PARCEL DILIGENCE FIELD GUIDE · JURISDICTION
What Texas counties can review in a development project
Being outside city limits does not mean a project has no approvals, and county authority is not identical across every issue or location.
Updated October 14, 2026 · Ryze Property Solutions LLC1. Confirm incorporated and ETJ status
Start with current boundary evidence and the parcel legal description. Mailing addresses and appraisal-district city fields are not jurisdiction determinations.
2. Identify platting authority
Research which city, county or agreement controls subdivision and plat review, including any ETJ or interlocal arrangement.
3. Separate issue-specific authorities
Road access, floodplain, drainage, on-site sewage, fire protection, utilities and building standards may involve different offices or districts.
4. Check special districts and corridors
Municipal utility districts, water districts, emergency service districts, groundwater districts and state-maintained roads can add separate requirements.
5. Ask parcel-specific questions
Describe the property and proposed use in writing. Preserve the responding official, date, cited rule or map and any stated uncertainty.
6. Verify before application or closing
Authority, boundaries and procedures can change. Reconfirm material conclusions at the stage when the project will rely on them.