

Feasibility Assessment

The first thing we recommend is contacting your county building department for a feasibility assessment of your land. This will determine if your land can in fact host your desired structure and use case, at your desired location on your property. The county may look at your property information and proposed structure size, design, and location and provide a list of necessary reports and assessments, the results of which will confirm if your land can support your project or not. The county can also provide a list of professional services you can work with to carry out these necessary evaluations and reports. This step is key and is essentially the green light for your project.

Site Plan

Once the county building department has confirmed your land can support your desired structure, the next step is to work with the necessary professional services to gather the required land assessments and reports and combine them into a site plan. At this time Barn Pros will work with you to confirm the layout, size and details of your structure and prepare to engineer your blueprints.

When your site plan contains all the completed land assessments and reports, Barn Pros will account for these details in your blueprints.

See the appendix for example site plan details and professional services that you may need to pursue.

Types of assessments and reports that may be required in your site plan.

No two site plans will be the same thanks to Texas’ expansive terrain. Common assessments and reports for your site plan may include the following:

Property information including lot size and shape, property lines and boundaries.
Existing topography, vegetation, structures, utilities, and bodies of water.
Proposed structure information such as footprint, dimensions, and setbacks, building height, floor plans and elevations.
Necessary site improvements including driveways and access, landscaping, grading, drainage, fences, and walls.
Utility and services connections, septic systems, and stormwater management.
Regulatory compliance of zoning and easements.
Environmental Impact Assessment.
Septic system design if applicable.

Reference the appendix for more details around potential land assessments and reports and contact your county building department to confirm which are needed for your specific site plan.

Professional Services You May need to Work With

Land surveyor
Civil engineer
Architect
Landscape architect
Environmental consultant
Geotechnical engineer
Traffic engineer
Utility consultant
Hydrologist
Land use attorney
Permit expediter

Reference the appendix for more details on what these professional services do and how they apply to your site plan.

Appendix

Potential Details That May Be Required in Your Site Plan

1. Property Information

Property Boundaries: Accurate depiction of property lines, with dimensions and bearings.
Lot Size and Shape: Detailed measurements and shape of the lot.

2. Existing Conditions

Topography: Contour lines to show the slope and elevation of the land.
Vegetation: Existing trees, shrubs, and other significant vegetation.
Structures: Existing buildings, fences, and other structures on the property.
Utilities: Location of existing utilities such as water, sewer, gas, and electric lines.
Water Bodies and Wetlands: Streams, rivers, ponds, coast line and wetland areas.

3. Proposed Construction

Building Footprint: Outline of the proposed buildings and structures.
Dimensions and Setbacks: Distance of the proposed structures from property lines, roads, and other structures.
Building Height: Proposed height of the new buildings.
Floor Plans and Elevations: Detailed floor plans and elevation views of the proposed structures.

4. Site Improvements

Driveways and Access: Location and dimensions of driveways, access roads, and parking areas.
Landscaping: Proposed landscaping plans, including trees, shrubs, lawns, and other plantings.
Grading and Drainage: Proposed grading changes and drainage systems to manage runoff.
Fences and Walls: Location and type of any proposed fences or retaining walls.

5. Utilities and Services

New Utility Connections: Location of proposed connections to water, sewer, gas, electric, and communication lines.
Septic Systems: If applicable, design and location of septic systems.
Stormwater Management: Plans for managing stormwater runoff, including detention/retention ponds, swales, and other features.

6. Regulatory Compliance

Zoning Information: Zoning classification of the property and compliance with zoning regulations.
Easements and Rights-of-Way: Location of any easements, rights-of-way, or other encumbrances.
Permits and Approvals: List of required permits and approvals from local, state, and federal agencies.

7. Environmental Considerations

Environmental Impact Assessment: If required, a detailed assessment of the environmental impact of the project.
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan: Describes measures to prevent erosion and manage sediment during construction, such as silt fences, straw wattles, and sediment basins.
Noise Study: Evaluates the potential noise impact of the project on surrounding properties and recommends noise mitigation measures.
Air Quality Assessment: Evaluates the potential air quality impacts of the construction project and its operation, proposing measures to mitigate any adverse effects.
Wildlife and Vegetation Study: Assesses the impact of the project on local wildlife and vegetation, particularly if endangered species or sensitive habitats are present.

8. Additional Documents

Survey: A professional land survey showing existing conditions.
Architectural and Engineering Plans: Detailed architectural and engineering plans for the proposed structures.
Title Report: Current title report for the property.
Neighbor Notifications: Evidence of notification to adjacent property owners, if required.

Process for Approval

Consultation: Meet with the local planning department to understand specific requirements.
Preparation: Hire professionals such as land surveyors, architects, and engineers and prepare the site plan.
Submission: Submit the site plan along with any required applications and fees to the local planning department.
Review: The planning department and other relevant agencies review the plan for compliance with regulations.
Revisions: Make any necessary revisions based on feedback from the review.
Approval: Obtain all necessary permits and approvals before beginning construction.

Potential Professional Services You My Need to Work With

1. Land Surveyor

Role: Conducts detailed surveys of the property to establish precise property boundaries, topography, and existing conditions.
Why Needed: Accurate surveys are essential for creating a reliable site plan and ensuring compliance with zoning and setback requirements.

2. Civil Engineer

Role: Designs site infrastructure, including grading, drainage, stormwater management, and utility connections.
Why Needed: Ensures the site is properly prepared and that infrastructure meets local regulations and environmental standards.

3. Architect

Role: Develops the building design, including floor plans, elevations, and architectural details.
Why Needed: Creates the visual and functional aspects of the structures, ensuring they meet building codes and aesthetic requirements.

4. Landscape Architect

Role: Designs landscaping elements, including vegetation, hardscapes, and outdoor amenities.
Why Needed: Enhances the site’s appearance, provides environmental benefits, and ensures compliance with local landscaping regulations.

5. Environmental Consultant

Role: Assesses environmental impacts, identifies wetlands, and advises on mitigation measures.
Why Needed: Ensures compliance with environmental regulations and minimizes the project’s ecological footprint.

6. Geotechnical Engineer

Role: Evaluates soil conditions and provides recommendations for foundations and earthwork.
Why Needed: Ensures the site can support the proposed structures and that earthwork is done safely and effectively.

7. Traffic Engineer

Role: Analyzes traffic flow and designs access points, driveways, and parking areas.
Why Needed: Ensures safe and efficient access to the site and compliance with local traffic regulations.

8. Utility Consultant

Role: Plans the connections to water, sewer, gas, electric, and communication services.
Why Needed: Ensures all utility services are properly integrated into the site plan.

9. Land Use Attorney

Role: Provides legal advice on zoning, land use regulations, and permitting processes.
Why Needed: Helps navigate legal requirements and addresses any legal challenges or disputes.

10. Permit Expediter

Role: Assists in preparing and submitting permit applications and coordinates with regulatory agencies.
Why Needed: Streamlines the permitting process and helps ensure timely approvals.

11. Energy Consultant

Role: Ensures compliance with California’s energy efficiency standards.
Why Needed: Prepares Title 24 energy compliance reports and advises on energy-efficient building practices and systems.

12. Fire Protection Engineer

Role: Designs fire safety systems and ensures compliance with fire codes.
Why Needed: Creates fire protection plans, including sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and emergency exits.

13. Hydrologist

Role: Analyzes water resources and manages stormwater.
Why Needed: Designs stormwater management systems and assesses flood risks.

14. Hydrologist

Role: A hydrologist may be required for projects located near bodies of water or in flood-prone areas to assess how the development will affect water flow and drainage. They provide guidance on water management, particularly in areas subject to heavy rainfall or flooding.
Why Needed: In some cases, they might help develop the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) or Floodplain Analysis.

15. Septic System Designer (If Applicable)

Role: Designs on-site wastewater treatment systems.
Why Needed: Prepares septic system plans and ensures compliance with health regulations.

Helpful Websites

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)

Texas Structure Galleries

Exploring existing project galleries is a great way to begin the design of our structure. Look for different siding options, stall packages and layout options in these galleries and take notes of which you prefer. You can share these with your project specialist and they can provide you with options that fit your style.