The Essex County Commissioner of the Revenue Office would like to thank everyone for the enthusiastic and cooperative response we have had to our new Land Use Program.
We will be taking new applications for the 2009 tax year
from July 1 through November 1, 2008.
To those who have applied, rest assured that you will be contacted if we have any questions about your application or if we need further documentation or action from you. Any applications which are not approved will be notified in writing.
Special Announcement
Please read this Announcement from the Commissioner
The announcement sets Land Use values effective January 1, 2008.
Also reverses the contiguous parcel offer, and,
announces refunds for Perpetual Easement applications.
Read the Announcement
Land Use Program applications and issues are handled
Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
at the Commissioner of the Revenue Office
317 Prince Street, PO Box 879, Tappahannock, VA 22560-0879
If you have any questions please call
Land Use Coordinator, Donna Jester, at (804) 443-4737
www.essex-va.org/landuse
What is the Land Use Program?
Virginia law and the newly amended Essex County Code allow eligible agricultural, horticultural, forest and open space land to be taxed based on the land's use value as opposed to the land's market value. This program is designed to encourage the preservation of land, conservation of natural beauty and open spaces within the county. The intent of this program is to accommodate an expanding population, promote a balanced economy and ease pressures that force the conversion of real estate to more intensive uses.
How to Apply
A separate application shall be filed for each parcel in the land book. An application fee of $25.00 plus $.25 per acre shall accompany each application. If the property is determined to not qualify for the Land Use Program, the application fee will be refunded.
Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the preceding tax year (assessment year) or 30 days after notice of “increase” assessment is mailed.
Once the application and the supporting documentation have been received and evaluated as to meeting program requirements for one or more of the Land Use Categories, it is approved to be in the program for the upcoming tax year. Many questions can be answered by clicking on Examples and Exceptions to all Land Use Categories.
All Real Estate taxes must be current prior to enrollment in the Land Use Program.
As a participant in the Land Use Program, the property owner is responsible for notifying the Essex County Commissioner of the Revenue Office within 60 days of any change in their land. Changes could include land splits, transfer of ownership, or change of the use of the land.
Annual Revalidation
All participants in the Land Use program will be mailed a Revalidation Form in the late Fall. All owners must verify that the parcel is still being utilized as noted on the form or if any changes in use had occurred in the past year. The form must be completed, including the signature of each of the owners, and returned no later than December 5th of that year. Otherwise, the parcel will be subject to a late fee or removal from the program. If the parcel is removed from the program, it is subject to a rollback tax.
Woodland Options for Landowners
A workshop designed for landowners who have questions about sustainably managing their forest resources. To be presented in two formats:
In person on Saturday February 9, 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in West Point, VA, $45 per person/$55 per couple.
And this course is also available ONLINE as a 12-week course beginning Monday, March 10th and costing $70.
Check out the full details of the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program workshop.Downloadable documents relating to Land Use Program
What is the Land Use program [topic is on this web page]
webpage
Classification of Real Estate - Code of Virginia Section 58.1
48 KB
webpage
webpage
How assessments are determined and when initial values will be published
Web page last updated: January 15, 2008
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