Info for Landowners :
What is a Conservation Easement?

Spartanburg County is growing rapidly. While growth is good for the economy, it puts pressure on our natural lands. As the area grows, many landowners are looking for ways to protect the integrity of our greenspaces. Conservation easements are one way land protection can be accomplished.

Conservation easements are voluntary, legal agreements that permanently protect land from subdivision and intensive development. The easement preserves the natural characteristics of the land, and also offers the landowner substantial estate and income tax benefits. Conservation easements are negotiable and unique documents that match the landowners’ needs with long term benefits to their community.

Conservation easements are:

Voluntary
Conservation easements are completely voluntary and appropriate for landowners who wish to permanently protect and preserve the land they love.

Private
Conservation easements do not require access to your land by the public- you retain control of who visits your land.

Permanent
Conservation easements with SPACE permanently protect land. To qualify for tax benefits, a conservation easement must be made in perpetuity. Although future owners must abide by the easement terms, the land can be bought, sold and inherited the same as all other lands. A competent title search will disclose the easement to future owners.

Flexible Conservation easements are as unique as the land they protect. The easement can be crafted to meet the specific needs of the owner.