Buying land in Caldwell County? Here's what to check.

Where to look up the official record

The Caldwell County Appraisal District keeps the tax record for every property: the owner, value, and any buildings on file. Search it here: https://esearch.caldwellcad.org/. The county seat is Lockhart.

Good to know in Caldwell County

Who handles septic permits

Caldwell County's Sanitation Department in Lockhart permits septic systems, (512) 398-1803. A site evaluation decides the system, and floodplain sites or Type 1a soil need an engineered design. Source

Water wells

Most of the county is in the Plum Creek Conservation District: a household well that can't pump more than 25,000 gallons a day needs no operating permit but must be registered. The southeast corner is in the Gonzales County UWCD, and Edwards wells answer to the Edwards Aquifer Authority. Source

Splitting land

Dividing land usually needs a plat. Some splits don't, like up to four lots for close family or, outside city ETJs, lots over 10 acres with no new roads. The County Engineer will confirm an exception in a letter. Platted rural lots must be at least 1 acre. Source

Building a home

Building a house in unincorporated Caldwell County takes a county Residential Construction Permit, good for two years. Source

Ag valuation

Caldwell CAD wants at least 4 animal units for grazing: about 12 acres of improved pasture, 28 of open native pasture or 64 of mixed brush, not counting the homesite. Bees take 5 to 20 acres. Source

Good to know anywhere in Texas

Flood maps

FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer is the official flood map used for flood insurance. Zone A and AE areas are 'special flood hazard areas' where lenders usually require flood insurance. Source

County rules vs city rules

Texas counties generally can't zone land the way cities do. Land inside a city follows city zoning. Land in a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) can fall under city subdivision rules. Deed restrictions and HOA rules can apply anywhere.

Legal access

A road on a map doesn't prove you have the legal right to use it. A title company can confirm whether the land touches a public road or has a recorded easement.

Septic systems

Every septic system in Texas needs a permit from the county or its authorized agent under TCEQ rules (30 TAC Chapter 285). Shallow rock, common in the Hill Country, often means a more expensive engineered system. Source

Property taxes

Appraisal districts set the value; each taxing unit (county, school district, ESDs) sets a rate. Agricultural or wildlife valuation can lower taxes on qualifying land, but changing the use later can trigger a rollback tax.

What a YallCheck report covers

• Is it in a flood zone? We check the official FEMA flood map for your land and how close the nearest flood area is.
• Can you legally drive to it? We find the road next to the land and tell you what still needs to be confirmed about legal access.
• Can you get water and a septic system? We check for a water utility, the local well rules, and whether the soil is hard for septic.
• Do the county records match the land? We pull the appraisal record: owner, value, taxes, exemptions, and any buildings or mobile homes on file.
• Is it over the Edwards Aquifer? Land over the aquifer can have extra building and septic rules. We check the state map.
• Is it under a city's rules? We check whether the land is inside a city or the area just outside one where the city can control subdividing (called the ETJ).
• Are there HOA or deed restrictions? We list the subdivision plats on file. Add our document read-through and we'll flag rules on rentals, mobile homes, animals, and more.
• Can you get electricity? We look up which electric company or co-op serves the area.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check with the county before you buy.