Open Space Easements 1

Under Virginia’s Open-Space Land Act, open-space easements are legal agreements between landowners and a public body, such as the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, that limit development rights while allowing landowners to continue living on and managing the land for farming, forestry, recreational, wildlife habitat, and other compatible uses.

Easement restrictions are embodied in a deed that is permanently bound to the property and passed down to future owners.

Eligible Areas

Statewide

Focus Areas

Buffer Protection • Riparian Forest Buffers • Streambank Stabilization • Wildlife Habitat