Laws and Regulations

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This area provides information on some of the laws and regulations impacting voluntary land conservation in Pennsylvania. It is not intended as legal advice. Information will be added as time and resources allow.

Conservation and Preservation Easements Act
Preferential Assessments
Property Taxes
Realty Transfer Taxes
State-Administered Open Space Funding Programs
Federal Laws & Regulations

Conservation and Preservation Easements Act
The Conservation and Preservation Easements Act clarifies and strengthens various points of law concerning conservation easements. To comply with the Act and to receive its benefits, legal counsel for nonprofits and government bodies should review the Act prior to drafting new or amending old easements. This web area provides more information about the Act.

Preferential Assessments
Pennsylvania law provides for preferential assessments of properties for open space protection under certain conditions. Although Clean and Green is the best known of the preferential assessment statutes, there are others. This web area briefly covers preferential assessments.

Property Taxes
Under construction.

Realty Transfer Taxes
Under construction.

State-Administered Open Space Funding Programs
Go to Public Policy: State-Administered Open Space Funding Programs.

Federal Laws & Regulations
U.S. Treasury Regulations on Donations of Conservation Easements
The Federal Law on Donations Of Conservation Easements (and other partial interests)
New Federal Requirement for Taxpayers Making Charitable Donations of Property
Section 1206 of the pensions bill (HR 4)

Thank you to Pine Creek Land Conservation Trust for supporting our land conservation efforts.
© 2005 Pennsylvania Land Trust Association