3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Hidalgo County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Hidalgo County has no general zoning, so there is no county-wide numeric building setback in unincorporated areas. Setbacks come from recorded subdivision plat building lines, reviewed by the Planning Department, and from deed restrictions. Along public roads, the commissioners court may set set-back lines under Local Government Code Chapter 233.
Texas Local Government Code § 233.032
If the commissioners court of a county determines that the general welfare will be promoted, the court may: (1) establish by order building or set-back lines on the public roads, including major highways and roads, in the county.
Hidalgo County sets no building or structure height limit in unincorporated areas because Texas counties have no zoning authority. There is no county maximum height for homes, barns, or accessory structures outside city limits. Any limits come from deed restrictions or HOA covenants, or a city inside city limits.
Hidalgo County sets no lot-coverage or floor-area ratio limit in unincorporated areas because Texas counties have no zoning authority. The county's land control is subdivision platting (lot layout under Local Government Code Chapter 232), not coverage. Coverage caps, if any, come from deed restrictions or a city inside city limits.
Texas Local Government Code § 232.001(a)
The owner of a tract of land located outside the limits of a municipality must have a plat of the subdivision prepared if the owner divides the tract into two or more parts to lay out a subdivision of the tract, including an addition.
1 cities in Hidalgo County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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