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Home & Property

Local Notes

Home & Property notes

685 notes

Johnson County · Water Conservation

A Rain Tank Can Earn a Prairielands Rebate

Prairielands offers an annual household rebate for rainwater storage, while its larger cost-share grant serves a different kind of public demonstration project.

Johnson County · Agriculture

Farming and Ranching Are Still a Big Part of Johnson County

Johnson County has thousands of farms and ranches, and agriculture shapes land use, property tax rules, and road culture throughout the county.

Johnson County · Mineral Rights

Mineral Rights Under Your Land May Be Owned by Someone Else

In Texas the mineral rights under a property can be severed from the surface, and in Johnson County, which sits over the core of the Barnett Shale, that split is common and consequential.

Johnson County · Septic & Sewage

Outside City Limits? You Need a Permitted Septic System

Homes in unincorporated Johnson County that are not connected to a public sewer must have a permitted on-site sewage facility, and the county itself issues those septic permits.

Johnson County · Water & Wells

Register a Johnson County Well Before the Driller Starts

Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District requires new wells to be registered before drilling, even when a small household or livestock well is permit-exempt.

Johnson County · Flooding & FEMA

Some Johnson County Flood Maps Changed in 2023

Revised FEMA maps took effect in 2023 for unincorporated Johnson County and several communities, but the right map still depends on the address.

Johnson County · Weather Hazards

Spring Weather Can Turn Rough in Johnson County

Hail, damaging wind, flash flooding, and tornadoes belong on a Johnson County spring checklist, without treating every storm like a disaster.

Jones County · Mineral Rights

Oil, Gas, and Mineral Rights in Jones County

Jones County has a long oil and gas history, so if you are buying land here, find out whether mineral rights are included before you close.

Karnes County · Mineral Rights

Karnes County Sits in the Heart of the Eagle Ford Shale

Buy land here and the oil and gas a mile beneath your feet may already belong to someone else — the minerals were often sold off long before the surface.

Karnes County · Water Wells

New Water Wells in Karnes County Need District Approval

Karnes County is part of the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District, which regulates well drilling and groundwater use.

Kaufman County · City Limits vs. ETJ

A Forney mailing address does not settle who reviews the land

ETJ land is outside city limits, and the current review path should be checked for the exact lot and project.

Kaufman County · Septic / OSSF

A Kaufman County septic system starts with an approved plan

A new or changed septic system normally needs county approval before construction or use.

Kaufman County · Soil & Land Character

Dark Blackland clay helped shape Kaufman County

The fertile Blackland Prairie supported a cotton landscape that still shows in Kaufman County's fields and town histories.

Kaufman County · Floodplain Development

Floodplain development in rural Kaufman County needs review first

Work in a FEMA floodplain in rural Kaufman County needs a county permit before construction begins.

Kendall County · Groundwater / Water Wells

A special district regulates water wells in Kendall County

The Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District controls well drilling in Kendall County, so you need a permit before you drill.

Kendall County · Flood Risk

The Guadalupe River floods fast in Kendall County

Rain upstream in Kerr County can send floodwaters through Kendall County within hours. Low-water crossings and riverside properties are especially at risk.

Kendall County · Wildfire Risk

Wildfire Prep Starts at the Roofline in Kendall County

Kendall County's 2023 wildfire work ties growth at the wildland edge to practical chores around the house.

Kenedy County · Windstorm Insurance

Kenedy County Is in TWIA Windstorm Territory

Kenedy County is one of the Texas coastal counties where TWIA may offer wind and hail coverage when private coverage is not available.

Kenedy County · Mineral Rights

Oil and Gas Activity in Kenedy County

Oil was discovered in Kenedy County in 1947, and the Texas Railroad Commission regulates all drilling and production here.

Kent County · Water Rights

Groundwater in Kent County Is in GMA 6

Kent County sits in Groundwater Management Area 6 with no local groundwater district covering it, so state rules govern what happens when you sink a well.

Kent County · Mineral Rights

Oil and Gas Activity in Kent County

Oil has been produced in Kent County since 1946, and the Railroad Commission of Texas regulates all wells and production here.

Kerr County · Property Records

A Free Heads-Up When Something Hits Your Kerr County Deed

The Kerr County Clerk offers a free alert that emails you whenever a document is recorded against your name or property.

Kerr County · Groundwater & Wells

Drilling a water well in Kerr County requires a permit

The Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District regulates wells in Kerr County and requires permits before you drill.

Kerr County · Flood Risk

Flash floods are a serious danger in Kerr County

The Hill Country around Kerrville sits in what is commonly called Flash Flood Alley, one of the most flash-flood-prone areas in the United States.

Kerr County · Land Records

Looking Up Land Records in Kerr County

Every deed, lien, and foreclosure notice in Kerr County is filed with the County Clerk, and you can search the real-property records for free online.

Kerr County · Septic Systems

Outside city limits in Kerr County, you likely need a septic permit

Most of Kerr County is not served by public sewer, so homes outside city limits need a permitted on-site sewage facility.

Kerr County · River Authority

The Upper Guadalupe River Authority manages water in Kerr County

UGRA is a conservation and reclamation district created by the Texas Legislature that handles water quality, river monitoring, and flood preparedness for the Guadalupe River watershed in Kerr County.

Kerr County · Wildfire Hazard

Wildfire is a real risk in Kerr County's Hill Country landscape

Hill Country grass, brush, drought, and wind make wildfire something Kerr County landowners need to think about before a dry spell arrives.

Kimble County · Groundwater & Wells

A Local District Regulates Water Wells Here

Kimble County's groundwater district handles well registration, new drilling forms, and non-exempt well permits for rural land.

King County · Mineral Rights

Oil and gas production is active in King County

King County has had oil production since 1943, and buyers of land here should understand how mineral rights work before they close a deal.

King County · Agricultural Valuation

Ranch land in King County can be taxed on productivity, not market value

Texas productivity appraisal can lower the tax value of qualifying King County ranch land, but a changed use can bring a three-year rollback tax.

Kinney County · Water & Wells

Water Wells and the Groundwater District in Kinney County

A local groundwater district oversees wells in Kinney County, and the aquifer that supplies most water also feeds three notable springs.

Kleberg County · Storm routes

Two Familiar Highways Become Kleberg's Hurricane Routes

The county's hazard plan names State Highways 141 and 285 as evacuation routes and warns that flooding can change how well they work.

Kleberg County · Coastal Insurance

Windstorm Insurance Is a Separate Policy in Kleberg County

Kleberg County is one of the first-tier coastal counties in TWIA's service area. Wind and hail may sit outside a regular home policy.

Knox County · Water Wells

Knox County sits inside a groundwater conservation district

Before a new well goes in on rural Knox County land, call Rolling Plains GCD. It reviews well-drilling forms for Knox, Haskell, and Baylor counties.

Knox County · Mineral Rights

Oil and gas activity in Knox County: what landowners should know

Knox County has a history of oil and gas production, so buyers of rural land should always check whether mineral rights are included in a sale.

La Salle County · Mineral Rights / Oil & Gas

Eagle Ford Shale Runs Under La Salle County

La Salle County is an Eagle Ford county, so surface ownership and mineral ownership can be two different things on the same tract.

Lamar County · Flood Risk

Check FEMA Flood Maps Before Buying Near Creeks or Rivers

Lamar County has both the Red River and the North Sulphur River, so flood zone status matters for many rural and riverside properties.

Lamar County · Weather Hazards

Lamar County Has a Real Tornado Risk Each Spring

Lamar County sits in a corridor of North Texas where tornadoes occur, especially in spring — the April 1982 outbreak was a significant example.

Lamb County · Water Wells

A Groundwater District Regulates Wells Over the Ogallala Aquifer

All of Lamb County sits over the Ogallala Aquifer, and a state-authorized water district controls who can drill a well and how much they can pump.

Lampasas County · Water Wells

Groundwater Rules Apply to Water Wells Here

Lampasas County is in Groundwater Management Area 8. The Saratoga Underground Water Conservation District oversees well permits and groundwater rules for the entire county.

Lampasas County · Flood check

Sulphur Creek's Dams Do Not Settle One Property's Flood Question

Nine flood-control dams changed Lampasas's flood history, but a current FEMA map and the right local office still matter for one address.

Lavaca County · Water & Wells

Lavaca County has no local groundwater district, and here is what that means

Lavaca County has no local groundwater district. That means fewer local permit rules for water wells, but state rules still apply.

Lavaca County · Floodplain Check

Lavaca County starts rural development with a floodplain determination

In unincorporated Lavaca County, the county determination comes before development and decides which floodplain documents follow.

Lee County · Water Wells

A Groundwater District Controls Well Permits in Lee County

Lee County is inside the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, which means drilling or operating a water well requires a permit.

Leon County · Water Wells

Leon County has a groundwater district that oversees water wells

Leon County wells run through the Mid-East Texas Groundwater Conservation District. Put the permit question near the front of any rural land plan.

Liberty County · Septic permits

A new septic system in rural Liberty County needs county review

Build, repair, alter, or extend a septic system on rural Liberty County land and you generally need a permit and approved plan.

Liberty County · County permits

County permits still matter outside Liberty County city limits

On unincorporated land, Liberty County handles permits for buildings, culverts, meters, septic work, and several commercial uses.

Liberty County · Property records

Deeds and plats live with the Liberty County Clerk

Liberty CAD tracks value for taxes, but deeds, plats, liens, easements, and other land records live with the County Clerk.

Liberty County · Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is separate from homeowners insurance in Liberty County

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage — you need a separate flood policy, especially near the Trinity River.

Liberty County · Flood Risk

The Trinity River regularly floods parts of Liberty County

Liberty County sits on the Trinity River floodplain, and flooding is a real and recurring risk for homes and roads near the river.

Live Oak County · Groundwater / Water Wells

A Local District Regulates Water Wells in Live Oak County

The Live Oak Underground Water Conservation District oversees well drilling in the county and may require permits before you dig.

Loving County · Mineral Rights

Mineral Rights and Surface Rights Can Be Separate

In Loving County, buying land does not always mean you own the oil and gas under it. The mineral estate can be separate from the surface.

Loving County · Water Supply

Water Is Scarce and Saline in Loving County

Loving County gets about 10 inches of rain a year, and past irrigation projects failed because groundwater here is often too salty to use.

Lubbock County · Climate

Eighteen Inches of Rain Has to Carry a Whole Year

At Lubbock's airport, the 1991-2020 normals show 18.33 inches of precipitation a year, a 93.4-degree July high, and seven inches of snow.

Lubbock County · Water Planning

Long-Term Water Supply Is an Active Planning Issue

Lubbock County relies on the Ogallala Aquifer and surface reservoirs for water. Long-term supply is a real concern.

Lubbock County · Water Wells

New Wells Need a Permit from the Groundwater District

Before drilling a new water well in Lubbock County, you must get a permit from the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District.

Lubbock County · ETJ / Zoning

Outside City Limits Still Has Some City Rules

Land just outside a city in Lubbock County can fall inside the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). That means some city rules still apply, even if you are not paying city taxes.

Lubbock County · Weather Risk

Roof Questions Matter After a High Plains Storm

Lubbock storms can bring large hail and damaging wind, so roof condition and insurance terms deserve a close look before a home purchase.

Lubbock County · Groundwater

The Water Story Runs Under the Fields

The Ogallala Aquifer underlies the High Plains around Lubbock, where pumping has outpaced recharge across much of the aquifer.