The Rockwall Central Appraisal District (RCAD), also called Rockwall CAD, values every property in Rockwall County, the smallest county in Texas by land area. That includes Rockwall, Heath, Fate, Royse City, McLendon-Chisholm, and the Rockwall County part of Rowlett. In Rockwall County, RCAD is also the place to go about paying your property taxes.
RCAD Contact Information
Rockwall CAD Property Search
Go to the RCAD property search and search by owner name, street address, or property ID. A property record shows the current and prior-year value, the exemptions on file, and the land and improvement details.
Lakefront and lake-view homes around Lake Ray Hubbard can vary a lot in value from one street to the next. If your home doesn't have the view or water access of the sales RCAD likely used, your value may be overstated. Compare it with homes that match yours, not just the highest sales nearby.
Paying Property Taxes in Rockwall County
The Rockwall County tax office handles vehicle registration and titles but doesn't collect property taxes. The Texas Comptroller directs Rockwall County taxpayers to the appraisal district instead, so contact RCAD about your tax bill and payment options. Bills go out in October and are due by January 31.
A Sample 2026 Rockwall Tax Bill
Here's what a $450,000 home in the City of Rockwall and Rockwall ISD owes at 2026 rates, with only the state's $140,000 school homestead exemption applied:
| Taxing unit |
2026 rate per $100 |
Taxable value |
Tax |
| Rockwall ISD |
$1.066900 |
$310,000 |
$3,307 |
| Rockwall County |
$0.262000 |
$450,000 |
$1,179 |
| City of Rockwall |
$0.258007 |
$450,000 |
$1,161 |
| Total |
$1.586907 |
|
$5,647 |
Rates: Rockwall County approved $0.262 for 2026 (up from $0.251); the City of Rockwall adopted $0.258007; Rockwall ISD kept $1.0669. Any county or city homestead or senior exemption you have would lower the county and city lines.
Homes in Royse City ISD, Heath, Fate, or Royse City pay those units' rates instead. See the Rockwall County property tax rate breakdown for every taxing unit.
Homestead Exemptions in Rockwall County
| Taxing unit |
Homestead |
Over-65 |
Disabled |
| Rockwall ISD |
$140,000 |
$80,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Royse City ISD |
$140,000 |
$75,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Rockwall County |
None |
$35,000 + tax ceiling |
Not reported |
| City of Rockwall |
None |
$60,000 |
Not reported |
| City of Fate |
None |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
| City of Heath |
None |
$3,000 |
$3,000 |
| City of Royse City |
None |
$6,000 |
$5,000 |
| City of McLendon-Chisholm |
None |
$30,000 |
$30,000 |
Sources: city and school amounts are the 2025 figures reported by Rockwall CAD (as compiled in Republic Title's 2025 DFW Area Tax Rates); Rockwall County's amount from the county's FY2025 budget. Rockwall ISD and Royse City ISD add a local over-65 exemption to the state's $60,000. Over-65 and disabled amounts are in addition to the homestead exemption. Units can change their amounts each year; your RCAD property record shows the exemptions applied to your account.
Everything goes through RCAD, including over-65 and disabled exemptions and any city senior tax freeze. File Form 50-114 (Residence Homestead Exemption Application) by April 30. Late applications are accepted for up to two years after the taxes become delinquent. With a homestead, your appraised value can't rise more than 10% a year. Our guide to Texas property tax exemptions covers the rest.
How to Protest Your RCAD Value
- File by the deadline. May 15, or 30 days after your notice is mailed if that's later. Use the online portal, mail, or the Justin Road office.
- Meet with an appraiser. Most protests start with an informal review with an RCAD appraiser.
- Go to the ARB if needed. If you don't agree on a value, an independent Appraisal Review Board hears your case.
Bring sales of comparable homes, unequal appraisal comparisons, and photos or repair estimates for anything wrong with the house as of January 1.
Rockwall County Protest and Tax Calendar
| 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 |
| Late spring and summer |
Informal reviews and ARB hearings |
| October |
Tax bills are mailed |
| January 31 |
Property taxes are due |
The Rockwall County protest deadlines guide walks through each date.
Have Us Protest Your RCAD Value
Ballard Property Tax Protest reviews your RCAD value every year, files the protest, and represents you at the informal review and 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 Rockwall 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 RCAD property record are the official figures for your property.
