Forms and Fees Subject to Change July 1
CURRENT FEE SCHEDULEFEMA's Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps
VIEW HEREVisit VDH Website to Learn More About the Potomac River Sewage Spill
Click Here
Forms and Fees Subject to Change July 1CURRENT FEE SCHEDULE
FEMA's Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate MapsVIEW HERE
Visit VDH Website to Learn More About the Potomac River Sewage SpillClick Here
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Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program
Prince William County’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program is a voluntary land preservation program that allows property owners to permanently protect their land while receiving compensation for the development rights associated with their property.
Through this program, the County purchases residential development rights from eligible landowners and records a permanent open-space easement on the property. The land remains privately owned and can continue to be used for farming, forestry, and other permitted uses, while helping to preserve the County’s rural character, natural resources, and scenic landscapes.
The PDR Program helps protect farmland, forests, historic landscapes, and environmentally sensitive areas for the benefit of current and future generations.
Participating landowners help preserve the rural heritage and environmental resources that make Prince William County unique.
Benefits of participating may include:
• Compensation for the development rights associated with your property
• Permanent protection of farmland, forests, and open space
• Preservation of rural character and scenic views
• Protection of environmentally sensitive lands and water resources
• Continued private ownership and agricultural use of the land
• Contribution to long-term conservation goals identified in the County’s Comprehensive PlanParticipation in the program is completely voluntary.
The PDR Program allows eligible property owners to sell the development rights associated with their land.
Development rights represent the number of residential lots into which a parcel could potentially be subdivided under the County Code.
When development rights are sold:
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The County purchases the development rights from the property owner.
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A permanent open-space easement is recorded on the property.
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The land remains privately owned and can continue to be used for agriculture, forestry, or other permitted uses.
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Future residential subdivision and development rights associated with the property are permanently restricted.
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To be eligible for the PDR Program, a property must generally meet the following requirements:
1. The property must contain at least 20 acres, or be part of a group of contiguous parcels totaling at least 20 acres.
2. The property must be located within one of the approved Comprehensive Plan land use designations eligible for the program, including:
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Agriculture and Forestry (AF)
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Parks and Open Space (POS)
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Occoquan Reservoir Protection Area (ORPA)
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County Registered Historic Site (CRHS)
3. The property must be capable of qualifying for residential subdivision under the County Code without Board approval.
4. The proposed use of the property as permanent open space must be consistent with the Prince William County Comprehensive Plan.
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Application Process
Expand all- 1. Submit an Application
Property owners must submit an application during an open application period using the form provided by the County. Applications must include required supporting documentation.
[APPLY HERE LINK]
- 2. Application Review
The Program Administrator reviews the application to determine whether:
• The property meets the eligibility criteria
• The application is completeIf additional information is needed, applicants will be notified.
- 3. Property Ranking
Eligible applications are evaluated using a property ranking system that prioritizes properties for potential acquisition.
- 4. Committee and Board Review
Applications and rankings are reviewed by the Purchase of Development Rights Committee and forwarded to the Board of County Supervisors, which determines which development rights may be purchased.
- 5. Invitation to Sell
If a property is selected for potential acquisition, the property owner may receive a written invitation to sell development rights to the County.
Important Notes
• Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee that development rights will be purchased.
• Purchase decisions are based on ranking, Board approval, and the amount of available funding.
• Property owners whose applications are not selected may reapply in future application periods.
