Sacramento property owners can apply for a City of Sacramento program that provides reduced property taxes in exchange for dedicating eligible land to urban agriculture.
Through the City’s Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone (UAIZ) program, eligible property owners enter into a voluntary five-year agreement to maintain an entire parcel in active agricultural production. Approved applicants can receive reduced property taxes beginning in 2027.
“This program gives property owners a practical way to bring vacant or underutilized land into agricultural use,” said Laura Tuller, an associate planner with the Community Development Department. “It can help support local food production while putting smaller, unused parcels back into active use.”
To qualify, a property must:
- Be between 0.10 and three acres
- Be vacant, unimproved or blighted, or have been converted from one of those conditions to urban agriculture
- Have no dwelling units
- Have a metered water connection or approved well
- Have any required land use approvals in place
Only structures related to agricultural activity, such as toolsheds, greenhouses or produce stands, may be located on the property. The entire parcel must be dedicated to urban agriculture.
People who do not own property also may participate by partnering with an owner of an eligible property who agrees to enter into the five-year agreement with the City.
Applicants should review the informational packet, which includes details about eligibility requirements, the application process, how to prepare an application, terms of the five-year agreement, and the program schedule and deadlines.
The application packet is available online.
Completed applications must be submitted by Nov. 9. Questions can be directed to planning@cityofsacramento.org.
Additional program information is available on the City’s Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone webpage.
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