2025 Delaware Code
Title 3 - Agriculture
Chapter 9. DELAWARE AGRICULTURAL LANDS PRESERVATION ACT
Subchapter III. Acquisition of Preservation Easements
§ 916. Valuation of easements.

(a) The maximum value of any preservation easement to be purchased shall be the difference between the fair market value of the land under its agricultural zoning designation and the agricultural value of the land. The fair market value of the land is the price as of the valuation date for the highest and best use of the property which a vendor, willing but not obligated to sell, would accept for the property, and which a purchaser, willing but not obligated to buy, would pay for the property if the property was not subject to any restriction imposed under this chapter. The agricultural value of land is the price as of the valuation date which a vendor, willing but not obligated to buy, would pay for the property as a farm unit, to be used for agricultural purposes. The value of the preservation easement shall be determined as of the date the application for conveyance of the preservation easement is received by the Foundation. The value shall be determined by the Foundation based on appraisal by an appraiser selected by the Foundation, which appraisal shall be provided to the owner. The owner shall be entitled to have an appraisal performed by a qualified appraiser and submit such appraisal to the Foundation for consideration. The value of the easement shall be determined by an appraisal on the entire contiguous acreage, less 1 acre per each dwelling structure; provided, however, the entire contiguous acreage, including the 1 acre per dwelling structure, is considered subject to the preservation easement restrictions.

(b) If the owner and Foundation do not agree on the value of the easement, as determined by appraisal, the owner shall be entitled to withdraw the application for conveyance without prejudice to any submission of an application in the future.