Prince William County Launches Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program

Prince William County is pleased to announce the opening of the first application period for the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program, a new voluntary initiative designed to preserve farmland, forests, and open space across the County.

The inaugural application period will open July 1, 2026 and run through August 31, 2026 and is open to all properties that meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

The PDR Program provides an opportunity for landowners to permanently protect their property while receiving compensation for the development rights associated with their land. By participating in the program, landowners help preserve the County’s rural character, protect natural resources, and support long-term conservation goals identified in the Prince William County Comprehensive Plan.

Under the program, Prince William County purchases residential development rights from eligible properties and places a permanent open-space easement on the land. The property remains privately owned and can continue to be used for agriculture, forestry, and other permitted uses, while limiting future development.

Eligible properties generally include those that:

• Are at least 20 acres in size, or are part of a group of contiguous parcels totaling at least 20 acres
• Are located within approved Comprehensive Plan land use designations, including Agriculture and Forestry (AF), Parks and Open Space (POS), Occoquan Reservoir Protection Area (ORPA), or County Registered Historic Site (CRHS)
• Capable of qualifying for subdivision under the County Ordinance without Board approval

A full list of eligibility criteria can be found here.  

Applications submitted during this period will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility, and eligible properties will be evaluated and ranked through the County’s established selection process. Final decisions regarding the purchase of development rights are made by the Board of County Supervisors and are subject to available funding.

Participation in the PDR Program is entirely voluntary, and property owners whose applications are not selected may reapply during future application periods.

Landowners who are interested in applying are encouraged to begin preparing early and to contact Environmental Management staff with any questions regarding eligibility or the application process.

Once the application period opens, the link to apply will be made available on Environmental Management’s Purchase of Development Rights Webpage, which is linked below.

Learn More

For more information about the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program or to speak with staff:

Prince William County, Public Works

Environmental Management Division

Website: Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program - PWC Gov

Phone:703-792-7070
Email: [email protected]
Office Address: 5 County Complex Ct, Ste 170, Prince William, VA 22192