Comal County, Texas
27 local notes for Comal County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. San Antonio / South Central.
See the New Braunfels place page ->Money & Taxes
Property Tax
Who Sets Your Property Value in Comal County
The Comal Appraisal District values all property in the county — it is separate from the tax office that collects your bill.
Homestead Exemption
How the Homestead Exemption Works in Comal County
If this is your main home, you can apply for a homestead exemption that lowers the taxable value of your property.
Senior Tax Break
Over-65 Property Tax Freeze in Comal County
Homeowners 65 or older get an extra school tax exemption and a tax ceiling that keeps their school taxes from rising.
Agricultural Appraisal
Ag Valuation Can Cut Your Property Tax Bill in Comal County
Land used for farming, ranching, or wildlife management may be taxed on its productive value — which is often far lower than market value.
Wildlife Management Valuation
Wildlife Management as an Ag Tax Strategy
Landowners in Comal County can keep a lower ag tax rate by switching to wildlife management instead of traditional farming.
Home & Property
Flood Control & Water Supply
Canyon Lake Was Built to Control Floods on the Guadalupe
Canyon Lake in northern Comal County is owned by the U.S. government and operated for flood control, water supply, and recreation.
Flood Risk
The Guadalupe River Can Rise Fast — Know Your Flood Zone
Parts of Comal County along the Guadalupe River are in FEMA-designated flood zones where lenders require flood insurance.
Groundwater & Wells
A Groundwater District Regulates Wells in Comal County
If you drill a water well in Comal County, the Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District has rules you must follow.
Septic Systems
You Need a Permit for a Septic System in Comal County
Any new septic system — called an OSSF in Texas — requires a permit and an approved plan before construction can begin.
Edwards Aquifer
Building Near the Edwards Aquifer Has Extra Rules
Parts of Comal County sit over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, where construction sites face stricter environmental rules.
Jurisdiction & Land Use
City Limits, ETJ, and Unincorporated Comal County Are Not the Same
Where your property sits — inside city limits, in the ETJ, or in unincorporated county land — determines which rules apply to you.
Cars & Driving
Road Safety
Low-Water Crossings Close Fast During Heavy Rain
Many rural roads in Comal County cross creeks and rivers at low-water crossings that can flood quickly and are dangerous to drive through.
Vehicle Registration
Texas Vehicle Registration and Inspection in Comal County
Texas eliminated safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles on January 1, 2025. In Comal County — not an emissions county — you register your vehicle without any inspection step.
Outdoors
Lake Recreation
Canyon Lake Offers Free and Low-Cost Public Recreation
Canyon Lake in northern Comal County has public boat ramps, campgrounds, fishing, and swimming areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Fishing
Rainbow Trout Are Stocked Below Canyon Dam Each Winter
TPWD stocks rainbow and brown trout in the Guadalupe River between Canyon Dam and New Braunfels each winter.
River Recreation
Tubing the Guadalupe River Runs Through Comal County
The Guadalupe River below Canyon Dam is a popular spot for tubing, kayaking, and whitewater paddling.
State Park
Guadalupe River State Park Is Close to New Braunfels
Guadalupe River State Park near Spring Branch offers camping, swimming, tubing, hiking, and mountain biking along four miles of river frontage.
Natural Springs
The Comal Springs Feed the Comal River in New Braunfels
The Comal Springs in Landa Park are among the largest springs in Texas and feed the short but swift Comal River.
Recreation District
A Special District Supports Outdoor Recreation in Comal County
The Water-Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) helps fund trout stocking and outdoor recreation on the Guadalupe River.
Rules & Licenses
Wildfire & Burn Rules
Comal County Has Burn Bans That Change With Conditions
Comal County can issue a county-wide burn ban at any time when fire conditions are dangerous.
Hunting & Fishing Licenses
You Need a Texas License to Fish or Hunt in Comal County
Anyone 17 or older needs a valid Texas fishing or hunting license to fish or hunt in Comal County.
History & Culture
County History
Comal County Was Founded by German Immigrants in 1846
Comal County was formed in 1846 after German immigrants, organized by the Adelsverein society, settled the land a year earlier.
Local Culture
New Braunfels Still Carries Strong German Roots
New Braunfels was named after a town in Germany and was settled by German immigrants in 1845, a history that still shapes the city's culture.
Immigration History
The Adelsverein Brought Thousands of Germans to This Region
A German noble society called the Adelsverein organized the mass migration that created New Braunfels and other Hill Country towns.
Population & Growth
Comal County Has Grown Rapidly Since the 1990s
Comal County has gone from a small rural county to one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas over the past few decades.
Local History
Canyon Lake Was Finished in 1964 After Decades of Planning
Canyon Lake was created by a federal dam project to protect downstream communities from Guadalupe River floods.
Geography
Comal County Straddles the Hill Country and the Plains
Comal County covers 555 square miles where the Texas Hill Country meets the Blackland Prairies, giving it varied terrain and soils.