County Agricultural Land Preservation Program

Coming soon...

Overview

A Transferable Development Right (TDR) permits all or part of the density potential of one tract of land to be transferred to another noncontiguous parcel. The density potential unit (TDR) becomes a separate right of property ownership which can be sold separate from the land from which it was created. The TDR sold can then be used to increase the density potential of another parcel. The properties selling TDRs are the Agricultural Preservation Districts (APD) and are referred to as the sending area. The properties able to utilize TDRs to increase their density potential are the designated receiving areas. The purpose behind the TDRs is to move density out of areas that should be preserved to more suitable areas.

Once an APD is recorded, the landowner can apply to certify TDRs by application. Staff calculates TDRs based on:

• 1 TDR per acre.
• 5 TDRs deducted per residence on the property.
• 5 TDRs added for each grandfathered lot authorized but unused.
• TDR certification applications have to go through the APAB for approval and recommendation to the BOCC for approval. Once the BOCC approves, the TDR certification is recorded in Land Records.

Forms

• Application for Certification of Development Options (fillable PDF)
• Recording of Covenants Imposed by Conveyance of Development Options (fillable PDF)
• Allocation of Development Rights (fillable PDF)
• Conveyance of Development Rights w/Lien (PDF)
• Conveyance of Development Rights w/o Lien (PDF)
• Application for TDR Sales List (fillable PDF)

Overview

The Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) Reserve Program allows citizens to sell and purchase TDRs through the county government instead of through private buyer/seller negotiations. Administered by the Department of Planning & Zoning, the program is set up as a revolving fund to continually purchase TDRs from Agricultural Preservation District (APD) owners and sell them to developers. Owners of record of TDRs which have been conveyed from the original APD are also eligible to apply.

The currently approved price to sell TDRs to the TDR Reserve is $6,230 and is offered on a first come, first served basis as available funding and TDR supply allow. There is an additional 1% administrative fee for the purchase of TDRs. The price to purchase TDRs from the Reserve is equal to the price paid by the Board of County Commissioners for the right, plus the 1% administrative fee. The use of TDRs allows landowners to increase density potential within designated residential growth areas while preserving the county’s natural resources, agricultural land and forests. 

Forms

• Application to sell TDRs (fillable PDF)
• Application to purchase TDRs (fillable PDF)

Overview

The Purchase and Retirement (PAR) fund was established by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in 1992. The program serves as an added mechanism for the sale of TDRs. Unlike a traditional market sale, PAR transactions utilize county funds to retire TDRs, thus removing density rather than moving it. The BOCC sets the TDR price based on the recommendation from the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board (APAB). Eligible Agricultural Preservation District (APD) owners can apply to sell TDRs to the PAR fund. Applications are ranked by the APAB. The APAB sends offer letters until funding is exhausted.

Fiscal Year 2026 PAR Application

The deadline to submit an application has been extended to December 12, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. The approved purchase price is $6,230 per TDR.

• Download the PAR application form (fillable PDF)

Application Submittal

September - December: Applications are accepted
December - January: Applications are reviewed
January - February: Offers are made
June: Transactions conclude

Forms

• Conveyance of Development Rights for Purchase and Retirement w/Lien
• Conveyance of Development Rights for Purchase and Retirement w/o Lien