Greenbelt Program

The Agricultural, Forest and Open Space Land Act of 1976, better known as the Greenbelt Law, allows certain land to be taxed on its present use instead of market value. The law is designed to preserve farm and forest land for valuable food and fiber and to maintain open space for public enjoyment by easing some of the burden of property taxes. In order to qualify, property must meet certain criteria such as land type, size minimums, use, and income produced from farming.

The law limits the amount of property which can be qualified for greenbelt to 1,500 acres per owner per county. If an owner owns property with others or as part of a corporation, partnership, etc., each owner is credited with their proportionate share towards that limit.

There are 3 types of land which may qualify for greenbelt classification: agricultural, forestry and open space land.

Agricultural

Land consisting of 15 acres or more, which is part of a farm "engaged in the production or growing of crops, plants, animals, nursery, or floral products" qualifies. The property may include some areas which don't produce farm products (such as woodland and wasteland). It may also include a home site for the owner or operator, which is assessed at market value, not use value. A parcel of property with 10-14.99 acres can qualify if the owner has other property on greenbelt. This is called a satellite farm and should be used in same farm operation. Property may also qualify if you, your parent, or your spouse have farmed the property for at least 25 years, you continue to live on the property , and it is not used for any purpose inconsistent with farming.

Forestry

Forestry is property of 15 acres or more used in the growing of trees "under a sound program of sustained yield management" or containing an amount or quality of tree growth which is managed like a forest. Although forest property does not have to produce a specific income to be considered for greenbelt, a forestry plan detailing the acreage, the amount and type of timber, actual and potential growth rates, and proposed management practices to be applied to the land, must be developed and filed as part of enrollment. For additional information regarding forest management please visit the Tennessee Division of Forestry web site.

Open Space

Land is property of at least 3 acres maintained in an open or natural condition. This type of property benefits the public because it conserves natural resources, provides a natural setting for people who might not otherwise have access to such a place, and provides "relief from the monotony of urban sprawl." Requirements for qualification of open space land include a plan for preservation approved by state or local planning agencies, or the execution of a perpetual open space easement.

Rollback Taxes

When a property that has been assessed as Greenbelt becomes disqualified the owner may be liable to pay what are referred to as “rollback” taxes on the property. “Rollback” is simply the difference between the Greenbelt assessment and the market value assessment. It is paying back the tax savings the owner enjoyed under greenbelt. For Agricultural and Forest properties the rollback period is 3 years (the current year and the 2 preceding years), for Open Space property the rollback is 5 years. If only a portion of the property is sold or converted to a non-qualifying use, rollback is only assessed on that portion, as long as the remainder of the property still qualifies. An owner should fully understand “rollback” before applying for the Greenbelt program.

Listed below are reasons for disqualification of Greenbelt classification:

* size of tract or use no longer meet qualifications

* the owner requests in writing to withdraw

* the property is covered by a recorded subdivision plat or an unrecorded plan of development and any portion of the land is being developed

* an owner fails to file an application required by the statute, such as when it is sold to a new owner

* the land exceeds the acreage limitations of the statute (taxpayer is limited to 1,500 acres per taxing jurisdiction)

* property is sold and converted to other use

Applying for Greenbelt Classification

Agricultural Application


Forestry Application


Owners of properties that meet the criteria for enrollment in the Greenbelt Program can fill out the application, have it approved, notarized, and recorded all in one short visit.  Recording takes place in the Register of Deeds located in the same building, for a fee of $12 currently.  To be effective for the current tax year, the application process must be completed no later than 1 March. For your convenience, we have notaries in our office to assist you.

For more information on the greenbelt application procedures and your rights and responsibilities as a greenbelt owner please contact us.