Agricultural Land Preservation

Howard County has been in the forefront of protecting farmland for several decades using three different methods:

1. Since 1984, the purchase of agricultural preservation easements by the Howard County Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP Purchased),
2. 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
3. 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 over 23,300 acres of farmland in the Rural West of Howard County over the last 41 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.

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.

The Howard County ALPP is funded by a dedicated 20% portion of the 1.25% local transfer tax. This steady funding source over the last four decades has been a major key to the ALPP’s success in purchasing ag preservation easements. More recently, the transfer tax revenue is also used to support the farming community through grants, best management practice (BMP) cost share assistance, technical advice and other programming and services provided by the Howard County Office of Ag, the Howard County Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Howard Soil Conservation District (SCD).

View Transfer Tax Fact Sheet

Highlights in the FY26 Operating Budget include continued support to the agricultural sector through several successful grant programs :

1. The Enhanced Agricultural Grant program with $500,000, administered by EDA and Office of Ag
2. The Agricultural Preservation Cost Share BMP grants with $200,000, administered by SCD
3. The Agricultural Grant for Innovation and Expansion with $100,000, administered by EDA

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.

Howard County Code | Permitted Uses on ALPP Land | Lot Location | Commercial Solar Facilities | Forest Conservation | Conservation Practices | Nontidal Wetland Mitigation

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.

Unrestricted Lot Process | Owner/Child 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.

Application Form | Soil & Water Quality Plan Form

Joy Levy, Program Administrator 

410-313-5407

jlevy@howardcountymd.gov

Lauren Longo, Planning Specialist

llongo@howardcountymd.gov

In 2024, Howard County’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program celebrated its fortieth year of permanently preserving farmland. To celebrate, Howard County Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball, enhanced opportunities for preservation by offering two new payment term options. Now, eligible property owners have the choice between three payment terms, allowing owners to tailor their easement compensation to best fit their needs. Since announcing these terms, two properties have taken advantage of this exciting addition to the program’s benefits. Here is a list of the program’s recent acquisitions.

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, Administrator, Office of Agriculture, 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.

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 review frequently asked questions about CSF's and ALPP:

• Agricultural Preservation and Commercial Solar Facilities FAQ

The full policy is linked below. Please read the following document very carefully for important information regarding CSF eligibility and submission requirements:

• Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP) Commercial Solar Facilities Policy

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.

• Zoning Administration - Conditional Uses

What is the tax credit? 

An agricultural land preservation tax credit shall be granted to all properties on which an easement has been permanently conveyed to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) or the Howard County Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP). The credit shall equal 75% of any County property tax imposed on the land, 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? As a result of CB1-2023, property owners no longer need to apply annually for the tax credit. If you have previously applied for the credit, it will automatically renew every year. You do not need to apply annually for the credit.

If you are new to MALPF or ALPP, you must initially apply for the tax credit by April 1 preceding the new tax year. 

Please contact Joy Levy at 410-313-5407 with any additional questions.

What if I don’t want the tax credit? If you do not want to receive the tax credit, you have the option to opt out of the credit on your tax bill. To opt out of the credit, you must notify the Howard County Department of Finance in writing at the following:

Department of Finance
Attn: Tax Credit Department
3430 Court House Drive
Ellicott City MD 21043

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 Howard County Office of Agriculture,  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.

Howard County Office of Agriculture | HCEDA Agricultural Marketing Program | Howard Soil Conservation District  | MARBIDCO | University of Maryland Extension