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.
Murrieta, CA
Aircraft noise in and around Murrieta is governed by federal FAA preemption under 49 U.S.C. section 40103, not by city ordinance. French Valley Airport (F70)...
Murrieta, CA
Murrieta regulates leaf blowers under the general noise ordinance in Murrieta Municipal Code Chapter 9.02, which restricts gardening equipment to daytime hou...
Murrieta, CA
Outdoor amplified music in Murrieta is permitted only during daytime hours subject to the 55 dBA residential receiving limit and the plainly-audible-at-50-fe...
Murrieta, CA
All consumer fireworks, including State Fire Marshal Safe and Sane devices, are prohibited in Murrieta at all times. Possession, sale, or use of any firework...
Murrieta, CA
Murrieta property owners must maintain a minimum 100-foot defensible space around structures under California Public Resources Code section 4291, with Zone 0...
Murrieta, CA
Under California Health and Safety Code section 13113.7 and the California Residential Code, Murrieta homes must have smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside ...
See how Murrieta's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.