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.
Pittsburg, CA
Pittsburg restricts RV, boat, and trailer storage in residential areas through zoning regulations in Municipal Code Title 18. Recreational vehicles and trail...
Pittsburg, CA
Open burning prohibited in the Bay Area under BAAQMD Regulation 5. Pittsburg falls within BAAQMD jurisdiction. Subsurface fires (peat, vegetation) must be ex...
Pittsburg, CA
Wood-burning fire pits subject to BAAQMD Spare the Air restrictions. When alerts are called, all wood burning is illegal indoors and outdoors throughout the ...
Pittsburg, CA
All Pittsburg residences must have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor, plus carbon monoxide alarms outside...
Pittsburg, CA
Pittsburg is one of the few Contra Costa cities that permits state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks. Sale and discharge are allowed only from noon on July ...
Pittsburg, CA
Pittsburg encourages drought-tolerant landscaping. CA Civil Code 1940.10 and 4735 prohibit landlords and HOAs from penalizing tenants or homeowners for droug...
See how Pittsburg's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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