In 1971, the Virginia General Assembly enacted a law permitting localities to adopt a program of special assessments for agriculture, horticultural, forest, and open space lands (Section 58.1-3299 through 58.1-3244 of the Code of Virginia). In 1978, the Franklin County Board of Supervisors chose to adopt this ordinance based on State Law to conserve acreage that may otherwise be developed.
The purpose of the program is to:
- Conserve natural resources
- Encourage the proper preservation and use of such real estate to assure a readily available source of agricultural, horticultural, and forest products and of open spaces
- Preserve scenic natural beauty
- Prevent erosion and protect adequate and safe water supplies
- Promote proper land use planning and orderly development of real estate.
When your land qualifies for land use taxation, the parcel receives a lower assessment than the fair market assessment. The difference in tax dollars is not a total abatement, but rather a deferment. Taxpayers owning real estate that meets the qualifications may enter the program under one or more of the following categories: Agricultural Use, Horticultural Use, Forest Use or Open Space Use.
Contact Franklin County Agricultural Land Preservation Program
REMINDER: This listing is a free service of LandCAN.
Franklin County Agricultural Land Preservation Program is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.