North Texas
|Last reviewed: August 2026Johnson County Ag Exemption Requirements
Property tax exemption requirements and resources for Johnson County, Texas. Below you'll find the rules for each exemption type, the filing deadline, and your local appraisal district contact information.
Appraisal District
Johnson Central Appraisal District
109 N, Main, Cleburne, TX 76033
Available exemptions
Agricultural
Livestock, crops, hay, and general farming operations.
Requirements
- Apply by April 30
Qualifying uses
Grand Prairie and Cross Timbers transition zone. Cattle ranching tradition with growing DFW suburban pressure along I-35W corridor. Properties near Burleson and Joshua face increased scrutiny.
Wildlife Management
Native habitat management on land with existing ag valuation.
Requirements
- Requires existing ag valuation
- 3 management practices required
Cross Timbers habitat supports white-tailed deer, turkey, and quail management plans. Prior ag valuation required.
Beekeeping
Honey bee operations as a qualifying agricultural use.
Requirements
- Minimum 5 acres
- Minimum 6 hives
6 hives minimum on 5-20 acres. Post oak and native wildflower forage available. Register with Texas Apiary Inspection Service.
Timber
Managed timber production on qualifying acreage.
Not a primary timber-producing region.
Learn more about each exemption
Conservation easements in Johnson County
Rapid suburban expansion from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Ranch and farmland under development pressure. Conservation easements are a separate instrument from property tax exemptions - they generate a federal income tax deduction by permanently restricting development rights. Most landowners benefit from both an exemption and an easement.
Johnson County agricultural profile
Stocking rates & intensity standards
North Central Texas: approximately 1 AU per 4-6 acres improved pasture, 1 AU per 7-10 acres native pasture. Contact Johnson CAD for official rates.
Johnson CAD is at 109 N. Main St, Cleburne TX 76033. Phone: (817) 648-3000. Website: johnsoncad.com. Standard April 30 deadline and Form 50-129 application.
How to apply
To apply for a property tax exemption in Johnson County, contact the Johnson Central Appraisal District directly. The standard application deadline is April 30 of each year, though late applications may be accepted until the appraisal review board approves the appraisal records.
The primary application form is Form 50-129 (Application for 1-d-1 Agricultural Use Appraisal), available from the Johnson Central Appraisal District website or the Texas Comptroller's office.
If the use of your land changes, you may face a rollback tax - the difference between what you paid under the special valuation and what you would have paid at market value, for the 3 years preceding the year of the change. The change-of-use year itself is not included, and for 1-d-1 open-space land no interest is added to the rollback.
Estimated savings in Johnson County
Average tax rate: 1.85% - Market value: $8,475/ac - Ag value: $145/ac
Per-acre values are regional averages, not Johnson County appraisals. Use them for a rough estimate only.
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