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Bee Ag Exemption in Erath County, TX

To qualify for a bee ag exemption in Erath County, you need 5–20 acres of open land and 4 hives at 5 acres, 7 at 10, 10 at 15, and 12 at 20, kept on site at least 7 months of the year. Timber Creek Bees places, manages, and documents the hives — you file Form 50-129 with Erath County Appraisal District (Erath CAD) by April 30.

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Reviewed by Hayden - Timber Creek Bees

Commercial beekeeper - 2,000 hives across 40+ Texas Counties. Updated July 2026

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What does Erath County require for a bee ag exemption?

Erath County's intensity standard: 4 hives at 5 acres, 7 at 10, 10 at 15, and 12 at 20. Requirements are set by the Erath County Appraisal District (Erath CAD) and can change — we verify the current standard before every installation, and our hive plans are built to meet it exactly.

✓ Verified directly with Erath County Appraisal District (Erath CAD) — July 11, 2026.

We re-confirm every county's standard each season

2,000+

hives we manage across 40+ Texas counties

250+

Texas properties under our care

What would your land need — and save?

How honey bees qualify your land

The land qualifies — not you. Texas Property TaxCode §23.51 recognizes beekeeping as agricultural use. You don't have to become a beekeeper; you hire one. We own and manage the colonies on your property, and your land still qualifies.

Instead of taxing your land at market value, the county taxes its agricultural productivity value— commonly cutting the taxable value of qualifying land by 90% or more.

  • Acreage: 5–20 acres of open land. A homestead typically carves out about an acre, so plan on 6–21 total if your house is on the tract.

  • History: qualifying use for 5 of the past 7 years — savings usually start in Year 6. Already have an ag valuation from cattle or hay? Switch to bees immediately and keep it. No waiting.

How to get started

  1. Contact us for a Free assessment on your property

  2. We design a hive plan that meets your county's standard for your acreage.

  3. We place and manage the bees, and provide your documentation.

4. File Form 50-129 with Erath County Appraisal District (Erath CAD) by April 30. We give you everything you need.

Late applications accepted until the appraisal roll is certified (typically mid-July) with a 10% penalty on the tax savings.

Why landowners choose Timber Creek Bees

Full Service Program

Completely hands-off for you — we provide the bees, place the hives, maintain them all season, replace any dead-outs, and hand you a detailed packet to submit at the end of the year.

Loss Protection

We replace losses at no extra cost — if a colony fails, we make it right, so your hive count and your valuation stay protected.

2,000+ Hives Managed

Local and experienced — based in Greenville, caring for over 2,000 hives across 40+ Texas counties in the Dallas, Austin, and Houston regions.

Filing Assistance

We walk you through the filing process, provide everything your county asks for, and stand behind you if a denial ever needs to be protested.

Appraisal District Compliance

We keep you compliant — proper hive counts, healthy colonies, and the documentation your appraisal district wants to see.

Hundreds of Properties Qualified Yearly

We've been at this a while. We know the counties, we know what they want, and we'll guide you through the whole process from first hive to approved valuation.

“Awesome place. Hayden is incredible — great personality and even better service. Totally worth the investment!” — Andrew Hetrick

Your appraisal district

Erath County Appraisal District (Erath CAD)

Phone:

(254) 965-5434

Email:

admin@erathcad.iswdata.com

Address:

1195 W. South Loop, Stephenville, TX 76401-2026

Changing to non-agricultural use triggers a rollback: Erath County recaptures 3 years of tax savings plus 5% annual interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hives do I need for an ag exemption in Erath County?

Erath County's standard (verified directly with the county appraisal district, July 2026): 4 hives at 5 acres, 7 at 10, 10 at 15, and 12 at 20. Standards can change, so confirm with Erath County Appraisal District (Erath CAD) at (254) 965-5434 - or let us place hives to spec and keep the records.

How many acres qualify for a beekeeping ag valuation in Erath County?

Texas Tax Code limits beekeeping ag valuation to 5-20 acres of qualified open-space land. If your home sits on the tract, most districts carve out about 1 acre for the homestead, so plan on at least 6 total acres.

How long do the bees have to stay on my Erath County property?

Erath County requires colonies on site 7 months of the year. Migratory, drop-in placements do not qualify - which is why our management contracts keep hives resident and documented.

When is the deadline to apply?

File Form 50-129 with Erath County Appraisal District (Erath CAD) by April 30. Late applications are generally accepted until the appraisal roll is certified (typically mid-July) with a 10% penalty on the tax savings.

Do I have to keep the bees myself?

No. The land qualifies - not the landowner. You can hire a professional service to place, manage, and document the hives. That turnkey management is exactly what Timber Creek Bees does for Erath County landowners.

What happens if I stop the agricultural use?

If land under 1-d-1 valuation changes to non-agricultural use, Erath County can recapture 3 years of tax savings plus 5% annual interest - the rollback tax. Keeping qualifying use continuous is what protects you.

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