Hardin County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Hardin County lies northeast of Beaumont in the timbered Gulf Coastal Plain, where cattle pasture, hay production, timber, and small agricultural operations share the landscape. Hardin CAD's guidelines are especially useful because they pair explicit pasture stocking rates with a three-animal-unit minimum and a published apiary formula for qualifying smaller tracts.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| NATIVE | 5 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| IMPROVED | 3 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 | 1 | County-published |
| brood mare | 1 | County-published |
| goat | 0.2 | County-published |
Wildlife Management Option
Hardin 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.
Wildlife management must have qualified for agricultural use the year prior to conversion. A wildlife management plan is required, and tracts under wildlife management are required to file an Annual Report PWD-888-W7000; the owner must perform three of the seven listed activities.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Agriculture Special Use Questionnaire
- Wildlife Management Plan, if applying for wildlife management
- Annual Report PWD-888-W7000, if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"Variances in intensity will be considered on a case-by-case basic with supporting documentation of expenses, proof of income, receipts, and any other concerted efforts provided."
"These guidelines are to be used as reasons for further investigation as to whether a property qualifies for a special valuation. Variations from these guidelines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis."
"Wildlife-management minimum acreage not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."
Frequently Asked Questions — Hardin County
- Hardin CAD's native-pasture rate is 1 animal unit per 5 acres, so 15 acres supports 3 animal units. That also meets the district's stated minimum of 3 animal units.
- Improved pasture is set at 1 animal unit per 3 acres, so 12 acres supports 4 animal units. The pasture must also meet the native-pasture conditions that apply to improved pasture, including four-sided fencing and access to water.
- Hardin CAD starts at 6 hives on 5 acres and adds 1 hive per additional 2.5 acres. The 10 additional acres require 4 more hives, for a total of 10 hives on 15 acres.
- No. The tract must have qualified for agricultural use in the year before conversion. The owner must provide a wildlife management plan, perform 3 of the 7 listed practices, and file Annual Report PWD-888-W7000.
Hardin County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 409-246-2507
- clong@hardin-cad.org
- Address
- P.O. Box 670, Kountze, TX 77625-0670
- Website
- https://hardin-cad.org
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