SERVICE
Apply for a tax benefit by using your property for urban agriculture
Get a tax benefit from the City if your property benefits the community through urban agriculture.
What to know
Timeline
Applications are reviewed in cycles. Apply by the next cycle deadline: March 1st, June 1st, and August 1st each year. Contracts last at least 5 years.
Urban agriculture incentive zones
Learn more about the specific requirements from CA Government Code 51040.
What to do
To participate in the Urban Agriculture Incentive Program, you must show that your property will benefit the larger community by:
- Production, distribution, or sales
- Open house days
- Educational tours
- Other public programs
Your property must:
- Allow for agricultural uses (read Planning Code Section 102 for more information)
- Be between 0.10 and 3 acres (4356 and 130,680 sq ft)
- Not include any dwelling units
- Include only agricultural structures like tool sheds, greenhouses, produce stands, or educational space
Learn more about the specific requirements before you get started with the application packet.
1. Get a Certificate of Eligibility
Gather your site plan (if applicable) and photos of the site and existing structures (exterior and interior). Bring them to:
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
If needed, get a change of use permit or Conditional Use Authorization for urban agriculture use at the site.
2. Submit your application
Fill out the application packet and include supporting documents:
- The Certificate of Eligibility
- A copy of the change of use permit or a copy of the Planning Commission Motion approving a Conditional Use Authorization (if applicable)
- A completed (but unsigned) Contract
- Site plans (if you have them) illustrating the current and future agriculture uses on the site
- Photos of the site, including photos of the exterior and interior of any existing structures.
- Letter of authorization, if the applicant is not the property owner.
Email your application to:
You can also mail or drop off your materials in person to:
1390 Market Street
Ste. 210
San Francisco, CA 94102
Get directions
3. Get your tax reduction rate
We will calculate your property’s tax reduction rate within 30 days.
4. Sign the contract
If you agree to the tax reduction rate, sign the contact. Make sure the Agricultural Commissioner, Assessor-Recorder, City Attorney also sign the contract.
5. Submit the contract and pay any fees
Pay any fees to the Office of the Assessor-Recorder City Hall, Room 190 1 Carlton B Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA, 94102
You will receive a copy of the recorded contract through mail. You have 30 days to start agricultural activity.
You need to submit by December 31 to get your tax reduction for the next fiscal year.
6. Get your property inspected
We will inspect your property within 90 days. We will do additional inspections each year.
Supporting information
Special cases
If there is a large tax benefit
You might be asked to have a hearing if:
- There will be a tax revenue cut of more than $25,000 a year or more than $125,000 for the contract term
- The contract covers connecting parcels with 5 or more acres
- There will be a combined tax revenue of more than $250,000 a year for all properties
If you need to cancel your contract
You will need to pay additional property taxes to make up the difference of the reduction plus interest.
Get help
Partner agencies
What to know
Timeline
Applications are reviewed in cycles. Apply by the next cycle deadline: March 1st, June 1st, and August 1st each year. Contracts last at least 5 years.
Urban agriculture incentive zones
Learn more about the specific requirements from CA Government Code 51040.
What to do
To participate in the Urban Agriculture Incentive Program, you must show that your property will benefit the larger community by:
- Production, distribution, or sales
- Open house days
- Educational tours
- Other public programs
Your property must:
- Allow for agricultural uses (read Planning Code Section 102 for more information)
- Be between 0.10 and 3 acres (4356 and 130,680 sq ft)
- Not include any dwelling units
- Include only agricultural structures like tool sheds, greenhouses, produce stands, or educational space
Learn more about the specific requirements before you get started with the application packet.
1. Get a Certificate of Eligibility
Gather your site plan (if applicable) and photos of the site and existing structures (exterior and interior). Bring them to:
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
If needed, get a change of use permit or Conditional Use Authorization for urban agriculture use at the site.
2. Submit your application
Fill out the application packet and include supporting documents:
- The Certificate of Eligibility
- A copy of the change of use permit or a copy of the Planning Commission Motion approving a Conditional Use Authorization (if applicable)
- A completed (but unsigned) Contract
- Site plans (if you have them) illustrating the current and future agriculture uses on the site
- Photos of the site, including photos of the exterior and interior of any existing structures.
- Letter of authorization, if the applicant is not the property owner.
Email your application to:
You can also mail or drop off your materials in person to:
1390 Market Street
Ste. 210
San Francisco, CA 94102
Get directions
3. Get your tax reduction rate
We will calculate your property’s tax reduction rate within 30 days.
4. Sign the contract
If you agree to the tax reduction rate, sign the contact. Make sure the Agricultural Commissioner, Assessor-Recorder, City Attorney also sign the contract.
5. Submit the contract and pay any fees
Pay any fees to the Office of the Assessor-Recorder City Hall, Room 190 1 Carlton B Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA, 94102
You will receive a copy of the recorded contract through mail. You have 30 days to start agricultural activity.
You need to submit by December 31 to get your tax reduction for the next fiscal year.
6. Get your property inspected
We will inspect your property within 90 days. We will do additional inspections each year.
Supporting information
Special cases
If there is a large tax benefit
You might be asked to have a hearing if:
- There will be a tax revenue cut of more than $25,000 a year or more than $125,000 for the contract term
- The contract covers connecting parcels with 5 or more acres
- There will be a combined tax revenue of more than $250,000 a year for all properties
If you need to cancel your contract
You will need to pay additional property taxes to make up the difference of the reduction plus interest.