Texas does not have a Mills Act-style property tax program. Instead, Texas Tax Code Section 11.24 lets local taxing units exempt part or all of a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark or qualifying historic structure's assessed value. Harris County Commissioners Court has adopted a partial 11.24 exemption for designated landmarks.
California's Mills Act is a contract-based property tax reduction tied to historic rehabilitation, and it has no Texas equivalent. The closest mechanism is Texas Tax Code Section 11.24, which authorizes any taxing unit to exempt a portion or all of the assessed value of a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark or designated historically or archaeologically significant structure. Harris County Commissioners Court adopted an order applying a 50 percent county portion exemption for qualifying designated structures. Houston ISD, City of Houston, MUDs, and Harris Health District each set their own 11.24 levels independently. Property owners must apply through the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) and maintain the historic designation; demolition or unauthorized alteration ends the exemption.
Loss of designation, demolition, or alteration disqualifying the structure terminates the 11.24 exemption retroactively. HCAD can back-assess taxes plus penalties. Application misrepresentation is a Class A misdemeanor under Tax Code 22.29.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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