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.
Marin County, CA
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Marin County, CA
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San Rafael, CA
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Marin County, CA
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Marin County, CA
Unincorporated Marin County allows backyard chickens under zoning rules: one hen per 1,000 square feet of lot area, up to 20 hens maximum, with coops up to 1...
Marin County, CA
Marin County Code Title 8 (Animals), Chapter 8.04 requires dogs in public places to be restrained by a leash of sufficient length to allow constant control. ...
See how San Rafael's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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