Buying or selling a home in Lago Vista comes with everyday costs that are easy to overlook until the first bill arrives. If you love the Lake Travis lifestyle, you also want a clear picture of utilities, yard care, and dock responsibilities so you can plan with confidence. In this guide, you’ll see typical ranges, how to estimate your monthly spend, and where to verify details before you commit. Let’s dive in.
What holding costs include
You will budget for four big buckets: utilities, landscaping and irrigation, docks and waterfront items, and recurring non-utility costs like taxes, HOA or POA dues, and insurance. The City of Lago Vista bills water, sewer, and trash directly, and Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) serves electricity. If your home is on the water, plan for dock upkeep and insurance conversations.
Utilities in Lago Vista
Water, sewer, and trash basics
The City of Lago Vista posts residential rates so you can estimate bills. The water base charge is $36.52 per month with tiered pricing by 1,000 gallons. Sewer uses a base of $19.00 plus $10.75 per 1,000 gallons, and the city uses winter averaging to set your sewer volume for the year. Weekly trash and every-other-week recycling are included in the city program. You can review current rates on the city’s residential utility page at the City’s published Residential Utility Rates.
- City rates and billing details: City of Lago Vista Residential Utility Rates
- Trash and recycling service are billed through your city utility account.
As of March 20, 2025, Lago Vista is in Stage 2 watering restrictions, which limits outdoor irrigation to once per week. That can lower water use for lawns if you follow the schedule. Check the latest stage status here: City of Lago Vista Water Restrictions.
Electricity with PEC
Pedernales Electric Cooperative is the local electric distributor for Lago Vista. PEC publishes residential rate components and a bill estimator so you can plug in your expected kWh use. Typical Austin-area bills often fall in the low to mid hundreds per month, but your summer air conditioning load and plan choice will drive variance.
- PEC rates and calculator: PEC residential rates
- Regional cost context: Typical electricity costs in Travis County
Example monthly utility estimate
Here is an illustrative scenario for planning. Your usage may differ.
- Electricity: 150 to 220 dollars per month depending on season and usage.
- Water at 8,000 gallons: base 36.52 dollars plus tiers for 6,000 gallons above the included 2,000, which totals about 71.77 dollars.
- Sewer using 8,000 gallons winter average: 19 dollars plus 8 times 10.75 dollars, which is about 105 dollars.
- Trash and recycling: about 22 dollars for one cart.
- Internet: many households budget 50 to 120 dollars depending on provider and speed.
Typical monthly utilities often land around 410 to 550 dollars for an average single-family home, driven mostly by electricity and irrigation. Use the city’s rates and PEC’s calculator for an address-specific estimate.
How to verify utilities before you buy
- Ask the seller for the last 12 months of electric, water, sewer, and trash bills to understand seasonal swings.
- Use PEC’s calculator with the home’s prior kWh and your expected thermostat settings: PEC residential rates.
- Confirm meter size, sewer connection, and the winter average used for sewer on the city’s rate page: City utility rates.
- Check whether the property is on city sewer or a septic system here: City Utility Sewer Department.
Landscaping and irrigation
Typical maintenance costs
Most Lago Vista lots see routine lawn care in the 100 to 200 dollars per month range for weekly or biweekly service. Tree trimming varies with size and access, and medium jobs in Travis County often price in the 400 to 800 dollars range. If you have an irrigation system, budget a modest annual tune-up and seasonal repairs.
- Regional lawn care ranges: HomeAdvisor lawn and garden costs
- Tree work context for Travis County: Average tree service costs
A practical planning range for a typical Lake Travis yard is 100 to 250 dollars per month for upkeep, plus occasional one-time tree work and 75 to 300 dollars per year for irrigation maintenance. Larger or heavily landscaped lots can run higher.
Drought rules and your yard
Stage 2 limits irrigation to once weekly. That reduces outdoor water use, which can lower your bill, and it may push you toward drought-tolerant plants, mulch, and seasonal watering adjustments. Always verify the current watering stage with the city: Water restrictions.
Docks and waterfront ownership
Rules and permits
The Lower Colorado River Authority oversees docks on Lake Travis. For many residential docks of 1,500 square feet or less, LCRA does not require a permit, but your dock must meet safety standards for flotation, lighting, access, anchoring, and distance from shore. Larger docks or marinas require permits, and city or POA rules may add requirements. Start here to review standards: LCRA docks and marinas.
Even when LCRA does not require a permit, shoreline work or anything attached to land can trigger local permits. Contact the City of Lago Vista before building or modifying a dock: City permitting.
Build, repair, and annual upkeep
Dock projects vary widely by size and materials. In Texas, many residential docks fall in a broad band for construction costs, and add-ons like lifts, roof structures, and electrical increase the budget. Plan for annual inspections and lift service, and set aside a maintenance reserve since replacing floats or decking can cost thousands.
A simple planning approach is to amortize your dock over 15 to 25 years and add a yearly maintenance reserve. Many owners set aside about 50 to 200 dollars per month equivalent for a modest dock, with larger, more complex docks requiring more.
Insurance for docks
Docks are sometimes covered as other structures on a homeowners policy, but limits, exclusions, and deductibles vary. Flood is frequently excluded, and separate endorsements or riders may be needed. Review coverage with your agent early in the option period. For guidance, see Texas boat and dock insurance tips.
Taxes, HOA or POA, and other recurring costs
Property taxes
Your total bill combines several taxing entities, including Lago Vista ISD, Travis County, the City of Lago Vista, and emergency services districts. Lago Vista ISD publishes its adopted rate each year. For example, at a school-district rate of 1.0169 dollars per 100 dollars of taxable value, a 500,000 dollar taxable value would generate about 5,085 dollars for the school district portion alone. Verify current rates here: Lago Vista ISD tax information.
HOA or POA fees
Many subdivisions in Lago Vista have voluntary or mandatory associations. Dues and assessments vary, especially in amenity-heavy or gated communities. Ask for current dues, special assessments, rules for boats and docks, and any upcoming capital projects.
Home, flood, and boat policies
Homeowners premiums depend on home value, construction, roof age, claims history, and proximity to water or trees. Flood insurance is separate, and standard flood policies often exclude docks and piers. Boat and dock endorsements are typically separate. Start the insurance review alongside your inspection period: TDI tips on boat and dock coverage.
Quick budgeting checklist
Use this to organize questions and numbers before you write an offer or set a list price.
- Utilities
- Estimate electricity with PEC’s tool: PEC residential rates.
- Water, sewer, trash: review city tiers and ask for 12 months of bills: City utility rates.
- Landscape and irrigation
- Confirm if there is an irrigation system and last service date. Note current watering stage: Water restrictions.
- Dock and waterfront
- Ask for LCRA compliance info, any city permits, lift receipts, and insurance details. Review standards here: LCRA docks and marinas.
- Sewer or septic
- Verify connection type with the city: Utility Sewer Department.
- Taxes and assessments
- Pull the latest tax bill and compare current rates: LVISD tax info.
The bottom line
A Lago Vista home near Lake Travis can come with manageable holding costs when you plan ahead. Use the city’s posted rates, PEC’s calculator, and the checklists above to build an accurate monthly picture, then adjust for yard size and any dock ownership. If you are weighing two properties, compare 12 months of seller bills side by side to see real-world differences.
Ready to compare options or price your home with clarity? Reach out to Soomin Kim for local guidance and a clear cost roadmap.
FAQs
What are typical monthly utilities for a Lago Vista home?
- Many households see roughly 410 to 550 dollars per month for electricity, water, sewer, trash, and internet, based on city rate tiers and regional electric averages, and you can refine your estimate using PEC’s calculator and the city’s utility rates.
Do I need an LCRA permit for a residential dock on Lake Travis?
- Many residential docks of 1,500 square feet or less do not require an LCRA permit, but they must meet safety standards and city or POA rules may still apply, so review LCRA guidance and confirm with City permitting.
How do Stage 2 watering restrictions affect my yard costs in Lago Vista?
- Stage 2 limits irrigation to once weekly, which can lower water use and bills while increasing the value of drought‑tolerant landscaping and mulch, so check the current stage here: Water restrictions.
Are docks covered by my homeowners insurance in Lago Vista?
- Docks may be covered as other structures with limits and exclusions, flood is often excluded, and many owners need endorsements or separate policies, so start with your agent and review TDI’s tips.
How can I estimate Lago Vista property taxes before I buy?
- Add the rates from each taxing entity to the taxable value, and use the published Lago Vista ISD rate as a starting point while you verify current year numbers here: LVISD tax information.
