Honey Bees for Texas Agricultural Valuation
Pollination Hives for Property Tax Savings
Do you own 5 to 20 acres in Texas?
Many landowners use honey bees as a qualifying agricultural use to help reduce property taxes through an agricultural valuation (commonly called an “Ag exemption”).
Request Information & Availability
✔ Pollination Hives (no honey production reporting)
✔ Lease or ownership options available
✔ Beginner-friendly guidance for first-time landowners
✔ Serving San Antonio & South Central Texas
✔ Lease or ownership options available
✔ Beginner-friendly guidance for first-time landowners
✔ Serving San Antonio & South Central Texas
Pollination vs. Food Production
Texas law allows honey bees to qualify for agricultural valuation under one of two uses: pollination or food production. These are separate paths.
Our program focuses on pollination hives. This approach avoids the additional record keeping associated with honey production, such as tracking harvested pounds, processing, or sales. Many landowners prefer pollination for its simplicity.
Texas law allows honey bees to qualify for agricultural valuation under one of two uses: pollination or food production. These are separate paths.
Our program focuses on pollination hives. This approach avoids the additional record keeping associated with honey production, such as tracking harvested pounds, processing, or sales. Many landowners prefer pollination for its simplicity.
Texas Law & Degree of Intensity
Texas law, effective January 1, 2012, allows beekeeping to qualify for agricultural valuation under the Tax Code, Chapter 23, Subchapter D, Section 23.51 (1) and (2).
Land must generally show an established agricultural use for five of the preceding seven years. Agricultural use must meet the degree of intensity generally accepted in the area.
Most appraisal districts reference a minimum of six colonies (beehives), which aligns with the Texas Agriculture Code definition of an apiary (Title 6, Chapter 131).
Texas law, effective January 1, 2012, allows beekeeping to qualify for agricultural valuation under the Tax Code, Chapter 23, Subchapter D, Section 23.51 (1) and (2).
Land must generally show an established agricultural use for five of the preceding seven years. Agricultural use must meet the degree of intensity generally accepted in the area.
Most appraisal districts reference a minimum of six colonies (beehives), which aligns with the Texas Agriculture Code definition of an apiary (Title 6, Chapter 131).
County Standards & Record Keeping
Each local appraisal district sets its own standards and minimum requirements. Colony counts, acreage ratios, and documentation expectations may vary by county.
Registration with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) and maintaining accurate records helps establish agricultural use history.
Each local appraisal district sets its own standards and minimum requirements. Colony counts, acreage ratios, and documentation expectations may vary by county.
Registration with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) and maintaining accurate records helps establish agricultural use history.
We are based just south of San Antonio, Texas, and serve a large portion of South and South Central Texas.
Contact us to discuss your property, availability, and whether pollination hives may be a good fit.
This information is provided for general educational purposes only.
Agricultural valuation eligibility is determined by your local appraisal district.
No guarantees of qualification or tax savings are made.