Brazoria County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Brazoria County stretches from the southern edge of Greater Houston to the Gulf Coast, with coastal prairie supporting cattle, hay, crop, and apiary operations. Brazoria CAD's published requirements are particularly useful for livestock owners because they set separate improved- and native-pasture stocking rates and require a three-animal-unit operation.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| improved pasture | 3 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| native pasture | 5 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 6 | 0.4 | ✓ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| cow or cow with calf | 1 | County-published |
| weaned cow one year past weaning | 0.6 | County-published |
| mature horse | 1.25 | County-published |
| eight weaned lambs one year past weaning | 1 | County-published |
| six billies | 1 | County-published |
| six mutton goats mature | 1 | County-published |
| five mule deer | 1 | County-published |
| mature bull | 1.25 | County-published |
| steer one year old | 0.7 | County-published |
| five ewes with or without lambs | 1 | County-published |
| six nannies with kids | 1 | County-published |
| ten kids weaned and yearling | 1 | County-published |
| seven white tail deer | 1 | County-published |
| seven antelope | 1 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Brazoria 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 which has been receiving agricultural productivity valuation may qualify as wildlife management land provided it is used in at least three of seven specific ways to propagate or maintain a population of indigenous wild animals for human use.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Copy of any export, import or intra-state permits required by the Texas Apiary Inspection Service to transport hives.
- Map of property showing location of the bee hives.
- Proof of use as food or other tangible products that have a commercial value.
Discretionary Caveats
"Acreage and intensity requirements are estimates only and may be subject to individual inspection on an individual basis."
"The appraisal district reserves the right to use this standard with other agricultural tracts as well."
"Minimum acreage not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."
Frequently Asked Questions — Brazoria County
- Brazoria CAD requires 3 animal units and sets improved pasture at 1 animal unit per 3 acres. Therefore, 3 AUs × 3 acres per AU = 9 acres.
- Brazoria CAD requires 3 animal units and sets native pasture at 1 animal unit per 5 acres. Therefore, 3 AUs × 5 acres per AU = 15 acres.
- The standard starts with 6 colonies on 5 acres and adds 1 colony per 2.5 acres. A 12.5-acre tract has 7.5 additional acres, so 7.5 ÷ 2.5 = 3 additional colonies; 6 + 3 = 9 colonies.
- Yes. Brazoria CAD says land already receiving agricultural productivity valuation may qualify when it is used in at least 3 of 7 specified wildlife-management ways.
Brazoria Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- 979-849-7792
- help@brazoriacad.org
- Address
- 500 N. Chenango St., Angleton, TX 77515-4650
- Website
- https://brazoriacad.org
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