(A) Definitions. All terms used in this section shall have the same meaning as provided in Md. Code Ann., Tax Property Article, particularly § 9-312.
(B) Grant of agricultural preservation land property tax credit.
(1) The county hereby grants, by law, a property tax credit for county property tax imposed on agricultural preservation land satisfying the criteria of this section.
(2) The amount of the agricultural preservation land property tax credit shall be 100% of any county property tax imposed.
(C) Qualifications.
(1) To qualify for this agricultural preservation land tax credit, the real property must be either:
(a) Subject to an easement or other interest that is permanently conveyed or assigned to the county or a Maryland state agency to preserve the agricultural use of the real property; or
(b) Designated by the county as being within an agricultural preservation district under the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation program.
(2) The agricultural preservation land tax credit shall apply only to land and no buildings or other improvements shall be eligible for the agricultural preservation land tax credit.
(3) A residence and 1 acre around the residence shall not be eligible for the agricultural preservation land property tax credit.
(D) Duration. The agricultural preservation land property tax credit shall remain in effect until the property no longer satisfies the criteria in this section.
(E) Applicability of tax credit. The agricultural preservation land property tax credit applies only to county property tax and does not apply to any other tax, including any special taxing district tax, fire and rescue district tax, electric lighting district tax or any tax imposed by the state, a municipality or any other governmental entity.
(Ord. 02-24-320, 11-12-2002; Ord. 14-23-678, 11-13-2014)