Sheds, Barns & Cabin Shells Near Josephine, TX

Outside city limits, including the ETJ: Collin County has no zoning in unincorporated areas, but it requires a Development Permit for projects that add footprint to a parcel, and it names barns and storage buildings as examples. Apply through the county's Citizen Self-Service Portal. Properties in a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) still permit through the county, and new construction there also needs an ETJ Verification form signed by that city. The county notes that review can take up to 30 days, so apply before you schedule delivery.

A few county rules worth knowing: structures can't be built in drainage easements, residential structures aren't allowed in the floodplain, and addresses are only assigned through permitting. If the building will connect to septic, the on-site sewage facility (OSSF) review runs through the same development permit. Collin County Development Services is at (972) 548-5585.

On the Hunt County side: unincorporated Hunt County has no zoning more than 5,000 feet from Lake Tawakoni and doesn't require building inspections. If the property contains any floodplain, a Development Permit is required before a 911 address or septic permit is issued. New driveways need a culvert permit from the Commissioner's Office (the county doesn't issue them on private or FM roads), and septic systems are permitted through the Hunt County Health Department. Hunt County Development: 903-408-4204.

Inside Josephine city limits: accessory buildings larger than 10x12 need a permit, applied for through the city's MyGov portal. In Magnolia Pointe, Waverly Estates, and Riverfield, a development agreement requires a building permit for any improvement. Accessory buildings can be no taller than the house or 25 feet, go in the side or rear yard at least 3 feet from side and rear lot lines, alleys, and easements, and must be set apart from the house (the code text is unclear between 6 and 10 feet, so confirm). In the agricultural district, barns and equipment sheds may cover up to 10 percent of the tract. Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The city is drafting a new development code, so rules may change.