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Cameron County, TX Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Lot-coverage ratio
None (no county zoning)
Dwellings per lot
One single-family detached
Min lot on public sewer
5,000 sq ft
Lot on septic
Per OSSF order / state min
Mobile-home lot
4,000 sq ft, 40 ft wide

Summary

Cameron County sets no lot-coverage or floor-area ratio, since Texas counties cannot zone. Its Subdivision Rules do limit density: no more than one single-family dwelling per lot, and a minimum 5,000 sq ft lot on public sewer.

City-specific rules exist: Brownsville has its own lot coverage limits rules that differ from Cameron County's county-level regulations. If you live in Brownsville, check the city-specific page instead.

No more than one single family detached dwelling shall be located on each lot. A notation of this restriction shall be placed on the face of the final plat. This restriction shall be placed in all deeds and contracts for deeds for real estate sold within the subdivision.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Cameron County has no zoning-style lot-coverage percentage or floor-area ratio for unincorporated land. The county's density controls come instead from its adopted Subdivision Rules. Section 2.7 provides: 'No more than one single family detached dwelling shall be located on each lot,' a restriction that must appear on the final plat and in deeds. For lot size, the rules set a minimum lot area of 5,000 square feet for lots served by a public sanitary sewer system; lots on septic must meet the larger of the county On-Site Sewage Facility order or state minimums, and mobile-home lots have their own 4,000-square-foot minimum. These are subdivision-platting standards, not coverage ratios.

Violations & Fines

Density or lot-size shortfalls are corrected at platting; a nonconforming plat can be denied. No county coverage-percentage fine exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a maximum lot-coverage percentage in the county?
No. Cameron County has no lot-coverage or floor-area ratio because Texas counties cannot zone. Density is controlled through subdivision platting rules instead.
Can I put two houses on one lot?
Not in a regulated subdivision. Section 2.7 of the county Subdivision Rules allows only one single-family detached dwelling per lot, noted on the plat and in deeds.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Cameron County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingLight RestrictionsFire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard FiresLight RestrictionsSetback RulesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesFew RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Erosion ControlSome Restrictions

All Cameron County rules

Texas rules heatmap·Compare Cameron County to another location·View the Texas building setbacks & zoning overview

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Lot Coverage Limits in Cities Across Cameron County

Brownsville, TX