The County of Monterey assists in maintaining the agricultural economy of California by establishing agricultural preserves and creating farmland security zones. The Agricultural Preservation Review Committee is responsible for reviewing applications for agricultural preserves and farmland security zones; the Committee consists of representatives from the Assessor's Office, Office of the County Counsel, Agricultural Commissioner's Office, and Housing and Community Development (Planning) Department.

The County of Monterey provides two options for landowners who wish to enforceably restrict land to agricultural uses: Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones. Entering into an agricultural preserve or farmland security zone contracts is entirely voluntary for both the landowner and the county.

Importantly, the minimum initial term for an agricultural preserve and farmland security zone contract in Monterey County is 20 years. Contracts self-renew annually, unless either party files a “notice of non-renewal.” If a notice of non-renewal is filed, the taxes begin to rise as the contract runs out during the remaining years of the term.

Historically, local governments received an annual subvention of forgone property tax revenues from the state through the Open Space Subvention Act of 1971. Subvention payments were suspended in FY 09-10 as a result of the state’s fiscal constraints. The Williamson Act contracts between landowners and local governments, however, remain in force regardless of the availability of subvention funds. More general information on the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act) can be found on the California Department of Conservation’s website.

The County of Monterey has specific qualifications for the establishment of agricultural preserves and farmland security zones (see “Williamson Act Contract Qualifications in Monterey County” below).

Agricultural preserves and farmland security zones differ in both their eligibility requirements and property tax reduction calculations. Farmland security zones are often referred to as the “Super Williamson Act” because landowners receive an additional tax benefit and unlike agricultural preserves, farmland security zone contracts require the property be predominantly prime agricultural land as defined in Government Code Section 51201 (c), or designated on the Important Farmland Series Maps, prepared pursuant to Government Code Section 65570, as predominantly one or more of the following:

• Prime farmland;
• Farmland of statewide significance;
• Unique farmland;
• Farmland of local importance.

Qualifications for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zone Contracts:

• 100 or more acres: Areas of less than 100 acres, but 40 or more acres, may be eligible if necessary to preserve the unique characteristics of the agricultural enterprise.
• Land must have a recent history of being used primarily for the production of food or fiber for three of the last five years.
• Generate at least $8,000 of annual gross income during three of the last five years from production of animals and/or unprocessed agricultural plant products. Recently improved lands must have the potential of a gross $8,000 income the next succeeding year.
• Must be consistent with the County General Plan.
• If the property is within one mile of a city, that city has not protested or will not protest the preserve or contract.
• The property is zoned an appropriate agricultural designation, or that the proper reclassification be requested at the time the contract is applied for.
• Additional qualifications and procedures can be found in the Monterey County Board of Supervisors Resolutions No. 03-383 and No. 01-486

Farmland Security Zones
Farmland security zones offer landowners greater property tax reduction than agricultural preserves. Land restricted by a farmland security zone contract is valued for property assessment purposes at 65% of its Williamson Act valuation, or 65% of its Proposition 13 valuation, whichever is lower. Farmland security zone contracts, however, require that the property is predominantly prime agricultural land, as discussed above.

Applications are due annually on or before September 15.

The next Williamson Act application deadline is September 15, 2025.

Landowners interested in applying for an agricultural preserve or a farmland security zone contract are encouraged to contact one of the following as early as possible to ensure the correct application form and procedures are followed:

Kayla Nelson, Planner
County of Monterey Housing and Community Development
Email: NelsonK@countyofmonterey.gov
Phone: 831-796-6408

Nadia Ochoa, Agricultural Resources and Policy Manager
County of Monterey Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
Email: OchoaN1@countyofmonterey.gov
Phone: (831) 759-7384.