This bill amends the eligibility criteria for farmland assessment in New Jersey, allowing for five or more noncontiguous acres of land to qualify for agricultural or horticultural use valuation, provided certain conditions are met. Specifically, the bill stipulates that at least three of those acres must be contiguous, and the noncontiguous acres must be owned by a single individual. The land must also have been actively used for agricultural or horticultural purposes for at least the two years preceding the tax year in question, aligning with existing requirements under P.L.1964, c.48.

The bill modifies existing legal language by removing the requirement for all five acres to be contiguous, thus enabling landowners with smaller, noncontiguous parcels to combine their land for assessment purposes. Additionally, it clarifies that noncontiguous acres can be valued as agricultural land if they meet the new criteria. This legislative change aims to address issues related to overdevelopment and the rising costs of property in New Jersey, making it easier for landowners to qualify for farmland assessment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 54:4-23.2, 54:4-23.6