Land Use Valuation Program

This program allows for the reduction of real estate taxes on land that may be eligible for special valuation and assessment when it meets the following criteria:

Agricultural:  When devoted to the bona fide production for sale of plants and animals useful to man under uniform standards prescribed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or when devoted to and meeting the requirements and qualifications for payments or other compensation pursuant to a soil conservation program under an agreement with an agency of the federal government.  A five (5) acre minimum in agricultural use is required.

Horticultural: When devoted to the bona fide production for sale of fruits of all kinds, including grapes, nuts and berries: vegetables; nursery and floral products under uniform standards prescribed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or when devoted to and meeting the requirements and qualifications for payments or other compensation pursuant to a soil conservation program under an agreement with an agency of the federal government.  A five (5) acre minimum in horticultural use is required.

Forestry: When devoted to tree growth in such quantity and so spaced and maintained as to constitute a forest area under standards prescribed by the State Forester.  A twenty (20) acre minimum in forestry is required.

Open Space: When so used as to be provided or preserved for park or recreational purposes, conservation of land or other natural resources, floodways, historic or scenic purposes, or assisting in the shaping of the character, direction and timing of community development or for the public interest and consistent with the local land-use plan under uniform standards prescribed by the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. A ten (10) acre minimum in open space is required. Open space also requires an agreement that must be set for a minimum of four (4) years (maximum of 10 years), approved by the Board of Supervisors, and recorded in the Clerk's Office before it can go into effect. The owner agrees to pay the cost of recordation, if any.
 

Filing Deadline: November 1st

• Deadline for submitting:
  • Land use and open space applications for the next calendar year
  • Land use revalidation forms for the next calendar year
  • Open space agreements for the next calendar year

Delinquent Taxes:

If on April 1st of any year, the taxes for any prior year on any parcel of real property which has a special assessment as provided for in this article are delinquent, the Treasurer shall forthwith send notice of that fact and the general provisions of this section to the property owner by first-class mail.  If, after the notice has been sent, such delinquent taxes remain unpaid on June 1st, the treasurer shall notify the Commissioner of the Revenue who shall remove such parcel from the land use program. (Comp. 1974, Ch. 23; Ord. eff. 1/1/78)

Roll Back Taxes and Penalty:

Whenever land has qualified for assessment and taxation according to use and has been converted to a non-qualifying use or rezoned to a more intensive use at the request of the owner or his agent, that land is subject to the roll-back tax as provided in section 58.1-3237(D).

For additional information regarding this program please see Fluvanna Code Section 20-4 below; Special Assessments for Agricultural, Horticultural, Forest and Open Space Real Estate.