PARAGON
PARAGON
San Saba and Colorado River ranch country, with pecan bottomland and open grazing land.
San Saba County sits northwest of the Highland Lakes, about 105 road miles from downtown Austin. The San Saba River runs east through the county seat to meet the Colorado River, and the Colorado's river bottoms carry pecan orchards and cropland.
Upland ranches are used for cattle, goats, and hunting. Because only part of the county is inside a groundwater district, water rules can differ from one side of the county to the other.
About 56% of the county is inside one underground water conservation district. The rest has no local district permit process, though state well rules still apply.
Hickory Underground Water Conservation District No. 1
Covers about 56% 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 San Saba 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.
San Saba County does not have a county-wide habitat conservation plan. Federal endangered-species rules still apply to habitat on private land.
San Saba County is outside the TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Program.
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.
Yes. Nearly all of the county is inside the Hickory Underground Water Conservation District No. 1, which sets rules for well registration, spacing, and production. Before closing, confirm that existing wells are registered and ask the district about any permit conditions that would affect your plans for livestock, irrigation, or new homes.
Texas open-space (1-d-1) valuation taxes qualifying land on its agricultural productivity rather than market value. The San Saba 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.
San Saba County does not have a county-wide habitat conservation plan, but federal endangered-species rules still apply to habitat on private land. The county is outside the TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. For wooded tracts, ask an environmental consultant whether protected habitat is present before planning clearing or construction.
San Saba, the county seat, is about 105 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.