How We Help You Get This Exemption
Beekeeping is one of the most popular paths to agricultural valuation for small-acreage landowners in Texas. While most agricultural exemptions require significant land and substantial farming operations, beekeeping can qualify properties as small as 5 to 20 acres, making it ideal for rural homesteads, hobby farms, and ranchette properties that can't support traditional cattle or crop operations.
Under Texas Tax Code, beekeeping qualifies as an agricultural activity. If you maintain the minimum number of hives required by your county and produce honey or other bee products, your land can receive 1-d-1 agricultural valuation. The tax savings are real: often $2,000 to $6,000 per year on small acreage near growing metro areas where market values have skyrocketed.
The requirements are county-specific and can be confusing. Some counties require 6 hives on 5 acres plus 1 hive per additional 2.5 acres. Others use different formulas. The hives must be active, maintained, and typically inspected by the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS). And you need to demonstrate "degree of intensity," meaning your beekeeping operation looks like a real agricultural activity, not just a couple of empty boxes in your back pasture.
We've helped dozens of small acreage owners set up qualifying beekeeping operations from scratch. From connecting you with reputable hive suppliers to documenting your operation for county approval, we handle every detail. Our soil and vegetation mapping data even helps us recommend optimal hive placement based on your property's forage potential.
How We Help
What the County Requires (the hard part)
- Minimum hive count based on county and acreage (typically 6+ hives on 5 acres)
- Active, maintained colonies (not empty boxes)
- Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) registration
- Honey production or pollination service records
- 1-d-1 Agricultural Valuation application
- County-specific documentation and potential site visits
What WE Do for You (the easy part)
- We calculate the exact hive count your county requires for your acreage
- We connect you with reputable hive suppliers and beekeeping equipment vendors
- We guide you through TAIS registration and inspection preparation
- Our platform tracks your production records and hive maintenance logs
- We prepare and file your agricultural valuation application
- Our vegetation mapping helps identify optimal hive placement and forage areas
Our Technology for Beekeeping Exemptions
Beekeeping exemptions benefit from our property intelligence in unique ways:
- Hive Placement Optimization: Using our soil and vegetation data, we identify the best locations on your property for hive placement based on sun exposure, wind protection, and proximity to water and forage sources.
- Forage Maps: We map the flowering plants, wildflowers, and crops near your property that provide nectar and pollen for your bees. This data strengthens your application by demonstrating your property's suitability for beekeeping.
- Colony Health Tracking — Our platform helps you maintain records of hive inspections, colony strength, queen status, and honey production. All documentation that appraisal districts may request.
- Seasonal Management Calendar: We provide a month-by-month beekeeping activity calendar tailored to your region, ensuring you never miss critical hive management tasks that could affect your exemption status.
- County Requirement Database: We maintain the specific hive count formulas and documentation requirements for every Texas county that accepts beekeeping as a qualifying agricultural use.
Requirements (We Handle All of This)
| Requirement | What's Needed | How We Handle It |
|---|
| Minimum Acreage | 5 to 20 acres depending on county | We confirm your county's minimum before you invest in equipment |
| Minimum Hive Count | Typically 6 hives for 5 acres + 1 per additional 2.5 acres | We calculate the exact number required for your property size |
| Active Colonies | Hives must contain live, managed bee colonies | We connect you with suppliers and provide management guidance |
| TAIS Registration | Registration with Texas Apiary Inspection Service | We guide you through the registration process |
| Production Records | Honey harvest, pollination service, or hive product documentation | Our platform tracks production throughout the season |
| Form 50-129 | Agricultural valuation application listing beekeeping as primary use | We prepare and review your application for accuracy |
Our Process
Free Assessment
We analyze your property using our mapping data (soil composition, terrain, vegetation) and determine your eligibility.
Recommendation
We tell you exactly which exemption fits your land, the expected savings, and the requirements you'll need to meet.
Documentation
We gather photos, soil data, production records, and property evidence into a thorough application package.
Application
We fill out every form and review for errors. You review and sign. That's it.
Filing
We submit to your county appraisal district on time, every time.
Maintenance
We monitor your exemption, handle renewals, track deadlines, and ensure ongoing compliance year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many acres do I need for a beekeeping exemption?
The minimum varies by county, but most Texas counties accept beekeeping on properties as small as 5 to 10 acres. Some counties require up to 20 acres. We'll tell you the exact requirement for your county before you invest in any equipment.
How many hives do I need?
The typical formula is 6 hives for the first 5 qualifying acres, then 1 additional hive for every 2.5 additional acres. So a 10-acre property might need 8 hives. But this varies by county — some require more, some less. We maintain the current hive count requirements for every county.
Do I need to be an experienced beekeeper?
No prior beekeeping experience is required. Many of our clients are first-time beekeepers. We can connect you with local beekeeping associations, suppliers who will set up and initially manage your hives, and educational resources to get you started.
How much does it cost to set up a beekeeping operation?
A basic setup with nucs (starter colonies) and equipment typically costs $250-$500 per hive. For 6 hives, plan on $1,500-$3,000 in initial investment. When compared to annual tax savings of $2,000-$6,000+, most landowners see a positive return within the first year.
What if my bees die?
Colony loss happens. Counties understand seasonal fluctuations and occasional colony collapse. The important thing is that you maintain your hives, replace lost colonies promptly, and document your management efforts. We help you handle these situations without jeopardizing your exemption.
Can I also have other agricultural activities?
Absolutely. Many of our clients combine beekeeping with hay production, wildlife management, or small livestock operations. We can help you determine the optimal combination of agricultural activities for your property.
Do I need to sell honey?
While you don't necessarily need to sell honey commercially, you do need to demonstrate productive use. Honey production, beeswax harvesting, pollination services, or queen bee production all qualify. We help ensure your operation meets the "degree of intensity" standard your county requires.
Plans Starting at $49/yr
Self-service guides or full-service filing. Pick the plan that fits.