NOTES:

Conservation futures on agricultural land -- Property tax exemption: RCW 84.36.260, 84.36.500.

RCW 84.34.010
Legislative declaration.

The legislature hereby declares that it is in the best interest of the state to maintain, preserve, conserve and otherwise continue in existence adequate open space lands for the production of food, fiber and forest crops, and to assure the use and enjoyment of natural resources and scenic beauty for the economic and social well-being of the state and its citizens. The legislature further declares that assessment practices must be so designed as to permit the continued availability of open space lands for these purposes, and it is the intent of this chapter so to provide. The legislature further declares its intent that farm and agricultural lands shall be valued on the basis of their value for use as authorized by section 11 of Article VII of the Constitution of the state of Washington.

[1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 1; 1970 ex.s. c 87 § 1.]

RCW 84.34.020
Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is required by the context:

     (1) "Open space land" means (a) any land area so designated by an official comprehensive land use plan adopted by any city or county and zoned accordingly, or (b) any land area, the preservation of which in its present use would (i) conserve and enhance natural or scenic resources, or (ii) protect streams or water supply, or (iii) promote conservation of soils, wetlands, beaches or tidal marshes, or (iv) enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, forests, wildlife preserves, nature reservations or sanctuaries or other open space, or (v) enhance recreation opportunities, or (vi) preserve historic sites, or (vii) preserve visual quality along highway, road, and street corridors or scenic vistas, or (viii) retain in its natural state tracts of land not less than one acre situated in an urban area and open to public use on such conditions as may be reasonably required by the legislative body granting the open space classification, or (c) any land meeting the definition of farm and agricultural conservation land under subsection (8) of this section. As a condition of granting open space classification, the legislative body may not require public access on land classified under (b)(iii) of this subsection for the purpose of promoting conservation of wetlands.

     (2) "Farm and agricultural land" means:

     (a) Any parcel of land that is twenty or more acres or multiple parcels of land that are contiguous and total twenty or more acres:

     (i) Devoted primarily to the production of livestock or agricultural commodities for commercial purposes;

     (ii) Enrolled in the federal conservation reserve program or its successor administered by the United States department of agriculture; or

     (iii) Other similar commercial activities as may be established by rule;

     (b) Any parcel of land that is five acres or more but less than twenty acres devoted primarily to agricultural uses, which has produced a gross income from agricultural uses equivalent to, as of January 1, 1993:

     (i) One hundred dollars or more per acre per year for three of the five calendar years preceding the date of application for classification under this chapter for all parcels of land that are classified under this subsection or all parcels of land for which an application for classification under this subsection is made with the granting authority prior to January 1, 1993; and

     (ii) On or after January 1, 1993, two hundred dollars or more per acre per year for three of the five calendar years preceding the date of application for classification under this chapter;

     (c) Any parcel of land of less than five acres devoted primarily to agricultural uses which has produced a gross income as of January 1, 1993, of:

     (i) One thousand dollars or more per year for three of the five calendar years preceding the date of application for classification under this chapter for all parcels of land that are classified under this subsection or all parcels of land for which an application for classification under this subsection is made with the granting authority prior to January 1, 1993; and

     (ii) On or after January 1, 1993, fifteen hundred dollars or more per year for three of the five calendar years preceding the date of application for classification under this chapter.

Parcels of land described in (b)(i) and (c)(i) of this subsection shall, upon any transfer of the property excluding a transfer to a surviving spouse, be subject to the limits of (b)(ii) and (c)(ii) of this subsection;

     (d) Any lands including incidental uses as are compatible with agricultural purposes, including wetlands preservation, provided such incidental use does not exceed twenty percent of the classified land and the land on which appurtenances necessary to the production, preparation, or sale of the agricultural products exist in conjunction with the lands producing such products. Agricultural lands shall also include any parcel of land of one to five acres, which is not contiguous, but which otherwise constitutes an integral part of farming operations being conducted on land qualifying under this section as "farm and agricultural lands"; or

     (e) The land on which housing for employees and the principal place of residence of the farm operator or owner of land classified pursuant to (a) of this subsection is sited if: The housing or residence is on or contiguous to the classified parcel; and the use of the housing or the residence is integral to the use of the classified land for agricultural purposes.

     (3) "Timber land" means any parcel of land that is five or more acres or multiple parcels of land that are contiguous and total five or more acres which is or are devoted primarily to the growth and harvest of timber for commercial purposes. A timber management plan shall be filed with the county legislative authority at the time (a) an application is made for classification as timber land pursuant to this chapter or (b) when a sale or transfer of timber land occurs and a notice of classification continuance is signed. Timber land means the land only.

     (4) "Current" or "currently" means as of the date on which property is to be listed and valued by the assessor.

     (5) "Owner" means the party or parties having the fee interest in land, except that where land is subject to real estate contract "owner" shall mean the contract vendee.

     (6) "Contiguous" means land adjoining and touching other property held by the same ownership. Land divided by a public road, but otherwise an integral part of a farming operation, shall be considered contiguous.

     (7) "Granting authority" means the appropriate agency or official who acts on an application for classification of land pursuant to this chapter.

     (8) "Farm and agricultural conservation land" means either:

     (a) Land that was previously classified under subsection (2) of this section, that no longer meets the criteria of subsection (2) of this section, and that is reclassified under subsection (1) of this section; or

     (b) Land that is traditional farmland that is not classified under chapter 84.33 or 84.34 RCW, that has not been irrevocably devoted to a use inconsistent with agricultural uses, and that has a high potential for returning to commercial agriculture.

[2001 c 249 § 12; 1998 c 320 § 7; 1997 c 429 § 31; 1992 c 69 § 4; 1988 c 253 § 3; 1983 c 3 § 227; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 2; 1970 ex.s. c 87 § 2.]

RCW 84.34.035
Applications for current use classification -- Approval or denial -- Appeal -- Duties of assessor upon approval.

The assessor shall act upon the application for current use classification of farm and agricultural lands under RCW 84.34.020(2), with due regard to all relevant evidence. The application shall be deemed to have been approved unless, prior to the first day of May of the year after such application was mailed or delivered to the assessor, the assessor shall notify the applicant in writing of the extent to which the application is denied. An owner who receives notice that his or her application has been denied may appeal such denial to the board of equalization in the county where the property is located. The appeal shall be filed in accordance with RCW 84.40.038. Within ten days following approval of the application, the assessor shall submit notification of such approval to the county auditor for recording in the place and manner provided for the public recording of state tax liens on real property. The assessor shall retain a copy of all applications.

     The assessor shall, as to any such land, make a notation each year on the assessment list and the tax roll of the assessed value of such land for the use for which it is classified in addition to the assessed value of such land were it not so classified.

[2001 c 185 § 6; 1992 c 69 § 5; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 4.]

RCW 84.34.041
Application for current use classification -- Forms -- Public hearing -- Approval or denial.

An application for current use classification under RCW 84.34.020(3) shall be made to the county legislative authority.

     (1) The application shall be made upon forms prepared by the department of revenue and supplied by the granting authority and shall include the following:

     (a) A legal description of, or assessor's parcel numbers for, all land the applicant desires to be classified as timber land;

     (b) The date or dates of acquisition of the land;

     (c) A brief description of the timber on the land, or if the timber has been harvested, the owner's plan for restocking;

     (d) Whether there is a forest management plan for the land;

     (e) If so, the nature and extent of implementation of the plan;

     (f) Whether the land is used for grazing;

     (g) Whether the land has been subdivided or a plat filed with respect to the land;

     (h) Whether the land and the applicant are in compliance with the restocking, forest management, fire protection, insect and disease control, weed control, and forest debris provisions of Title 76 RCW or applicable rules under Title 76 RCW;

     (i) Whether the land is subject to forest fire protection assessments pursuant to RCW 76.04.610;

     (j) Whether the land is subject to a lease, option, or other right that permits it to be used for a purpose other than growing and harvesting timber;

     (k) A summary of the past experience and activity of the applicant in growing and harvesting timber;

     (l) A summary of current and continuing activity of the applicant in growing and harvesting timber;

     (m) A statement that the applicant is aware of the potential tax liability involved when the land ceases to be classified as timber land.

     (2) An application made for classification of land under RCW 84.34.020(3) shall be acted upon after a public hearing and after notice of the hearing is given by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area at least ten days before the hearing. Application for classification of land in an incorporated area shall be acted upon by a granting authority composed of three members of the county legislative body and three members of the city legislative body in which the land is located.

     (3) The granting authority shall act upon the application with due regard to all relevant evidence and without any one or more items of evidence necessarily being determinative, except that the application may be denied for one of the following reasons, without regard to other items:

     (a) The land does not contain a stand of timber as defined in chapter 76.09 RCW and applicable rules, except this reason shall not alone be sufficient to deny the application (i) if the land has been recently harvested or supports a growth of brush or noncommercial type timber, and the application includes a plan for restocking within three years or the longer period necessitated by unavailability of seed or seedings [seedlings], or (ii) if only isolated areas within the land do not meet minimum standards due to rock outcroppings, swamps, unproductive soil, or other natural conditions;

     (b) The applicant, with respect to the land, has failed to comply with a final administrative or judicial order with respect to a violation of the restocking, forest management, fire protection, insect and disease control, weed control, and forest debris provisions of Title 76 RCW or applicable rules under Title 76 RCW;

     (c) The land abuts a body of salt water and lies between the line of ordinary high tide and a line paralleling the ordinary high tide line and two hundred feet horizontally landward from the high tide line.

     The granting authority may approve the application with respect to only part of the land that is described in the application, and if any part of the application is denied, the applicant may withdraw the entire application. The granting authority, in approving in part or whole an application for land classified pursuant to RCW 84.34.020(3), may also require that certain conditions be met.

     Granting or denial of an application for current use classification is a legislative determination and shall be reviewable only for arbitrary and capricious actions. The granting authority may not require the granting of easements for land classified pursuant to RCW 84.34.020(3).

     The granting authority shall approve or disapprove an application made under this section within six months following the date the application is received.

[1992 c 69 § 20.]

RCW 84.34.050
Notice of approval or disapproval -- Procedure when approval granted.

(1) The granting authority shall immediately notify the assessor and the applicant of its approval or disapproval which shall in no event be more than six months from the receipt of said application. No land other than farm and agricultural land shall be classified under this chapter until an application in regard thereto has been approved by the appropriate legislative authority.

     (2) When the granting authority classifies land under this chapter, it shall file notice of the same with the assessor within ten days. The assessor shall, as to any such land, make a notation each year on the assessment list and the tax roll of the assessed value of such land for the use for which it is classified in addition to the assessed value of such land were it not so classified.

     (3) Within ten days following receipt of the notice from the granting authority of classification of such land under this chapter, the assessor shall submit such notice to the county auditor for recording in the place and manner provided for the public recording of state tax liens on real property.

[1992 c 69 § 7; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 6; 1970 ex.s. c 87 § 5.]

RCW 84.34.055
Open space priorities -- Open space plan and public benefit rating system.

(1) The county legislative authority may direct the county planning commission to set open space priorities and adopt, after a public hearing, an open space plan and public benefit rating system for the county. The plan shall consist of criteria for determining eligibility of lands, the process for establishing a public benefit rating system, and an assessed valuation schedule. The assessed valuation schedule shall be developed by the county assessor and shall be a percentage of market value based upon the public benefit rating system. The open space plan, the public benefit rating system, and the assessed valuations schedule shall not be effective until approved by the county legislative authority after at least one public hearing: PROVIDED, That any county which has complied with the procedural requisites of chapter 393, Laws of 1985, prior to July 28, 1985, need not repeat those procedures in order to adopt an open space plan pursuant to chapter 393, Laws of 1985.

     (2) In adopting an open space plan, recognized sources shall be used unless the county does its own survey of important open space priorities or features, or both. Recognized sources include but are not limited to the natural heritage data base; the state office of historic preservation; the interagency committee for outdoor recreation inventory of dry accretion beach and shoreline features; state, national, county, or city registers of historic places; the shoreline master program; or studies by the parks and recreation commission and by the departments of fish and wildlife and natural resources. Features and sites may be verified by an outside expert in the field and approved by the appropriate state or local agency to be sent to the county legislative authority for final approval as open space.

     (3) When the county open space plan is adopted, owners of open space lands then classified under this chapter shall be notified in the same manner as is provided in RCW 84.40.045 of their new assessed value. These lands may be removed from classification, upon request of owner, without penalty within thirty days of notification of value.

     (4) The open space plan and public benefit rating system under this section may be adopted for taxes payable in 1986 and thereafter.

[1994 c 264 § 76; 1988 c 36 § 62; 1985 c 393 § 3.]

RCW 84.34.060
Determination of true and fair value of classified land -- Computation of assessed value.

In determining the true and fair value of open space land and timber land, which has been classified as such under the provisions of this chapter, the assessor shall consider only the use to which such property and improvements is currently applied and shall not consider potential uses of such property. The assessed valuation of open space land shall not be less than the minimum value per acre of classified farm and agricultural land except that the assessed valuation of open space land may be valued based on the public benefit rating system adopted under RCW 84.34.055: PROVIDED FURTHER, That timber land shall be valued according to chapter 84.33 RCW. In valuing any tract or parcel of real property designated and zoned under a comprehensive plan adopted under chapter 36.70A RCW as agricultural, forest, or open space land, the appraisal shall not be based on similar sales of parcels that have been converted to nonagricultural, nonforest, or nonopen-space uses within five years after the sale.

[1997 c 429 § 32; 1992 c 69 § 8; 1985 c 393 § 2; 1981 c 148 § 10; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 7; 1970 ex.s. c 87 § 6.]

RCW 84.34.080
Change in use.

When land which has been classified under this chapter as open space land, farm and agricultural land, or timber land is applied to some other use, except through compliance with RCW 84.34.070, or except as a result solely from any one of the conditions listed in RCW 84.34.108(6), the owner shall within sixty days notify the county assessor of such change in use and additional real property tax shall be imposed upon such land in an amount equal to the sum of the following:

     (1) The total amount of the additional tax and applicable interest due under RCW 84.34.108; plus

     (2) A penalty amounting to twenty percent of the amount determined in subsection (1) of this section.

[1999 sp.s. c 4 § 705; 1992 c 69 § 11; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 9; 1970 ex.s. c 87 § 8.]

RCW 84.34.100
Payment of additional tax, penalties, and/or interest.

The additional tax, penalties, and/or interest provided by RCW 84.34.070 and 84.34.080 shall be payable in full thirty days after the date which the treasurer's statement therefor is rendered. Such additional tax when collected shall be distributed by the county treasurer in the same manner in which current taxes applicable to the subject land are distributed.

[1980 c 134 § 4; 1970 ex.s. c 87 § 10.]

RCW 84.34.108
Removal of classification -- Factors -- Notice of continuance -- Additional tax -- Lien -- Delinquencies -- Exemptions.

(1) When land has once been classified under this chapter, a notation of the classification shall be made each year upon the assessment and tax rolls and the land shall be valued pursuant to RCW 84.34.060 or 84.34.065 until removal of all or a portion of the classification by the assessor upon occurrence of any of the following:

     (a) Receipt of notice from the owner to remove all or a portion of the classification;

     (b) Sale or transfer to an ownership, except a transfer that resulted from a default in loan payments made to or secured by a governmental agency that intends to or is required by law or regulation to resell the property for the same use as before, making all or a portion of the land exempt from ad valorem taxation;

     (c) Sale or transfer of all or a portion of the land to a new owner, unless the new owner has signed a notice of classification continuance, except transfer to an owner who is an heir or devisee of a deceased owner shall not, by itself, result in removal of classification. The notice of continuance shall be on a form prepared by the department. If the notice of continuance is not signed by the new owner and attached to the real estate excise tax affidavit, all additional taxes calculated pursuant to subsection (4) of this section shall become due and payable by the seller or transferor at time of sale. The auditor shall not accept an instrument of conveyance of classified land for filing or recording unless the new owner has signed the notice of continuance or the additional tax has been paid, as evidenced by the real estate excise tax stamp affixed thereto by the treasurer. The seller, transferor, or new owner may appeal the new assessed valuation calculated under subsection (4) of this section to the county board of equalization in accordance with the provisions of RCW 84.40.038. Jurisdiction is hereby conferred on the county board of equalization to hear these appeals;

     (d) Determination by the assessor, after giving the owner written notice and an opportunity to be heard, that all or a portion of the land no longer meets the criteria for classification under this chapter. The criteria for classification pursuant to this chapter continue to apply after classification has been granted.

     The granting authority, upon request of an assessor, shall provide reasonable assistance to the assessor in making a determination whether the land continues to meet the qualifications of RCW 84.34.020 (1) or (3). The assistance shall be provided within thirty days of receipt of the request.

     (2) Land may not be removed from classification because of:

     (a) The creation, sale, or transfer of forestry riparian easements under RCW 76.13.120; or

     (b) The creation, sale, or transfer of a fee interest or a conservation easement for the riparian open space program under RCW 76.09.040.

     (3) Within thirty days after such removal of all or a portion of the land from current use classification, the assessor shall notify the owner in writing, setting forth the reasons for the removal. The seller, transferor, or owner may appeal the removal to the county board of equalization in accordance with the provisions of RCW 84.40.038.

     (4) Unless the removal is reversed on appeal, the assessor shall revalue the affected land with reference to its true and fair value on January 1st of the year of removal from classification. Both the assessed valuation before and after the removal of classification shall be listed and taxes shall be allocated according to that part of the year to which each assessed valuation applies. Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, an additional tax, applicable interest, and penalty shall be imposed which shall be due and payable to the treasurer thirty days after the owner is notified of the amount of the additional tax. As soon as possible, the assessor shall compute the amount of additional tax, applicable interest, and penalty and the treasurer shall mail notice to the owner of the amount thereof and the date on which payment is due. The amount of the additional tax, applicable interest, and penalty shall be determined as follows:

     (a) The amount of additional tax shall be equal to the difference between the property tax paid as "open space land", "farm and agricultural land", or "timber land" and the amount of property tax otherwise due and payable for the seven years last past had the land not been so classified;

     (b) The amount of applicable interest shall be equal to the interest upon the amounts of the additional tax paid at the same statutory rate charged on delinquent property taxes from the dates on which the additional tax could have been paid without penalty if the land had been assessed at a value without regard to this chapter;

     (c) The amount of the penalty shall be as provided in RCW 84.34.080. The penalty shall not be imposed if the removal satisfies the conditions of RCW 84.34.070.

     (5) Additional tax, applicable interest, and penalty, shall become a lien on the land which shall attach at the time the land is removed from classification under this chapter and shall have priority to and shall be fully paid and satisfied before any recognizance, mortgage, judgment, debt, obligation or responsibility to or with which the land may become charged or liable. This lien may be foreclosed upon expiration of the same period after delinquency and in the same manner provided by law for foreclosure of liens for delinquent real property taxes as provided in RCW 84.64.050 now or as hereafter amended. Any additional tax unpaid on its due date shall thereupon become delinquent. From the date of delinquency until paid, interest shall be charged at the same rate applied by law to delinquent ad valorem property taxes.

     (6) The additional tax, applicable interest, and penalty specified in subsection (4) of this section shall not be imposed if the removal of classification pursuant to subsection (1) of this section resulted solely from:

     (a) Transfer to a government entity in exchange for other land located within the state of Washington;

     (b)(i) A taking through the exercise of the power of eminent domain, or (ii) sale or transfer to an entity having the power of eminent domain in anticipation of the exercise of such power, said entity having manifested its intent in writing or by other official action;

     (c) A natural disaster such as a flood, windstorm, earthquake, or other such calamity rather than by virtue of the act of the landowner changing the use of the property;

     (d) Official action by an agency of the state of Washington or by the county or city within which the land is located which disallows the present use of the land;

     (e) Transfer of land to a church when the land would qualify for exemption pursuant to RCW 84.36.020;

     (f) Acquisition of property interests by state agencies or agencies or organizations qualified under RCW 84.34.210 and 64.04.130 for the purposes enumerated in those sections. At such time as these property interests are not used for the purposes enumerated in RCW 84.34.210 and 64.04.130 the additional tax specified in subsection (4) of this section shall be imposed;

     (g) Removal of land classified as farm and agricultural land under RCW 84.34.020(2)(e);

     (h) Removal of land from classification after enactment of a statutory exemption that qualifies the land for exemption and receipt of notice from the owner to remove the land from classification;

     (i) The creation, sale, or transfer of forestry riparian easements under RCW 76.13.120;

     (j) The creation, sale, or transfer of a fee interest or a conservation easement for the riparian open space program under RCW 76.09.040;

     (k) The sale or transfer of land within two years after the death of the owner of at least a fifty percent interest in the land if the land has been assessed and valued as classified forest land, designated as forest land under chapter 84.33 RCW, or classified under this chapter continuously since 1993;

     (l) The sale or transfer of land after the death of the owner of at least a fifty percent interest in the land if the land has been assessed and valued as classified forest land, designated as forest land under chapter 84.33 RCW, or classified under this chapter continuously since 1993 and the sale or transfer takes place within two years after July 22, 2001, and the death of the owner occurred after January 1, 1991; or

     (m) The date of death shown on a death certificate is the date used for the purpose of this subsection (6).

[2001 c 305 § 3; 2001 c 249 § 14; 2001 c 185 § 7. Prior: 1999 sp.s. c 4 § 706; 1999 c 233 § 22; 1999 c 139 § 2; 1992 c 69 § 12; 1989 c 378 § 35; 1985 c 319 § 1; 1983 c 41 § 1; 1980 c 134 § 5; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 12.]

RCW 84.34.121
Information required.

The assessor may require owners of land classified under this chapter to submit pertinent data regarding the use of the land, productivity of typical crops, and such similar information pertinent to continued classification and appraisal of the land.

[1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 14.]

RCW 84.34.131
Valuation of timber not affected.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as in any manner affecting the method for valuation of timber standing on timber land which has been classified under this chapter.

[1998 c 311 § 15; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 16.]

RCW 84.34.141
Rules and regulations.

The department of revenue of the state of Washington shall make such rules and regulations consistent with this chapter as shall be necessary or desirable to permit its effective administration.

[1998 c 311 § 16; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 17.]

RCW 84.34.145
Advisory committee.

The county legislative authority shall appoint a five member committee representing the active farming community within the county to serve in an advisory capacity to the assessor in implementing assessment guidelines as established by the department of revenue for the assessment of open space, farms and agricultural lands, and timber lands classified under this chapter.

[1998 c 311 § 17; 1992 c 69 § 13; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 11.]

RCW 84.34.150
Reclassification of land classified under prior law which meets definition of farm and agricultural land.

Land classified under the provisions of chapter 84.34 RCW prior to July 16, 1973 which meets the criteria for classification under this chapter, is hereby reclassified under this chapter. This change in classification shall be made without additional tax, applicable interest, penalty, or other requirements, but subsequent to such reclassification, the land shall be fully subject to this chapter. A condition imposed by a granting authority prior to July 16, 1973, upon land classified pursuant to RCW 84.34.020 (1) or (3) shall remain in effect during the period of classification.

[1998 c 311 § 18; 1992 c 69 § 14; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 15.]

RCW 84.34.155
Reclassification of land classified as timber land which meets definition of forest land under chapter 84.33 RCW.

Land classified under the provisions of RCW 84.34.020 (2) or (3) which meets the definition of forest land under the provisions of chapter 84.33 RCW, upon request for such change made by the owner to the granting authority, shall be reclassified by the assessor under the provisions of chapter 84.33 RCW. This change in classification shall be made without additional tax, applicable interest, penalty, or other requirements set forth in chapter 84.34 RCW: PROVIDED, That subsequent to such reclassification, the land shall be fully subject to the provisions of chapter 84.33 RCW, as now or hereafter amended.

[1992 c 69 § 15; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 19.]

RCW 84.34.160
Information on current use classification -- Publication and dissemination.

The department of revenue and each granting authority is hereby directed to publicize the qualifications and manner of making applications for classification. Notice of the qualifications, method of making applications, and availability of further information on current use classification shall be included with every notice of change in valuation.

[1992 c 69 § 16; 1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 18.]

RCW 84.34.200
Acquisition of open space, etc., land or rights to future development by counties, cities, or metropolitan municipal corporations -- Legislative declaration -- Purposes.

The legislature finds that the haphazard growth and spread of urban development is encroaching upon, or eliminating, numerous open areas and spaces of varied size and character, including many devoted to agriculture, the cultivation of timber, and other productive activities, and many others having significant recreational, social, scenic, or esthetic values. Such areas and spaces, if preserved and maintained in their present open state, would constitute important assets to existing and impending urban and metropolitan development, at the same time that they would continue to contribute to the welfare and well-being of the citizens of the state as a whole. The acquisition of interests or rights in real property for the preservation of such open spaces and areas constitutes a public purpose for which public funds may properly be expended or advanced.

[1971 ex.s. c 243 § 1.]

RCW 84.34.210
Acquisition of open space, land, or rights to future development by certain entities -- Authority to acquire -- Conveyance or lease back.

Any county, city, town, metropolitan park district, metropolitan municipal corporation, nonprofit historic preservation corporation as defined in RCW 64.04.130, or nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association, as such are defined in RCW 84.34.250, may acquire by purchase, gift, grant, bequest, devise, lease, or otherwise, except by eminent domain, the fee simple or any lesser interest, development right, easement, covenant, or other contractual right necessary to protect, preserve, maintain, improve, restore, limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve, selected open space land, farm and agricultural land, and timber land as such are defined in chapter 84.34 RCW for public use or enjoyment. Among interests that may be so acquired are mineral rights. Any county, city, town, metropolitan park district, metropolitan municipal corporation, nonprofit historic preservation corporation as defined in RCW 64.04.130, or nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association, as such are defined in RCW 84.34.250, may acquire such property for the purpose of conveying or leasing the property back to its original owner or other person under such covenants or other contractual arrangements as will limit the future use of the property in accordance with the purposes of chapter 243, Laws of 1971 ex. sess.

[1993 c 248 § 1; 1987 c 341 § 2; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 22 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 243 § 2.]

Acquisition of interests in land for conservation, protection, preservation, or open space purposes by certain entities: RCW 64.04.130. Property tax exemption for conservation futures on agricultural land: RCW 84.36.500. RCW 84.34.220
Acquisition of open space, land, or rights to future development by certain entities -- Developmental rights -- "Conservation futures" -- Acquisition -- Restrictions.

In accordance with the authority granted in RCW 84.34.210, a county, city, town, metropolitan park district, metropolitan municipal corporation, nonprofit historic preservation corporation as defined in RCW 64.04.130, or nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association, as such are defined in RCW 84.34.250, may specifically purchase or otherwise acquire, except by eminent domain, rights in perpetuity to future development of any open space land, farm and agricultural land, and timber land which are so designated under the provisions of chapter 84.34 RCW and taxed at current use assessment as provided by that chapter. For the purposes of chapter 243, Laws of 1971 ex. sess., such developmental rights shall be termed "conservation futures". The private owner may retain the right to continue any existing open space use of the land, and to develop any other open space use, but, under the terms of purchase of conservation futures, the county, city, town, metropolitan park district, metropolitan municipal corporation, nonprofit historic preservation corporation as defined in RCW 64.04.130, or nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association, as such are defined in RCW 84.34.250, may forbid or restrict building thereon, or may require that improvements cannot be made without county, city, town, metropolitan park district, metropolitan municipal corporation, nonprofit historic preservation corporation as defined in RCW 64.04.130, or nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association, as such are defined in RCW 84.34.250, permission. The land may be alienated or sold and used as formerly by the new owner, subject to the terms of the agreement made by the county, city, town, metropolitan park district, metropolitan municipal corporation, nonprofit historic preservation corporation as defined in RCW 64.04.130, or nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association, as such are defined in RCW 84.34.250, with the original owner.

[1993 c 248 § 2; 1987 c 341 § 3; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 22 § 2; 1971 ex.s. c 243 § 3.]

RCW 84.34.230
Acquisition of open space, etc., land or rights to future development by counties, cities, metropolitan municipal corporations or nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association -- Additional property tax levy authorized.

For the purpose of acquiring conservation futures as well as other rights and interests in real property pursuant to RCW 84.34.210 and 84.34.220, a county may levy an amount not to exceed six and one-quarter cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation against the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the county. The limitations in RCW 84.52.043 shall not apply to the tax levy authorized in this section.

[1995 c 318 § 8; 1994 c 301 § 33; 1973 1st ex.s. c 195 § 94; 1973 1st ex.s. c 195 § 145; 1971 ex.s. c 243 § 4.]

RCW 84.34.250
Nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association defined.

As used in RCW 84.34.210, as now or hereafter amended, and RCW 84.34.220, as now or hereafter amended, "nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association" means an organization which qualifies as being tax exempt under 26 U.S.C. section 501(c) (of the Internal Revenue Code) as it exists on June 25, 1976 and one which has as one of its principal purposes the conducting or facilitating of scientific research; the conserving of natural resources, including but not limited to biological resources, for the general public; or the conserving of open spaces, including but not limited to wildlife habitat to be utilized as public access areas, for the use and enjoyment of the general public.

[1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 22 § 4.]

RCW 84.34.300
Special benefit assessments for farm and agricultural land or timber land -- Legislative findings -- Purpose.

The legislature finds that farming, timber production, and the related agricultural and forest industries have historically been and currently are central factors in the economic and social lifeblood of the state; that it is a fundamental policy of the state to protect agricultural and timber lands as a major natural resource in order to maintain a source to supply a wide range of agricultural and forest products; and that the public interest in the protection and stimulation of farming, timber production, and the agricultural and forest industries is a basic element of enhancing the economic viability of this state. The legislature further finds that farm land and timber land in urbanizing areas are often subjected to high levels of property taxation and benefit assessment, and that such levels of taxation and assessment encourage and even force the removal of such lands from agricultural and forest uses. The legislature further finds that because of this level of taxation and assessment, such farm land and timber land in urbanizing areas are either converted to nonagricultural and nonforest uses when significant amounts of nearby nonagricultural and nonforest area could be suitably used for such nonagricultural and nonforest uses, or, much of this farm land and timber land is left in an unused state. The legislature further finds that with the approval by the voters of the Fifty-third Amendment to the state Constitution, and with the enactment of chapter 84.34 RCW, the owners of farm lands and timber lands were provided with an opportunity to have such land valued on the basis of its current use and not its "highest and best use" and that such current use valuation is one mechanism to protect agricultural and timber lands. The legislature further finds that despite this potential property tax reduction, farm lands and timber lands in urbanized areas are still subject to high levels of benefit assessments and continue to be removed from farm and forest uses.

     It is therefore the purpose of the legislature to establish, with the enactment of RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380, another mechanism to protect agricultural and timber land which creates an analogous system of relief from certain benefit assessments for farm and agricultural land and timber land. It is the intent of the legislature that special benefit assessments not be imposed for the availability of sanitary and/or storm sewerage service, or domestic water service, or for road construction and/or improvement purposes on farm and agricultural lands and timber lands which have been designated for current use classification as farm and agricultural lands or timber lands until such lands are withdrawn or removed from such classification or unless such lands benefit from or cause the need for the local improvement district.

     The legislature finds, and it is the intent of RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380 and 84.34.922, that special benefit assessments for the improvement or construction of sanitary and/or storm sewerage service, or domestic water service, or certain road construction do not generally benefit land which has been classified as open space farm and agricultural land or timber land under the open space act, chapter 84.34 RCW, until such land is withdrawn from such classification or such land is used for a more intense and nonagricultural use, or the land is no longer used as timber land. The purpose of RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380 and 84.34.922 is to provide an exemption from certain special benefit assessments which do not benefit timber land or open space farm and agricultural land, and to provide the means for local governmental entities to recover such assessments in current dollar value in the event such land is no longer devoted to farming or timber production under chapter 84.34 RCW. Where the owner of such land chooses to make limited use of improvements related to special benefit assessments, RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380 provides the means for the partial assessment on open space timber and farm land to the extent the land is directly benefited by the improvement.

[1992 c 52 § 14; 1979 c 84 § 1.]

RCW 84.34.310
Special benefit assessments for farm and agricultural land or timber land -- Definitions.

As used in RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380, unless a different meaning is required, the words defined in this section shall have the meanings indicated.

     (1) "Farm and agricultural land" shall mean the same as defined in RCW 84.34.020(2).

     (2) "Timber land" shall mean the same as defined in RCW 84.34.020(3).

     (3) "Local government" shall mean any city, town, county, water-sewer district, public utility district, port district, irrigation district, flood control district, or any other municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or other political subdivision authorized to levy special benefit assessments for sanitary and/or storm sewerage systems, domestic water supply and/or distribution systems, or road construction or improvement purposes.

     (4) "Local improvement district" shall mean any local improvement district, utility local improvement district, local utility district, road improvement district, or any similar unit created by a local government for the purpose of levying special benefit assessments against property specially benefited by improvements relating to such districts.

     (5) "Owner" shall mean the same as defined in RCW 84.34.020(5) or the applicable statutes relating to special benefit assessments.

     (6) The term "average rate of inflation" shall mean the annual rate of inflation as determined by the department of revenue averaged over the period of time as provided in RCW 84.34.330 (1) and (2). Such determination shall be published not later than January 1 of each year for use in that assessment year.

     (7) "Special benefit assessments" shall mean special assessments levied or capable of being levied in any local improvement district or otherwise levied or capable of being levied by a local government to pay for all or part of the costs of a local improvement and which may be levied only for the special benefits to be realized by property by reason of that local improvement.

[1999 c 153 § 71; 1992 c 52 § 15; 1979 c 84 § 2.]

RCW 84.34.340
Special benefit assessments for farm and agricultural land or timber land -- Withdrawal or removal from classification -- Notice to local government -- Statement to owner of amounts payable -- Delinquency date -- Enforcement procedures.

Whenever farm and agricultural land or timber land is withdrawn or removed from its current use classification as farm and agricultural land or timber land, the county assessor of the county in which such land is located shall forthwith give written notice of such withdrawal or removal to the local government or its successor which had filed with the assessor the notice required by RCW 84.34.320. Upon receipt of the notice from the assessor, the local government shall mail a written statement to the owner of such land for the amounts payable as provided in RCW 84.34.330. Such amounts due shall be delinquent if not paid within one hundred and eighty days after the date of mailing of the statement, and shall be subject to the same interest, penalties, lien priority, and enforcement procedures that are applicable to delinquent assessments on the assessment roll from which that land had been exempted, except that the rate of interest charged shall not exceed the rate provided in RCW 84.34.330.

[1992 c 52 § 18; 1979 c 84 § 5.]

RCW 84.34.350
Special benefit assessments for farm and agricultural land -- Use of payments collected.

Payments collected pursuant to RCW 84.34.330 and 84.34.340, or by enforcement procedures referred to therein, after the payment of the expenses of their collection, shall first be applied to the payment of general or special debt incurred to finance the improvements related to the special benefit assessments, and, if such debt is retired, then into the maintenance fund or general fund of the governmental entity which created the local improvement district, or its successor, for any of the following purposes: (1) Redemption or servicing of outstanding obligations of the district; (2) maintenance expenses of the district; or (3) construction or acquisition of any facilities necessary to carry out the purpose of the district.

[1979 c 84 § 6.]

RCW 84.34.360
Special benefit assessments for farm and agricultural land or timber land -- Rules to implement RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380.

The department of revenue shall adopt rules it shall deem necessary to implement RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380 which shall include, but not be limited to, procedures to determine the extent to which a portion of the land otherwise exempt may be subject to a special benefit assessment for the actual connection to the domestic water system or sewerage facilities, and further to determine the extent to which all or a portion of such land may be subject to a special benefit assessment for access to the road improvement in relation to its value as farm and agricultural land or timber land as distinguished from its value under more intensive uses. The provision for limited special benefit assessments shall not relieve such land from liability for the amounts provided in RCW 84.34.330 and 84.34.340 when such land is withdrawn or removed from its current use classification as farm and agricultural land or timber land.

[1992 c 69 § 18; 1992 c 52 § 19; 1979 c 84 § 7.]

RCW 84.34.380
Special benefit assessments for farm and agricultural land or timber land -- Application of exemption to rights and interests preventing nonagricultural or nonforest uses.

Farm and agricultural land or timber land on which the right to future development has been acquired by any local government, the state of Washington, or the United States government shall be exempt from special benefit assessments in lieu of assessment for such purposes in the same manner, and under the same liabilities for payment and interest, as land classified under this chapter as farm and agricultural land or timber land, for as long as such classification applies.

     Any interest, development right, easement, covenant, or other contractual right which effectively protects, preserves, maintains, improves, restores, prevents the future nonagricultural or nonforest use of, or otherwise conserves farm and agricultural land or timber land shall be exempt from special benefit assessments as long as such development right or other such interest effectively serves to prevent nonagricultural or nonforest development of such land.

[1992 c 52 § 21; 1979 c 84 § 9.]

RCW 84.34.390
Application -- Chapter 79.44 RCW -- Assessments against public lands.

Nothing in RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.340 or 84.34.360 through 84.34.380 shall amend the provisions of chapter 79.44 RCW.

[1992 c 52 § 25.]

RCW 84.34.900
Severability -- 1970 ex.s. c 87.

If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

[1970 ex.s. c 87 § 15.]

RCW 84.34.910
Effective date -- 1970 ex.s. c 87.

The provisions of this act shall take effect on January 1, 1971.

[1970 ex.s. c 87 § 16.]

RCW 84.34.920
Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 243.

If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

[1971 ex.s. c 243 § 9.]

RCW 84.34.921
Severability -- 1973 1st ex.s. c 212.

If any provision of this 1973 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

[1973 1st ex.s. c 212 § 20.]

RCW 84.34.922
Severability -- 1979 c 84.

If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

[1979 c 84 § 11.]

RCW 84.34.923
Effective date -- 1992 c 69.

This act shall take effect January 1, 1993.

[1992 c 69 § 22.]