Burnet County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Burnet County is in the Highland Lakes section of the Hill Country northwest of Austin, where shallow soils and cedar cover sharply limit grazing capacity. Burnet CAD publishes livestock, beekeeping, and wildlife thresholds that are useful for owners of rural tracts.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| county standard | 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| cow | 1 | County-published |
| cow calf | 1 | County-published |
| sheep | 0.2 | County-published |
| goat | 0.1666666667 | County-published |
| horse | 1 | County-published |
| chicken | 0.01 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Burnet 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 be qualified for and appraised as 1-d-1 Open Space Use for the previous year. A reduced tract requires 14.3 acres. Wildlife use requires at least three listed practices.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Wildlife Management Plan - PWD 885-W7000, if applying for wildlife management
- Documentation showing the purchase of bees, queens and hives, food sources, hive-placement map, and basic marketing plan, if applying for beekeeping
Discretionary Caveats
"Other types of operations may exist, and will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the District."
Frequently Asked Questions — Burnet County
- Burnet CAD’s published livestock range is 15 to 30 acres per animal unit; the applicable rate depends on the tract.
- The 5–10-acre band requires 6 active hives.
Burnet Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- 512-756-8291
- info@burnetad.org
- Address
- P.O. Box 908, Burnet, TX 78611-0908
- Website
- https://burnet-cad.org
Nearby Counties
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