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.
Ridgecrest, CA
Aircraft noise in Ridgecrest is regulated by the FAA and the adjacent Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWS). Local ordinances do not govern military or...
Ridgecrest, CA
Ridgecrest prohibits unnecessary noise that disturbs residents under its municipal code. Quiet hours are generally enforced from 10 PM to 7 AM in residential...
Ridgecrest, CA
Persistent barking that constitutes a nuisance is prohibited under the Ridgecrest Municipal Code. Ridgecrest Animal Control responds to barking dog complaints.
Ridgecrest, CA
Construction noise in Ridgecrest is restricted to daytime weekday and Saturday hours under the RMC. No construction is permitted on Sundays without special a...
Ridgecrest, CA
Ridgecrest regulates street parking under Chapter 15 (Traffic and Vehicles) of the RMC. Certain streets have time-restricted or prohibited parking zones.
Ridgecrest, CA
Large commercial vehicles parked in residential zones in Ridgecrest are subject to RMC zoning and traffic regulations.
See how Ridgecrest's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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