Land Preservation Notebook

Undeveloped Land Surrounded by Developed Land

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North Carolina County and Municipal Land Preservation Ordinances and Programs

[This page is currently being revised as of March 25, 2008.]

The following are links to information on this page:

 

County and Municipal Ordinances and Programs

Most of the following documents on this page are in PDF and require Adobe Acrobat Reader unless specified otherwise. Click on the icon below to download this program.

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Ordinances may be downloaded or printed. The quality will vary according to the original documents that were scanned. Most of these documents are not searchable due to their conversion from scanned images to PDF. Searchable documents will be noted. Additional program materials will be included for each county where available.

Names denoted by an asterisk (*) will have files containing materials such as program applications or brochures. Names denoted by a "+" sign allow for enhanced voluntary agricultural districts.

Jurisdiction
Editor's Notes and Links to HTML Files
   
  Alamance Passed in March 2001. More information is available on the Alamance County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program by clicking on the following link: Alamance County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program.
  *Alexander

Passed on March 5, 2002.

AlexanderScanned PDF file includes ordinance, application, staff checklist, program brochure and the notice to real estate purchasers.

Presentation on Alexander Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program is available in PDF: Alexander Presentation [PDF, 496kb].

Click on the following link to access the searchable PDF file: Alexander Searchable PDF. Please note that the year of passage in the searchable version, 2000, is not correct and that the year of passage is 2002.

  *Alleghany

Passed August 18, 2003. Available in searchable PDF.

Alleghany Scanned PDF file contains ordinance, application, and approval form.

Click on the following link to access the searchable PDF file: Alleghany Searchable PDF. Also available in PDF directly from Alleghany County Government County Ordinances website. Click on the following link to access: Farmland Preservation PDF.

  Ashe

Passed on July 16, 2001.

Ashe Searchable PDF contains ordinance.

  Avery Passed on March 2, 1992.
  Beaufort

Passed on August 6, 2007.

Beaufort Scanned PDF contains the ordinance and is a 1.5MB download.

  Bladen

Passed on **, 2007

Bladen Searchable PDF contains ordinance.

  *Brunswick

Passed September 17, 2001.

Brunswick Scanned PDF, [630kb], contains ordinance and program application.

More information is available on Brunswick County's Voluntary Agricultural District Program by clicking on the following link: Voluntary Agricultural District Program- Brunswick County.

  Buncombe

Amended 02-20-01. See amendment below. Also available online in searchable HTML format through Municode (Search for "farmland preservation"). Click on the following link to access: Buncombe HTML.

More information is available on Buncombe County's Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program by clicking on the following link: Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program- Buncombe County.

  Buncombe
  amendment
This is the 02-20-01 amendment. The full version of Buncombe County's Program, including this amendment, is available online in searchable HTML format. Click on the following link to access: Buncombe HTML.
  Burke

Passed on August 6, 2002.

More information is available on the Burke County Voluntary Agricultural District Program by clicking on the following link: Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program- Burke County.

  *Cabarrus+
   approved

Passed on November 21, 2005. Allows for enhanced voluntary agricultural districts.

Cabarrus Scanned PDF, contains the scanned ordinance, the application for farmland preservation program, conservation agreement, example approval letters, and advisory board rules of procedure.

More information on the Cabarrus County Voluntary Agricultural District Program is available by clicking on the following link: Cabarrus County - Voluntary Agricultural Districts.

  Cabarrus
  old proposal
This old proposed version is posted on this page for reference and example purposes only and is not the approved or legally enforceable version.
  Caldwell

Passed on August 20, 2001.

More information is available on the Caldwell County Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance by clicking on the following link: Caldwell County - Voluntary Agricultural District Program.

  Caswell Passed on March 19, 2001.
  Catawba
  not passed
This program ordinance was proposed but was not passed. This document was a draft only and it is included here only for reference and example purposes.
  Chatham

Passed on Nov. 5, 2001.

Also available in searchable HTML format. Click on the following link to access: Chatham HTML.

More information is available on the Chatham County Voluntary Agricultural District Program by clicking on the following link: Chatham County - Voluntary Agricultural District Program.

  Cherokee Passed on December 5, 1995.
  Clay Passed in March 1993.
  *Cleveland

Passed on June 5, 2001.

Cleveland County PDF file contains ordinance, program application, and brochure.

Program reports for 2002 and 2003 are available in PDF by clicking on the following link Cleveland Reports.

More information is available on Cleveland County's Voluntary Agricultural District Program by clicking on the following link: Voluntary Agricultural District Program - Cleveland County.

  *Cumberland

Passed on November 20, 2007.

Cumberland Searchable PDF contains ordinance and form to process application through the Register of Deeds Office.

  Currituck

Passed on April 16, 2001.

Currently available in searchable PDF.

Also available online in searchable HTML format through Municode (Search for "farmland preservation"): Currituck HTML.

  Davidson

Passed on June 27, 2006.

Searchable PDF format is available by clicking on the following link: Davidson Searchable PDF.

  Durham new

Amended through August 2003 (not indicated in ordinance, however).

Durham Searchable PDF contains the ordinance establishing both the voluntary agricultural district program, which utilizes conservation agreements, and the purchase of development rights, which utilizes conservation easements; as well as a program brochure.

More information is available on Durham County's Farmland Protection Program by clicking on the following link: Farmland Protection Program - Durham County.

Also available online in searchable HTML format through Municode (Search for "farmland preservation"): Durham HTML.

  Durham old

Old Version Included for Reference Purposes Only

Passed on May 13, 1996.

This document is the old Durham County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program and is included here for example and reference purposes only. The amended and legally enforceable ordinance is available above. This PDF document is not searchable.

  *Duplin Passed on June 7, 2005. PDF file includes brochure also.
  Eastover

Passed on December 4, 2007.

Eastover Searchable PDF contains the program ordinance.

  Franklin Passed on August 18, 2003.
  Forsyth The guidelines dated July 1997 are currently in effect in Forsyth County. The "Forsyth County Farmland Preservation Guidelines" dated August 25, 1986 are included for example/reference purposes only. A searchable PDF version of the Forsyth County program ordinance, without the 1986 guidelines is available by clicking on the following link: Forsyth Searchable PDF. More information is available on Forsyth County's Farmland Preservation Program by clicking on the following link: Farmland Preservation Program- Forsyth County.
  Gaston

Passed on July 22, 2004.

Searchable PDF format is available by clicking on the following link: Gaston Searchable PDF.

  Greene

Passed on May 7, 2007

Greene Searchable PDF contains the ordinance.

  *Guilford

Passed on September 7, 2000.

The PDF file contains the ordinance, application, brochure and other related materials. The ordinance only is also available online in searchable HTML format through Municode (Search for "farmland preservation"). Click on the following link to access: Guilford HTML.

  Haywood Passed in 1994.
  Haywood+

Passed on March 5, 2007.

Haywood Enhanced Searchable PDF contains amendments, adding the creation of enhanced voluntary agricultural districts, to the Haywood County Farmland Preservation Ordinance.

  Haywood Passed on **, 2008.
  Henderson Passed on December 18, 1991.
  Iredell new

Amended through June 6, 2006

Iredell Searchable PDF contains the updated ordinance.

  *Iredell old

Old Version Included for Reference Purposes Only

Passed on June 19, 2001.

Iredell PDF file contains ordinance, application for farmland preservation program, and program brochure.

Program report for 2002 is available in PDF by clicking on the following link Iredell 2002 Report. Also available online in searchable HTML format through Municode (Search for "farmland preservation"): Iredell HTML.

  *Iredell PDR Iredell PDRApp PDF file contains application for purchase of development rights and program brochure.
  Johnston

Passed on May 1, 2006.

Searchable PDF format is available by clicking on the following link: Johnston Searchable PDF.

  *Lincoln

Passed on October 7, 2002.

LincolnScanned PDF file contains ordinance, application for farmland preservation program, conservation agreement, staff checklist, tax office form, notice to real estate purchasers, notice to applicant for building permit, and program brochure.

  Macon

Passed on February 4, 1997.

Macon Searchable PDF contains ordinance.

  Madison  
  McDowell Passed on August 11, 2003.
  *Northampton

Ordinance updated and passed on May 15, 2006

Originally passed on January 21, 2003.

NorthamptonScanned PDF file contains ordinance, application procedure, application, staff checklist, conservation agreement filed with with register of deeds office, staff checklist, notice to applicant for building permit, and program brochure.

Searchable PDF format is available by clicking on the following link: Northampton Searchable PDF.

  Orange new

Passed on March 24, 1992.

The Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program ordinance was amended in April of 2000. All changes are reflected in this most recent ordinance document. This PDF document is searchable.

Also available online in searchable HTML format through Municode (Search for "farmland preservation"): Orange HTML.

More information is available on Orange County's Voluntary Agricultural District Program by clicking on the following link: Voluntary Agricultural District Program - Orange County.

  Orange old This document is the old Orange County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program and is included here for example and reference purposes only. The amended and legally enforceable ordinance is available above. This PDF document is not searchable.
  Polk

Passed on February 4, 2002. Allows for enhanced voluntary agricultural districts.

  Polk+

Passed on April 17, 2006. Allows for enhanced voluntary agricultural districts.

  Randolph+
       
new

Passed on February 5, 2007.

Randolph Searchable PDF contains the updated ordinance.

  *Randolph old

Old Version Included for Reference Purposes Only

Passed February 7, 2005.

Randolph PDF file contains ordinance and example map of agricultural districts.

More information is available on Randolph County's Voluntary Agricultural District Program by clicking on the following link: Voluntary Agricultural District Program - Randolph County.

  Rockingham

Passed on June 7, 2004.

Rockingham1 PDF file contains ordinance, application, and brochure.

Also available in searchable PDF format by clicking on the following link: Rockingham Searchable PDF.

  Rowan Passed on July 19, 1990.
  Rutherford Currently available in searchable PDF. Also available online in searchable HTML format through Municode (Search for "farmland preservation"): Rutherford HTML.
  Sampson

Passed on August 20, 2001.

SampsonCounty PDF file, [1.57MB download], contains ordinance, application, supplemental information, staff checklist, conservation agreement, brochure, notice to real estate purchasers, and photos of program signage.

  Scotland

Passed on March 10, 2008

Scotland County Searchable PDF file, [104 kb download], contains the ordinance only.

  Siler City Although this is a municipal legal device, and is not a county ordinance, this Resolution is posted here for reference purposes. It is significant because it is an example of how a municipality can support an Agricultural District Program established by a county—in this instance Chatham County. Passed on November 4, 2002.
  Stanly Passed on November 18, 2002.
  *Stokes

Passed on April 14, 2003.

StokesScanned PDF file includes ordinance text application, supplemental tract form, program brochure, and description of benefits.

Searchable PDF format is available by clicking on the following link: Stokes Searchable PDF.

More information is available on Stokes County's Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program by clicking on the following link: Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program - Stokes County.

  Surry

Passed on August 1, 2005.

Surry Searchable PDF contains ordinance.

  Transylvania* Passed on March 11, 1996. Scanned PDF file includes the ordinance, program application, and program brochure.
  Union Passed on May 7, 2001.
  Wake
  Easement   Program
Passed on October 2, 1989.
  Wake
  Ag District
Passed on September 16, 2002. More information is available on Wake County's Voluntary Agricultural District Program by clicking on the following link: Voluntary Agricultural District Program - Wake County.
  Warren

Passed on April 2, 2007.

WarrenSearchable PDF, [50kb download], contains ordinance.

  Watauga

Passed October 2, 2000.

WataugaSearchable PDF file contains ordinance and application for farmland preservation program.

Program report for 2002 is available in PDF by clicking on the following link Watauga 2002 Report. More information is available on Wake County's Voluntary Agricultural District Program by clicking on the following link: Voluntary Agricultural District Program - Watauga County.

  Wayne Passed on August 3, 2004.
  *Wentworth+

Passed on July 18, 2006. Allows for enhanced voluntary agricultural districts.

Searchable PDF format is available by clicking on the following link: Wentworth Searchable PDF, which includes the program application and advisory board application.

  Wilson Passed in 2004.

  Yadkin

Passed on November 18, 2002. Searchable PDF format is available by clicking on the following link: Yadkin Searchable PDF.

If you are aware of other county or municipal farmland/open space preservation ordinances and programs please contact us and let us know. Please also let us know if you have any difficulty accessing or viewing the information provided on this page.

 

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Disclaimer

This searchable database is intended to supply general information. We try to insure the accuracy of this information, but cannot guarantee that this information is accurate. Laws change quickly, and the reader should always ensure that legal information of any sort is up-to-date and accurate before relying on it. The legal information provided at this site is general, and not specific. The reader should never assume that this information applies to his or her specific situation without consulting competent counsel in his or her home state. This website is not intended to be a solicitation. The information contained within is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein constitutes the provision of legal advice or services. By clicking on links on this page, you acknowledge having read and understood this disclaimer.

 

The following are links: Home * Page Top * Page Bottom * County and Municipal Ordinances * Disclaimer * What's New

 

What's New

  1. Other local governments in N.C. are currently proposing ordinances/programs or changes to them. Check this site for updates or please contact us if you know of new ordinances or changes that are being proposed.

  2. Town of Wentworth, first town government in North Carolina to establish a Voluntary Agricultural District Program, passed its ordinance on July 18, 2006.

  3. Alexander and Johnston County added.

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 Last Updated: 3/25/08   
 
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