The Department of Conservation hosts monthly open house meetings
on the Williamson Act. The next open house will be June 15
discussing CEQA and the Willamson Act and farmland mitigation.
CSAC encourages county staff to join the discussion to ask
questions. Upcoming open house meetings include solar use,
Williamson Act enrollment, monitoring and material breach, and
open question meetings. Contact the department directly at
LCA@conservation.ca.gov or
visit the Department of
Conservation website for more information.
About the Williamson Act
The Williamson Act, also known as the California Land
Conservation Act of 1965, enables local governments to enter into
contracts with private landowners for the purpose of restricting
specific parcels of land to agricultural or related open space
use. In return, landowners receive property tax assessments
which are much lower than normal because they are based upon
farming and open space uses as opposed to full market
value.
The Department of Conservation assists all levels of government,
and landowners in the interpretation of the Williamson Act
related government code. The Department also researches,
publishes and disseminates information regarding the policies,
purposes, procedures, and administration of the Williamson Act
according to government code.
Participating counties and cities are required to establish their
own rules and regulations regarding implementation of the Act
within their jurisdiction. These rules include but are not
limited to: enrollment guidelines, acreage minimums, enforcement
procedures, allowable uses, and compatible uses.
