Conservation Easements

Someone who owns land also “owns” many property rights associated with it.  A landowner may volunteer to give up certain rights in order to limit its current and future use to agricultural or keep it in its natural condition.

A conservation easement is a voluntary conservation agreement between a landowner (donor) and a qualified governmental entity or non-profit organization like a land trust (donee).   When a person donates or sells a land conservation easement to a land trust, they permanently extinguish certain development rights, while binding future owners of the land to the terms stated in the agreement.  Perpetual easements help to protect natural and agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, and scenic views while keeping them in private ownership.

Each conservation easement is individually written to meet the needs and interests of the landowner.  It may cover the entire property or just a portion of it, such as the land along the shore or a lake or stream, leaving the option of development open for the remaining part.  Permissible land use practices, such as farming, timber harvesting, hunting, future home site development are stated in the agreement, in addition to non-permitted practices such as commercial development for landfills and extraction of minerals, etc.

The public does not have access to property protected by an easement unless granted by the original document.

Resale of Land - If you need to sell your land but don’t want to see it developed, a land trust can help. Prior to the sale, you can work with your local land trust to place a conservation easement on the land before it goes on the market. Some land trusts can also help identify potential buyers for conserved lands.

Donation of Land for Conservation - Donating land for conservation is one of the finest legacies a person can leave to future generations. If you choose to donate your land, your land trust can work with you to identify the best arrangement. The land trust might retain ownership of the property as a permanent preserve or transfer the property to a suitable owner, such as a government agency. In some cases, the land is sold to a private owner, subject to a conservation easement held by the land trust. (Proceeds from such a sale could fund the land trust’s long-term management of the conservation easement and/or help it to protect even more land.) The full market value of land donated to a nonprofit land trust is tax deductible as a charitable gift.

Bargain Sale- In a bargain sale, you sell your land to a land trust for less than its fair market value. This not only makes it more affordable for the land trust, but offers several benefits to you: it provides cash, avoids some capital gains tax, and entitles you to a charitable income tax deduction based on the difference between the land’s fair market value and its sale price.

Donation with a Lifetime Income - If you have land you would like to protect by donating it to a land trust, but you need to receive income during your lifetime, consider a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder uni-trustCharitable gift annuities and charitable remainder uni-trusts are most useful for highly appreciated land, the sale of which would incur high capital gains tax.

Income Tax Advantages from Donating a Conservation Easement

Landowners who donate a “qualifying” conservation easement to a “qualified” land protection organization under the regulations set forth in 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code may be eligible for a federal income tax deduction equal to the value or their donation.  The value of the easement donation, as determined by a qualified appraiser, equals the difference between the fair market value of the property before and after the easement takes effect. 

To qualify for this income tax deduction, the easement must be:  1) perpetual; 2) held by a qualified governmental or non-profit organization; and 3) serve a valid conservation purpose, meaning the property must have an appreciable natural, scenic, historic, scientific, agricultural, recreational or open space value.

For more tax information visit: https://www.landtrustalliance.org/topics/taxes/income-tax-incentives-land-conservation

Additional information about conservation easements:

When you donate a conservation easement to a land trust, you give up some of the rights associated with the land. For example, you might give up the right to build additional structures, while retaining the right to grow crops. Future owners also will be bound by the easement's terms. The land trust is responsible for making sure the easement's terms are followed on a long-term basis.

A landowner sometimes sells a conservation easement, but usually easements are donated. If the donation benefits the public by permanently protecting important conservation resources and meets other federal tax code requirements it can qualify as a tax-deductible charitable donation. The amount of the donation is the difference between the land's value with the easement and its value without the easement. Placing an easement on your property may or may not result in property tax savings.

Perhaps most important, a conservation easement can be essential for passing land on to the next generation. By removing the land's development potential, the easement lowers its market value, which in turn lowers estate tax. Whether the easement is donated during life or by will, it can make a critical difference in the heirs' ability to keep the land intact.

How can a conservation easement be tailored to my needs and wishes?

An easement restricts development to the degree that is necessary to protect the significant conservation values of that particular property. Sometimes this totally prohibits construction, and sometimes it doesn't. Landowners and land trusts, working together, can write conservation easements that reflect both the landowner's desires and the need to protect conservation values. Even the most restrictive easements typically permit landowners to continue such traditional uses of the land as farming and ranching.

Steps to obtain a conservation easement for your land

First, contact a land trust in your community to become acquainted with the organization and the services they can provide. Explore with them the conservation values you want to protect on the land. Discuss with the land trust what you want to accomplish, and what development rights you may want to retain. For example, you may already have one home on your property and want to preserve the right to build another home. That is one provision that must be specifically written into an easement agreement. Always consult with other family members regarding an easement, and remember that you should consult with your own attorney or financial advisor regarding such a substantial decision.

Duration of conservation easement

Conservation Easements are generally in perpetuity. 

Responsibilities of a land trust regarding conservation easements

The land trust is responsible for enforcing the conservation easement guidelines set forth by the land trust and land owner. Therefore, the land trust monitors the property on a regular basis -- typically once a year - to determine that the property remains in the condition prescribed by the easement document. The land trust maintains written records of these monitoring visits, which also provide the landowner a chance to keep in touch with the land trust. Many land trusts establish endowments to provide for long-term stewardship of the easements they hold.

Disclaimer notice

Coalition of Ohio Land Trusts cannot provide you with legal or tax advice. Please consult with your attorney and accountant about the legal implications of conservation easements and potential tax deductions.