How do Texas appraisal districts assess the taxable values of barns that have living quarters inside? I am about to construct a barn on some acreage we own. I will store a tractor and other farm equipment inside and have been considering building some living quarters inside the barn. I would elevate the living quarters elevated so that I could park a vehicle under it. The space would be climate controlled and would have bunk beds and a bathroom. We intend to build a home on the property in the future and so the accommodations would be used before we built and would be an overflow for kids once we have the home.

Would the appraisal district tax the living quarters at the same rate as they do for a stand-alone home? I am thinking that the footprint of the barn will be something around 50' wide x 36' deep and I could build the living quarters around 20' wide x 36' deep. This would give me an overall footprint of 1,800 sq. ft. and a living space of around 720 sq. ft. The property has an ag exemption now and so I know they will nail me on the barn and I suspect the answer is that they will nail me on the living space as well.

I know a lot of folks in Port O'Connor that build them out and my understanding is they do not inform the appraisal district of the living space they have inside. I don't fault them and don't necessarily blame them for not self-reporting, but I also am not interested in outright attempting to deceive the appraisal district if they were to ask if I have any living space inside. Do they even ask? How does this work?

They won't know unless you tell them. CADs have been known to send letters and just showing up at the property. Up to you to declare or not.

They'll know as soon as you pull a permit for the septic system. The worst that could happen is that they'll find your permit, see that you've built a structure, and assess the whole thing as living area. Then you'll have to appeal.

In the end, I think it depends how much trouble you're willing to go through when they assess it improperly.

Do you need a permit out in the county?

Good question and I have the same about a septic tank and permit. I do think that a permit is required though as those septic tanks are highly regulated even if they are installed in the country.

I know the CAD will come out and have a look. I built a small storage shed over my water well recently and the next year they went out there and measured it so I was taxed on it this year. If they go out to measure the new barn I think it would be hard to keep from them that there arw living accommodations inside whether they see a septic tank in the ground or see an A/C unit on the exterior.

My buddy uses a waterless toilet but does not live there full time but most weekends. Works great. Also has a rain capture system holding 5k gallons. Can't hide those tanks though.

Might just limit the damage and let them measure the living area vs barn

Edit this is a very similar model

https://jet.com/product/Sun-Mar-Compact-Electric-Waterless-Composting-Toilet/c13e07c51b684f09b66a66ffada60931?jcmp=pla:ggl:nj_roc_gen_patio_garden_a1:patio_garden_landscaping_lawn_care_compost_bins_accessories_a1:na:PLA_1061744615_53211698798_pla-307798854461_m:na:na:na:2PLA15&pid=kenshoo_int&c=1061744615&is_retargeting=true&clickid=a4e224ad-634d-4b64-99e3-114b8297a8a9&kclid=a4e224ad-634d-4b64-99e3-114b8297a8a9&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxIKukI642wIV1rbACh2FjwW9EAQYECABEgKHm_D_BwE

SteveBott said:

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Do you need a permit out in the county?

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I'm pretty sure most county health departments require permits for septic systems.

The Aggie-ness of this thread is impressive.

Yes, you need a permit. How you do it and the order in which you have it appraised...or not...will determine your taxes.

Install septic and small bathroom first. Let them come inspect. Then finish out structure.

Build an outhouse. Say you got tired of ****ting in the woods. Then build your structure.

at the least...it would give your children a clever retort to "were you raised in a barn or what?"