Agricultural Preserves Uniform Rules Update
The
Santa Barbara County Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland
Security Zones (referred to as “Uniform Rules”) is the set
of rules the County uses to implement the Agricultural Preserve tax credit
program, established by the California Land Conservation Act of 1965, also
known as the Williamson Act.
The Uniform Rules define eligibility requirements and qualifying uses that each participating landowner must follow in order to receive a reduced property tax assessment under the Williamson Act. Often the Uniform Rules are more restrictive than the underlying agricultural zoning requirements. The County of Santa Barbara’s Agricultural Preserve program has a high level of participation, covering approximately 550,000 acres, representing approximately 75% of all privately held agricultural lands in the County.
David Matson, Deputy Director: dmatson@sbcao.org
David Lackie, Supervising Planner: dlackie@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
Bret McNulty, Supervising Planner: bmcnulty@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
Projects and Documents
The Board of Supervisors adopted the updated Uniform Rules on September 25, 2007. Click the title below to view the updated document.
Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones
- Powerpoint Presentation - September 25, 2007 (PDF)
- Board of Supervisors Staff Report - September 25, 2007 (PDF)
- Attachment A: Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (PDF)
- Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
- Attachment C: Resolution and Proposed Uniform Rules (PDF)
- Attachment D: Department of Conservation Letters (PDF)
Revised Draft EIR - Cumulative Impact Analysis
The Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Department, Office of Long Range Planning, serving as Lead Agency, has completed a Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) - Cumulative Impact Analysis for the Update to the Santa Barbara County Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones (Uniform Rules).
- Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) - Cumulative Impact Analysis (PDF)
- Notice of Availability - July 20, 2007 (PDF)
Recent Meetings and Events
Public Hearing:
A public hearing to receive comments was held August 15, 2007 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Assembly Hall of the Solvang Veteran's Building located at 1745 Mission Drive. Environmental Comment Hearing - Power Point Presentation- August 15, 2007.Uniform Rules Update Community Workshop regarding Revisions to the EIR Cumulative Impacts, Saturday, March 10, 2007, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Agenda (PDF)
- PowerPoint Presentation (PowerPoint)
- Project List for Consideration (PDF)
Board of Supervisors Adoption Hearing, February 13, 2007
(continued from December 5, 2006)
Board of Supervisors Adoption Hearing, December 5, 2006
(continued to December 19th, 2006, and continued again to February 13th, 2007) (PDF Documents)
- Board Letter
- Attachment A. Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations
- Attachment B. EIR Revision Document (04-EIR-08 RV1) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan
- Attachment C. Resolution and proposed Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones, Santa Barbara County, December 2006
- Attachment D. Key amendment table
- Public comment letters received for the December 5th hearing
- Public
comment letters received for the December 19th hearing
Proposed Final EIR
The Proposed Final EIR on the Uniform Rules Update was released on August 24, 2006: (PDF Documents)
- Proposed Final EIR
- Figure 1: Lands in Santa Barbara County in Agricultural Preserve Map
- Figure 2: Rural Roads Map
- Figure 3: Ground Water Basin Map
- Figure 4: Cumulative Projects Map
Specific information, such as terminology and phrases can be found in the Proposed Final EIR by using the search function in your Acrobat Reader. Once the document has been downloaded, please locate the binocular icon located at the top of your screen to activate the search function.
Uniform Rules Planning Documents (PDF Documents)
Public Participation
Click here to join our mailing list and be notified about the Uniform Rules Update process
Links
California
Department of Conservation - more information on the Williamson Act
Williamson Act - info about the California statutes governing the Williamson
ActQuick Facts
Agricultural Preserve Advisory Committee
(APAC)
Farmland Security Zones