Prince William County Opens Application Period for New Purchase of Development Rights Program

Prince William County is opening the application period for its new Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program designed to preserve farmland, forests and open space across the county. The inaugural application period is open from July 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026, for properties that meet the program’s eligibility requirements.  

The voluntary program allows eligible landowners to conserve their property while receiving compensation for development rights that would otherwise allow future commercial and/or residential development on the land. Participation helps protect natural resources and advance long-term conservation goals identified in the Prince William County Comprehensive Plan. 

Through the program, the county purchases development rights from eligible property owners and places an open-space easement on the land. Property owners retain ownership and may continue using the property for activities such as agriculture, forestry, gardening, beekeeping, maintaining natural and open spaces, and other permitted uses. The easement permanently limits future development and remains with the property if ownership changes. 

Compensation is determined through independent third-party appraisals conducted for each property under consideration. 

While the easement remains with the property and transfers to future owners and heirs, county code provides a process through which a subsequent property owner or successor may petition the Board of County Supervisors after 25 years to exchange the easement for a different qualifying open-space property, subject to county requirements and Board approval. 

Eligible properties generally must: 

• Consist of at least 20 acres or is part of a group of contiguous parcels totaling at least 20 acres. 

• Be located within an eligible Comprehensive Plan land-use designation, including Agriculture and Forestry, Parks and Open Space, the Occoquan Reservoir Protection Area or a County Registered Historic Site. 

• Be zoned for subdivision under county ordinance without Board approval. 

Application materials, eligibility requirements and submission instructions are available at pwcva.gov/pdr-program.  

Applications will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Eligible properties will then be evaluated and ranked through the county's established selection process. Final decisions regarding the purchase of development rights are made by the Board of County Supervisors and are subject to available funding. 

Participation in the PDR Program is entirely voluntary. Property owners whose applications are not selected may reapply during future application periods. 

"We are grateful to the Board of County Supervisors for its vision and leadership in establishing the Purchase of Development Rights Program," said County Executive Chris Shorter. "This important tool provides eligible landowners with a voluntary conservation option while helping advance the county's Strategic Plan goal of smart growth."