What is the Williamson Act?
This is a constitutional amendment that generally provides a property tax break to the agricultural producers in the state of California. The property owner and the County sign a contract. The owner is committing himself to keep his property in agricultural production for at least the next 10 years. The County is agreeing to give that taxpayer a tax break for that commitment. The contract places restrictions on development of the property. The taxable value of the land becomes what the land is capable of earning as agricultural land as opposed to what it would sell for if exposed to the open market.