Programs Historic Property Landmark Historic Rehabilitated Historic Preferential Ag. Prop. Conservation Use Environmentally Sensitive Residential Transitional Office Location & Phone Numbers General Information Appeals

Special assessment programs are different from exemptions in the fact that the property is assessed at the current use value, which gives a reduced assessment to the owner of this type property when compared to other property assessed at 40% of fair market value. This favorable tax treatment is designed to protect these property owners from being pressured by the property tax burden to convert their land from agricultural use to residential or commercial use. In return for the favorable tax treatment, the property owner must keep the land undeveloped in a qualifying use for a period of ten years or incur penalties. Owners who breach their current use covenant must pay back to the taxing authorities twice the savings they have received over the life of the covenant up to the point it was breached.

Landmark Historic Property that qualifies for listing on the Georgia or National Register of Historic Places and be so certified by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources may qualify for preferential assessment. The preferential assessment shall extend to the building or structure, the real property on which the building or structure is located, and not more than two acres surrounding the building or structure. The real property receiving preferential assessment may not be changed for a period of nine years.

Rehabilitated Historic Property may qualify for preferential assessment where the rehabilitation, has increased the fair market value by not less than 50 percent. If the property is income producing property, and the fair market value has increased by not less than 100 percent, or, if it is primarily residential but partially income-producing, the fair market value has increased by at least 75 percent. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources must certify the property as rehabilitated historic property and it must qualify for listing on the Georgia Register of Historic Places.

For a full disclosure of qualification of Landmark and Rehabilitated Historic Property contact the Athens-Clarke County Board of Assessors at (706) 613-3140.

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Preferential Agricultural Property
Bona fide agricultural property can be assessed at 75 percent of the assessment of other property. This means that this type of property is assessed at 30 percent of fair market value rather than 40 percent. Property that qualifies for this special assessment must be maintained in its current use for a period of ten years.

Conservation Use Property
Bona fide agricultural property can be assessed at its current use value rather than the fair market value. Property that qualifies for this special assessment must be maintained in a current use for a period of ten years.

Environmentally Sensitive Property
Property can be assessed at its current use value rather than the fair market value when such property is maintained in its natural condition and meets the requirements set by the Department of Natural Resources. Property that qualifies for this special assessment must be maintained in a current use for a period of ten years.

Residential Transitional Property
Property can be assessed at its current use value, rather than fair market value, when it is used for residential purposes but located in an area that is changing to, or being developed for, a use other than residential.

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