Topic · Page 7
Home & Property
Local Notes
Home & Property notes
Johnson County · Agriculture
Farming and Ranching Are Still a Big Part of Johnson County
Johnson County has thousands of farms and ranches — agriculture shapes land use, property tax rules, and road culture throughout the county.
Johnson County · Flooding & FEMA
Johnson County Flood Maps Were Updated in 2023
FEMA finalized new flood maps for Johnson County in 2023 — if you are buying property near a creek or river, check the current map before you close.
Johnson County · Local Communities
Johnson County Has Several Cities Beyond Cleburne
Besides the county seat of Cleburne, Johnson County includes Burleson, Joshua, Alvarado, Keene, Grandview, and Venus — each with its own city government and rules.
Johnson County · Water Conservation
Johnson County Landowners Can Get Help Paying for Rainwater Harvesting
The Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District offers grants and rebates to help homeowners in Johnson County install rainwater harvesting systems.
Johnson County · Weather Hazards
Johnson County Sits in Tornado and Hail Country
Johnson County is in the heart of North Texas severe weather territory — tornadoes, large hail, and flash floods are real risks for anyone living here.
Johnson County · Mineral Rights
Mineral Rights Under Your Land May Be Owned by Someone Else
In Texas, the mineral rights under a property can be severed from the surface — meaning you could own the land but not the oil, gas, or other minerals beneath it.
Johnson County · Septic & Sewage
Outside City Limits? You Need a Permitted Septic System
Homes in unincorporated Johnson County that are not connected to a public sewer must have a permitted on-site sewage facility — usually a septic system.
Jones County · Ag & Wildlife Valuation
Ag Valuation and Wildlife Management in Jones County
Rural landowners in Jones County may qualify for a lower property tax rate by using their land for farming, ranching, or wildlife management.
Jones County · Mineral Rights
Oil, Gas, and Mineral Rights in Jones County
Jones County has a long oil and gas history, so if you are buying land here, find out whether mineral rights are included before you close.
Karnes County · Mineral Rights
Karnes County Sits in the Heart of the Eagle Ford Shale
If you buy land in Karnes County, mineral rights may already be severed from surface rights — meaning someone else owns the oil and gas underground.
Karnes County · Water Wells
New Water Wells in Karnes County Need District Approval
Karnes County is part of the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District, which regulates well drilling and groundwater use.
Kaufman County · Floodplain Development
Building in a floodplain in unincorporated Kaufman County requires a permit
Any work on land that FEMA maps show as a floodplain — including new buildings, additions, or fill placement — requires a county flood plain permit first.
Kaufman County · Mineral Rights
Kaufman County has oil and gas production — understand mineral rights before you buy
Oil, gas, limestone, sand, and gravel are all listed as natural resources in Kaufman County — if you buy land, check whether mineral rights come with the surface.
Kaufman County · Soil & Land Character
Kaufman County sits on Blackland Prairie — rich but tricky clay soil
The dark, clay-heavy Blackland Prairie soil that made Kaufman County good for farming also expands and contracts with moisture, which can crack foundations and shift slabs.
Kaufman County · City Limits vs. ETJ
Living near a city doesn't mean you're in the city — ETJ rules matter
Many homes near fast-growing Forney and Terrell are in the ETJ — a buffer zone outside city limits where cities can control how land is divided but cannot zone it.
Kaufman County · Septic / OSSF
You need a permit before installing a septic system in Kaufman County
Kaufman County requires a permit for any new septic system, and the installer must hold a TCEQ license.
Kendall County · 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.
Kendall County · 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.
Kendall County · 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.
Kenedy County · Mineral Rights
Oil and Gas Activity in Kenedy County
Oil was discovered in Kenedy County in 1947, and the Texas Railroad Commission regulates all drilling and production here.
Kenedy County · Windstorm Insurance
Windstorm Insurance: What Kenedy County Homeowners Need to Know
Kenedy County is one of 14 Texas coastal counties where the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) can cover your home if private insurers won't.
Kent County · Water Rights
Groundwater in Kent County Is in GMA 6
Kent County is in Groundwater Management Area 6. Check with TWDB or TCEQ to confirm whether a local groundwater district covers your land before you drill a well.
Kent County · Mineral Rights
Oil and Gas Activity in Kent County
Oil has been produced in Kent County since 1946, and the Railroad Commission of Texas regulates all wells and production here.
Kerr County · Groundwater & Wells
Drilling a water well in Kerr County requires a permit
The Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District regulates wells in Kerr County and requires permits before you drill.
Kerr County · Flood Risk
Flash floods are a serious danger in Kerr County
The Hill Country around Kerrville sits in what is commonly called Flash Flood Alley — one of the most flash-flood-prone areas in the United States.
Kerr County · Septic Systems
Outside city limits in Kerr County, you likely need a septic permit
Most of Kerr County is not served by public sewer, so homes outside city limits need a permitted on-site sewage facility.
Kerr County · River Authority
The Upper Guadalupe River Authority manages water in Kerr County
UGRA is a conservation and reclamation district created by the Texas Legislature that handles water quality, river monitoring, and flood preparedness for the Guadalupe River watershed in Kerr County.
Kerr County · Wildfire Hazard
Wildfire is a real risk in Kerr County's Hill Country landscape
Dry cedar and oak brush, periodic drought, and Hill Country winds make Kerr County a wildfire-prone area.
Kimble County · Groundwater & Wells
A Local District Regulates Water Wells Here
The Kimble County Groundwater Conservation District oversees well drilling and water use across most of the county.
King County · Mineral Rights
Oil and gas production is active in King County
King County has had oil production since 1943, and buyers of land here should understand how mineral rights work before they close a deal.
King County · Agricultural Valuation
Ranch land in King County can be taxed on productivity, not market value
Ranch and farm land in King County can be taxed on what it produces, not what it would sell for. This can mean a much lower tax bill.
Kinney County · Water & Wells
Water Wells and the Groundwater District in Kinney County
A local groundwater district oversees wells in Kinney County, and the aquifer that supplies most water also feeds three notable springs.
Kleberg County · Water & Wells
Water Supply in Kleberg County Relies on Groundwater
Many communities in Kleberg County depend on groundwater wells, and some small water systems have only a single source — a risk worth knowing before you buy rural land.
Kleberg County · Coastal Insurance
Windstorm Insurance Is a Separate Policy in Kleberg County
Kleberg County is in a coastal disaster zone, so standard homeowner's insurance usually does not cover wind and hail — you need a separate TWIA policy.
Knox County · Water Wells
Knox County sits inside a groundwater conservation district
If you drill a water well in Knox County, you are in the Rolling Plains Groundwater Conservation District, which has rules you must follow.
Knox County · Mineral Rights
Oil and gas activity in Knox County — what landowners should know
Knox County has a history of oil and gas production, so buyers of rural land should always check whether mineral rights are included in a sale.
La Salle County · Mineral Rights / Oil & Gas
Eagle Ford Shale Runs Under La Salle County
La Salle County sits in the heart of the Eagle Ford Shale, one of Texas's most active oil and gas formations.
La Salle County · Water Supply
Water Wells and Groundwater in La Salle County
Much of rural La Salle County relies on groundwater, and well records are searchable through state databases.
Lamar County · Septic Systems
Building Outside City Limits Requires a Septic Permit
Most rural property in Lamar County has no sewer service, so any new home or addition needs a permitted on-site sewage system.
Lamar County · Flood Risk
Check FEMA Flood Maps Before Buying Near Creeks or Rivers
Lamar County has both the Red River and the North Sulphur River, so flood zone status matters for many rural and riverside properties.
Lamar County · Weather Hazards
Lamar County Has a Real Tornado Risk Each Spring
Lamar County sits in a corridor of North Texas where tornadoes occur, especially in spring — the April 1982 outbreak was a significant example.
Lamb County · Water Wells
A Groundwater District Regulates Wells Over the Ogallala Aquifer
All of Lamb County sits over the Ogallala Aquifer, and a state-authorized water district controls who can drill a well and how much they can pump.
Lampasas County · Water Wells
Groundwater Rules Apply to Water Wells Here
Lampasas County is in Groundwater Management Area 8. The Saratoga Underground Water Conservation District oversees well permits and groundwater rules for the entire county.
Lavaca County · Water & Wells
Lavaca County has no local groundwater district — here is what that means
Lavaca County has no local groundwater district. That means fewer local permit rules for water wells — but state rules still apply.
Lee County · Water Wells
A Groundwater District Controls Well Permits in Lee County
Lee County is inside the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, which means drilling or operating a water well requires a permit.
Leon County · Mineral Rights
In Leon County, someone else may own the mineral rights under your land
Oil and gas have been produced in Leon County for decades, and in many cases the mineral estate has been separated from the surface — meaning a prior owner kept the rights to what is underground.
Leon County · Water Wells
Leon County has a groundwater district that oversees water wells
The Mid-East Texas Groundwater Conservation District covers Leon County and can require permits for new water wells.
Liberty County · Flood Insurance
Flood insurance is separate from homeowners insurance in Liberty County
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage — you need a separate flood policy, especially near the Trinity River.
Liberty County · Flood Risk
The Trinity River regularly floods parts of Liberty County
Liberty County sits on the Trinity River floodplain, and flooding is a real and recurring risk for homes and roads near the river.
Live Oak County · Groundwater / Water Wells
A Local District Regulates Water Wells in Live Oak County
The Live Oak Underground Water Conservation District oversees well drilling in the county and may require permits before you dig.
Live Oak County · Oil and Gas / Mineral Rights
Eagle Ford Shale Runs Under Live Oak County
Live Oak County sits inside the Eagle Ford Shale play, so surface buyers here may not own the oil and gas below their land.
Loving County · Mineral Rights
Mineral Rights and Surface Rights Can Be Separate
In Loving County, buying land does not always mean you own the oil and gas beneath it — the mineral estate may already belong to someone else.
Loving County · Water Supply
Water Is Scarce and Saline in Loving County
Loving County gets about 10 inches of rain a year, and past irrigation projects failed because groundwater here is often too salty to use.
Lubbock County · Weather Risk
Hail and Severe Storms Are a Real Hazard Here
Lubbock County gets large hail, strong winds, and bad storms often. Your roof and insurance choices matter here.
Lubbock County · Water Planning
Long-Term Water Supply Is an Active Planning Issue
Lubbock County relies on the Ogallala Aquifer and surface reservoirs for water. Long-term supply is a real concern.
Lubbock County · Water Wells
New Wells Need a Permit from the Groundwater District
Before drilling a new water well in Lubbock County, you must get a permit from the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District.
Lubbock County · ETJ / Zoning
Outside City Limits Still Has Some City Rules
Land just outside a city in Lubbock County can fall inside the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). That means some city rules still apply, even if you are not paying city taxes.
Lubbock County · Climate
The High Plains Climate Is Dry, Windy, and Extreme
Lubbock County gets only about 18 inches of rain a year, sits at high elevation, and sees both brutal summer heat and hard freezes in winter.
Lubbock County · Wildfire
Wildfire Can Move Fast on the Flat Plains
Dry conditions and strong West Texas winds make wildfires a serious risk in and around Lubbock County, especially for rural and edge-of-town properties.
Lubbock County · Groundwater
Your Well Water Comes from a Shrinking Aquifer
Nearly all rural water in Lubbock County comes from the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest in the world, but water levels have been dropping for decades.