Agricultural Planning
Learn more about the Howard County Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP), the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) and other agricultural planning resources.
Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP) Applications
What is ALPP? Through this voluntary program, a farmer whose land meets certain size and soil criteria can offer to sell a perpetual easement to the County, while holding fee simple title to the land and continuing to farm. The farm may be sold, but the easement, which restricts the development of the property, remains with the land and binds future owners.
How do I apply? Please read through the informational links below for the application process and procedures.
| Overview | Application |
| Application Process Procedures | Soil and Water Quality Plan Status |
| Eligibility Criteria |
What is the tax credit? A property tax credit shall be granted, upon application, to an owner of agricultural land to which an easement has been permanently conveyed or assigned to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation or the Howard County Agricultural Land Preservation Program. The credit shall equal 75% of any County property tax imposed on the land included in such easement, not including any improvements.
The Agriculture Credit will be noted on your Real Property Tax Bill under "Charge Description".
When and how do I apply? An eligible owner of agricultural land shall apply for the tax credit with the Director of Finance within 30 days of the issuance of each annual property tax bill, which occurs in June. However, applications can be submitted as early as March. Owners must apply EVERY year to be granted this tax credit. The 2022 application is linked here: 2022 ALPP Tax Credit Application
For prompt processing, it is highly recommended applications be submitted by May 1, 2022
Applications are due by July 31, 2022
All applications should be mailed to:
Joy Levy, Administrator
Agricultural Land Preservation Program
Department of Planning and Zoning
3430 Court House Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Contact Information
Joy Levy, 410-313-5407
Property Tax Accounting, 410-313-4076
Howard County Agricultural Land Preservation Program Easements (County Purchased & County Dedicated) are eligible to apply for a commercial solar facility (CSF) through the Conditional Use (CU) zoning process. Please read the following document very carefully for important information regarding CSF eligibility and submission requirements:
Please contact the Division of Public Service and Zoning at 410-313-2350 for questions and instructions on how to submit a CU Petition for a CSF.
James Zoller, Executive Secretary | 410-313-2056
The Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) makes recommendations to the County Executive on the acquisition of new agricultural land preservation easement properties, reviews proposals concerning land already subject to an easement and assists ALPP staff with policy creation and refinement. For information on the current Meeting Agenda, Board Members, Schedule of Meetings, Meeting Location and Directions, Meeting Minutes, and the Rules of Procedure, please visit the Agricultural Preservation Board page.
On October 1, 2018 the Howard County Council passed CB 63-2018, which significantly amended the law that governs the Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP) to expand the duties of the Agricultural Preservation Board (APB), and to broaden the provisions of the law beyond the preservation of agricultural land to include the sustainability of agriculture as a viable sector of the County's economy.
The Howard County Agriculture Sustainability and Land Preservation Act (the Act) now provides that, in addition to acquiring agricultural land preservation easements, the County intends to support farming, agricultural endeavors and its investment in easements by offering technical assistance, promoting agribusiness innovation and developing future market opportunities.
The APB now serves in an advisory capacity on agricultural issues to the County Executive, the County Council, the Department of Planning and Zoning and the Hearing Examiner. The APB can also provide outreach and education regarding the ALPP to the public, and serve as a sounding board for citizen concerns and complaints related to farming.
James Zoller, Agricultural Coordinator in the Office of Community Sustainability, is the Executive Secretary to the APB. As the County's liaison to the agricultural community, Mr. Zoller is the primary contact for general farming related issues and concerns, which he will field to the appropriate county department and assist with a resolution.
The ALPP works closely with other agencies within the County to provide support to the agricultural community. Follow the links below for more information on the Agricultural Marketing Program within the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA), the Howard Soil Conservation District (SCD), the Maryland Agricultural & Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO), and the University of Maryland Extension.
HCEDA Agricultural Marketing Program | Howard Soil Conservation District | MARBIDCO | University of Maryland Extension
Click on the Interactive Map above to view different types of land preservation in Howard County!
During the last acquisition cycle from 2013 to 2017, the County permanently protected 17 properties by purchasing their development rights, for a total of over 1,093 acres. In addition, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) purchased one 71-acre easement. As of May 2021, Howard County’s farmland preservation amounts to a grand total of 22,798 acres.
|
Program |
Acres |
Location |
| ALPP | 61.5 | Ellicott City |
| ALPP | 50.01 | Ellicott City |
|
ALPP |
20.56 |
Lisbon |
|
ALPP |
109.07 |
Mount Airy |
|
ALPP |
166.82 |
Glenwood |
|
ALPP |
29.62 |
Woodbine |
|
ALPP |
58.70 |
Lisbon |
|
ALPP |
52.95 |
Ellicott City |
|
ALPP |
50.12 |
Woodstock |
|
ALPP |
29.38 |
Sykesville |
|
ALPP |
57.40 |
Woodbine |
|
ALPP |
81.40 |
Highland |
|
ALPP |
54.40 |
West Friendship |
|
ALPP |
95.00 |
Ellicott City |
|
ALPP |
49.00 |
West Friendship |
|
ALPP |
78.10 |
West Friendship |
|
ALPP |
50.10 |
Glenelg |
|
MALPF |
70.66 |
Sykesville |
Howard County has been in the forefront of protecting farmland for several decades using three different methods:
- Since 1984, the purchase of agricultural preservation easements by the Howard County Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP Purchased),
- Since 1994, the dedication of agricultural preservation parcels to the Howard County Agricultural Land Preservation Program as provided for in the County’s Zoning Regulations (ALPP Dedicated), and
- Since 1980, the purchase of agricultural preservation easements in Howard County by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF Purchased).
Using these tools, the County has preserved almost 23,000 acres of farmland in the Rural West of Howard County over the last 40 years.
The ALPP is currently accepting applications. For the application form and other information, please refer to the tabs below for ALPP Purchased Easements and County Dedicated Easements.
Through this voluntary program, a farmer whose land meets certain size and soil criteria can offer to sell a perpetual easement to the County, while holding fee simple title to the land and continuing to farm. The farm may be sold, but the easement, which restricts the development of the property, remains with the land and binds future owners.
The ALPP is currently accepting applications. Any interested property owner whose farm meets the minimum eligibility criteria may apply. The ALPP utilizes an objective scoring system to determine the value of the farm as agricultural land. This score translates into a per acre price offer that the County is willing to pay for an easement on the property.
Overview | Application Form | Soil and Water Quality Plan Form | Application Processing Procedures | Eligibility Criteria and Pricing Formula
Useful Links
Green Infrastructure Network | Green Infrastructure Interactive Map | Howard County Data Download and Viewer | Howard County Interactive Map | Maryland Land Records | Maryland State Archives Plats Search | State Department of Assessments & Taxation | Soil Capability Classes I - IV List | Soils Interactive Map | Zoning Regulations of Howard County
The primary regulatory framework for the ALPP is Section 15.500 of the Howard County Code and Section 106.1 of the Howard County Zoning Regulations. In addition to the laws that govern the program, there are many policies that implement its goals.
Commercial Solar Facilities | Conservation Practices | Forest Conservation | Howard County Code | Lot Location | Nontidal Wetland Mitigation | Permitted Uses on ALPP Land | Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans
In order for property owners to exercise the lot and dwelling rights they retain upon entering the ALPP purchased easement program, there are certain procedures that must be followed and forms to be filled out.
Owner/Child Lot Process | Unrestricted Lot Process | Letter of Intent | Letter of Understanding/Owner Lot | Letter of Understanding/Child Lot | Tenant House Application
As provided for in the Zoning Regulations, land may be dedicated to the ALPP as a result of:
1) The creation of cluster subdivision residue preservation parcels
2) The creation of Density Exchange Option (DEO) sending preservation parcels
The ALPP is the sole easement holder of the dedicated easements, though no county funds are used to acquire them. The creation of dedicated preservation parcels arise out of private market transactions between the farmer and a developer. Like the ALPP purchased easements, the restrictions against development remain with the land and bind all future owners.
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF)
In addition to easements purchased by the Howard County ALPP, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) program also purchases agricultural easements, and has acquired almost 4,000 easement acres in Howard County. The MALPF program is administered locally, which means that any questions or requests pertaining to MALPF properties should be directed to Joy Levy.
For detailed information about the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF), please visit the state website.
MALPF easements established prior to 2004 allow a property owner to petition to buy back their development rights from the State after 25 years. In order to terminate an easement, it must be demonstrated that profitable farming is no longer feasible on the property.
Both MALPF and the County's governing body must approve the owner's request. While MALPF's review is focused on economic feasibility, the County's review is focused on local land use priorities, including consistency with comprehensive planning goals and impacts to vicinal properties.
Over 22,000 acres in Howard County are protected by an agricultural easement, however; only 3,960 are MALPF easement properties and are therefore potentially eligible to terminate. The other 17,690 acres are county easements and are not eligible to terminate. The document below provides additional details regarding County policy on termination of MALPF easements.
Farmland Forever Signs
Farmland Forever signs are available to property owners in the ALPP. If you would like to show your pride in preservation, please complete and return the form to Joy Levy, ALPP Administrator at 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The County will construct the sign post and install the sign. There is no cost to program participants for the sign or installation.
