Virginia Law

To qualify as an open-space use, real estate must meet the requirements of both this section and the specific standards contained in 4VAC5-20-20. The general standards are as follows:

A. Consistency with land use plan.

1. The open-space use of the property must be consistent with the land use plan of the county, city, or town that has been made and adopted officially in accordance with Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia.

2. A land use consistent with the land use plan means a use that is consistent with areas or land use zones depicted on a map that is part of the land use plan, or that directly supports or is generally consistent with stated land uses, natural resources conservation, or historic preservation objectives, goals, or standards of the land use plan.

3. A property that is subject to a recorded perpetual conservation, historic, or open-space easement held by any public body or is part of an agricultural, a forestal, or an agricultural and forestal district approved by local government shall be considered to be consistent with the land use plan.

B. Minimum acreage.

1. Except as provided in subdivision 2 of this subsection, real estate devoted to open-space use shall consist of a minimum of five acres.

2. If the governing body of any county, city, or town has so prescribed by ordinance, real estate devoted to open space shall consist of a minimum of one quarter of an acre when the real estate is:

a. Adjacent to a scenic river, a scenic highway, a Virginia byway, or public property listed in the approved State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, also known as the Virginia Outdoors Plan (the Virginia Outdoors Plan can be obtained from the Department of Conservation and Recreation at 600 East Main Street, 24th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219); or

b. Located in a county, city, or town having a density of population greater than 5,000 per square mile.

C. Other requirements. Real estate devoted to open-space use shall be:

1. Within an agricultural, a forestal, or an agricultural and forestal district entered into pursuant to Chapter 43 (§ 15.2-4300 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia;

2. Subject to a recorded perpetual easement that is held by a public body and that promotes the open-space use classification as defined in § 58.1-3230 of the Code of Virginia; or

3. Subject to a recorded commitment entered into by the landowner with the governing body in accordance with 4VAC5-20-30.

D. Opinions. In determining whether a property meets the general and specific standards for open-space use, the local assessing officer may request an opinion from the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation under the provisions of 4VAC5-20-40.