Marin County wants to help landowners and agricultural producers to preserve land for farming. The Marin County Assessor’s office offer tax benefits to landowners who use their land for commercial farming. This tax benefit relies on a state law known as the Williamson Act, or the California Land Conservation Act of 1965.
The Williamson Act allows landowners to enter into a contract with the County to restrict the use of their land to farming and to not subdivide it. In return, the County reduces their land's assessed value, decreasing their property taxes
Provided below are links to several documents related to Williamson Act contracts, including background information and the application form required to apply for a Williamson Act contract.
Williamson Act Program Resources
- California Land Conservation Act Program (Williamson Act) Fact Sheet
- Williamson Act Application Form
- Valuation Disclosure. Include this form with Williamson Act applications.
- Board of Supervisors Resolution 2000-135. This resolution established rules for eligible contract types under the Williamson Act. These include agricultural preserves and security zones.
- California Department of Conservation Williamson Act Program
Contacts for Existing or New Contracts and Property Valuation
For additional information regarding applying or existing contracts, please contact the Marin County Planning Division at (415) 473-6269.
For matters related to valuation, contact the Marin County Assessor’s Office at (415) 473-7215
Related
- Planning Division Development Resources (Original) Use our factsheets and other resources to help you understand rules for development and prepare for submitting Planning Permits.
- Plans, Policies, and Regulations What are the rules for developing and using land in unincorporated Marin? View Marin County's policy plans and regulations such as the Countywide Plan, Development Code, and Local Coastal Plan.