Houston County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Houston County sits in the Piney Woods of East Texas, roughly midway between Dallas and Houston, where timber, cattle pasture, and small farms are familiar rural land uses. Houston CAD's published bee schedule is particularly useful for smaller tracts because it gives clear colony counts across the state-authorized 5- to 20-acre range.
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
Houston 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 used for wildlife management must have been appraised as qualified open-space or timberland when the wildlife-management use began. Houston CAD publishes Wildlife Valuation Guidelines, a wildlife-management plan, and an annual-report form; at least three qualifying wildlife-management practices are required.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- Wildlife management plan using the appropriate Texas Parks and Wildlife Department form, if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"Grazing intensity standards not found in published document — confirm with CAD."
"Minimum acreage not stated in published document — confirm with CAD."
Frequently Asked Questions — Houston County
- Houston CAD's bee schedule sets the 5-acre minimum at 6 active hives.
- The published schedule increases from 6 hives at 5 acres to 8 at 10 acres and 10 at 15 acres, a rate of 2 hives per 5 acres (0.4 per acre). At 12.5 acres, that is 6 + (7.5 × 0.4) = 9 active hives.
- Houston CAD's published 20-acre threshold is 12 active hives.
- Yes, if the tract was already appraised as qualified open-space or timberland when the wildlife use began. The owner must use at least 3 qualifying wildlife-management practices and submit the appropriate Texas Parks and Wildlife Department plan.
Houston County Appraisal District
- Phone
- 936-544-9655
- hcadadmin@houstoncad.net
- Address
- P.O. Box 112, Crockett, TX 75835-0112
- Website
- https://www.houstoncad.org
Nearby Counties
Learn the Basics
Get a free reminder before Houston County's next ag exemption deadline
Join the waitlist — we'll email you before the dates that matter, and you'll get first access to the app when it's ready.
Join the waitlistSpotted an error or outdated information? Let us know →