Livestock & Fencing

Whether livestock must be fenced in depends on local stock law elections

Texas defaults to open range, but local elections can require landowners to fence their livestock in — check the county clerk for Kaufman County's current status.

Kaufman County Rules & Licenses

Texas is legally considered open range. That means livestock can roam freely unless local rules say otherwise. Since 1876, Texas counties and individual precincts have been able to vote to 'close the range' and require owners to fence in their animals. Many of those votes happened between 1910 and 1930.

To find out if a part of Kaufman County is open or closed range, contact the Kaufman County Clerk's office. This matters when you buy rural land. Fencing duties, liability if an animal gets on a road, and disputes with neighbors can all depend on which rule applies. The Texas State Law Library has a livestock law guide as a starting point.

Source to confirm: Texas State Law Library — Livestock / Animal Law

More Kaufman County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property tax in Kaufman County

The appraisal district sets your home's value; the tax assessor-collector sends the bill and takes payment.

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Homestead Exemption

File your homestead exemption with KCAD to lower your tax bill

Texas requires school districts to give homeowners a $140,000 exemption on their primary residence — but you must apply with the appraisal district to get it.

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Over-65 & Disability Exemption

Homeowners 65 and older get extra tax relief in Kaufman County

Once you turn 65, your school taxes can be frozen — meaning they cannot rise as long as you own and live in the home.

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Agricultural Special Appraisal

Farm and ranch land can be taxed on what it produces, not what it sells for

Texas law lets qualifying farm and ranch land be taxed on what it can produce, not what a developer would pay for it — which can cut your tax bill sharply.

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