Land for Sale in Bastrop County, TX
Bastrop County lies east of Austin along the Colorado River, with 97,216 residents (2020 census) and land prices pulled upward by Austin's growth. Texas counties have limited zoning power, and the county's wildfire history and groundwater district both matter to buyers. This guide covers what to check.
Bastrop County at a glance
- County seat: Bastrop. Other cities include Elgin and Smithville.
- 2020 population 97,216; about 896 square miles, part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area.
- State Highways 71, 21 and 95 are the main roads.
- The 2011 Bastrop County Complex Fire destroyed more than 1,600 homes, the most destructive wildfire in Texas history.
- Lost Pines forest of loblolly pines in Bastrop State Park; the Colorado River aquifer is a major local aquifer.
The Bastrop County land market
Demand here follows Austin. Parcels near Bastrop, Elgin and the SH 71 corridor see the most growth, while the east and south toward Smithville are more rural. Buyers look for 1- to 10-acre homesites, larger ranchettes and farm tracts, and prices climb the closer a parcel is to Austin and a paved highway.
Groundwater and wells
Bastrop County is in the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, which regulates wells. Its rules treat exempt and non-exempt wells differently and require registration before an exempt well is drilled, and state law caps the production a district can exempt at 50,000 gallons a day. Get the current rules from the district before you plan a well, and ask whether the parcel is served by a water supply corporation instead.
Zoning, septic and restrictions
Texas counties generally cannot zone, so look for deed restrictions and subdivision covenants instead, and check whether a parcel is inside a city's limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction. Septic systems on lots outside sewer service need an on-site sewage facility permit. Texas is a non-disclosure state, so sale prices are not on public deed records; compare listings and appraisal district values.
Wildfire and flood
The Lost Pines area burned in 2011, and pine and brush country remains a wildfire risk, so ask about defensible space and homeowner's insurance cost for a parcel. Low ground along the Colorado River and its creeks floods, so check FEMA flood maps.
Before you buy land in Bastrop County
- Water: well permit or registration with the Lost Pines GCD, or a water supply corporation.
- Deed restrictions, covenants and whether the parcel is in a city or ETJ.
- Septic permit and soil suitability.
- Flood zone and wildfire exposure; get insurance quotes before closing.
- Mineral rights and any pipeline or utility easements.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bastrop County have zoning?
Texas counties generally cannot adopt zoning, so use deed restrictions and city rules instead. Check whether the parcel is inside a city or its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Bastrop County?
Wells are regulated by the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, which requires registration for exempt wells and permits for others. Check the current rules before you drill.
Is Bastrop County a wildfire risk?
Yes. In 2011 the Bastrop County Complex Fire destroyed more than 1,600 homes. Ask about defensible space and insurance for any wooded parcel.