Thinking about placing an RV or tiny home in Lampasas County? The right dirt makes or breaks your plan. Between city limits, septic feasibility, utilities, and deed rules, small details can trigger costly delays. In this guide, you’ll learn how to vet parcels with confidence, who to call first, and what approvals you actually need. Let’s dive in.
Start with jurisdiction
City limits vs. county land
Texas counties have limited zoning authority, so rural parcels often allow more uses than city lots. Still, other rules apply. Get clear on whether your site is inside a city, its extra-territorial jurisdiction, or unincorporated county land. Learn the basics of county vs. city powers from this overview of Texas unincorporated areas. Texas counties have limited zoning powers.
If the parcel sits inside Lampasas, Lometa, or Kempner city limits or their ETJs, municipal codes for building, RV use, ADUs, and mobile homes can control what you can do. If it is in unincorporated Lampasas County, you will still work with the County Judge’s office for septic, floodplain, addressing, and subdivision items. Start here for local forms and contacts. Lampasas County Judge’s office.
Classify your home type
How your unit is classified determines what rules apply:
- Tiny home on a permanent foundation is usually a dwelling subject to residential building codes.
- Tiny home on wheels or an RV is often treated as an RV or park trailer and may be restricted from full-time living outside approved RV parks.
Texas jurisdictions may or may not adopt Appendix Q for tiny homes. Always verify how your location treats THOWs, ADUs, manufactured homes, and RVs. Get a plain-language primer here. Tiny home legality in Texas.
Septic comes first
For most rural parcels, wastewater capacity is the gating factor. Lampasas County permits on-site sewage facilities through the County Judge’s office. Soil type, setbacks, water proximity, and lot size drive feasibility. State OSSF rules under TCEQ also apply. Review the kind of evaluation and design you may need. OSSF and site evaluation basics.
How to confirm feasibility
- Hire a licensed site evaluator, designer, or registered sanitarian for soil tests.
- Ask whether a standard gravity system is possible or if you need an aerobic or engineered system.
- Verify reserve area requirements and setbacks early, especially on small or irregular parcels.
- Submit the county OSSF application only after a favorable evaluation.
Water options
Public taps
If a city utility or water supply corporation serves your area, confirm tap availability, capacity, and connection costs before you go under contract.
Wells and GCD rules
If you plan a private well, identify the Groundwater Conservation District that regulates your area and confirm registration or permit needs. Some domestic wells are exempt from production permits, but rules vary by district. Start with regional GCD resources and confirm coverage for your specific parcel. Groundwater district resources.
Power and internet
Electric service in Lampasas County is provided by different utilities depending on location, including co-ops. Distance to the nearest line or transformer can be a major cost item. Use this overview to identify potential providers and request a line-extension estimate with your legal description. Lampasas County electricity providers.
For gas, most rural owners use propane. For internet, check address-level availability for fixed wireless, fiber co-op projects, or DSL.
Flood risk and drainage
Check FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps before you commit. Flood zones affect insurability, building elevations, and siting for RVs or manufactured units. Lampasas County participates in the NFIP and has a floodplain administrator through the County Judge’s office. Review your panel and ask about local elevation requirements. FEMA flood mapping for Texas.
Access and driveways
If your driveway connects to a state highway or FM road, you need a TxDOT driveway permit before work in the right of way. County roads typically require a culvert request and coordination with Road and Bridge. Budget for drainage improvements and timing. Read the TxDOT driveway permit guidance here. TxDOT driveway permits.
Deed rules and platting
Even without countywide zoning, recorded subdivision plats and deed restrictions can limit or prohibit RVs, require minimum home sizes, or control exterior standards. Ask for the recorded plat and all covenants before you go firm. The County Judge’s page links to subdivision information and contacts. Use it as your starting point. Lampasas County Judge’s office.
Taxes and use type
Property classification affects how improvements are assessed. Lampasas Central Appraisal District can help you understand how RVs, manufactured homes, and site-built tiny homes are treated, plus potential homestead eligibility. If you plan short-term rentals or a commercial RV park, expect additional tax and permitting considerations. Check current guidance here. Lampasas Central Appraisal District.
Step-by-step site checklist
- Confirm jurisdiction and ETJ status, then pull the applicable city or county rules. Texas county zoning basics
- Order a septic site evaluation and discuss system types with a licensed professional. OSSF evaluation overview
- Verify water source: public tap feasibility or well rules with the correct GCD. GCD resources
- Request electric line-extension estimates and plan for transformer capacity. Electric providers overview
- Check FEMA flood maps and ask the county floodplain administrator about elevation requirements. FEMA flood resources
- Confirm driveway permits with TxDOT or the county, including culvert specs. TxDOT permit guidance
- Pull the recorded plat, covenants, and any HOA rules. Start with county contacts. County Judge’s office
- Get a tax outlook and property classification guidance for your intended use. Lampasas CAD
Ready to evaluate a parcel?
When you are weighing sites for an RV or tiny home in Lampasas County, the fastest path is a coordinated feasibility sweep. That means verifying classification, septic, water, power, floodplain, access, and deed rules before you finalize terms. If you want a single point of accountability to manage those moving parts, we can help.
Schedule a consult with Roman C. Esparza to map your plan, line up the right specialists, and move from dirt to done with fewer surprises.
FAQs
Can you live full time in a tiny house on wheels in Lampasas County?
- It depends on classification, location, septic feasibility, utilities, and deed restrictions. Many jurisdictions limit full-time RV living to approved parks, while tiny homes on foundations are easier to treat as dwellings. See a Texas overview here: tiny home legality.
How do you know a parcel can support a septic system?
- Hire a licensed site evaluator or sanitarian for soil and sizing; the county OSSF program relies on those tests and may require engineered systems on challenging lots. Learn what evaluators check: OSSF FAQ.
Who handles 911 addresses and floodplain questions in Lampasas County?
- The County Judge’s office coordinates addressing and serves as floodplain administrator. Start here for contacts and forms: Lampasas County Judge’s office.
What permits are needed for a driveway on a state highway?
- TxDOT issues driveway permits and sets design, sight-distance, and drainage standards for state right of way. See the guidance: TxDOT driveway permits.
How will my RV or tiny home be taxed?
- Property classification varies by use and construction type. Contact the Lampasas Central Appraisal District for how your improvement may be assessed and potential exemptions: Lampasas CAD.
