Extra Territorial Jurisdiction

On April 27, 1993, the Tarrant County Commissioner's Court ruled that, consistent with state platting law, no permit for a septic system (OSSF) shall be issued by the Tarrant County Public Health Department, unless the platting requirements of the city with jurisdiction have been met.

It is very important to realize that nearly all of the unincorporated land in Tarrant County falls within the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) of existing cities.  An ETJ is an area outside of a city's limits where the city is allowed to require subdivisions to meet minimum city requirements.  As such you must also be approved by the city that has ETJ authority.  In Tarrant County, the cities of Azle, Crowley, Fort Worth, Haslet, Kennedale and Mansfield have ETJ areas.

A copy of the City of Fort Worth’s review process is included because this municipality has the largest ETJ area, in Tarrant County.  Follow this link to download a copy of Fort Worth’s Extra Territorial Jurisdictional brochure.

If you call our office, 817-321-4960, we can help you determine if this applies to your property and which city to contact. 

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