5 rules for unincorporated El Paso County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Texas counties have no general zoning authority, so El Paso County does not zone home businesses in unincorporated areas. There is no county home-occupation category, size limit, or use permit. A home business is unrestricted by county zoning, though state occupational licensing and deed restrictions apply. Inside a city, that
Because Texas counties cannot zone, El Paso County has no home-business sign ordinance for unincorporated areas - no size cap, illumination rule, or sign permit for a home-occupation sign. State law limits off-premise highway advertising, and private deed restrictions may restrict signs. Inside a city, that city's sign ordinance governs.
Texas cottage food producers work under Health & Safety Code Chapter 437 - no permit or inspection is required to sell non-hazardous homemade food, and the annual gross income cap is now $150,000 (inflation-indexed) under SB 541, effective September 1, 2025. Local governments, including El Paso County, cannot require a
Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 437.001(2-b)(B)
has an annual gross income of $150,000 or less from the sale of food described by Paragraph (A)
Home child care in Texas is licensed by the state (HHSC Child Care Regulation) under Human Resources Code Chapter 42, not by counties. El Paso County does not zone or permit home daycare in the unincorporated area. Section 42.041(a) bars operating a child-care facility without a state license; Section 42.002
Tex. Human Resources Code Sec. 42.041(a)
No person may operate a child-care facility or child-placing agency without a license issued by the department.
El Paso County does not issue home occupation permits because Texas counties have no general zoning authority. No county application, neighbor notice, or approval is required to work from home in the unincorporated area. State occupational licensing and deed restrictions apply. Inside a city, that city's permit rules govern.
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