Bexar County
Property Tax Guide
Bexar Appraisal District (BCAD)
Contact Your CAD
Always verify this link is current at your CAD's official website before filing.
Important: Verify current deadlines and procedures with BCAD at bcad.org or 210-242-2432. This is educational content only, not legal, tax, or appraisal advice.
Typical Protest Deadline
May 15 or 30 days after the Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later.
This is the general rule. Always confirm the exact deadline directly with Bexar Appraisal District (BCAD).
Estimate Your Specific Deadline
Enter your notice mail date for a personalised estimate.
General Filing Steps
- 1
Receive your Notice of Appraised Value (typically mailed April–May).
- 2
Review the assessed value on the BCAD website and compare to your opinion of market value.
- 3
File a protest online at bcad.org, by mail, or in person at the CAD office before the deadline.
- 4
Gather comparable sales data and any evidence of property condition issues.
- 5
Attend your informal hearing with a CAD appraiser.
- 6
If unresolved, request a formal ARB (Appraisal Review Board) hearing.
- 7
Accept the final value or pursue binding arbitration / district court appeal.
Commonly Required Documents
- Notice of Appraised Value (or your CAD property account number)
- Recent comparable sales (within 0.5–1 mile, similar size/age/condition)
- Photos documenting any property condition issues
- Recent appraisal or licensed inspection report (if available)
- Repair estimates for documented damage
Evidence Tips for Bexar County
- Pull BCAD's own data for unequal appraisal comparisons.
- San Antonio's diverse neighborhoods mean hyper-local comps matter more than broad averages.
- Document any foundation issues, common in Bexar County's expansive clay soils.
- BCAD holds informal hearings year-round; scheduling early often means faster resolution.
About Bexar County Property Taxes
Bexar County is home to San Antonio, Texas's second-largest city by population and one of the fastest-growing metros in the country. The county encompasses a wide variety of neighborhoods, from walkable historic districts near the city center to large-lot suburban communities spreading outward on the north, west, and south sides. Property types range from older bungalows and mid-century ranch homes to newer master-planned subdivisions and high-rise condominiums, and values can differ substantially from one ZIP code to the next.
That geographic and property-type diversity is a key reason why protest results in Bexar County can vary so widely. Homeowners who bring hyper-local evidence that reflects their specific neighborhood and property type tend to fare better than those relying on broad San Antonio market averages that may not represent their property at all.
Protest Preparation Tips
Because San Antonio's market is so varied, the most effective protests use comparables pulled from within your own subdivision or immediate area. A home in Alamo Heights should be compared to Alamo Heights homes, not to properties on the far north side or in a different school district. If your comparable sales show that similar homes nearby are appraised at a lower value per square foot than yours, that is the foundation of an unequal appraisal argument under Texas Tax Code Section 41.43.
Bexar County's expansive clay soils are also a practical concern for many homeowners. Foundation movement and seasonal settling are common, particularly in older neighborhoods. If your home has experienced cracking, shifting, or has had foundation work done, documenting those issues with photographs, a structural engineer's assessment, or contractor repair invoices can support a condition-based reduction in your assessed market value.
Building Your Evidence
Errors in square footage, year built, or room counts are not uncommon in BCAD's records and can lead directly to an inflated valuation. Look up your property at bcad.org and compare the recorded details against your builder's plans, your deed, or a licensed appraiser's measurement. If the CAD shows more square footage than your home actually contains, correcting that error alone may justify a reduction without needing any comparable sales at all.
Local Verification Reminder
Protest procedures, available hearing formats, and filing options should always be confirmed directly with BCAD before you submit anything. Visit bcad.org or call 210-242-2432 to confirm the current deadline, how to file, and what documentation BCAD expects. Procedures can change year to year, and what worked in a prior protest season may not reflect the current process.
Helpful Next Steps
- Review your property record at bcad.org and verify square footage, room counts, and year built
- Gather comparable sales and appraisal data from your immediate neighborhood, not city-wide averages
- Document any foundation, condition, or structural issues with photos and written estimates
- File your protest before the deadline and keep a copy of your submission confirmation
- If an informal hearing does not resolve the issue, you have the right to request a formal ARB hearing
Sources & Last Verified
This county guide is prepared for general educational purposes using publicly available property tax information, county appraisal district resources, and Texas property tax guidance. Property tax deadlines, forms, protest procedures, and local requirements can change. Always confirm important details directly with your county appraisal district or a qualified professional.
See something outdated or incorrect? Contact us with the county name, page URL, the information that needs correction, and an official source link if available.
Prefer to let a pro handle it?
Ownwell protests your property taxes on your behalf, no upfront cost, and you only pay if they successfully reduce your bill. Over 88% success rate with an average annual saving of $774.
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link, at no extra cost to you.