Dallas County, Texas

46 local notes for Dallas County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. DFW / North Texas.

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Money & Taxes

Property Tax Basics

Who Appraises Your Property in Dallas County

The Dallas Central Appraisal District sets the value of your property each year, and that value drives your tax bill.

Homestead Exemption

The Homestead Exemption Cuts Your School Taxes

Texas law requires school districts to exempt $140,000 of your home's value from school property taxes if you qualify.

Age 65 / Disability Exemption

Extra Tax Break for Seniors and Disabled Homeowners

If you are 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability, you get an additional $60,000 off your home's school-taxable value.

Veteran Exemption

Veterans with Disabilities Get a Property Tax Break

Texas gives disabled veterans a property tax exemption based on their VA disability rating.

Protest / ARB

You Can Fight Your Appraisal Every Year

If you disagree with DCAD's value of your property, you have the right to protest before an Appraisal Review Board.

Ag Valuation

Farm Land Can Be Taxed on Productivity, Not Market Value

If your land is actively used for farming or ranching, it may qualify for a lower tax value based on what it produces, not what it would sell for.

Tax Payment

The Dallas County Tax Office Handles Your Property Tax Bill

The Dallas County Tax Assessor-Collector sends your property tax bill and collects payments for dozens of taxing units in the county.

Delinquent Tax

Dallas County Offers Payment Plans for Overdue Property Taxes

If you cannot pay your property tax bill in full, Dallas County has a payment arrangement program for qualifying owners.

Tax Jurisdictions

Many Taxing Units Can Appear on One Dallas County Tax Bill

Your Dallas County property tax bill can include charges from the county, a school district, a city, and multiple special districts.

Rollback Tax

Changing Ag Land Use Triggers a Rollback Tax

If you buy land with ag valuation and change its use, you may owe back taxes for the past three years.

Tax Reference

Find All Dallas County Tax Info in One Place

The Texas Comptroller's county directory for Dallas lists the appraisal district and tax office contacts in one official page.

Home & Property

MUD / Water District

Your Home May Be Inside a Water District

Many Dallas County neighborhoods — especially newer suburbs — sit inside a Municipal Utility District that charges its own fees and taxes.

Unincorporated Area / ETJ

Unincorporated Dallas County Has Its Own Rules

Small patches of Dallas County lie outside any city, and building or developing there requires a county permit instead of a city permit.

Flood Zone / FEMA

Check FEMA's Flood Map Before You Buy

FEMA maps show which Dallas County properties sit in a flood hazard zone, which affects insurance costs and mortgage requirements.

Floodplain Development

Building Near a Creek in the County Needs a Permit

In unincorporated Dallas County, any construction inside a mapped floodplain requires a county floodplain development permit.

Severe Weather

Tornadoes Are a Real Hazard in Dallas County

Dallas County sits in tornado-prone North Texas, and the National Weather Service tracks more than 140 years of tornado records for the county.

Severe Weather / Hail

Large Hail Is Common in Dallas County

Dallas County regularly sees large to very large hail from spring supercell thunderstorms, which can damage roofs and vehicles.

Groundwater

Dallas County Sits Over the Trinity Aquifer

The Trinity Aquifer runs under Dallas County and much of North Texas, but most county residents rely on surface water, not wells.

Water Authority

The Trinity River Authority Manages Water Across the Basin

The Trinity River Authority of Texas provides water treatment, flood planning, and basin coordination for municipalities including those in Dallas County.

Oil and Gas / Mineral Rights

You Can Look Up Oil and Gas Well Records for Dallas County

The Texas Railroad Commission maintains records on every permitted oil and gas well in Dallas County, accessible online.

Mineral Rights

Mineral Rights Can Be Sold Separately from Surface Rights

In Texas, the owner of a property's surface and the owner of its mineral rights may be different people.

Flood Insurance

Flood Insurance Is Separate from Your Homeowner's Policy

Standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. Dallas County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Winter Weather

Winter Ice Storms Hit Dallas County Too

Dallas County is vulnerable to winter ice and freezing temperatures, which can damage pipes, knock out power, and make roads dangerous.

Septic / OSSF

Rural Dallas County Homes May Use On-Site Septic Systems

Properties in unincorporated Dallas County that lack city sewer service may use on-site sewage facilities regulated by the county under TCEQ rules.

Cars & Driving

Vehicle Registration

Dallas County Cars Need an Emissions Test, Not Just Safety

Under Texas's Two Steps One Sticker program, most Dallas County vehicles must pass an emissions inspection before renewing registration.

Vehicle Registration

How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Dallas County

Dallas County residents renew registration through the Texas DMV after completing a required emissions inspection.

Roads

FM Roads Are State Highways Maintained by TxDOT

Farm-to-Market (FM) roads in Dallas County are state-maintained highways, not county roads, even when they run through rural areas.

Road Conditions

Check DriveTexas Before Traveling During Storms

The state's DriveTexas website shows real-time road closures, weather alerts, and traffic cameras across Dallas County and North Texas.

Outdoors

River Fishing

You Can Fish the Trinity River in Dallas, But Read the Advisories

TPWD lists public access points for fishing along the Trinity River in Dallas, but fish consumption advisories are in effect for some stretches.

Fishing Regulations

Alligator Gar in the Trinity River Have Strict Bag Limits

On the Trinity River from Dallas downstream, anglers may keep only one alligator gar per day, and it must be under 48 inches.

Fishing License

You Need a Texas Fishing License to Fish in Dallas County

Any angler fishing in Dallas County waters needs a valid Texas fishing license issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Public Hunting

Trinity River Bottomland Drawn Hunts Are Available but Far from Dallas

TPWD offers drawn hunts on Trinity River bottomlands, though these areas are in SE Texas (Liberty County area) — not near Dallas County — and access can be limited by flooding.

Hunting License

You Need a Texas Hunting License to Hunt in Dallas County

Any hunter in Dallas County must have a valid Texas hunting license from Texas Parks and Wildlife before taking game.

Rules & Licenses

Short-Term Rental

Short-Term Rentals in Dallas Must Register with the City

The City of Dallas requires all Airbnb-style rentals to register and collect hotel occupancy tax.

Short-Term Rental

Irving Also Requires Short-Term Rental Registration

The City of Irving requires annual registration for any short-term rental and charges hotel occupancy tax.

Subdivision / Platting

Splitting Land Outside a City Requires County Approval

If you want to divide land in an unincorporated part of Dallas County, you must follow the county's subdivision regulations.

Nuisance Code

Dallas County Enforces a Nuisance Code Outside City Limits

If you live in unincorporated Dallas County, a county nuisance code prohibits junk vehicles, high weeds, and unsafe structures.

Burn Ban

Outdoor Burning Rules in Dallas County Can Change Fast

Dallas County can issue a burn ban when conditions are dry, and violations carry penalties under Texas law.

Courts

Dallas County Has Multiple Courts for Property Disputes

Dallas County has district courts and county courts that handle property, landlord-tenant, and real estate cases.

History & Culture

County History