Agricultural Preserves and the Williamson Act

Overview

Riverside County participates in the State of California Land Conservation Act agricultural land preservation program. The purpose of the Act is to preserve agricultural and open space lands by discouraging premature and unnecessary conversion to urban uses. Williamson Act contracts are established between the landowner and the County.

• Riverside County Resolution No. 84-526  "Amending the Rules and Regulations Governing Agricultural Preserves In Riverside County" - specifies local rules for processing agricultural preserve applications.
• Riverside County Ordinance No. 509 specifies compatible uses in agricultural preserve.
• County of Riverside Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Agricultural Preserve Information provides information on assessment and valuation.

Application Information

The Planning Department's development review process consists of the following components:

1. General Application Form
2. Applicant/Property Owner Signature Form
3. Agricultural Preserve Supplemental Information Form
4. Soil Conservation Plan

Additionally, there are Filing Instructions for Agricultural Preserve Applications to aid an applicant to ensure their submittal package is complete and contains all of the necessary components to process their application(s). 

Planning applications may be submitted online through PLUS Online. See instructions HERE.

Agricultural Preserve Maps

• Map My County GIS Layer: select the layer "Agricultural Preserves" under "Planning Layers"
• Agricultural Preserve Map Exhibits - select Bookmarks to scroll by the name of the  preserve (document is in chronological order)
• California Land Conservation Act of 1965 Williamson Act - Government Code Section 51200 et. seq.)
• California Department of Conservation Williamson Act - Overview