• What are you wanting to develop?
• When do you want to begin developing/construction?
• How long will the development take?
• Where is the property located?
• Are you developing inside of a neighborhood / platted subdivision?
• Does my property fall inside a city, inside the extra territorial jurisdiction of a city, or in the unincorporated area of Hays County?
• Do I need an engineer, surveyor, geoscientist, or other professionally licensed individual?
• Who will be submitting applications for approvals/permits?
• What will be the source of water/wastewater?
• Does the property fall in an environmentally sensative area such as the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, Contributing Zone, Transition Zone, or the Priority Groundwater Management Area?

Once a development plan has been decided and a timeframe is in place, when should I reach out to county staff? 

A discussion with a Development Coordinator is the ideal place to begin. From small-scale projects to large-scale, our Planners are equipped with the essential knowledge to help guide you through the development process.

Small-scale projects may only need a one-on-one consultation with a single staff member while large-scale developments may require a Pre-Application/Pre-Development meeting with multiple county staff members from various departments.

To schedule a Pre-Application meeting, click the link below.

A Preliminary Plan is the initial look at a development project prior to platting. The Prelim gives both the county and developer an opportunity to work through the majority of the project and heading off potential issues before they arise.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a Preliminary Plan Application.

Are you developing inside of a neighborhood or platted subdivision?

If you are unsure, visit the Hays Central Appraisal District (HaysCAD) to view the legal description of the property. If the legal description uses words like "Subdivision", "Phase", "Section", "Block", or "Lot", the property is probably in a platted subdivision. If the legal description uses words like "Survey", "Abstract", the property is probably not platted.

Click the link below to visit HaysCAD property search. You can search using an address, "R Number", or owner name.

If the property is raw land, a Plat Application may be required to be submitted to Hays County. If the property is located inside of a platted subdivision, a Plat Application may not be required to be submitted.

From time to time, a property may qualify for an Exception under Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 232.0015.

Plat applications can be submitted through www.mgoconnect.org.

A Plat is a legal document establishing the boundary(ies) of a piece of property along with any restrictions or covenants tied to the property. The Plat should also outline access and utility information as well.

A Plat Application review & approval timeline is very dependent on the scope of project as well as the timeliness of the Applicant to resubmit comments. Plat timelines are subject to Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 232.

For many developments, new roads/streets will be created during the plat process. All regulated roadways shall be constructed and inspected by the county. Those roadways deemed to be dedicated to the county for maintenance shall be constructed and inspected prior to Commissioners Court approval of dedication.

Some private roads/streets may be required to be built to county standards.

Public Infrastructure plans are traditionally reviewed by the Hays County Fire Marshal's Office & the Hays County Transportation Dept. 

The GIS Division of Hays County Development Services is responsible for the creation, verification, and maintenance of all 9-1-1 addresses. All habitable structures are required to have a 9-1-1 address while non-habitable structures are not. In specific cases, a 9-1-1 address may be requested for a non-habitable structure. It is at the discretion of the GIS Division to issue a 9-1-1 address to non-habitable structures.

New 9-1-1 addresses can be obtained by completing an Address Application while existing addresses can be verified by completing the Address Verification form. Both forms can be found on the "Documents & Forms" page below. Newly platted subdivisions can request addresses once a recorded copy of the plat (to scale) has been delivered to the GIS Division along with a digital rendering (CAD File) of the recorded plat. Address assignments outside of the plat process are handled on a case-by-case basis.

All forms and questions can be emailed to hayscounty.gis@hayscountytx.gov or by clicking the button below. The Director of Development Services or their designee retains the final decision of an address for public health and safety.

One of the final phaes of the development process is to obtain permits for development / construction. The Hays County Development Services Dept., Hays County Transportation Dept., and Hays County Fire Marshal's Office each have their own set of permit requirements depending on the scope of the project. Below are a few permits most development projects will be required to obtain from their respective project. Other approvals / permits may be required. It is always recommended to reach out to each department individually about your specific project.

Hays County Development Services Dept.

• Development / Floodplain Permit
• On-Site Sewage Facility Permit
• Food Establishment Permit

Hays County Transportation Dept.

• Driveway Permit
• Utility Permit

Hays County Fire Marshal's Office

• Site Preparation & Foundation Permit
• Construction / Building Permit
• Certificate of Compliance
• Fire Sprinkler System Permit
• Fire Alarm System / Dedicated Function Permit