Martindale, Texas
Along the San Marcos River in Caldwell County, Martindale sits about 7 miles from San Marcos and roughly 30 miles south of Austin, at the southern edge of the Central Texas Hill Country. The small city retains a historic riverside center with an old cotton-gin and mill district, and its clear stretch of the San Marcos River has long drawn paddlers and swimmers.
Property here runs through the Caldwell 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 Caldwell County notes below cover the practical details, with the official county directory for the appraisal district and tax office.
Caldwell County notes
What to know around Martindale
Property Tax Basics
Two different offices handle your property taxes
In Caldwell County, the appraisal district sets your property value and also handles tax collection — the Tax Assessor-Collector office does not collect property taxes here.
Local Tax Districts
Your tax bill may include charges from several local districts
A Caldwell County tax bill can include county, school, city, utility, emergency, water, or college taxes. The mix depends on the parcel.
Vehicle Registration
Register your vehicle at the Tax Assessor-Collector in Lockhart
Caldwell County vehicle registration and title transfers are handled at the Tax Assessor-Collector's office on South Main Street in Lockhart.
Flood Risk
New FEMA flood maps for Caldwell County took effect in 2026
Updated federal flood maps for Caldwell County have an effective date of June 10, 2026, which could affect flood insurance requirements for some properties.
Septic Systems
Homes outside city limits need a permitted septic system
A Caldwell County septic job starts with the county Sanitation Department's OSSF packet, including the site evaluation, permit review, and inspection steps.
Groundwater
A local water district oversees groundwater in the county
The Plum Creek Conservation District and Gonzales County Underground Water Conservation District both operate in parts of Caldwell County and regulate water wells.
Nearby
Places near Martindale
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Hays County
39 local notes · Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country
Guadalupe County
39 local notes · San Antonio / South Central
Comal County
28 local notes · San Antonio / South Central
Travis County
65 local notes · Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country
Gonzales County
6 local notes · San Antonio / South Central
Bastrop County
13 local notes · Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country
Next steps for Martindale
Estimate property tax
Model school and local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
Open estimator ->Caldwell County notes
Property tax, land, outdoors, vehicles, rules, and history for the county.
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