Developing Rural 50 Acres for Mobile/RV/Cabin Rental

[Brandi N.]

This property is sloping and will need about $12,000 in bulldozing clean up - filling in pond, demo fencing, common area, creeks.

I am posting this to ask if anyone else has developed rural property in this fashion. Any pitfalls you have run into?

[Greg B.]

Originally posted by Brandi Newman:

Water, gas, electric ready to go. Septics for 3 to 5 pads/lots depending on what they are with recyling system for irrigation on pasture next door.

Many counties in Texas will only allow one septic system per acre and only one residence can be hooked to that septic system. Also, unless your perk test allows it, the septic system has to aerobic with a service contract.

Some other counties in Texas will only allow one septic system for every two acres.

Another thing that happened in my county. We were having a lot of mh community growth in our area. The state and local authorities were trying to slow it down for various reasons. Many of these communities get run down quickly. One local city extended its ETJ (extra territorial jurisdiction). In their ETJ all developments must have curbed streets and even the private streets have to meet codes. This is because the developer bails and leaves the street maintenance to the residents and then it eventually defaults to the city or county. This put the development growth to a virtual stop.

You need to find out the ordinances in your county. Your county commissioner should be able to help you with that.