Agricultural valuation
Ag and Wildlife Valuation Can Sharply Lower Land Taxes
Qualifying Blanco County landowners can pay taxes based on what their land produces, not what it would sell for. That can mean a much lower tax bill.
Hill Country land sells for far more than it earns from farming or ranching. Texas law lets qualifying landowners pay taxes on the land's productive value instead of its market value. Common ag uses in the Hill Country include livestock, hay, and orchard crops, but BCAD sets the specific qualifying uses and minimum acreage thresholds locally — check blancocad.com for Blanco County's current guidelines.
Wildlife management is a second option. It is open to land that already has an ag-use appraisal. State law requires active work in at least three of the seven recognized wildlife objectives and a completed Wildlife Management Plan (TPWD form PWD-885) filed with BCAD. Minimum acreage thresholds and any update-cycle requirements are set locally by BCAD — check blancocad.com for Blanco County's current requirements before you apply.
Apply for either valuation by April 30 of the first year you want it. The Blanco County Appraisal District (BCAD) is the local office that reviews your application. BCAD posts its ag guidelines and forms at blancocad.com. The Texas Comptroller explains the statewide rules at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/ag-timber/. Check those sources for current requirements before you apply.
Source to confirm: Texas Comptroller — Agricultural, Timberland and Wildlife Management Use Special Appraisal