Zavala County Appraisal District CAD 2026

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Zavala County, Texas · Crystal City homes, La Pryor property, Winter Garden farmland, minerals, businesses and tax collection

Search, Value and Pay a Zavala County Property Through the Correct Account

Zavala Central Appraisal District provides owner, address, ID, advanced and map-based property searches. The same district also collects local property taxes, which makes Zavala County different from counties where the Tax Assessor-Collector handles the bill.

This guide explains how to separate real, personal, mineral, mobile-home and auto accounts; locate rural irrigated land; apply for exemptions or agricultural appraisal; prepare a protest; and complete a payment without using the wrong office or bureau code.

Search official Zavala CAD records Open the official GIS map Pay Zavala County property taxes
Owner, address or ID Real, personal or mineral Rural legal descriptions Online taxpayer appeals 2.4% online-payment fee Bureau code 2144960
ZAVALA COUNTY PROPERTY ROUTER VERIFYING ACCOUNT
OWNER + TYPE + LEGAL RECORD MATCHED
ZAVALA CAD PROPERTY ACCOUNT
Current search-year warning: When reviewed on July 28, 2026, the official Zavala CAD property search listed tax years 2025 through 2016. Contact the district when a 2026 appraisal notice, ownership update or protest account is not yet available through the public search.
Chief Appraiser

Yolanda C. Lavenant

CAD and tax office

323 W. Zavala Street, Crystal City

Property-tax collector

Zavala CAD—not the county Tax Assessor-Collector

Phone payment

866-539-2020 · Bureau code 2144960

Guide reviewed

Official sources checked July 28, 2026

Start with the exact task

Which Zavala County property service do you need?

This helper works inside the browser. It does not collect or transmit an owner name, property ID, value, tax balance or payment information.

PROPERTY SEARCH Owner, address or account

Use Owner, Address, ID or Advanced Search and verify the year and property type.

Follow the search walkthrough
RURAL PROPERTY Farm, ranch or irrigated acreage

Use the Property ID, Geo ID, abstract, legal description and GIS map rather than relying on a mailing address.

Review rural and agricultural steps
MINERAL OR INDUSTRIAL Separate contractor-appraised account

Capitol Appraisal Group appraises mineral, utility and industrial accounts for Zavala CAD.

Review mineral-property guidance
APPRAISAL PROTEST Evidence and taxpayer appeal

Check the notice deadline, save the property record and use the official online appeal route when eligible.

Prepare a protest file
PROPERTY TAX Balance, payment or receipt

Pay through Zavala CAD and verify the 2.4% online fee or phone-payment bureau code.

Follow payment steps
RECORDED DOCUMENT Deed, lien or mineral lease

Use the County Clerk because the appraisal owner field is not a complete title record.

Find recorded records

Jump directly to the Zavala County property task

Existing article image retained

Use the visual only as a portal reference

Existing AppraisalDistrict.org Zavala County property-search article image
Existing AppraisalDistrict.org article image retained. Use the live official portal for current tax years, search fields, balances and payment instructions because the interface can change.
1 Search method
Choose Owner, Address, ID or Advanced.
2 Property type
Separate real, personal, mineral, auto and mobile-home accounts.
3 Tax year
Confirm the year before comparing values or paying.
4 Full details
Open the complete account before taking action.
Property-result decoder

Understand what each Zavala CAD field means

Use the appraisal record to identify the account, then consult the controlling document when necessary
Record field What it identifies What it does not prove Best next action
Property ID The local appraisal and tax account. A deed instrument number or surveyed boundary. Use it for CAD, protest and payment questions.
Owner ID An owner record connected to one or more accounts. That every connected result is the same property type. Review every account before paying.
Geographic ID A mapping or geographic reference. A legal boundary or surveyed acreage. Compare the GIS map, deed and survey.
Owner name The owner displayed for appraisal and collection administration. Complete title, heirship or mineral ownership. Check County Clerk records.
Situs address The physical location displayed by the district. The complete legal description. Compare the legal field and recorded document.
Legal description A lot, block, subdivision, abstract, survey or tract. Every deed call, easement, exception or reservation. Obtain the deed, plat or survey.
Property type Real, personal, mineral, auto or mobile-home classification. Eligibility for an exemption or special appraisal. Review the applicable form and actual property use.
Market value The district’s January 1 market-value estimate. The purchase price, taxable value or final bill. Review property facts, condition and market evidence.
Productivity value A special appraisal value for qualifying agricultural or wildlife land. Continuing qualification after a sale or use change. Verify the application and land-use history.
Tax balance Taxes, penalties, interest and payments shown by the collection record. Why the appraisal value was set. Contact Zavala CAD’s tax-collection staff.
Search troubleshooting

Fix a missing or confusing Zavala County result

Change one search element at a time
Problem Likely reason What to try next
Full owner name returns nothing The account may use surname-first order, initials, a trust, estate or business variation. Search the surname or main business word alone.
Crystal City address fails The situs format or road suffix may differ. Search only the street name, then narrow the results.
Rural acreage has no useful address The account may be indexed by owner, abstract, legal description or Geo ID. Use Advanced Search and the GIS map.
Mobile home is missing The home may be separate from the land or classified as Mobile Home. Change the property type and search the owner, park or ID.
Mineral account is not shown The search may be limited to real property or the interest uses another owner format. Select Mineral and search by owner, ID or legal information.
Recent buyer is not displayed The deed or ownership update may still be processing. Confirm recording with the County Clerk and give CAD the instrument information.
2026 notice is not in the search The public portal listed years only through 2025 at review time. Call Zavala CAD with the notice, Property ID and owner information.
Tax payment is not visible Processing delay, wrong account, wrong year or rejected transaction. Keep the receipt and contact Zavala CAD before paying again.
Call Zavala CAD: 830-374-3475 Email Zavala CAD Open GIS map
Avoid the wrong-office loop

Zavala CAD, the county Tax Office and County Clerk have different roles

Send the question to the office that controls it
Your question Correct office What to prepare
Why did the appraised value change? Zavala CAD Property ID, notice, property details and evidence.
Is my homestead or agricultural appraisal active? Zavala CAD Application, identification, land-use proof and filing receipt.
How do I protest? Zavala CAD and the Appraisal Review Board Notice deadline, account and evidence.
What property taxes do I owe? Zavala CAD tax-collection staff Property ID, owner, tax year and balance question.
Where is my payment receipt? Zavala CAD or Certified Payments Confirmation, amount, date, account and payment method.
What does the county Tax Assessor-Collector handle? County Tax Office Vehicle registration, title or other county tax-office service details.
Who legally owns the property? Zavala County Clerk Grantor, grantee, legal description and recording date.
Where is the legal boundary? County records plus a licensed surveyor Deed, plat, prior survey and neighbouring descriptions.
The Texas Comptroller’s directory states that the Zavala County Tax Assessor-Collector does not collect property taxes. Start property-tax balance and payment questions with Zavala CAD.
Winter Garden agricultural and wildlife land

Search irrigated acreage with legal and land-use records

Zavala CAD publishes local agricultural policies, annual agricultural values and market-versus-productivity reports. These resources matter for irrigated cropland, grazing land, wildlife management and other open-space property.

List every related property account One farm or ranch may include several abstracts, tracts, owners, improvements or taxing-unit combinations.
Use the Property ID, Geo ID and abstract These identifiers are usually more reliable than a rural mailing address.
Open the GIS map Use the map for approximate parcel location, roads, neighbouring accounts and tract context. Open Zavala CAD GIS Map
Compare deed and CAD acreage Resolve material differences before relying on acreage for a sale, lease, application or legal document.
Compare market and productivity values Qualifying 1-d-1 land can have a productivity appraisal substantially below its market value.
Read the local agricultural policies Review Zavala CAD’s Agricultural Policies and Procedures and annual agricultural-value reports. Open agricultural reports
Download the current application The Forms page includes the Agricultural 1-d-1 Application, wildlife guidelines and wildlife annual report. Open agricultural and wildlife forms
Document actual land use Prepare leases, production records, irrigation information, livestock records, fencing, maps, photographs and wildlife-management activity logs.
Keep water-district taxation separate from water rights Wintergarden Underground Water District can appear as a taxing unit, but a tax line does not prove a well permit, groundwater right or pumping authority.
Ask before changing use Development, subdivision or nonqualifying use may affect special appraisal and create additional tax consequences.
Property ID and legal description
Survey, abstract and acreage
Current and historical agricultural use
Crop, grazing or production records
Irrigation, water and fencing information
Lease agreements
Wildlife plan and annual report
Application copy and delivery proof
Rural acreage, irrigation equipment, livestock or wildlife presence does not automatically establish open-space qualification. Eligibility depends on Texas law, prior and current use, local intensity standards and supporting evidence.
Mineral, utility and industrial accounts

Separate contractor-appraised property from the surface parcel

Zavala CAD states that Capitol Appraisal Group appraises mineral, utility and industrial accounts. Real estate and business personal property are appraised locally by the district.
Verify the account before protesting or paying
Account detail Why it matters Best verification
Property type Confirms whether the result is mineral, utility, industrial or surface real estate. Select the correct type before opening results.
Property ID The mineral or industrial account may have a separate identifier. Match the appraisal notice and tax record.
Owner name Mineral and royalty interests may be split among several owners. Compare deeds, mineral leases, probate and division records.
Legal or lease information Similar names can appear on unrelated interests. Match the legal description, lease information and account number.
Appraisal year Mineral and industrial values can change materially between years. Confirm the notice year and tax year.
Taxing units School, county, college and groundwater boundaries affect the account. Use the units displayed on the exact property.
A mineral appraisal account is not a mineral-title opinion. Mineral reservations, royalty interests, lease rights and ownership percentages may require County Clerk research and qualified professional advice.
Business personal property and renditions

Keep operating assets separate from the land and building

Zavala CAD appraises local business personal property and publishes general, aircraft, inventory and specialised rendition forms. Business owners should prepare asset-level records rather than one unsupported total.

Prepare these records before filing or disputing value
Business information Why it matters Useful support
Owner and DBA Connects the assets to the correct entity and operating location. Entity documents, prior account and location list.
Furniture and equipment Identifies taxable income-producing assets. Description, acquisition date and original cost.
Inventory and materials Inventory may require separate reporting or special treatment. Representative inventory and accounting records.
Vehicles and mobile assets Commercial vehicles and equipment may use a specialised account or form. VIN, use, location and ownership information.
Leased assets The owner and user may be different parties. Lease agreement and lessor information.
Disposed or relocated assets An outdated list can overstate property remaining at the location. Sale, disposal, transfer or relocation documents.
Texas business personal property renditions are generally due April 15. Confirm current extension and submission procedures with Zavala CAD rather than relying on an old form.
Open business-property forms Open depreciation information
Homestead, veteran, disability and heir property

File the current form and confirm it on the correct account

Find the exact property account Save the Property ID, owner, address and legal description.
Open the official Zavala CAD Forms page Use the current district form rather than an old copy from another site. Open Zavala CAD Forms
Select the correct application The page includes residence homestead, age 65 or older, disabled veteran, agricultural, wildlife, timber, deferral and other forms.
Read the identification rules Zavala CAD states that homestead applications must include a driver’s-licence copy or other information required by the Texas Property Tax Code.
Complete any required affidavit Certain address, ownership or heir-property situations may require an additional affidavit.
Prepare heir-property records when applicable Gather deeds, probate documents, heirship information, utility records and occupancy evidence requested by the form.
Submit to Zavala CAD Do not send a homestead application to the county vehicle-registration Tax Office.
Keep filing proof Save the application, attachments, email, certified-mail tracking or stamped copy.
Search the account again Confirm that the exemption appears for the correct owner, property and year.
Review taxable value by entity County, school, city, college and groundwater exemptions may not produce identical taxable values.
Open exemption forms Review heir-property information Review local exemptions
Taxpayer appeal and ARB evidence

Build the protest around the exact appraisal problem

Deadline warning: For most Texas properties, the ordinary deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice was mailed, whichever is later. The account-specific date printed on the notice controls. By July 28, 2026, the ordinary deadline has passed for many accounts.
Save the full property account Capture the Property ID, owner, property type, land, improvements, market value, productivity value and exemptions.
Identify the exact issue Focus on market value, unequal appraisal, incorrect property details, acreage, ownership, exemption, agricultural qualification, business assets or mineral information.
Read the notice deadline Use the date on the official notice rather than calculating it only from a general article.
Check the district’s property facts Review building size, condition, age, acreage, land class, property type, improvements and exemption status.
Gather issue-specific evidence Use photographs, repair estimates, surveys, closing records, comparable sales, land-use proof, leases, income information or asset lists.
Open Taxpayer Appeals Use Zavala CAD’s official online appeal portal when the account is eligible. Open Zavala CAD Taxpayer Appeals
Use the Notice of Protest form when needed The district Forms page includes the official protest form and an affidavit for protest-hearing evidence.
Request or review CAD evidence Compare the district’s sales, property characteristics and appraisal method with your own records.
Prepare the ARB packet Number exhibits and create a one-page summary showing the current value, requested correction and strongest evidence.
Keep the ARB decision Preserve the order, envelope, hearing evidence and any further appeal deadline.
Evidence by local property type
Property type Useful evidence Common weak evidence
Crystal City residence Comparable sales, measurements, condition photos, repair estimates and purchase records. Only stating that the tax bill increased.
La Pryor residence Local sales, lot size, building condition and comparable La Pryor accounts. An unadjusted Crystal City comparison.
Irrigated farmland Acreage, soil, irrigation, water, production, access and comparable tract information. A town-lot comparison.
Agricultural or wildlife land Use history, leases, production, livestock, wildlife plan and management records. Acreage alone.
Mineral or industrial account Ownership, lease, production, industrial property details and contractor appraisal information. Surface-land value alone.
Business personal property Asset ledger, acquisition dates, costs, disposals, leased assets and condition. One unsupported accounting total.
Property-tax balance and payment

Pay Zavala County property taxes through Zavala CAD

Official collection setup: Zavala CAD accepts in-person, online, drop-box and third-party phone payments. The county Tax Assessor-Collector does not collect property taxes.
Find the correct property account Search by owner, address or ID and verify the property type, account and tax year. Open Zavala CAD Property Search
Review every related account An owner may have separate real, personal, mineral, mobile-home or vehicle-related balances.
Choose an official payment method Zavala CAD publishes in-person, online, drop-box and outside phone-payment options.
For in-person payment The district states that it accepts cash, checks and money orders at 323 W. Zavala Street.
For online payment Open Certified Payments through the official CAD website. Zavala CAD currently publishes a 2.4% online credit- or debit-card fee. Open official online payment route
For drop-box payment Zavala CAD states that its side-of-building drop box accepts checks only. Do not place cash in the drop box.
For payment by phone The CAD office no longer takes card information by phone. Call Certified Payments at 866-539-2020 and use bureau code 2144960.
Confirm the total before authorising Verify the account, owner, tax year, base tax, penalties, interest and processing fee.
Save the receipt Keep the Property ID, tax year, amount, date, method, bureau code and confirmation number.
Confirm posting before paying again Contact Tax Collector Fernando Cadena or Zavala CAD when the transaction is pending or applied incorrectly.
Never send payment information through a random advertisement, text message or copied email link. Begin at zavalacad.com and verify bureau code 2144960 on the live official page.
Pay through Certified Payments Call Certified Payments Call Zavala CAD
Latest adopted rates currently published

Use 2025 rates for comparison—not as final 2026 rates

Zavala CAD’s adopted-rate page currently lists 2025 as the latest complete year. Do not label these figures as final 2026 rates. Review the Truth in Taxation site during the 2026 rate-adoption process.
2025 adopted tax rates per $100 of taxable value
Taxing unit 2025 rate Property check
Zavala County 0.647100 County taxable value and exemptions
City of Crystal City 0.580819 Only property inside the city
Crystal City ISD 0.914800 Verify school-district boundary
La Pryor ISD 1.161400 Verify school-district boundary
Wintergarden Underground Water District 0.004247 Verify the district appears on the account
Southwest Texas Junior College District 0.120000 College-district taxable value
Crystal City example

County + City + Crystal City ISD + groundwater district + college district = 2.266966 per $100.

Rural Crystal City ISD example

County + Crystal City ISD + groundwater district + college district = 1.686147 per $100.

Rural La Pryor ISD example

County + La Pryor ISD + groundwater district + college district = 1.932747 per $100.

These combinations are illustrations. Use only the taxing units and taxable values displayed on the exact property account. City boundaries, school districts and exemptions can change the calculation.
Open Zavala CAD Adopted Rates Open Zavala Truth in Taxation
Deeds, liens, plats and mineral leases

Use the Zavala County Clerk for the controlling record

The County Clerk’s official service list includes deeds, deeds of trust, oil and gas leases, mineral leases, probate matters, UCC filings, assumed names and marks and brands.

Save the appraisal identifiers Record the owner, Property ID, Geo ID, address, legal description, abstract, subdivision and acreage.
Open the official County Clerk page Confirm the current staff, hours, fees and request procedure. Open Zavala County Clerk
Search or request the recorded document Use the grantor, grantee, document type, approximate date, legal description or instrument information.
Compare the complete legal description Recorded documents may include easements, reservations, exceptions, mineral language and boundary calls omitted from the CAD summary.
Review probate or heirship records when needed An inherited-property owner display may not fully explain the legal ownership chain.
Request the correct copy type A lender, court or government office may require certification.
Confirm recording fees The Clerk page currently lists $25 for the first page, $4 for each additional page and $0.50 for each additional owner name.
Give CAD the recording information When ownership has not updated, provide the instrument number, recording date, grantee and Property ID.
Zavala County Clerk

Michelle B. Urrabazo

200 E. Uvalde Street, Suite 7
Crystal City, Texas 78839

830-374-2331
coclerk@zavalacounty.org

County Clerk hours

Monday–Friday

8:00 AM–12:00 PM

1:00 PM–5:00 PM

Call before travelling for older, certified or specialised records.

Local property situations

Adjust the workflow to the Zavala County account

Crystal City residence

Verify City of Crystal City, Crystal City ISD, homestead status, living area, condition and every expected exemption.

La Pryor residence

Confirm La Pryor ISD and do not add the City of Crystal City rate unless the property record actually shows it.

Batesville-area property

Use the legal description, Property ID and map because a community or mailing name may not identify the taxing units.

Irrigated farmland

Compare acreage, irrigation infrastructure, productivity value, agricultural use and groundwater-district taxation.

Large ranch

Create a parcel inventory showing each abstract, tract, acreage total, market value, productivity value and tax status.

Mineral or royalty owner

Separate every mineral interest from the surface land and verify the contractor-appraised account and year.

Manufactured home

Search Mobile Home separately and determine whether the home and land use different accounts.

Inherited property

Review deed, probate and heir-property records before requesting an ownership or exemption correction.

New buyer

Search the seller and buyer, confirm deed recording, update the mailing address and file the new owner’s exemption application.

Verified office contacts

Contact the office that controls the issue

Zavala Central Appraisal District

Use for appraisal search, values, exemptions, agricultural appraisal, renditions, GIS, protests, tax balances, payments and receipts.

323 W. Zavala Street
Crystal City, Texas 78839-3240

830-374-3475
Fax: 830-374-3076
zavalacad@zavalacad.com

Chief Appraiser: Yolanda C. Lavenant

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; closed 12:00 PM–1:00 PM.

Zavala CAD tax collection

Tax Collector: Fernando Cadena, RTC

Use the main CAD telephone for tax-balance, posting, delinquency and receipt questions.

Online fee currently published: 2.4%
Phone processor: 866-539-2020
Bureau code: 2144960

Zavala County Tax Assessor-Collector

Use mainly for vehicle, registration and other county tax-office services—not property-tax collection.

200 E. Uvalde Street, Suite 1
Crystal City, Texas 78839

Rosario “Chari” Benavidez
830-374-2351
taxoffice@zavalacounty.gov

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–5:00 PM.

Prepare before calling
  • Property ID and Owner ID
  • Owner and prior owner names
  • Property type and tax year
  • Address and legal description
  • Appraisal notice or tax statement
  • Form, protest or payment confirmation
  • The exact correction or question
Official action centre

Open the exact Zavala County property resource

Zavala CAD homepage

Official notices, payment details, appraisal information and contact details.

Open Zavala CAD
Property search

Search by owner, address, ID, abstract, subdivision, legal description and property type.

Open property search
GIS map

Review approximate parcel locations, rural tracts and neighbouring accounts.

Open GIS map
Taxpayer appeals

Use the official electronic-protest route when the account is eligible.

Open Taxpayer Appeals
Taxpayer Portal

Access available taxpayer-account and electronic-service features.

Open Taxpayer Portal
Forms

Homestead, veteran, agricultural, wildlife, rendition, protest and deferral forms.

Open forms
Certified Payments

Online or telephone property-tax payment using bureau code 2144960.

Open Certified Payments
Adopted tax rates

Review the latest complete adopted-rate table published by Zavala CAD.

Open adopted rates
Reports and plans

2025 annual report, mass appraisal report, certified totals and agricultural values.

Open reports
Truth in Taxation

Review proposed and adopted current-year tax-rate information.

Open tax notices
County Clerk

Deeds, deeds of trust, mineral leases, probate, liens and official records.

Open County Clerk
State county directory

Verify CAD, Tax Assessor-Collector and active taxing-unit information.

Open Comptroller directory
10 locally specific answers

Zavala County Appraisal District FAQs

What is the official Zavala CAD website?

The official website is zavalacad.com. Use it for property search, GIS maps, forms, taxpayer appeals, tax payments, rates and office information.

How do I search Zavala County property records?

Use Zavala CAD Property Search. Search by owner, address, Property ID, Owner ID, Geographic ID, abstract, subdivision, legal description or property type.

Why does the Zavala CAD search show 2025 instead of 2026?

When reviewed on July 28, 2026, the public search listed tax years 2025 through 2016. Contact Zavala CAD when a 2026 appraisal notice, protest account or ownership update is not yet visible online.

Who is the Zavala County Chief Appraiser?

Zavala CAD’s official website lists Yolanda C. Lavenant as Chief Appraiser.

Where is Zavala Central Appraisal District located?

The office is at 323 W. Zavala Street, Crystal City, Texas 78839-3240. It is open Monday–Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM.

Where do I file a Zavala County homestead exemption?

File with Zavala CAD using the current Forms page. Attach the driver’s-licence copy or other information required by the current form and keep proof of submission.

Can I protest a Zavala CAD value online?

Yes, when the account is eligible. Use Zavala CAD Taxpayer Appeals. For most properties, the ordinary deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice was mailed, whichever is later; the notice date controls.

Who collects Zavala County property taxes?

Zavala Central Appraisal District collects the local property taxes. The Texas Comptroller states that the Zavala County Tax Assessor-Collector does not collect property taxes.

What is the Zavala CAD phone-payment bureau code?

Zavala CAD currently instructs taxpayers to call Certified Payments at 866-539-2020 and use bureau code 2144960. The CAD office itself no longer takes card details by phone.

Where can I find Zavala County deeds and mineral leases?

Use the Zavala County Clerk. The office maintains deeds, deeds of trust, oil and gas leases, mineral leases, probate records and other official documents.

Accuracy, independence and property-record notice

AppraisalDistrict.org is an independent informational website. It is not Zavala Central Appraisal District, Zavala County, the Tax Assessor-Collector, County Clerk, Appraisal Review Board, BIS Consultants, Capitol Appraisal Group or Certified Payments.

Property owners, values, exemptions, agricultural qualification, mineral accounts, tax rates, balances, penalties, fees, bureau codes, forms, deadlines, officeholders and online systems can change. Confirm the live official record before filing, protesting, paying, buying, selling or preparing a legal document.

CAD maps, acreage, owner displays and legal-description summaries are research tools. They are not surveys, title opinions, mineral-title reports, groundwater permits or guarantees of legal ownership.

Last reviewed July 28, 2026. Latest complete adopted-rate table and certified reports currently published by Zavala CAD are for tax year 2025.

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