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Open Space Public Benefit Rating System
What Is the Douglas County Open Space Plan?
The Open Space Taxation Act, enacted by the Washington State Legislature in 1970, allows property owners to have open space, farm and agricultural, and timber lands valued at the land's current use rates rather than at the usual valuation principal of highest and best use.
The Act states that it is in the best interest of the state to maintain, preserve, conserve and otherwise continue in existence adequate open space lands for the production of food, fiber and forest crops and to assure the use and enjoyment of natural resources and scenic beauty for the economic and social well-being of the state and its citizens.
Additionally, it is in the County's interest to provide incentives that encourage the retention of open space.
The Public Benefit Rating System
As permitted by Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 84.34, Douglas County has adopted a Douglas County Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) through Ordinance TLS 13-07-25B (PDF), codified as Douglas County Code Chapter 3.52. This rating system was created to provide greater clarity and predictability to property owners seeking open space classification. In the past, there were very few objective criteria to help property owners and decision makers evaluate the merits of open space classification.
The PBRS rating system prioritizes a series of open space resources and assigns each a numerical point value. Parcels can have more than one resource generating value. The score from the sum of the values is then applied to an assessment schedule approved by the County Assessor. Higher scoring parcels will be granted a greater reduction in market value assessment. A determination will be made based on the following resource conditions:
- Conserve or enhance natural, cultural or scenic resources
- Protect:
- Native plant habitat
- Natural shorelines and aquifers
- Soil resources
- Streams and stream corridors
- Unique or critical wildlife
- Wetlands
- Promote conservation principles by example or by offering educational opportunities
- Enhance the value of abutting or neighboring:
- Forests
- Nature reservations or sanctuaries
- Parks
- Wildlife preserves
- Other open spaces
- Enhance recreation opportunities
- Preserve historic and archeological sites
- Preserve visual quality along highway, road and street corridors or scenic vistas
- Affect any other factors relevant in weighing benefits to the general welfare of preserving the current use of the property
The Public Process
Applications can be made for classification at any time during the year from January 1st through December 31st. Valuation assessment begins on January 1st in the year following the year the application was filed. Taxes upon classified land shall be due and payable in the year following the year the land was valued at its current use and placed on the assessment rolls.
Office | Information Provided | Applications Accepted | Makes Recommendations to the Board of Commissioners | Makes Final Decision |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assessor's Office | Farm and Agricultural Current Use | Farm and Agricultural Current Use | N/A | Farm and Agricultural Current Use |
Transportation and Land Services | Open Space, Farm and Agriculture Conservation | Open Space, Farm and Agriculture Conservation | N/A | N/A |
Hearing Examiner | N/A | N/A | Open Space, Farm and Agriculture Conservation (public hearing) | N/A |
Board of Commissioners | N/A | N/A | N/A | Open Space, Farm and Agriculture Conservation (public meeting) |
The reduction in property taxes appears the second year after the application is submitted:
- Year 1: Application submitted (any time during the year)
- Year 2: Tax rolls changed for the following year
- Year 3: Taxes reduced
How to Apply
Each open space classification type has its own eligibility criteria. The idea of reduced taxes is an ever-popular one and the County's Open Space Plan and PBRS reserve eligibility for those properties which have the best qualities for achieving the goals of the program.
Applications for open space classification are available and processed through Douglas County Transportation and Land Services (TLS). Interested parties should contact TLS to set up a meeting to discuss options and for assistance with filling out the application.
Farm and agricultural current use and timber land applications are filed with the County Assessor's Office. Farm and agriculture current use applications must be accompanied by a farm management plan, prepared by a qualified agronomist. Timber land applications must be accompanied by a timber management plan, prepared by a qualified forester.
Related Documents
- Ordinance TLS 13-07-25B (PDF)
- Douglas County Code Chapter 3.52: Open Space Plan and Public Benefit Rating System
- Washington Administrative Code Chapter 458-30: Open Space Taxation Act Rules
- Revised Code of Washington Chapter 84.34: Open Space, Agricultural, Timberlands - Current Use - Conservation Futures
- WA Department of Revenue - Open Space Taxation Act Publication (PDF)
Contact Us
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Assessor's Office
Physical Address
213 S Rainier Street
Waterville, WA 98858
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 387
Waterville, WA 98858
Phone: 509-745-8521Fax: 509-745-8956Emergency Phone: 911
Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
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Land Services
Physical Address
140 19th Street NW
Suite A
East Wenatchee, WA 98802
Phone: 509-884-7173Fax: 509-886-3954
Hours
Monday through Friday
7 am to 5 pm
Hours exclude observed holidays
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WA Department of Revenue
Property Tax Division
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 47471
Olympia, WA 98504-7471
Phone: 360-534-1400
Visit the Department of Revenue Property Tax Page