Open Space Tax Programs

Data Table

Explanation

Privately owned forest, farm, and open space lands offer many environmental benefits and contribute to the rural character present in much of Thurston County. To encourage the protection of these lands, the Washington State Legislature approved two voluntary programs which provide tax breaks to property owners who preserve farmland, forestland, and open space by valuing property based on its current use, rather than its highest and best use.

Since 1990, the total acreage enrolled in open space and forest land tax programs has fallen from 182,059 acres to 163,493 acres.

Designated Forest Land

The Designated Forest Land Program encourages the protection of forest land in Washington state by lowering taxes on properties meeting specific requirements. In 2022, 126,213 acres of land were enrolled in the Designated Forest Land program in Thurston County.

Open Space Taxation Act

The 1970 Open Space Taxation Act provides tax relief for property in three classes of land: open space, farm and agriculture land, and timber land. In 2022, 37,280 acres of land were enrolled in the Open Space Tax Program in Thurston County.

More information on the two programs and the requirements that property owners must meet to enroll is available from the Thurston County Assessor's Office.

Sustainable Thurston Report Card

The Sustainable Thurston Report Card tracks how well the Thurston region is doing at conserving rural lands. The goal includes the following target:

  • Between 2010 and 2035, no more than 5% of new housing will locate in rural areas, and at least 95% will be within cities, towns, unincorporated growth areas, and tribal reservations.

Source

Thurston County Assessor's Office