Property Tax Resources · Washington County, Texas
Washington County
Property Taxes
Birthplace of Texas independence — property owners in Washington County have a special claim on the founders’ principles.
Property Tax Resources · Washington County, Texas
Birthplace of Texas independence — property owners in Washington County have a special claim on the founders’ principles.
Sources: Population — U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 estimates; County Debt — Texas Bond Review Board (FY2024)
🔴 2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026 — or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. Miss this date and you waive your right to protest.
Washington County holds a singular place in Texas history: Washington-on-the-Brazos, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in 1836, stands within its boundaries. Today, Brenham serves as county seat of a county known for bluebonnets, dairy farming, and weekend tourism from Houston. Property values have climbed with second-home demand and the county’s proximity to the Houston metro.
Approximately half of protests filed in Washington County in 2023 resulted in a value reduction. With a growing mix of rural residential, agricultural, and commercial properties, the protest process here is active and accessible. The people who signed the Declaration of Rights would understand exactly why you should file.
Official CAD site — appraisal notices, exemption applications, and district contact information.
Search your property record, view current appraised value, and verify exemption status.
Washington County Appraisal District protest procedures, online filing portal, and deadline information for the current year.
Every taxing entity’s proposed rate, adopted rate, and public hearing schedule for Washington County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Washington County — your school district, city, county — must publish its proposed rate and hold a public hearing before adopting any rate exceeding the no-new-revenue rate. These meetings are open. Your voice is on the record.
View Washington County Tax Rates →| Taxing Entity | Type | Rate (2025 adopted) |
|---|---|---|
| Washington County | County | $0.4640/$100 |
| Brenham ISD | School District | $0.7684/$100 |
| Burton ISD | School District | $0.8047/$100 |
| Giddings ISD | School District | $0.8089/$100 |
2025 adopted rates per Texas Comptroller Tax Rates & Levies (source). City, MUD, college and other special-district rates may also apply depending on your parcel. Your total depends on which districts your property falls in — verify current rates at your county appraisal district.
What your Notice means and exactly what to do — and by when — after it arrives.
How the Texas homestead exemption lowers your taxable value, including recent changes.
When a property tax consultant is worth it for protesting your appraisal.
Lesser-known special valuations that can cut the taxable value of qualifying land.
The state office that oversees appraisal districts and protects taxpayers.
Who sets your county’s values and why that role matters to your bill.
Search your account at washingtoncad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Washington County Appraisal District: 1301 E. Main St., Brenham, TX 77833. Deadline: May 15, 2026 or 30 days after your notice was mailed.
Recent sales of comparable homes, your purchase price, photos of property condition issues, and repair estimates all strengthen your case.
Before your ARB hearing, a CAD appraiser may offer to settle. Review any offer carefully before accepting — you can accept or proceed to the formal hearing.
The Appraisal Review Board is independent of the CAD. Present your evidence clearly and concisely. Most hearings run 15–30 minutes.
Disagree with the ARB ruling? You may appeal to district court, binding arbitration, or SOAH (properties over $1 million).
“No person’s particular services shall be demanded, nor property taken or applied to public use, unless by the consent of himself or his representative, without just compensation being made therefor.”
— Section 13, Declaration of Rights, Republic of Texas, 1836Washington County is where the Republic of Texas was born. The founders who signed the Declaration of Rights at Washington-on-the-Brazos wrote that no person’s property shall be taken for public use without just compensation. They meant it here, in this county, on this ground. If your appraisal isn’t just, you have every reason — historical, legal, and moral — to say so. Look up your value. File your protest. Attend the rate hearings.