Williamson County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)
Williamson County stretches north of Austin across Blackland Prairie farmland east of IH-35 and thinner Hill Country soils to the west. Williamson CAD’s standards are especially useful because grazing capacity changes sharply across that highway: its east-side improved pasture rate is 4 acres per animal unit, while west-side native pasture is 9 acres per animal unit.
Grazing Intensity Standards
| Pasture Type | Acres per Animal Unit | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Pasture 1 | 4 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Native Pasture 1 | 5 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Improved Pasture 2 | 8 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
| Native Pasture 2 | 9 acres / AU | ✓ Verified |
Beekeeping Intensity Standards
| Acreage Range | Base Hives | Extra Hives/Acre (above base) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–20 acres | 6 | 0.5 | ✓ 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
Williamson 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 have been qualified and appraised as open-space agriculture land or as timber land in the year prior to conversion to wildlife management use. A Wildlife Management Plan shall be completed on a form supplied by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Must perform at least 3 of the following 7 management practices each year. Annual reports are required upon request.
Required Documents
- Form 50-129, Application for 1-d-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
- All supporting documentation to support the claim of ag use
- A current copy of the lease along with additional documentation and the application, if applying using a lease agreement
- A Wildlife Management Plan completed on a form supplied by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, if applying for wildlife management
Discretionary Caveats
"These guidelines are to be used as a general guide for qualifying agricultural land. Exceptions to this guide will be handled on a case-by-case basis."
"All other AG uses will be on a case-by-case basis;"
"WCAD requires a minimum of 2-animal units to qualify for the agriculture valuation."
"Any variations from these standards will be made on a case-by-case basis."
Frequently Asked Questions — Williamson County
- Williamson CAD requires a minimum of 2 animal units. East of IH-35, Improved Pasture 1 is listed at 4 acres per animal unit, so 2 AUs × 4 acres per AU = 8 acres.
- Williamson CAD’s example gives the calculation directly: the first 5 acres require 6 hives, and the additional 10 acres require 5 more hives at one per 2 acres. That is 11 hives total.
- Yes, an individual owner meets the stated 12.5-acre wildlife minimum, but the tract must have received agricultural or timber valuation in the prior year. The owner must submit a TPWD wildlife plan and perform at least 3 of 7 practices each year.
Williamson Central Appraisal District
- Phone
- 512-930-3787
- Address
- 625 FM 1460, Georgetown, TX 78626-8050
- Website
- https://www.wcad.org
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