Craving more elbow room without giving up your favorite shops and a workable DFW commute? Bartonville delivers a semi-rural lifestyle with space, privacy, and just-right convenience. If you are exploring acreage, you likely want clarity on zoning, utilities, barns and animals, taxes, and drive times before you make a move. This guide gives you the essentials, plus a practical checklist to shop smart and avoid surprises. Let’s dive in.
Why Bartonville acreage stands out
Bartonville sits along FM 407 in southern Denton County, adjacent to Argyle, Double Oak, Lantana, and Highland Village. It has a quiet, country feel with access to boutiques, dining, and services at nearby lifestyle centers such as The Shops at Highland Village. Many buyers come for privacy, mature trees, and room for outbuildings while staying within a reasonable drive to DFW employment hubs.
Published market snapshots show Bartonville as an upper-tier, low-inventory market with large custom estates and ranchettes. Recent sources have reported medians ranging roughly from the mid seven figures to over two million, with wide month-to-month swings because a few estate sales can skew townwide medians. The takeaway is simple: plan for meaningful variation by parcel, subdivision, and improvements, and evaluate each property on its own merits.
What “acreage” means here: zoning and lot sizes
Bartonville’s zoning is designed to protect a semi-rural pattern with meaningful space around homes. The code establishes several low-density districts with minimum lot sizes: AG at 10 acres, RE-5 at 5 acres, RE-2 at 2 acres, and R-1 at 1 acre. These districts also control setbacks, lot coverage, and frontage. You can review details in the Town of Bartonville zoning code.
Acreage neighborhoods can include both deed-restricted subdivisions with HOAs and standalone ranch parcels. Subdivision and access standards influence how larger lots are laid out and where driveways tie in, especially along major roads. If you have a specific plan for a guest house, shop, or barn, confirm subdivision covenants and any planned-development overlays along with the base zoning.
HOA vs. standalone parcels
- HOA acreage neighborhoods typically deliver 1 to 5 acre homesites with architectural guidelines and animal or accessory-use rules that vary by community.
- Standalone parcels may offer more flexibility but place more responsibility on you to manage utilities, maintenance, and permitting.
- In both cases, verify restrictions in writing before you finalize your offer.
Equestrian and hobby-farm potential
If horses or livestock are part of your vision, focus your search on AG, RE-5, and RE-2 districts. These districts are the framework that most commonly accommodates barns, arenas, pastures, and related uses. Always confirm the specific parcel’s zoning and any conditional-use requirements in the zoning code before you commit.
Bartonville requires permits for new residences and accessory structures, along with on-site sewage and well work. Expect submittals and inspections for barns, guest houses, fencing, wells, and septic systems. You can preview current forms and checklists on the Town’s Permits page.
For stocking rates, a practical management guideline is to plan for about 1.5 to 3 acres per full‑size horse for year‑round pasture, with 2 acres per horse used as a common rule of thumb. This is not a zoning number. It helps you plan for rotational grazing, manure management, and supplemental hay. For deeper guidance, see the extension overview on horse acreage and pasture management.
Local infrastructure supports equestrian lifestyles. Bartonville is home to facilities such as RockGate Equestrian Center, and many estates include private barns. If you intend to board horses commercially or run lessons, verify whether your use is allowed by right or requires a conditional-use permit.
Utilities and services you should plan for
Water service is often provided by Cross Timbers Water Supply Corporation, a member-owned utility that serves Bartonville and nearby areas. Some acreage properties still use private wells for domestic supply or irrigation. Always confirm the provider and service details per parcel on Cross Timbers’ site.
Many acreage homes rely on on-site sewage facilities. Septic system type and capacity depend on soil, slope, and layout, so request existing OSSF records, any soils reports, and maintenance contracts during option. The Town publishes OSSF forms and guidance on its Permits page.
Electric service is delivered through the regional grid with retail electric options available. Broadband varies widely by street and even by side of the road. Some pockets have fiber or cable while others rely on fixed wireless or satellite. Run parcel-level checks with local ISPs before you assume gigabit service; a starting point for regional availability is this utilities look-up for the area.
For public safety, Bartonville maintains a local police department, and fire and EMS are provided by regional services. Hydrant coverage is uneven on large-lot streets. Ask about hydrants, fire flow, and any special insurance considerations for outbuildings.
Getting around: shopping, commuting, roads
For daily essentials, The Shops at Highland Village and adjacent corridors on FM 2499 and Justin Road are the nearest concentration of dining and retail. Off‑peak drives from central Bartonville to DFW Airport are commonly around 30 to 40 minutes, depending on route and traffic, and under roughly 35 miles to downtown Dallas. For a general sense of distance, you can view typical routing on tools like this Bartonville to DFW comparison.
FM 407 is the spine through Bartonville, and it has active planning conversations around future widening and corridor improvements. These projects can improve flow over time yet also bring construction impacts or right-of-way changes. Stay current with updates through community reporting on FM 407 improvements and check property-specific frontage before you purchase.
Costs, taxes, and ongoing upkeep
Beyond price, plan for the operating side of acreage living. More land means more mowing and tree care, plus upkeep for fences, arenas, gates, and private drives. If you use a well and septic, budget for routine servicing and periodic replacements, which can be a meaningful line item in long-term ownership.
Property tax structure matters as well. The Town of Bartonville’s adopted municipal rate for tax year 2025 is listed as 0.173646 per $100 of valuation on the county’s Truth-in-Taxation table. Your total bill will also include school district, county, emergency services, and any special districts, so compute the full rate for the specific parcel via the county’s Truth-in-Taxation page.
Texas also provides agricultural and open-space valuation options that can reduce taxes when land meets statutory use and local appraisal standards. If you plan to pursue a productivity valuation for livestock or hay production, speak with Denton CAD early in your purchase timeline and maintain records that show qualifying use. Discuss rollback exposure with your tax advisor if you later change use.
Who thrives on Bartonville acreage
- Equestrian households who want private barns with access to nearby training and boarding resources.
- Affluent professionals who value privacy, a country backdrop, and a workable DFW commute.
- Hobby-farm enthusiasts who enjoy gardens, bees, small livestock, and hands-on land projects.
- Remote and hybrid workers who prize large lots, home-office space, and outdoor amenities.
A smart buyer’s due-diligence checklist
- Verify zoning and overlays for your intended uses, then confirm any conditional-use needs in the zoning code.
- Identify the water provider or well status, meter availability, and expected pressure. Check parcel specifics with Cross Timbers WSC.
- Confirm sewage strategy. Request OSSF records, any soils report, and system service history from the seller. See the Town’s forms on the Permits page.
- Calculate the full tax rate for the property and run a sample annual bill. Start with the county’s Truth-in-Taxation page.
- Review any HOA covenants for accessory buildings, vehicle storage, and animals.
- Order inspections for well pumps, septic, fencing, and arenas, and factor in maintenance budgets.
- Check floodplain maps and local wildfire advisories. Ask about hydrants and fire flow on your street.
- Confirm whether FM 407 or other projects could affect your frontage or driveway. Track updates on FM 407 improvements.
Next steps
If acreage living in Bartonville fits your vision, the right partner makes all the difference. Our team pairs hyperlocal expertise with white-glove service to help you verify utilities, navigate zoning, and negotiate acreage-specific terms with confidence. Start a plan tailored to your lifestyle, timeline, and budget with the North Texas Team.
FAQs
What lot sizes define “acreage” in Bartonville?
- Zoning districts set minimums at 1 acre for R-1, 2 acres for RE-2, 5 acres for RE-5, and 10 acres for AG, with many marketed homes falling in the 1 to 5 acre range and some estates exceeding 10 acres.
Can I keep horses on a Bartonville property?
- In many cases yes, especially in AG and RE districts, but confirm your specific parcel’s zoning and any HOA rules; as a planning guide, allow about 2 acres per full-size horse for year-round pasture per extension guidance.
Do acreage homes have city water and sewer in Bartonville?
- Many are on Cross Timbers WSC for water and use on-site septic for sewage; verify the provider or well status for each parcel and review OSSF records via the Town’s Permits page.
How long is the drive to DFW Airport from Bartonville?
- Off‑peak, typical routing places Bartonville roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car from DFW Airport, with times varying by route and traffic; see an example on distance tools.
How do property taxes work on acreage in Bartonville?
- Your total rate includes the town, school district, county, emergency services, and any special districts; start with the county’s Truth-in-Taxation page and consult Denton CAD about open-space valuation eligibility if you plan qualifying agricultural use.
Are there HOAs in Bartonville’s acreage neighborhoods?
- Yes, some subdivisions have HOAs with architectural and use rules, while standalone parcels may offer more flexibility; review covenants early to confirm accessory buildings, fencing, and animal allowances.
