The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act), Government Code 51200-51297.4, allows landowners to enter contracts with counties restricting land to agricultural use for ten-year minimum terms in exchange for reduced property tax assessment based on farming income.
Government Code 51200-51297.4 establishes the Williamson Act framework under which county boards of supervisors may form agricultural preserves and contract with landowners to restrict parcels to agricultural and compatible uses for renewable ten-year terms (twenty for Farmland Security Zones). In exchange, parcels are taxed based on agricultural income capacity rather than market value. The state partially reimburses counties for foregone property tax. Local governments must follow uniform statewide procedures for contract entry, renewal, nonrenewal, and cancellation. While participation by counties is optional, the contract framework, valuation method, and cancellation rules are state-mandated and uniform.
Premature contract cancellation triggers cancellation fees of 12.5 percent of the parcel's unrestricted fair market value under Government Code 51283.
Nevada County, CA
Nevada County Code Title 8 (Animal Regulation) makes it unlawful for an owner to allow a dog or other animal to disturb the peace by habitual barking, howlin...
Nevada County, CA
Unincorporated Nevada County applies a tiered exterior noise standard set in Land Use & Development Code Section L-II 4.1.7. At residential receivers the day...
Nevada County, CA
RVs, travel trailers, and boats may be stored on a residential parcel in unincorporated Nevada County, but full-time occupancy of an RV as a dwelling is proh...
Grass Valley, CA
Grass Valley's parking rules are in Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Municipal Code — Chapter 10.32 (Stopping, Standing and Parking) and Chapter 10.48 ...
Nevada County, CA
Beekeeping is broadly allowed in unincorporated Nevada County. Hobbyist apiaries with fewer than 10 hives pay no County registration fee (Board Resolution 93...
Nevada County, CA
Section L-II 3.4 of the Land Use & Development Code allows backyard chickens (hens only, no roosters) in the R1 and RA zoning districts. Hen counts range fro...
See how Grass Valley's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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