Land Use & Zoning

What is a 'Transfer of Development Rights' (TDR) program, and how has it been used in Pennsylvania?

AA program transferring property tax obligations from farm owners to developers
BA program allowing development rights to be severed from agricultural or preservation land and transferred to designated receiving areas where denser development is desired✓ Correct
CA PREC program allowing brokers to transfer their licenses to new municipalities
DA Realty Transfer Tax exemption for conservation land sales

Explanation

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) programs allow landowners in 'sending areas' (farms, open space, historic districts) to sell their development rights to developers in designated 'receiving areas' (growth corridors, urban infill areas). The sending area landowner receives compensation while keeping their land undeveloped; the receiving area developer can build at higher density. Pennsylvania municipalities (including Bucks County municipalities) have implemented TDR programs to preserve farmland while accommodating growth.

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