The partial tax exemption program for historically significant properties was created in 1988.  The program is administered jointly by the City of Round Rock Planning Department and the Williamson County Appraisal District (WCAD).  Under this program, property owners receive a 75% exemption of municipal property taxes.  The program encourages owners of historic properties to use money saved on taxes to provide regular maintenance and/or repair to their historic structures.  The overall benefit to Round Rock is the long term preservation of the City’s historic resources.

Eligibility
Each year, properties with historic zoning, and even some that don’t have historic zoning but have historical significance may apply for a partial exemption of City property taxes. 

• The property must be deemed “historically significant.” Please refer to Zoning Ordinance Section 11.316 (6) for criteria to determine historic significance
• The property must include at least one manmade structure (no vacant lots)
• The owner must re-apply each year
• The property must be properly maintained according to the criteria in the inspection checklist (also in Zoning Ordinance Section 11.316 (7)).  The Historic Preservation Commission inspects properties each year.

Application Process
(Please refer to the 2010 program schedule for dates)

1. If you participated in the program last year, please ensure that any issues noted from last year’s inspection (per letter sent the previous July) have been addressed before submitting an application this year.

2. Submission of application: Applications are available here and on the WCAD website (last in the list of exemption forms).  Complete the application and submit before April 30th to either:

City of Round Rock Planning and Community Development
301 W. Bagdad, Suite 210, Round Rock, TX 78664
OR
Williamson County Central Appraisal District
625 FM 1460 Georgetown, Texas 78626-8050

3. Inspection: A Historic Preservation Commissioner will be visiting your property to complete the annual inspection.

4. Application processing: A decision will be made on your application by July 15th.  Applications require the Historic Preservation Commission’s recommendation and the City Council’s approval.

5. A letter will be sent to you at the end of July letting you know whether your application has been accepted, and any maintenance issues noted during this year’s inspection that must be addressed in order to be eligible for the program next year.

Information about the partial tax exemption for historic properties program is also provided in a brochure, and the full text of the program ordinance can be found in Zoning Ordinance Section 11.316.

For more information on the program, contact Senior Planner Joelle Jordan at 512-218-5422 or Office Manager Vickie Moreno at 512-218-5415.  Contact the Williamson County Appraisal District (www.wcad.org) at 512-930-3787.