Lewis County Assessor Dianne Dorey announced this week that landowners who wish for their land to be classified under the Open Space Law or Designated Forest Lands, must submit an application to the Lewis County Assessor’s Office postmarked or delivered by December 31, 2019.
Landowners currently in the program do not need to reapply.
Valuation of land for tax purposes under the Open Space Act is determined based on current use of the land rather than “highest and best use,” according to the Assessor’s Office.
The Open Space Act encompasses four categories: Open space farm and agriculture; designated forestland; open space land and open space farm and agricultural conservation land.
A $350 minimum processing fee per parcel, plus additional charges of $207 to 208 (recording fee) will be due. If the application includes more than one parcel, it must be submitted with the application and is not refundable should Open Space classification be denied.
Property owners may direct inquiries concerning the open space designation to Tanya Hahn, exemptions clerk, at 360-740-1103.
