Designated Forest Land property tax classification
馃嚭馃嚫 WA, United States 路 Washington State Department of Revenue and county assessors
Land of 5 or more contiguous acres grown for timber is taxed on state-set forest land values instead of market value, and standing timber is exempt from property tax
Under chapter 84.33 RCW, county assessors value Designated Forest Land using forest land values the Department of Revenue certifies each year by land grade and operability class, rather than highest-and-best-use market value. Timber on the land is exempt from real property tax; a timber excise tax is paid instead when timber is harvested. A related Timber Land classification exists under the Open Space program (chapter 84.34 RCW).
Who qualifies
A parcel of five or more acres, or multiple contiguous parcels totaling five or more acres, devoted primarily to growing and harvesting timber. Residential home sites are not included in the five-acre minimum, and no more than 10 percent of the land may be in compatible incidental uses. Counties may require a Timber Management Plan (an approved DNR Forest Stewardship Plan generally qualifies).
How to apply
Submit the Application for Designated Forest Land to the assessor of the county where the land is located by December 31; if approved, designation begins January 1 of the following assessment year. Some counties charge a fee (Chelan County charges $750 and requires a Timber Management Plan). If you remove the land from designation you owe compensating tax based on the difference in value times up to nine years of levy rates.
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