Hays County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Hays County bridges the Austin–San Antonio corridor and the Eastern Edwards Plateau, where development pressure makes agricultural appraisal important for working pasture and small rural tracts. Hays CAD's standards distinguish improved grass from good and fair native pasture, while its beekeeping rules give smaller qualifying tracts a documented agricultural path.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| improved | 5 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| native good | 12 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| native fair | 18 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 6 | 0.6666666667 | ✓ 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
Hays 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 have qualified for 1-d-1 open-space use in the prior year. Hays CAD requires at least three of seven ongoing practices and a state wildlife plan; its wildlife appraiser inspects approved property regularly and collects detailed activity and expense logs.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- IRS Schedule F, livestock sale or purchase receipts, expense receipts, sworn/notarized affidavits from a neighbor or lessee, or dated pictures when historical use is in doubt
- Registration of the Apiary with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service and a landscape plan for beekeeping
- State wildlife plan for wildlife management use
Discretionary Caveats
"Other types of agricultural operations may exist in Hays County; however they will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the District."
"The Chief Appraiser has determined the need for a new application."
Frequently Asked Questions — Hays County
- Hays CAD lists 5 acres per animal unit and requires a minimum of 3 animal units for livestock open-space valuation. That makes 15 acres the recommendation for the minimum three animal units on improved pasture.
- The Hays CAD table lists 11 colonies for 12.5 acres. Its standard begins with 6 colonies at 5 acres and adds one hive for each additional 1.5 acres.
- No. The tract must first have qualified for and been appraised as 1-d-1 open-space land in the previous year. The owner must then carry out at least 3 of 7 wildlife practices and submit a state wildlife plan.
Hays Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- (512) 268-2522
- info@hayscad.com
- Address
- 21001 N. IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640-4795
- Website
- https://hayscad.com
Nearby Counties
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