Williamson Act
California Land Conservation Act
The purpose of the Agricultural Preserve Program is the long term conservation of agricultural and open space lands. The program enrolls land in Williamson Act or Farmland Security Zone contracts whereby the land is enforceably restricted to agricultural, open space, or recreational uses in exchange for reduced property tax assessments. Participation in the program is voluntary. The Santa Barbara County Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones is the set of rules by which the County administers its Agricultural Preserve Program. The Agricultural Preserve Advisory Committee is responsible for administering the County's Agricultural Preserve Program.
Uniform Rules
For questions on the Agricultural Preserve program please contact the Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner and Agricultural Preserve Advisory Committee Chair, Bill Gillette at bgillette@agcommissioner.com or call 805.681.5600. For more information click here
Agricultural Preserve Advisory Committee
The Agricultural Preserve Advisory Committee was created by, and is advisory to, the Board of Supervisors and includes representatives from the Agricultural Commissioner's Office, Assessor's Office, County Surveyor 's Office, Cooperative Extension, Planning and Development, and the agricultural community. The Committee is responsible for administering the County's Agricultural Preserve Program and the Uniform Rules. Its duties include reviewing applications and making recommendations for creating agricultural preserves, entering new contracts, making revisions to existing preserves or contracts, termination contracts and disestablishing preserves. In conjunction with these duties, the APAC is responsible for monitoring and enforcement of the Agricultural Preserve Program. When an application for a permit (or other County entitlement) involves land in a Williamson Act contract, the APAC has the responsibility to review the application to determine its consistency with the County's Uniform Rules. In addition, the APAC is responsible for determining the compatibility of land uses under the provisions of the Uniform Rules and the Williamson Act. From time to time it is also responsible for recommending revisions to the Rules to ensure their continuing consistency with the Williamson Act and suitability to Santa Barbara County . The APAC is a committee subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act and the public is welcome to attend meetings and provide input and comments on proposed recommendations or issues being discussed. (Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones, September 2007)
APAC Members
- Bill Gillette - Agricultural Commissioner (Chair)
- John Karamitsos - Planning and Development
- Lisa Hammock - Assessor's Office
- Michael Emmons - Surveyor's Office
- UC Cooperative Extension Representative (vacant)
Ag Preserve Advisory Committee
Forms
The following Ag Preserve forms and guidelines are available
- Agricultural Preserve Non Renewal Instructions and Application
- Agricultural Preserve Cancellation Contract
- Agricultural Preserve New & Replacement Contract
- Farmland Security Zone Contract
- General Guidelines for the Agricultural Preserve
Agricultural Land Use Planning
Agricultural Land Use Planning Website
