Williamson Act Contracts In California

California’s agricultural lands face constant pressure from residential, commercial, and industrial development. One of the state’s primary tools for preserving farmland and open space is the Williamson Act, formally known as the California Land Conservation Act of 1965. Unlike conservation easements, which are often permanent, Williamson Act contracts provide a mechanism for landowners to temporarily restrict development in exchange for favorable property tax treatment.

For landowners, public agencies, and eminent domain practitioners, understanding how these contracts are created, terminated, and affected by public acquisitions is important because they can significantly influence the use of agricultural property throughout California.