Texas Porch
East Texas / Piney Woods

Frankston, Texas

Frankston is a town in Anderson County in the Piney Woods of East Texas, about 24 miles southwest of Tyler. It sits amid pine and hardwood forest near Lake Palestine, in a heavily wooded region where timber and rural farming have shaped the local landscape and economy.

Property here runs through the Anderson Central Appraisal District and the county tax office — the homestead exemption, the appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level. The Anderson County notes below cover the practical details, with the official county directory for the appraisal district and tax office.

Anderson County notes

What to know around Frankston

Property tax

Two Offices Handle Your Property Taxes in Anderson County

Your property's value gets decided at one Palestine office and your tax bill comes from another a few blocks away, two independent offices that surprise a lot of new owners.

Property tax / Homestead

Claim a Homestead Exemption to Lower Your Tax Bill

If Anderson County is your primary home, a homestead exemption cuts at least $140,000 from your appraised value for school taxes. You file once with the appraisal district.

Water / Wells

A Groundwater District Regulates Water Wells in Anderson County

Anderson County is covered by the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District. This district covers Anderson, Cherokee, and Henderson counties and handles water well permits.

Septic / OSSF

You Need a Permit Before Installing a Septic System

Texas requires a permit for any septic system (called an OSSF). In unincorporated Anderson County, the permit runs through Emergency Management at 703 N. Mallard St. in Palestine. Do not build before you apply.

Vehicle registration

How to Register Your Vehicle in Anderson County

As of January 1, 2025, most Anderson County vehicle owners no longer need a safety inspection before registering or renewing registration. You just need proof of insurance and your renewal notice.

Flooding / Road safety

Flooded Roads Are Dangerous, and Driving Around Barriers Is Illegal

Anderson County has low-water crossings on rural roads that can flood rapidly, and Texas law makes it illegal, with fines up to $2,000, to drive around barriers on a flooded road.

Nearby

Places near Frankston

Nearby counties

Local notes for nearby counties

Next steps for Frankston