Blanco County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Blanco County occupies the heart of the Hill Country west of Austin, where cedar-covered slopes and native range dominate most agricultural land. Blanco CAD’s standards are especially helpful for small landowners because they identify four distinct rangeland capacities and a two-animal-unit baseline rather than applying one countywide pasture rate.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Grass Range | 15 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Native Range | 25 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Rangeland | 30 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Rangeland with Cedar | 50 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 6 | 0 | ✓ Verified |
Animal Unit Equivalencies
An animal unit (AU) is a standardized measure used to compare livestock of different sizes. One AU = one 1,000-lb cow. Your total stocking rate is calculated in AUs, then multiplied by the acres-per-AU standard for your pasture type. These values are published by the county.
| Animal | Animal Units | Source |
|---|---|---|
| bull | 2 | County-published |
| cow calf | 1 | County-published |
| calf | 0.5 | County-published |
| heifer 2 year old | 1 | County-published |
| goat | 0.2 | County-published |
| sheep | 0.25 | County-published |
| horse | 1 | County-published |
| llama alpaca | 0.5 | County-published |
| axis deer | 0.2 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Blanco County allows wildlife management as a qualifying use. Landowners must implement at least 3 of the seven recognized wildlife management practices defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Land must first have been appraised under 1-d-1 Agricultural Use. A subdivided property requires 20.00 acres; land actively managed in a co-op or with endangered species requires 12.5 acres. Blanco County requires an approved, written plan, a completed Texas Parks and Wildlife 9-page worksheet, and a placement map; updates are required every 2 years.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Texas Parks and Wildlife 9-page worksheet, if applying for wildlife management
- Approved, written wildlife management plan and placement map, if applying for wildlife management
- Registration application with the Apiary Inspection Services and a copy of the application, if applying for beekeeping
- Landscape plan of the property that shows hive placement, if applying for beekeeping
Discretionary Caveats
"The primary uses of any tract 10 acres or less will generally be considered residential."
"This is at the sole discretion of the Chief Appraiser for Blanco County."
"Changes made are at the sole discretion of the Chief Appraiser of Blanco County."
Frequently Asked Questions — Blanco County
- Blanco CAD says property owners should have enough acreage to house 2 animal units. Native Range is listed at 25 acres per AU, so 2 AUs × 25 acres = 50 acres.
- Fifteen acres falls in Blanco CAD’s 13–20-acre beekeeping band, which requires 8 hives.
- Not as an ordinary individual tract: Blanco CAD requires a subdivided tract to contain at least 20 acres. A 12.5-acre threshold applies only to land actively managed in a co-op or with endangered species.
Blanco County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 830-868-4013
- info@blancocad.com
- Address
- P.O. Box 338, Johnson City, TX 78636-0338
- Website
- https://blancocad.com
Nearby Counties
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