Agricultural Land Use Issues

Onondaga County Farmland Protection Plan

The Onondaga County Legislature approved the Onondaga County Farmland Protection Plan in 1997. To view the Executive Summary of the plan click here.

Onondaga County Farmland Protection Efforts

Onondaga County has permanently protected over 4,600 acres of farmland in the Towns of Elbridge, Marcellus, and Spafford through the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program with some assistance through the USDA Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program. To learn more about the application process click here for a fact sheet on Local Farmland Protection. To view a copy of a recent application click here.

Municipal Reference for Agricultural Land Use In Onondaga County

The Municipal Reference for Agricultural Land Use Planning is a tool for local leaders when confronted with agricultural issues. The document addresses agricultural practices which include:

Scope of agriculture and agricultural activities
New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) Article 25AA – Agricultural Districts Law
Land use planning including zoning, purchase or transfer of development rights
Environmental regulations
Herbicide and pesticide applications
Issues of farm animals used as companion animals including housing, fencing and sanitation
Farm markets, agri-tourism, agri-tainment, agri-education
Seasonal Labor

To view the Municipal Reference for Agricultural Land Use In Onondaga County click here.

Agricultural Districts

NYS Agricultural and Markets Law 25-AA was adopted by the NYS Legislature in 1971 after it was found that significant farmland was being lost to development. The statute defines agriculture and serves as NYS’s “Right To Farm” law. The concept of agricultural assessment was defined in this legislation. Agricultural districts were formed following the passage of the law. In Onondaga County there are 4 agricultural Districts.

District No. 1 – Towns of Onondaga, Otisco, and Towns of Lafayette and Tully west if Route 81.
District No. 2 – Towns of Marcellus, Skaneateles, Spafford
District No. 3 – Towns of Camillus, Clay, Cicero, Dewitt, Elbridge, Lysander, Van Buren
District No. 4 – Towns of Fabius, Pompey, Manlius, and Towns of Lafayette and Tully, east of Route 81.

Inclusion Into Certified Agricultural Districts

Property owners with viable farmland that is not currently enrolled into a certified agricultural district have the opportunity to enroll their land into the agricultural district by completing an application which is reviewed by the Onondaga County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board. The application should be submitted between January 1 and January 31. For a copy of the application click here.

For more information on agriculture as a land use in Onondaga County, click here.

Agricultural Assessment

Agricultural Districts Law provides for reduced property taxes on land in agricultural production. In addition benefit assessments, special ad valorem levies, or other rates and fees to finance public infrastructure such as water, sewer, or non-farm drainage may not be imposed on farmland unless such charges were imposed prior to the formation of the district. Eligibility is based on gross sales of agricultural products and size of parcels. To learn more about agricultural assessments from the NYS Office of Real Property Service click here.

In addition certain farm buildings will qualify for agricultural exemptions. To learn more about agricultural building exemptions from the NYS Office of Real Property Service click here.

Basic questions about Ag Tax Exemptions? Click here.