PARAGON
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Dripping Springs, Wimberley, and Driftwood acreage on the Austin side of the Hill Country.
Hays County runs from the Hill Country around Dripping Springs, Driftwood, and Wimberley in the west to prairie land along I-35 in the east. The Blanco River and Onion Creek cross the western hills, and the San Marcos River begins at springs in the county seat.
Because it borders Austin, Hays County land is often priced for homesites and estate use as much as for agriculture. It is also one of the more regulated counties in this guide: several groundwater districts overlap, Edwards Aquifer rules apply in parts of the county, and the county maintains a regional habitat conservation plan.
Hays County is split among several groundwater districts, and some overlap — the Edwards Aquifer Authority regulates Edwards wells in areas also covered by another district. Which rules apply depends on the exact tract and the aquifer a well draws from.
Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District
Covers about 55% of the county
Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District
Covers about 40% of the county
Covers about 27% of the county (overlapping)
Plum Creek Conservation District
Covers about 9% of the county
Surface water in Texas belongs to the state, so river or creek frontage does not by itself carry a right to divert water. Confirm any existing surface-water permits and well records as part of due diligence.
Texas open-space (1-d-1) valuation taxes qualifying land on its agricultural productivity instead of market value. In this county it is administered by the Hays County appraisal district.
A buyer must apply in their own name, generally by April 30, to keep the valuation. Wildlife-management use requires land already under agricultural valuation and at least three of seven qualifying practices. Changing the land to a non-agricultural use triggers a rollback tax for the previous three years, according to the Texas Comptroller.
Hays County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan: The county's regional plan covers the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo. Potential habitat is concentrated in the Hill Country west of I-35.
Parts of Hays County fall under the TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Program, which can require an approved plan before construction or land clearing.
Hill Country ranches, working farms, and Texas acreage from Unlock MLS
Listings provided by Unlock MLS via IDX Broker. Paragon Realty Group, brokered by eXp Realty, LLC.
Hays County is covered by more than one district: Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District; Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District; Edwards Aquifer Authority; Plum Creek Conservation District. Some areas overlap, and which rules apply depends on the exact tract and the aquifer a well draws from. Confirm the district for the specific parcel and any permit conditions before closing.
Texas open-space (1-d-1) valuation taxes qualifying land on its agricultural productivity rather than market value. The Hays County appraisal district administers it. A new owner must apply in their own name, generally by April 30, to keep it. Wildlife-management use requires land already under agricultural valuation and at least three of seven qualifying practices. If the land changes to a non-agricultural use, the Texas Comptroller describes a rollback tax for the previous three years.
They can. The county's regional plan covers the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo. Potential habitat is concentrated in the Hill Country west of I-35. Parts of the county are also under TCEQ Edwards Aquifer rules, which can require an approved plan before construction or clearing. An environmental consultant can tell you whether a specific tract is affected before you plan improvements.
San Marcos, the county seat, is about 31 road miles from downtown Austin. Drive times vary by route and traffic, and individual ranches can be well off the highway on county roads. Confirm road access and travel time to the specific property as part of your visit.
Information compiled from public agency sources and last reviewed 2026-10-16. District boundaries and rules change; confirm details with the agencies linked above. Paragon Realty Group, brokered by eXp Realty, LLC, does not provide legal, tax, survey, or environmental advice.