Collin County Regulations Applicable to Lowry Crossing, TX
> Relevance: Lowry Crossing is an incorporated Type A general law municipality within Collin County. The county provides certain services and exercises regulatory authority that affects city residents, particularly regarding property tax appraisal, emergency services, elections, and development in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
> Last Updated: April 2026
1. County vs. City Authority — Key Distinction
Collin County does not impose county-level zoning or building codes on incorporated municipalities such as Lowry Crossing. Each incorporated city within Collin County governs its own:
- Zoning and land use regulations
- Building permits and inspections
- Subdivision regulations within city limits
- Business licensing and regulation
- Municipal ordinances and code enforcement
The county's regulatory authority primarily applies to unincorporated areas and to county-wide services that affect all residents regardless of municipal boundaries.
2. Collin County Appraisal District (Collin CAD)
Website: https://www.collincad.org
Phone: 469-742-9200
Address: 250 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney, TX 75069
The Collin County Appraisal District (Collin CAD) is the entity responsible for appraising all property within Collin County for ad valorem tax purposes, including property within the City of Lowry Crossing.
Key Functions Affecting Lowry Crossing Residents:
- Property Valuation: Collin CAD determines the appraised value of all real and personal property within the county, which forms the basis for property tax calculations by all taxing entities (city, county, school district, etc.)
- Homestead Exemption Processing: Residents must file homestead exemption applications with Collin CAD (not with the city). This includes:
- General residence homestead exemption
- Over-65 / Disabled person exemptions
- Disabled veteran exemptions
- Protest Process: Property owners who disagree with their appraised value may file a protest with the Collin County Appraisal Review Board (ARB)
- Exemption Deadline: Applications must generally be filed before May 1 of each tax year. Late applications are accepted up to two years after the delinquency date.
Lowry Crossing Property Tax Context:
Lowry Crossing residents pay property taxes to multiple overlapping taxing entities:
- City of Lowry Crossing — governed by city ordinances (see Ch. 11 Taxation)
- Collin County — county tax rate set by Commissioners Court
- Community ISD or applicable school district — school district taxes (largest portion)
- Any applicable special districts (e.g., emergency services districts, water districts)
All entities use Collin CAD's appraised values as the tax base.
3. Collin County Sheriff's Office
Website: https://www.collincountytx.gov/Services/Sheriff
Non-Emergency: 972-547-5100
Emergency: 911
Lowry Crossing does not maintain its own police department. Law enforcement services are provided through the Collin County Sheriff's Office, which provides:
- Patrol and response services
- Criminal investigations
- Warrant service
- Sex offender registration
- Emergency 911 dispatch
Jurisdiction Notes:
- The Sheriff has jurisdiction throughout the entire county, including within incorporated municipalities
- Lowry Crossing residents call 911 for emergencies; calls are dispatched through Collin County
- The city's ordinances regarding offenses and nuisances (see Ch. 8 — Offenses and Nuisances) are enforceable, with the county sheriff or city-designated officers handling enforcement
4. Collin County Development Services (ETJ & Unincorporated Areas)
Website: https://www.collincountytx.gov/Services/Engineering/Development-Services
Phone: 972-548-5585
Email: [email protected]
While Collin County Development Services primarily regulates unincorporated areas, its authority intersects with Lowry Crossing in the city's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
ETJ Regulations:
- Properties within Lowry Crossing's ETJ may be subject to both city and county subdivision regulations
- Roadways intended for county maintenance within the ETJ must comply with the more stringent of city or county requirements
- On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) suitability reviews for ETJ properties are conducted by Collin County Development Services, even if the city also reviews the plat
County Subdivision Regulations (Chapter 232, Local Government Code):
For properties in unincorporated Collin County or ETJ areas:
- Road frontage: New parcels must have frontage on a public road or improved private road; minimum 100 feet if along a county road
- OSSF: Each parcel must have minimum one usable acre for septic, excluding easements and right-of-way
- Floodplain: Developments of 5+ acres or 50+ lots in FEMA-designated floodplain require a flood study
- Plat types: Final Plat, Replat, Minor Plat (≤4 lots), Amending Plat
- Processing time: Commissioners Court considers complete plat packages within 30 days
County Permit Fees (Unincorporated Areas):
| Permit Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Development Permit | $50 |
| Culvert Permit | $250 |
| OSSF Suitability Review | $50 |
| Residential OSSF (with maintenance) | $335 |
| Residential OSSF (no maintenance) | $310 |
| Commercial OSSF (with maintenance) | $475 |
| Commercial OSSF (no maintenance) | $450 |
| OSSF Repair/Upgrade (<100' line) | $100 |
| OSSF Repair/Upgrade (>100' line) | $150 |
| OSSF Re-Review / Reinspect | $50–$75 |
| Certificate of Compliance | $100 |
| Day Care Health Permit | $150 |
| Pool Inspection (Public/HOA) | $150 |
| Temporary Event Health Permit | $25 |
Note: These fees apply in unincorporated areas. Within Lowry Crossing city limits, the city's own fee schedule (Appendix A) applies for building permits and development activities.
Commercial Building Codes (Unincorporated):
Commercial buildings in unincorporated Collin County are reviewed for compliance with:
- 2021 International Fire Code
- 2021 International Building Code
- New construction: $0.20 per square foot
- Engineer-stamped plans required for structures over 5,000 sq ft or span >24 ft
5. Collin County Fire Marshal
Website: https://www.collincountytx.gov/Services/Engineering/Fire-Marshal
The Collin County Fire Marshal's Office conducts inspections on commercial businesses, high-hazard operations, and fire detection/suppression systems in unincorporated areas. Within Lowry Crossing, the city's own fire prevention ordinances (Chapter 5) govern fire safety.
Fire Marshal Permit Fees (Unincorporated):
| Permit Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Fire Suppression / Fire Alarm | Based on # of heads/devices |
| Underground Fire Main | $100 |
| Standpipe System | $50 per standpipe |
| Commercial Hood System | $75 |
| Temporary Membrane Structures/Tents | $100 |
| Security/Privacy Gate | $100 |
| Private Fire Hydrant | $50 |
| Above/Underground Storage Tanks | $100 |
| Fireworks Outdoor Stand (per sale session) | $100 |
| Fireworks Indoor Stand (annual) | $200 |
6. Collin County Courts
County Court at Law:
Collin County has multiple County Courts at Law with jurisdiction over:
- Class A and B misdemeanors
- Civil cases with amounts in controversy between $200 and $250,000
- Appeals from Justice of the Peace courts and municipal courts
- Probate matters
Justice of the Peace Courts:
- Small claims (up to $20,000)
- Class C misdemeanors
- Truancy cases
- Eviction proceedings
District Courts:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases exceeding $200 in controversy
- Family law matters (divorce, custody, CPS)
Relevance to Lowry Crossing: The Lowry Crossing Municipal Court (Chapter 7) handles Class C misdemeanors and city ordinance violations. Appeals from the municipal court go to the Collin County Court at Law.
7. Collin County Elections
Collin County Elections Administrator: https://www.collincountytx.gov/Services/Elections
Phone: 972-424-1460
The Collin County Elections Administrator conducts:
- City of Lowry Crossing general and special elections
- School district elections
- County and state elections
- Bond elections
Lowry Crossing's election dates, candidate filing, and procedures must comply with the Texas Election Code, with the county administering the mechanics of the election.
8. Collin County Health Services
Environmental Health: Part of Collin County Development Services
County health regulations that may affect Lowry Crossing:
- Food establishments: Regulated by the Texas Department of State Health Services, with county enforcement in unincorporated areas
- On-site sewage facilities: County regulates OSSF in unincorporated areas and ETJ
- Vector control: County may coordinate mosquito abatement and disease prevention
- Public pools/HOA pools: County inspects in unincorporated areas
Within Lowry Crossing city limits, the city's Health and Sanitation ordinances (Chapter 6) govern local health matters.
9. Collin County Road & Infrastructure
The county maintains roads and infrastructure in unincorporated areas only. Within Lowry Crossing:
- City streets are maintained by the city (see Chapter 3, Article 3.500 — Streets and Sidewalks)
- State highways through or near the area are maintained by TxDOT
- County roads adjacent to or connecting to Lowry Crossing are county-maintained
10. Alcoholic Beverage Regulations
Collin County's wet/dry status affects alcohol sales within Lowry Crossing:
- The city has adopted its own alcoholic beverage regulations (Chapter 4, Article 4.100)
- The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) issues licenses and permits
- Local option elections can change wet/dry status for specific types of alcohol sales
- Lowry Crossing's ordinances work in conjunction with county-level local option election results
11. Emergency Management
- Collin County Office of Emergency Management coordinates county-wide disaster response
- Lowry Crossing's Mayor serves as the local Emergency Management Director (per city ordinance Article 1.04)
- The city participates in the county's emergency management framework
- FEMA floodplain maps for the area are administered at the county level
12. Key County Contact Information
| Department | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Collin County Main | 972-424-1460 | collincountytx.gov |
| Sheriff (Non-Emergency) | 972-547-5100 | collincountytx.gov/Services/Sheriff |
| Collin CAD | 469-742-9200 | collincad.org |
| Development Services | 972-548-5585 | collincountytx.gov/Services/Engineering |
| Fire Marshal | 972-548-5585 | collincountytx.gov/Services/Engineering/Fire-Marshal |
| Elections | 972-424-1460 | collincountytx.gov/Services/Elections |
| Tax Office | 972-547-5020 | collincountytx.gov/Services/Tax |
| Emergency (all) | 911 | — |
*This document summarizes Collin County regulations and services relevant to residents of Lowry Crossing, TX. For the most current county regulations, visit https://www.collincountytx.gov. For city-specific ordinances, see the Lowry Crossing Code of Ordinances at