Hays County, Texas
27 local notes for Hays County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country.
See the San Marcos place page ->Money & Taxes
Property Tax Basics
Two offices handle your property taxes in Hays County
Hays County splits property tax duties between two separate offices, and knowing which one to call saves time.
Homestead Exemption
Filing a homestead exemption lowers your tax bill in Hays County
If you own and live in your Hays County home, you can file for a homestead exemption to reduce what you owe in property taxes.
Tax Payment Deadline
Pay your Hays County property taxes by January 31 to avoid penalties
Property tax bills in Hays County arrive in the fall, and January 31 is the last day to pay without extra fees.
Agricultural Valuation
Farmland in Hays County can be taxed at a much lower rate through ag valuation
Land used for farming or ranching in Hays County may qualify for a special lower tax rate based on what the land can produce, not what it sells for.
Home & Property
Groundwater & Aquifer
Hays County sits over a major aquifer that supplies water to thousands
The Edwards Aquifer runs under parts of Hays County and feeds the San Marcos Springs, but water levels change quickly with rainfall and pumping.
Groundwater District
A local groundwater district regulates well drilling in western Hays County
If you plan to drill a water well in western Hays County, you must work with the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District first.
Flood Hazard
The Blanco River through Hays County can flood with deadly speed
Hays County sits in one of the most flood-prone regions in the country, and the Blanco River can rise more than 10 feet above record levels in a single storm.
Growth & Demographics
Hays County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States
Hays County's population has grown from about 65,000 in 1990 to more than 185,000 by the mid-2010s, putting pressure on roads, water, and services.
Flood Risk
Hays County sits in Flash Flood Alley, one of the most dangerous flood zones in the nation
The geography of Hays County concentrates rainfall runoff quickly, making flash floods a serious and recurring danger for residents near any waterway.
Water Supply
Water supply planning is a key issue in fast-growing Hays County
Some smaller water systems in Hays County rely on a single source and have limited backup supply, which matters if you are buying in a rural area.
Cars & Driving
Road Safety
Low-water crossings in Hays County close when creeks rise — do not try to cross
Dozens of low-water crossings on rural roads in Hays County close during floods, and driving into floodwater kills people every year in Texas.
Flood Awareness Tool
Hays County's WETMap shows creek and road conditions in real time
Hays County runs a free online map that shows current water levels at crossings and waterways so you can check road conditions before driving.
Vehicle Registration
Hays County residents can register vehicles at H-E-B locations and online
You can renew your vehicle registration at several locations across Hays County, including H-E-B grocery stores, without going to the main tax office.
Outdoors
Rivers & Ecology
The San Marcos River supports rare species found nowhere else
The San Marcos River runs about 75 miles from the springs in San Marcos and carries water that supports species that live nowhere else on Earth.
County Park
Jacob's Well requires a reservation for swimming and is run by the county
Jacob's Well Natural Area near Wimberley is a spring-fed swimming hole managed by Hays County that requires advance reservations in summer.
Upland Game
Hays County has a quail season running into late February
Quail hunters in Hays County can take up to 15 birds per day during a season that runs from November 1 through February 28.
Wildlife Trail
The Wimberley Loop is a scenic driving and wildlife trail in Hays County
TPWD includes the Wimberley area in a wildlife trail that highlights Hill Country birds, deer, and native habitat along scenic ranch roads.
Rivers & Recreation
The Blanco River flows through the Hill Country heart of Hays County
The Blanco River is a key waterway in western Hays County, popular for swimming and kayaking when conditions are safe but dangerous during floods.
Rules & Licenses
Hunting Regulations
Deer hunting rules in Hays County depend on which side of IH-35 you hunt
Hays County straddles two deer hunting zones, so the bag limit and antler rules for white-tailed deer change depending on where you are hunting.
Licenses & Permits
You need a Texas hunting or fishing license to hunt and fish in Hays County
Texas law requires hunters and anglers to carry a valid state license, and buying the right add-ons for migratory birds or certain species is also required.
Development Rules
Building outside city limits in Hays County still requires county permits
If you want to build or develop land in the unincorporated parts of Hays County, you must get approval from the county's Development Services department.
History & Culture
County Founding
Hays County was carved from Travis County in 1848
The Texas Legislature created Hays County on March 1, 1848, and named San Marcos as the county seat from the start.
City History
San Marcos has been a crossroads since before Texas was a state
People have gathered at the springs near San Marcos for thousands of years, and the city has grown into a regional hub for education and commerce.
Natural Springs
San Marcos Springs is one of the largest natural spring systems in Texas
San Marcos Springs flows from the Edwards Aquifer through limestone faults and has sustained human life in the area for thousands of years.
Higher Education & Economy
Texas State University shapes San Marcos and the local economy
Texas State University, one of the largest universities in Texas, has its main campus in San Marcos and is a major driver of the local economy and population.
Geography
The Balcones Escarpment divides Hays County into two very different landscapes
A geological fault line called the Balcones Escarpment runs through Hays County, separating rocky Hill Country in the west from flatter farmland in the east.
Historic Courthouse
The Hays County Courthouse in San Marcos is a historic landmark
The Hays County Courthouse in San Marcos is listed in a historic district and serves as both the seat of county government and a landmark of local architecture.