The Agricultural and Forestal (A&F) District program is designed to preserve and protect open spaces, forested areas, and agricultural lands in Fairfax County. The program allows property that meets certain criteria to be taxed on the use value of the land rather than the market value; in other words, the value of the land for growing crops, or in a conserved state, rather than as fully developed property. In exchange for the reduction in taxes, the property owners agree to abide by specific Ordinance Provisions adopted with the approval of their A&F District. The Provisions require all district owners to not intensify the use of their land for the life of the District, with exceptions for expansions or improvements to certain existing agricultural or forestal uses on the property. The Provisions also include requirements to comply with a Soil and Water Quality Management Plan, a Forest Management Plan, or other commitments to address specific environmental concerns, such as erosion control or endangered species management.
Department of Planning and Development Alert: