• Certified copy of 2005 Humboldt County Williamson Act Guidelines 

• Standard copy of current Land Conservation Contract
• Standard copy of Uniform Rules and Compatible Uses
• Current copy of Notice of Nonrenewal Procedures and Fees

The California Land Conservation Act of 1965, better known as the Williamson Act, created a program for counties to protect viable agricultural land by offering a tax incentive to property owners for keeping their land in agricultural production. The Act provides an arrangement where private landowners voluntarily restrict their land to agricultural and compatible open space uses under a contract with the County, known as a Land Conservation Contract.

The Williamson Act contract is an enforceable restriction on land and is binding on successors to both the landowner and the local government. The minimum term for a contract is ten years, and the contract is automatically renewed annually, unless either party gives advance notice on non- renewal. Contracts may also be canceled immediately, terminating the restriction to agricultural uses, only if the local legislative body finds that it would be consistent with the Act and in the public interest.

Humboldt County Board of Supervisors first adopted guidelines for the Williamson Act locally on June 24, 1969. From 1972 to 1981, nearly 243,000 acres were put under Williamson Act contracts in the County. Currently, there are just over 273,000 acres in the program in 145 established preserves.

The Department of Conservation governs the program at the state level.  The program is administered locally, through a combined effort of the Assessor’s office, planning staff and County Counsel. The Assessor determines the value of the land under contract with a restricted value, based on income capability rather than market value, giving tax relief to property owners.

Williamson Act Informational Brochure

• Procedures for Enrollment into the Williamson Act
• Application Submittal Requirements
• Property Status Report

Adopted revisions to the 2002 Williamson Act Guidelines

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, in June of 2002, adopted the first comprehensive update to the local Guidelines since 1978 to reflect major changes at the state level to the Williamson Act.  The County then hosted a workshop for all contract holders to discuss the new Guidelines and the process for updating all contracts. Comments received during the Williamson Act Workshop on January 19^th (and the subsequent meeting hosted by the Farm Bureau on February 15^th) indicated that changes were needed in the way the County is implementing the new Williamson Act Guidelines. On Tuesday, August 23, 2005, the Board of Supervisors approved minor revisions to the 2002 Guidelines.  For copies of the new revisions you can call 268-3704 or download them by clicking the following link:

Certified copy of 2005 Humboldt County Williamson Act Guidelines 

Grant funding for Williamson Act Enrollment fees now available!

On March 22, 2005 the Board of Supervisors approved program goals and funding criteria for the Recreational and Conservation Easement Support Program funded by HR 3289 Title III funding.  These program funds may be made available to defray expenses for landowners who wish to enroll lands eligible under the Williamson Act.  Please contact us using the phone or e-mail link below for more information.

Phone (707) 445-7541 or send an e-mail for more information on the Williamson Act