County of Sonoma
Language
Permit Sonoma › Instructions and Forms › Agricultural Preserve
Instructions & Forms

Agricultural Preserve Instructions & Forms

The goal of the County’s agricultural preserve program is long-term preservation of agricultural and open space lands. The program is governed by the California Land Conservation Act (also known as the Williamson Act), the County’s Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones, and the recorded contract between the owner and the county, which runs with the land.

The California Land Conservation Act allows the County and owners of agricultural and open space land to voluntarily enter into agreements that restrict the owner’s use of the land to agricultural and/or open space uses and uses compatible with those agricultural and/or open space uses, in exchange for a reduction in property tax assessment. Land Conservation Contracts have ten (10)-year automatically renewing terms. The County also offers Farmland Security Zone Contracts, which are similar to Land Conservation Contracts, but for twenty (20)-year automatically renewing terms.

Submit Planning Applications Electronically

Customers must submit planning applications electronically. Please follow the process to submit a planning application online:

Submit Electronic Applications

Do Not Print Out Construction Plans or Other Documents

Construction plans and documents are to be submitted electronically. Paper documents are not accepted when applying for a permit.

The instructions and forms listed below are undergoing review. Some may still contain outdated instructions to print out copies of construction plans and documents. Please ignore that instruction and submit electronically. Only print items if directly instructed by Permit Sonoma for your situation.

Instructions and Forms

  • PJR-011 Indemnification Agreement (PDF)

    As part of this application, the applicant agrees to defend, indemnify, release and hold harmless the County, its agents, officers, attorneys, employees, boards, and commissions from any claim, action, or proceeding brought against any of the foregoing individuals or entities, the purpose of which is to attack, set aside, void or annul the approval of this application or the adoption of the environmental document which accompanies it. (PDF: 132 kB) (Version 02/07/2020)

  • PJR-049 Landowners Statement of Compliance Form (PDF)

    Permit Sonoma cannot take action on any application for a new structure or use on a parcel restricted by a Williamson Act Contract until sufficient evidence is presented to the County that the proposed new use or structure is consistent with the Williamson Act Contract. (PDF: 159 kB) (Version 02/07/2020)

  • PJR-095 At-Cost Project Reimbursement (PDF)

    Understanding and agreement that the applicant is responsible for paying these costs even if the application is withdrawn or not approved.  (PDF: 229 kB) (Version 02/16/2020)

  • PJR-098 Land Conservation Plan (PDF)

    This Land Conservation Plan for a property in an Agricultural Preserve sets forth the agricultural, recreational, or open space uses on land subject to a Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) contract. (PDF: 262 kB) (Revised 08/28/2012)