CA AB551

Authorizes cities, counties, and city-counties to establish Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones and enter into voluntary contracts with landowners to restrict use of vacant, unimproved, or blighted land for small-scale agricultural production for a minimum of 5 years on properties between 0.10 and 3 acres.

Requires property subject to these contracts to be assessed based on the average per-acre value of irrigated cropland in California as published by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, adjusted proportionally for acreage under contract.

Prohibits new contracts or renewals after January 1, 2019, though existing contracts remain valid for their full duration; establishes cancellation fees equal to cumulative tax benefits received unless extenuating circumstances apply.

Restricts Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones from being established in areas currently or previously subject to Williamson Act contracts within the past three years, and requires city consent before counties establish zones in city spheres of influence.

Requires the State Board of Equalization to publish the National Agricultural Statistics Service per-acre land value on its website within 30 days of publication and provide rates to county assessors by January 1 of each assessment year.