Collin County, Texas
26 local notes for Collin County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. DFW / North Texas.
See the Plano place page ->Money & Taxes
Property Tax Relief
How the Homestead Exemption Lowers Your Property Tax Bill
If you own and live in your home in Collin County, you can apply for a homestead exemption that removes part of your home's value from the tax calculation.
Property Tax Basics
Two Offices Handle Property Taxes in Collin County
Two separate offices deal with your property taxes. One sets your home's value. The other sends your bill and collects payment.
Agricultural Appraisal
Land Used for Farming Can Be Taxed at a Much Lower Rate
Texas law lets land used for farming be taxed on its farming value, not its full market value. This can sharply lower the tax bill.
Special Districts
Many New Subdivisions Have an Extra Tax Line for a MUD or PID
Many new neighborhoods in Collin County have an extra charge on top of regular property taxes. It pays for water lines, roads, and parks built by the developer.
Appraisal Protest
You Can Protest Your Collin County Appraisal Every Year
Every Collin County property owner has the right to protest their appraised value each year if they think it is too high — the deadline is typically May 15 or 30 days after the notice is mailed.
Home & Property
Flood Risk
FEMA Updated Flood Maps for Parts of Collin County
FEMA has issued preliminary updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps for several Collin County cities and unincorporated areas — check whether your property's flood zone changed.
Land Use
Unincorporated Collin County Has Almost No Zoning Rules
Collin County does not zone most unincorporated land. But you still need permits to build, and city rules can apply if you are near a city limit.
On-Site Sewage
Properties Without City Sewer Need a Permitted Septic System
Rural homes in Collin County that are not on a city sewer line must have a permitted On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) — and the lot must be large enough to support one.
Water Supply
Most of Collin County's Tap Water Comes from Lake Lavon
The North Texas Municipal Water District supplies treated water to most cities in Collin County, drawing heavily from Lake Lavon, which sits in the county.
Weather Hazards
Collin County Gets Tornadoes and Major Hail Every Year
Collin County is in an active tornado and hail zone. Spring storms regularly bring large hail and tornado threats.
Cars & Driving
Vehicle Registration
Collin County Requires an Emissions Test to Register Your Car
Texas dropped most safety inspections for personal vehicles in January 2025. But Collin County is still in an emissions zone, so your car still needs an emissions test to renew registration.
Vehicle Registration
New to Texas? Register Your Car Within 30 Days
Move to Collin County from another state? Texas law requires you to register your vehicle within 30 days of becoming a resident.
Outdoors
Fishing
Lake Lavon Offers Year-Round Fishing Right Inside Collin County
Lake Lavon is a 21,400-acre reservoir in Collin County managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, known especially for crappie fishing in winter and spring.
Invasive Species
Zebra Mussels Are in Lake Lavon — Clean Your Boat Before Leaving
Zebra mussels have invaded Lake Lavon, and Texas law requires boaters to drain all water and clean gear before moving to any other water body.
Public Recreation
The Army Corps of Engineers Runs Parks All Around Lake Lavon
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages more than a dozen parks and boat ramps around Lake Lavon. Most are free and open to the public.
Nature & Museum
The Heard Natural Science Museum Is a 289-Acre Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney
Bessie Heard founded the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary south of McKinney. It covers 289 acres with trails and nature exhibits.
Rules & Licenses
Fishing License
You Need a Texas Fishing License to Fish Lake Lavon or Any Public Water
Texas requires a fishing license for anyone age 17 or older fishing in public waters, including Lake Lavon and its tributaries in Collin County.
Emergency Preparedness
Collin County Has a Hazard Mitigation Plan That Covers Natural Disasters
Collin County has an official Hazard Mitigation Action Plan covering tornadoes, floods, fires, and winter weather. Residents can sign up for county emergency alerts.
History & Culture
County Origins
Collin County Was Named for a Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Collin County was created in 1846 and named for Collin McKinney, who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
County Seat
McKinney Grew from a Donated Townsite into the County Seat
McKinney became the county seat of Collin County in 1848 after a landowner donated 120 acres for the original townsite.
Historic Building
The Old Collin County Courthouse Served the County from 1876 to 1979
The 1876 Collin County Courthouse in McKinney is a Texas Historical Commission landmark — it was built from local stone and renovated significantly in the 1920s.
Economic History
Railroads in the 1870s–1890s Opened Collin County to Large-Scale Farming
Before 1872, Collin County farmers had no good way to ship crops far away. The railroads changed that and transformed the county's economy.
Land & Agriculture
Collin County Sits on the Blackland Prairie — Some of Texas's Most Fertile Soil
Collin County is part of the Blackland Prairie. The dark, clay-heavy soil made the county great farmland, and it still affects home foundations today.
Growth & Demographics
Collin County Has Grown from 150 People to Nearly One Million in 180 Years
Collin County started with about 150 residents in 1846 and grew to over 885,000 by 2014, making it one of the most densely populated counties in Texas.
Local History
Collin County Has an Active Historical Commission with Hundreds of Markers
The Collin County Historical Commission is one of the most active in Texas. It keeps up historical markers across the county about settlements, cemeteries, and key events.
Local Museum
Myers Park Has a Free Farm Museum That Shows Early Collin County Rural Life
Collin County runs a free Farm Museum at Myers Park. It preserves tools, equipment, and buildings from the county's farming past.