Kendall County, Texas

12 local notes for Kendall County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country.

Money & Taxes

Property Tax

Two offices handle your property tax in Kendall County

The appraisal district sets your home's value, and a separate tax office handles billing — knowing which office to call saves time.

Homestead Exemption

A homestead exemption lowers the taxable value of your home

If your Kendall County home is your main residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption that lowers your property tax bill.

Ag / Wildlife Valuation

Landowners can keep ag tax rates by managing wildlife

If your land already has an agricultural tax valuation, you may be able to switch to wildlife management use and keep the lower tax rate.

Home & Property

Groundwater / Water Wells

A special district regulates water wells in Kendall County

The Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District controls well drilling in Kendall County — you need a permit before you drill.

Flood Risk

The Guadalupe River floods fast in Kendall County

Rain upstream in Kerr County can send floodwaters through Kendall County within hours. Low-water crossings and riverside properties are especially at risk.

Wildfire Risk

Most of Kendall County's new growth sits in wildfire territory

Texas A&M Forest Service found that 94 percent of Kendall County's growth is happening in the wildland-urban interface, where wildfires are most common.

Cars & Driving

Vehicle Registration

Kendall County vehicles skip emissions testing at registration

Kendall County is not one of the 17 Texas counties that require an emissions test. Registering your car here involves fewer steps.

Outdoors

Hunting

Deer hunting in Kendall County follows North Zone rules

Kendall County is in the TPWD North Zone, where hunters may take up to five deer per season with no more than two bucks.

Public Hunting Access

Most hunting in Kendall County is on private land

Kendall County has little public hunting land. Most access requires a lease or written permission from a private landowner.

Rules & Licenses

Burn Bans

Outdoor burning in Kendall County can be banned without notice

Kendall County issues burn bans when fire danger is high — violating a burn ban can result in fines, and conditions can change quickly.

History & Culture

Local History

Boerne was founded by German immigrants in the 1850s

German settlers laid out Boerne in 1852 and named it after a German writer. The town became the county seat of Kendall County in 1862.

Historic Courthouse

Kendall County's 1870 courthouse is one of Texas's oldest still in use

The limestone courthouse built in Boerne in 1870 is still standing and has served the county for more than 150 years.