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Conservation Easement Assistance Program
Loudoun County’s Conservation Easement Assistance Program was launched in 2019 to help landowners with the upfront costs of placing land under conservation easement.
- A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values, such as sensitive environmental, cultural or historical characteristics.
- Easements allow landowners to continue to own and use their land, and they can also sell it or pass it on to heirs. The limits of the conservation easement ‘run with the land,’ meaning that even if the land is inherited or sold, the restrictions stay in place.
- The program provides up to $15,000, or half of the upfront costs of placing land under conservation easement, to land trusts representing qualifying landowners in Loudoun County. The funds will be applied to the landowner’s easement process.
- Landowners interested in learning more about placing their land under a conservation easement should contact a land trust. Opens a New Window. If the land trust agrees, the land trust will apply on behalf of the landowner.
- Contact one of these land trusts for more information:
Qualifying Services
Program funding can cover:
- Attorney’s fees
- Land appraisal and survey fees
- Processing and document fees
- Stewardship costs
Application Periods
- The online application process is available on a rolling basis throughout the year. A land trust can apply for the program on behalf of a landowner at any time.
- A total of $150,000 in funding will be available annually and will be distributed to applicants who meet the funding criteria.
- Funds will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The application form Opens a New Window. and accompanying documentation will be accepted from land trusts any time throughout the year.
Questions?
Email for more information Opens a New Window. or call 703-771-5778.
Download the Conservation Easement Assistance Program flyer (PDF). Opens a New Window.
Landowner Requirements
Landowners must:
- have a gross household income that does not exceed 115% of the Area Median Income (as of January 2020, $139,495).
- have property that meets the land requirements below.
- be working with an organization that meets the land trust requirements (see below) and will submit the application on behalf of the landowner.
Land Requirements
The property must:
- be located in Loudoun County (if parcel is in multiple counties, more than 50 percent of the parcel must be in Loudoun County).
- be capable of being subdivided (except parcels in the Agricultural and Forestal District Program Opens a New Window. ).
- be proposed for use as permanent open space in compliance with the policies set forth in the Loudoun County Comprehensive Plan. Opens a New Window.
- have well-defined future land use and maintenance expectations, which are clearly understood by all involved parties.
The property must not:
- be under current conservation easement.
- be otherwise restricted from development (except parcels in the Agricultural and Forestal District Program Opens a New Window. or under the Land Use Assessment Program Opens a New Window. ).
Land Trust Requirements
Landowners must be working with a qualifying land trust to be eligible.
The land trust:
- must be the conservation easement “Holder” as defined by Virginia Code § 10.1-1009 et seq. Opens a New Window.
- must apply to the Conservation Easement Assistance Program on behalf of the landowners (individual landowners cannot submit applications).
- may be located anywhere (the land must be located in Loudoun County).
Land trusts may submit an application at any time on behalf of the landowner. Applications submitted by landowners will not be considered.
Applications must include:
- Completed application form. Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window.
- Opens a New Wi Opens a New Window. Agreement of conservation easement terms between landowner and land trust*
- Quotes for qualifying services: appraisal, attorney, processing and document fees, and stewardship*
- Proof of gross household income (PDF)* Opens a New Window.
*Submit copies through the application or by email. Opens a New Window.
Selection Process
A total of $150,000 in funding will be available annually and distributed to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
If application requests exceed the available funding for the year, applicants will be encouraged to apply early in the following calendar year.
Awarded Funds
If selected, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be issued between the land trust and the county. Per the MOU, when the easement is finalized, the land trust will provide:
- Deed with proof of recordation
- Final invoices for services rendered
Upon receipt of this documentation, the county will award the funding to the land trust within 10 business days.