What is TDR?

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a market-based mechanism that promotes responsible growth, while conserving areas such as working forest, prime agricultural areas and environmentally sensitive lands.  It is designed to steer growth -- not to limit or stop development. 

Through individual, voluntary transactions, development rights are transferred from our region’s privately owned farmland, forestland and natural areas (sending sites) to areas that can accommodate additional growth (receiving sites). Landowners in sending areas receive compensation for giving up their right to develop, while developers in receiving areas pay for the right to a bonus in the receiving area, such as additional  height or density than would otherwise be allowed.  When development rights are removed from a parcel, a conservation easement is placed on the sending site. 

Why Consider TDR?

Equity and compensation.

In contrast to zoning restrictions, TDR compensates landowners who give up their right to develop. TDR is voluntary and fair.

Private funding.

TDR uses the market to generate private funding for land conservation, helping to augment and leverage available public funds and programs.

Permanence.

While zoning regulations can change over time, TDR protects property permanently and allows resource uses to continue.

Cost effectiveness.

By focusing development in areas that already have infrastructure capacity, TDR can reduce a region’s infrastructure costs and more efficiently accommodate growth.

More about TDR:

• Cascade Land Conservancy Activities
• TDR in Washington
• TDR in Pierce County
• TDR in Kittitas County
• Regional TDR Marketplace
• FAQ About TDR
• TDR in the News
  

For more information please contact:
Skip Swenson at skips@cascadeland.org or 206.905.6935