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.
Sutter County, CA
A dog in Sutter County is a nuisance animal if it barks or howls so continuously or incessantly as to unreasonably disturb the peace and tranquility of the n...
Sutter County, CA
Unincorporated Sutter County does not publish numeric quiet-hour decibel windows in its general code. Loud or disturbing noise is regulated as a public nuisa...
Sutter County, CA
Sutter County regulates RV, boat, and trailer storage on residential lots through the County Zoning Code (Title 1500 of the County Code, adopted 2021 and upd...
Sutter County, CA
Livestock keeping is broadly permitted in unincorporated Sutter County, especially in Agricultural and Rural Residential zones. Density, setbacks, and struct...
Sutter County, CA
Sutter County is largely agricultural and zoning is generally permissive of chickens and livestock outside city limits. Rules vary by zone — keeping is gover...
Sutter County, CA
All dogs four months and older in Sutter County must be currently vaccinated for rabies and licensed. Dogs at large off the owner's property must be under co...
See how Sutter's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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