Grimes County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Grimes County sits between Houston and Bryan–College Station in the Post Oak Savannah, where native and improved pasture, woods and brush, and small beekeeping tracts are common agricultural land uses. Grimes CAD publishes a particularly clear beekeeping formula: six colonies on five acres, then one hive for each additional 2.50 acres through the 20-acre maximum.
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 are statewide default values — confirm with your CAD.
| Animal | Animal Units | Source |
|---|---|---|
| cow | 1 | Statewide default |
| cow calf | 1 | Statewide default |
| horse | 1 | Statewide default |
| sheep | 0.2 | Statewide default |
| goat | 0.17 | Statewide default |
| deer | 0.2 | Statewide default |
| turkey | 0.018 | Statewide default |
| chicken | 0.01 | Statewide default |
Wildlife Management Option
Grimes 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. An annual wildlife management plan report is required.
Land must already have been qualified and appraised as agricultural land or timber land during the preceding year, be managed under a written wildlife management plan, and implement at least three of seven practices. The minimum acreage is generally 10 acres; for tracts that were part of a larger qualifying tract, the listed minimums are 12.50 acres for individual tracts and 10.00 acres for association or endangered-species tracts. Grimes CAD periodically requires annual reports and on-site appraiser inspections.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Written wildlife management plan on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Form PWD 885-W7000 (07/08) or its equivalent, if applying for wildlife management
- Map indicating the location of areas in which the various wildlife management practices will be conducted, if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"Grazing intensity standards not found in published document — confirm with CAD."
"These guidelines are general in nature and each tract will be considered on the basis of its own merits."
"Additionally, the appraisal district may require filing of an annual report to show how the wildlife management plan was implemented in any given year."
Frequently Asked Questions — Grimes County
- Grimes CAD’s table requires 9 hives on 12.50 acres. The calculation is 6 colonies at 5 acres plus 3 more hives for the additional 7.50 acres (one per 2.50 acres).
- The beekeeping guideline sets a 5-acre minimum, but requires 6.00 acres when there is a home on the property. Six acres is less than the next 2.50-acre increment, so its stated intensity remains 6 colonies.
- The land must have qualified as agricultural or timber land in the prior year, be primarily managed under a written wildlife plan, and carry out at least 3 of 7 practices. The acreage minimum is generally 10 acres, although an individual tract split from a larger qualifying tract must have 12.50 acres.
Grimes Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- (936) 873-2163
- gcad@grimescad.org
- Address
- P.O. Box 489, Anderson, TX 77830-0489
- Website
- https://www.grimescad.org
Nearby Counties
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