The Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD) values every property in Galveston County: beach houses on the island, older homes in Texas City and La Marque, and newer subdivisions in League City, Friendswood, and Santa Fe. Your GCAD value is the number every taxing unit uses to calculate your bill.
GCAD at a Glance
| Contact |
Details |
| Office |
9850 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite A101, Texas City, TX 77591 |
| Phone |
(409) 935-1980 |
| Fax |
(409) 935-4319 |
| Hours |
Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon |
| Email |
gcad@galvestoncad.org |
| Complaints about procedures |
liaison@galvestoncad.org (taxpayer liaison officer) |
| Website |
galvestoncad.org |
GCAD's office is in Texas City, not on the island, and it closes at noon on Fridays.
Look Up a Galveston County Property
Search by owner name, street address, or property ID on GCAD's property search. Each record lists the current and prior-year value, the exemptions on file, and the land and improvement details. To compare your lot with nearby parcels, use the GCAD interactive map.
If you've repaired or rebuilt after storm or flood damage, check that the record reflects the home's condition as of January 1. GCAD values property as of that date, and condition problems only count if they existed then.
Wondering whether your value is out of line with your neighbors'?
Island and Mainland Exemptions by Taxing Unit
Which exemptions you get depends on where you live. Galveston ISD and Texas City ISD add a 20% local homestead exemption to the state's $140,000, while League City gives seniors $200,000.
| Taxing unit |
Homestead |
Over-65 |
Disabled |
| Galveston County |
20% (min. $5,000) |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Galveston ISD |
20% (min. $5,000) + $140,000 |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Clear Creek ISD |
5% (min. $5,000) + $140,000 |
$78,330 + tax ceiling |
$78,330 + tax ceiling |
| Dickinson ISD |
$140,000 |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Friendswood ISD |
$140,000 |
$70,000 + tax ceiling |
$70,000 + tax ceiling |
| Hitchcock ISD |
$140,000 |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Santa Fe ISD |
$140,000 |
$65,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Texas City ISD |
20% (min. $5,000) + $140,000 |
$70,900 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| College of the Mainland |
20% (min. $5,000) |
$24,000 + tax ceiling |
$24,000 + tax ceiling |
| City of Friendswood |
20% (min. $5,000) |
$25,000 + tax ceiling |
$25,000 + tax ceiling |
| City of League City |
20% (min. $5,000) |
$200,000 + tax ceiling |
$200,000 + tax ceiling |
| City of Texas City |
20% (min. $5,000) |
$20,000 + tax ceiling |
$10,000 + tax ceiling |
| City of Dickinson |
None |
$10,000 + tax ceiling |
$10,000 + tax ceiling |
Source: Galveston Central Appraisal District 2025 tax rates and exemptions schedule. Over-65 and disabled amounts are in addition to the homestead exemption. Other cities, MUDs, drainage and water districts have their own amounts.
Apply with Form 50-114 on GCAD's online exemption site, by mail, or at the Texas City office. GCAD acts on applications within 90 days. If you bought after January 1 and the prior owner had no homestead exemption, you may still qualify for the rest of that year. See our guide to Texas property tax exemptions for the statewide rules.
How a GCAD Protest Works, Step by Step
- Register on the portal. Create an account at eprotest.galvestoncad.org with the Owner ID and eFile PIN from your notice. No PIN? Email gcad@galvestoncad.org.
- File, which also counts as your informal hearing. GCAD treats the online filing as your informal hearing. If you don't reach an agreement there, your protest is scheduled for the ARB.
- Go to the ARB if you don't agree. Three-member Appraisal Review Board panels start hearing protests in May. Hearings usually run 15 to 20 minutes, by phone, video, written affidavit, or in person if you ask.
- Send affidavit evidence early. For phone or video hearings, the Property Owner's Affidavit of Evidence is due at least 24 hours before the hearing.
- Reschedule only once. The ARB lets you reschedule one time for any reason. After that, you need ARB approval.
You can also file by mail or in person at the Texas City office. For filing tips and common mistakes, see our Galveston County property tax protest guide.
Who Sets Your Galveston County Tax Bill
GCAD only sets values. Each taxing unit adopts its own rate in the fall, and the Galveston County Tax Assessor-Collector mails bills in October. Galveston County adopted a 2026 rate of about $0.324 per $100 in September 2026, slightly lower than its 2025 rate. Your school district, city, and any MUD or drainage district add their own. The Galveston County property tax rate breakdown has the full list.
GCAD Deadlines
| Date |
What happens |
| January 1 |
Property is valued as of this date |
| April 15 |
Business personal property rendition deadline |
| April |
Notices of Appraised Value are mailed |
| April 30 |
Exemption application deadline |
| May 15 (or 30 days after your notice) |
Protest deadline, whichever is later |
| Starting in May |
ARB hearings |
| October |
Tax bills are mailed by the county tax office |
| January 31 |
Property taxes are due |
Let Us Handle the Portal and the ARB
Ballard Property Tax Protest files your GCAD protest each year, builds comparable sales and unequal appraisal evidence, and represents you through the portal and at the ARB. There's no upfront cost, and you only pay if we lower your value.
Sign up in a few minutes or see how our Galveston County property tax protest service works.
Sources
Rates and exemption amounts in this guide come from the sources above and were current when we checked them in October 2026. They're for general information only. Taxing units can change their rates and exemptions each year, and your tax bill and your GCAD property record are the official figures for your property.
