Nueces County complies with and enforces the Texas Dune Protection Act (Section 63, Texas Natural Resources Code) by requiring a Dune Protection Permit or Master Planned Development Amendment for all excavation or construction which might potentially damage, destroy, or remove sand dunes or kill, destroy or remove vegetation on North Padre or Mustang Islands. The City of Port Aransas oversees the dune protection permitting program within its City limits; Nueces County oversees this permitting program for all other coastal land within Nueces County. Throughout coastal Texas other local governments oversee similar dune protection permitting programs to ensure compliance.

 When do I need one?

The need for dune protection permits applies to private and public land seaward of the Dune Protection Line, which is the area between 1,000 feet landward of the mean high tide line; at North Padre Island the Dune Protection Line lies at the easternmost base of the seawall and adjacent bulkheads). State or national parks, wildlife refuges, preserves, or similar state or federal areas are exempt.

To apply for a Dune Protection Permit from Nueces County, a completed dune protection permit application containing detailed information on the proposed activity is submitted to the Coastal Parks Department. "Small-scale construction" means construction activity less than or equal to 5,000 square feet or habitable structures less than or equal to two stories high. Single family habitable structures are typical of this type of construction. "Large-scale construction means construction activity over 5,000 square feet in area and habitable structures over two stories high. Permits for large-scale construction require additional information to be submitted as part of the application process.

The application is reviewed by a citizens' advisory committee (the Nueces County Beach Management Advisory Committee) and then approved or denied by the Nueces County Commissioners Court. Permits are valid for a period of three years. Any dramatic changes in the shoreline post permit, pre-construction would require a re-evaluation of the application.

Developers of large tracts of land may request adoption of a master planned development as an order of the Commissioners Court and amendment to the Nueces County Beach Management Plan. Master planned developments require submission of a comprehensive plan containing information about the proposed use of specific land and allow negotiation of terms and conditions unique to the development in questions. The permit follows the application process for dune protection permits. Master Planned Developments are valid for a period of 10 years.