Fannin County, Texas
14 local notes for Fannin County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. DFW / North Texas.
Money & Taxes
Property Tax
Fannin County Has Two Separate Tax Offices
The appraisal district sets your property value, but a separate tax assessor-collector office handles registration and some other duties — and in Fannin County, the tax assessor does not collect property taxes.
Homestead Exemption
Apply for Your Homestead Exemption at the Fannin CAD
If you own and live in your home in Fannin County, you can apply for a homestead exemption that lowers your taxable property value.
Agricultural Valuation
Farm and Ranch Land Can Qualify for Lower Taxes in Fannin County
Land used for farming, ranching, or other qualifying agriculture can be taxed on its productive value rather than its market value, which is often much lower.
Home & Property
Weather Hazard
Fannin County Sits in a Tornado-Prone Part of North Texas
Fannin County lies in an active tornado corridor in North Texas, and the National Weather Service tracks a long record of tornadoes going back to 1880.
Flood Risk
The Red River Drainage Raises Flood Risk in Parts of Fannin County
The Red River and Bois d'Arc Creek drain Fannin County, and FEMA flood maps show which areas face the highest flood risk.
Septic & Wastewater
Most Rural Lots in Fannin County Need a Septic System Permit
Homes outside city limits in Fannin County use on-site septic systems, and Texas law requires a permit before you install or repair one.
Cars & Driving
Vehicle Registration
Texas Uses One Sticker for Both Inspection and Registration
Texas combined vehicle inspection and registration into one process called Two Steps, One Sticker, so you only see one windshield sticker with one expiration date.
Road Conditions
Check DriveTexas Before Traveling on Rural Roads After Severe Weather
Fannin County has many FM roads that can flood or close after heavy rain or ice, and TxDOT's DriveTexas site shows live road conditions statewide.
Outdoors
New Lake
Bois d'Arc Lake Is Texas's Newest Major Reservoir
Bois d'Arc Lake opened to the public in April 2024 and sits northeast of Bonham — it is the first major new reservoir built in Texas in more than 30 years.
Public Land
Caddo National Grasslands Offers Hunting and Fishing in Fannin County
The Caddo National Grasslands Wildlife Management Area covers about 16,000 acres in Fannin County and is open for hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking.
Fishing
Coffee Mill Lake Has a Strong Crappie Fishery Inside Caddo Grasslands
Coffee Mill Lake sits inside the Caddo National Grasslands about 10 miles northeast of Bonham and is known for crappie, catfish, and sunfish.
Rules & Licenses
History & Culture
County History
Bonham Is Named for an Alamo Defender and Has Been the County Seat Since 1843
Bonham, the county seat of Fannin County, was founded as Fort Inglish in 1837 and renamed in 1844 for James Butler Bonham, who died at the Battle of the Alamo.
Notable History
Sam Rayburn, the Longest-Serving House Speaker, Lived in Bonham
Sam Rayburn of Bonham served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and his home and library are open to visitors in Bonham today.