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many buyers prefer to buy land that is adjacent to or in scenic easement.
Myth # 4: That putting land into an easement loses the county money.
Fact: Under the state’s composite index method of paying counties land in scenic easement returns the county more money.
Myth # S: That easements depreciate land value.
Fact: Over time all easement landowners have seen their land prices increase to market rates.
Myth # 6: That it’s expensive to set up a conservation easement on your land.
Fact: The paperwork is pro forma and easy to complete. The state, groups in the county, and individuals are ready to help you for free.
In addition to the advantages outlined above, landowners who put their land into an easement qualify for income tax credits over a multipleyear term.
For instance, Bob Dennis and his wife earned $12,000 when they put their land into an easement in 1976 and used it to build a bam. “Most Rappahannock easement owners claim benefits,” explained Dennis. “In fact some landowners who are struggling with debt have been able to hold on to their land owing to this benefit.”
So what then is a scenic easement on a piece of property? It is an agreement with the state to restrict the future use of the property to agricultural (or to certain personal businesses) forever.
Once a piece of land is in easement, no power lines can be built, it cannot be rezoned, it cannot have a public road built through it, etc. “This is do-it-yourself, permanent zoning,” explained Dennis. “This is a more effective preservation tool than anything the county can do.”
There are seven restrictions placed on the property by the state:
1. No trash or trash dumps.
2. Restrictions on billboards.
3. No subdivisions.
4. Woodland management is overseen by the Virginia Outdoor Foundation (VOF).
5. No mining or blasting.
6. Approval of what type of buildings can be added is required by the VOF. (Note: Buildings can be added, but approval is necessary.)
7. No industrial or large scale commercial activities are allowed, except if they are agricultural.
There are only two requirements that the state has for getting an easement:
1. That state entities, usually the VOF, can visit the property.
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