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.
Santa Cruz County, CA
Persistent barking dogs in unincorporated Santa Cruz County are enforced under SCCC Chapter 8.30 (Noise) and Title 6 (Animals). Barking audible 150 feet past...
Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County Code Chapter 8.30 (Noise) prohibits any offensive noise between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in unincorporated areas (including Aptos, Soquel, ...
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 10.40 (Stopping, Standing and Parking) prohibits any 'oversized vehicle' from parking on city streets or municipal lots bet...
Santa Cruz County, CA
Under SCCC Title 6 (Animals), chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, other fowl, rabbits, and guinea pigs are allowed in the unincorporated county only if they can...
Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County Code Title 6 (Animals) requires dogs to be under physical restraint - leash, tether, or in a person's grasp - whenever off the owner's prop...
Santa Cruz County, CA
More than half of Santa Cruz County residents live in the Wildland Urban Interface - one of the highest shares in California. CAL FIRE maps designate most ru...
See how Santa Cruz's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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