Buying Land Near Burleson — Wells, Septic and Ag Valuation

October 22, 2026 · Burleson, Texas

The land is beautiful. The sunset is perfect. The price per acre looks great.

And then you find out you can't put a septic system where you wanted the house.

Buying land around Burleson is one of my favorite things to help with — and one of the easiest places to make an expensive mistake. Here's what I check before anyone writes an offer.

1. Septic: can it even be built?

Out in the county, there's no city sewer. You'll need a septic system (Texas calls it an OSSF, an on-site sewage facility), and you'll need a permit.

Johnson County: permits in unincorporated areas go through Johnson County Development Services, which has its own septic rules.
Tarrant County: a 2025 county order requires lots of at least 1 acre for septic, not counting drainage and floodplain easements.
The state rule for new subdivisions: at least ½ acre per lot with public water, and at least 1 acre if you're on a private well.

Soil, slope and floodplain all affect where a septic system can go. Plan for a site evaluation before you close.

2. Water: well, co-op or city?

Find out how the land gets water BEFORE you fall in love with it.

If you're drilling a well, it's regulated by a groundwater district:

Johnson County: Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District requires all wells to be registered.
Tarrant County: Northern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. Household-only wells are exempt from permits and meters, but new wells still must be registered — $500 plus a $200 deposit that's refunded when the well report is filed within 60 days.

Call the district for current rules and fees. Then call a well driller about depth and cost in that specific area.

3. The ag exemption (and what it really is)

What everyone calls an "ag exemption" is really agricultural valuation. Your land is taxed on what it produces, not what it would sell for. On acreage, that difference can be huge.

To qualify, the land generally must have been in farm or ranch use for at least 5 of the past 7 years, at the level that's typical for the area. You apply with Form 50-129, due before May 1.

Already has ag valuation? Make sure it carries over, and that you're willing to keep it in qualifying use.

Wildlife management valuation is another path, but only for land that already qualified for ag. You'll need to follow at least three of seven approved wildlife practices.

4. The rollback tax

If ag land changes to a non-ag use — say, you build and stop running cattle — you can owe a rollback tax: the difference between ag taxes and full-value taxes for the past three years. Know who pays it before you sign. It belongs in the contract.

5. Floodplain

Look up the flood zone on FEMA's map before anything else. In unincorporated Johnson County, building in the floodplain needs a development permit — and yes, even a fence counts.

6. Minerals, easements and access

Mineral rights in Texas can be separated from the surface. The seller may not own them, or may keep them.
Easements for pipelines and utilities can cross right where you wanted the barn.
Road access — make sure there's legal access, not just a gravel path everyone's been using.
Deed restrictions can limit animals, building size and even mobile homes.

A new survey and a careful read of the title commitment catch most of these.

The bottom line

Land doesn't come with a home inspection to save you. The due diligence IS the inspection. Do it before your option period ends.

Thinking about horses? Burleson's city limits have their own rules — read my horse property guide too.

Looking at land near Burleson? I'll help you check the septic, water, ag status and title before you commit. Book a call.

Rebecca Kennedy · Burleson REALTOR® · 817-372-9896

General information, not legal or tax advice. Verify any specific parcel with the county, appraisal district and a title company.

* Header image is an artist’s illustration.