The Lampasas County Appraisal District, officially the Lampasas Central Appraisal District (Lampasas CAD or LCAD), sets the January 1 market value of property in Lampasas County and handles exemptions for the county's taxing units. It does not set tax rates. Unlike most of the Central Texas districts I cover, it is also where you pay your property taxes: the Texas Comptroller lists the Lampasas County tax office as not collecting property taxes, and the appraisal district serves as the contracted tax assessor. LCAD is at 109 E 5th Street, Lampasas, TX 76550, phone (512) 556-8058, online at lampasascad.com.
I'm Taylor Ring, a Mortgage Loan Officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (The Wood Group) in Belton. I'm not affiliated with Lampasas CAD. Buyers looking around Killeen sometimes widen the search west to Kempner or Lampasas, and the numbers on an LCAD record end up in every payment estimate I build for them. Everything below comes from lampasascad.com and the Texas Comptroller, read October 25, 2026.
Buying in Lampasas, Kempner, or Lometa? Get Pre-Approved or Book a Free Consultation.
Lampasas CAD Contact Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office (values, exemptions, protests, tax payments) | 109 E 5th Street, Lampasas, TX 76550 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 175, Lampasas, TX 76550-0175 |
| Phone | (512) 556-8058 |
| Fax | (512) 556-4660 |
| info@lampasascad.com | |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
Good to know:
- The hours changed. LCAD posted that its hours became Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., effective October 1, 2025. Older listings may show different times.
- Holiday closures on the district's 2026 calendar still ahead this year: November 11 (Veterans Day), November 26 and 27 (Thanksgiving), and December 24 and 25.
- 2026 tax statements: the LCAD home page says they will be mailed on October 26, 2026.
Sources: LCAD contact page, the LCAD home page, and the Comptroller's Lampasas County directory.
Which Homes Lampasas CAD Covers
LCAD says it handles appraisal and exemptions for 10 taxing units in Lampasas County. The Comptroller's directory lists these active units:
- Lampasas County
- Cities: Lampasas, Lometa, and Kempner
- School districts: Lampasas ISD and Lometa ISD
The other units on your account, if any, show up on the property record itself. For Killeen-area buyers: a mailing address or city name doesn't always tell you the county, so the first thing I confirm on a listing west of Killeen is which county the home is actually in. If it's in Bell or Coryell County, my Bell County Appraisal District guide or Coryell County Appraisal District guide covers that office instead.
What Lampasas CAD Does, and What It Doesn't
What it does:
- Appraises property at market value as of January 1, as Texas law requires, following the Property Tax Code and USPAP.
- Uses mass appraisal. LCAD says appraisers may consider recent sales of similar properties; size, age, condition, and location; construction costs; income for certain commercial property; and field inspections and owner submissions.
- Administers exemptions, including the general residence homestead, over-65, disabled person, disabled veteran, and 100% disabled veteran exemptions.
- Sends Notices of Appraised Value and handles informal reviews before protests go to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).
- Sends tax statements and takes payments. LCAD's site has a Pay Taxes Online button, and its Truth in Taxation page lists the "Appraisal District of Lampasas County" as the contracted tax-assessor.
What it doesn't do:
- Set tax rates. LCAD says rates are set by local taxing entities such as schools, cities, the county, and special districts. In its words, "The appraisal district only determines the market value of the property."
The math: LCAD's Truth in Taxation page puts it simply. Tax amount = taxable value / 100 x tax rate. You can see proposed and adopted rates for your property at lampasas.countytaxrates.com, the local database linked from Texas.gov/propertytaxes. LCAD also posts each year's taxing unit rates on its tax rate page.
How to Look Up a Property on Lampasas CAD
- Go to esearch.lampasascad.com, linked as Property Search on the LCAD site.
- Search by owner (last name first), by address, or by property ID. There's also an ARB search and an advanced search.
- Open the account to see the values, exemptions, and taxing units. The same site handles online tax payments.
LCAD also links an interactive map and the CTCOG 911 addressing office from its home page.
What to Check on a Listing's Record
- The seller's exemptions aren't yours. Form 50-114 says homestead exemptions apply only to property you own and occupy as your principal residence, so you file your own after you buy.
- The 10% homestead cap starts over. The Comptroller says the appraised value for a homeowner who qualifies for the homestead in the preceding and current year may not increase more than 10% per year, and LCAD's circuit breaker notice refers to homesteads "receiving the 10% homestead cap." A home held for years under that cap can carry a value well below market, so your estimate should be built on market value.
- Non-homestead property has a different cap. LCAD explains that certain non-homestead real property can qualify for a 20% circuit breaker limitation on annual appraised value increases. If you're buying a second home or rental, the seller's capped value may not carry over either.
- Ag or wildlife valuation. LCAD notes that land qualifying for agricultural or wildlife management valuation gets special appraisal. If you're buying acreage, ask how that status affects you before closing.
Filing Your Homestead Exemption in Lampasas County
There's no fee. LCAD's home page says, "There is no charge or fee associated with receiving or filing an exemption application."
Before you file: LCAD's homestead page says you must have a valid driver's license and it must show the address on the homestead application. If it doesn't, update your license first.
How to file:
- Online: the LCAD site links a Homestead Application Form you can complete online.
- Paper: download Comptroller Form 50-114 (or 50-114-S in Spanish) from LCAD's homestead page.
- Deliver it by mail to P.O. Box 175, Lampasas, TX 76550, by email to the exemption department (LCAD wants a legible PDF, not a photo), or in the drop-off box at 109 E 5th Street. See the exemptions page.
When: Form 50-114 says applications are generally due by April 30, and late homestead applications can be filed up to two years after the deadline. If you buy after January 1, the form says you may get the exemption for the rest of that year right away, as long as the previous owner didn't receive the same exemption for that year.
Do you reapply? Not usually. LCAD says that under Senate Bill 1801, the chief appraiser must verify each residence homestead at least every five years, and there's no need to re-apply "unless requested to do so, by mail." Watch for that letter.
What it's worth: the Comptroller says school districts must provide a $140,000 general homestead exemption, plus an additional $60,000 for homeowners 65 or older or disabled. Any taxing unit may add a local option exemption of up to 20% of appraised value. Ask LCAD what applies to a specific property. Disabled veterans need a current VA award letter for LCAD's application; my Texas disabled veteran property tax exemption guide explains the amounts. The statewide steps are in how to file a homestead exemption in Texas and the Texas homestead exemption over 65.
How to Protest Your Lampasas County Appraisal
The Deadline
The Comptroller's calendar, posted on LCAD's site, says most protests are due by May 15, or 30 days after your notice of appraised value is delivered, whichever is later. LCAD says instructions for filing come with your notice.
How to File
- Online through the LCAD Taxpayer Portal, linked as "View Protest" on the home page.
- On paper if you can't file online, using Form 50-132-a (Property Owner's Notice of Protest) from LCAD's protests page. Form 50-283 lets you submit evidence by affidavit.
The Informal Conference
LCAD's 2026 informal conference procedures say:
- You'll get an appointment letter by mail with the date, time, and assigned appraiser.
- The conference can happen in person, by phone, or by email.
- If you agree, the value is finalized with a signed settlement and waiver agreement. Read it before you sign; a waiver generally means you're giving up the rest of the protest.
- If you don't agree, your protest goes to a formal ARB hearing, with a separate notice.
Evidence LCAD lists as helpful: comparable sales, sales contracts, settlement statements, and fee appraisals dated July 1, 2025 to current; photos; engineer reports or cost-to-cure estimates; recorded warranty deeds; and survey plats. If you just bought, your closing statement and purchase contract are on that list.
After the ARB
The Comptroller explains you can appeal an ARB decision to district court within 60 days of receiving the written order, and that arbitration or SOAH may be options depending on the property.
Lampasas County Property Tax Calendar
| When | What Happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Market values and exemption qualification set | Comptroller calendar |
| By April 1 (or soon after) | Notices of appraised value for homesteads | Tax Code 25.19 |
| April 30 | General deadline for homestead applications | Form 50-114 |
| May 15 (or 30 days after notice) | Protest deadline, whichever is later | Tax Code 41.44 |
| July 25 | Appraisal roll certified | Comptroller calendar |
| August and September | Taxing units adopt budgets and rates | LCAD Truth in Taxation |
| October 26, 2026 | 2026 tax statements mailed | LCAD home page |
| February 1 | Taxes delinquent if the bill went out by January 10 | Comptroller calendar |
How Lampasas CAD Values Show Up in Your Payment
If you escrow, your taxes are part of your monthly payment. Under federal rules, servicers collect one-twelfth of estimated annual taxes and insurance each month and can keep a cushion of up to two months. My guide to what escrow is in a mortgage explains how shortages and refunds work.
Hypothetical example: A buyer moving from Killeen picks a Lampasas home owned for decades by a seller with the over-65 exemption. The seller's bill was $1,800 a year ($150 a month). Built on full market value with only the buyer's general homestead exemption, the buyer's estimate is $3,600 a year ($300 a month). Budgeting on the seller's bill would have left the buyer $150 a month short, and the escrow account would have caught up with them at the first analysis. Round illustrative numbers, not actual Lampasas County taxes.
My checklist for Lampasas County buyers:
- Confirm the county and school district on the LCAD record, especially around Kempner.
- Estimate taxes on full market value with your own exemptions. I do that in every estimate; see how much house can I afford in Texas.
- Update your driver's license address, then file your homestead.
- Plan for the escrow deposit at closing, covered in my closing costs in Texas guide.
- On rural property outside the city limits, ask me whether a USDA loan fits the home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lampasas County Appraisal District?
The Lampasas County Appraisal District, officially the Lampasas Central Appraisal District, sets the January 1 market value of property in Lampasas County and handles exemptions for the county's taxing units. It does not set tax rates, but it does mail tax statements and take payments as the contracted tax assessor. Its office is at 109 E 5th Street in Lampasas, phone (512) 556-8058.
What are Lampasas CAD's office hours?
Lampasas CAD is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 109 E 5th Street in Lampasas. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 175, Lampasas, TX 76550-0175, and its email is info@lampasascad.com.
How do I file a homestead exemption in Lampasas County?
Make sure your driver's license shows the home's address, then use the online homestead application on the Lampasas CAD website or download Form 50-114. Mail the paper form to P.O. Box 175, Lampasas, TX 76550, email it as a legible PDF, or use the drop-off box at 109 E 5th Street. There is no fee to file.
When is the protest deadline in Lampasas County?
Most protests are due by May 15 or 30 days after your notice of appraised value is delivered, whichever is later. You can file online through the Lampasas CAD taxpayer portal or on paper with Form 50-132-a if you can't file online.
Where do I pay property taxes in Lampasas County?
You pay Lampasas County property taxes through the Lampasas Central Appraisal District, which serves as the contracted tax assessor. You can pay online through the district's property search site or at the office at 109 E 5th Street in Lampasas. The district says 2026 tax statements will be mailed on October 26, 2026.
Planning a Lampasas County Purchase?
I'll check the county, school district, and exemptions on any home you're considering and build your estimate on the taxes you'll actually pay.
Get Pre-Approved | Book a Free Consultation
Related Guides
- Buying a Home in Killeen
- Bell County Appraisal District Guide
- Coryell County Appraisal District Guide
- USDA Loans
- How to File a Homestead Exemption in Texas
- What Is Escrow in a Mortgage?
- Closing Costs in Texas
Sources
- Lampasas Central Appraisal District: home page, contact, understanding your property appraisal, exemptions, homestead application, protests, 2026 informal conference procedures, truth in taxation, calendar, property search, and its circuit breaker and 2026 holiday notices
- Texas Comptroller: Lampasas County directory, Property Tax Exemptions, Valuing Property, Appraisal Protests and Appeals, and Form 50-114
- 12 CFR 1024.17, escrow accounts
Taylor Ring, NMLS #2809683 | Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #2289 | The Wood Group of Fairway, 127 Lake Rd Ste 300, Belton, TX 76513 | Equal Housing Opportunity. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines, and approval, rates, and program availability are not guaranteed. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Lampasas Central Appraisal District, the Lampasas County Appraisal Review Board, Lampasas County, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, or any government agency. Contact Lampasas CAD directly for official values, deadlines, tax amounts, and exemption decisions.