Central Texas
|Data last verified: March 2026Travis County Ag Exemption Requirements
Property tax exemption requirements and resources for Travis County, Texas. Below you'll find the specific rules for each exemption type, minimum acreage, and your local appraisal district contact information.
Appraisal District
Travis Central Appraisal District
850 E Anderson Ln, Austin, TX 78752
Available exemptions
Agricultural
Livestock, crops, hay, and general farming operations.
Requirements
- Minimum 12 acres
- Apply by April 30
Qualifying uses
Minimum 12 acres east of IH-35, 20 acres west of IH-35 for grazing, dryland farming, and hay. Intensive farming (orchards, vineyards) may qualify with 5 acres. Minimum 4 animal units required.
Wildlife Management
Native habitat management on land with existing ag valuation.
Requirements
- Minimum 12 acres
- Requires existing ag valuation
- 3 management practices required
Minimum acreage follows the same east/west IH-35 split as ag. Must have had ag valuation for at least 5 of the previous 7 years.
Beekeeping
Honey bee operations as a qualifying agricultural use.
Requirements
- Minimum 5 acres
- Minimum 6 hives
6 hives on 5-20 acres. 1 additional hive per 2 additional acres. Homestead acreage excluded from qualifying acres. Must 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 Travis County
Active land trust presence. High development pressure from Austin/San Antonio growth. Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. 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.
Travis County agricultural profile
Stocking rates & intensity standards
Minimum 4 AU for all grazing operations. East of IH-35: 12 acres minimum for grazing, hay, and dryland farming. West of IH-35: 20 acres minimum. Intensive farming (orchards, vineyards) may qualify with 5 acres regardless of location.
The IH-35 east/west split is the defining feature of Travis County ag — the same tract has different minimum acreage requirements depending on which side of the highway it sits on. Reference: TCAD Guidelines for the Appraisal of Open-Space Land.
How to apply
To apply for a property tax exemption in Travis County, contact the Travis 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 1-D-1 (Application for 1-d-1 Agricultural Use Appraisal), available from the Travis Central Appraisal District website or the Texas Comptroller's office.
If your application is denied or your exemption is removed, 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, plus 7% interest per year, for the previous 5 years.
Estimated savings in Travis County
Average tax rate: 1.34% - Market value: $7,203/ac - Ag value: $140/ac
Related guides
Bexar County ag exemption: 1-d-1 vs 1-d appraisal desk filing
BCAD's downtown desk clerks handle 1-d-1 and pre-1979 1-d agricultural applications differently. Her...
Texas Ag Exemption Requirements: What Your County Actually Looks For
To qualify for the Texas ag exemption, your land needs a 5-of-7 year use history, sufficient acreage...
How to Get an Ag Exemption in Texas: Step-by-Step Application Guide
To get the Texas ag exemption, file Form 1-D-1 at your county appraisal district by April 30. Here's...
Which Animals Qualify for the Texas Ag Exemption?
Complete list of animals that qualify for Texas ag exemption, including cattle, goats, bees, and exo...
Need help with your application?
A qualified consultant can help you navigate the process and ensure your application is complete.
Browse services