Qualifying for Act 319

Properties that are 10 acres or more in size and that are devoted to an agricultural use may be eligible for preferential assessment under the Pennsylvania Act 319 (Clean & Green).  While most counties require 10 acres, at least one county (Montgomery) is known to require 11 acres.  Additionally, properties that are less than 10 acres (or 11 acres in Montgomery County), but generate at least $2,000 in annual gross income from agricultural commodities may also be considered for preferential assessment.

Land Assessment vs Builder Assessment

Typically, a total property assessment has a land assessment and a building assessment.   Act 319 reduces your land assessment.  Act 319 does not reduce your building assessment.  In our experience, a successful Act 319 application will reduce your land assessment by 80-95%.

Process & Costs

In order to obtain Act 319 designation for your property, we must file an Act 319 application during the county’s open filing season. For example, the open season in Chester County is March 1 to June 1 and the open season in Lancaster County is January 1 to June 1. The Act 319 open filing period varies by county. There is a filing fee (typically $50) associated with filing your Act 319 application. Additionally, your county will likely impose a recording fee and other administrative costs (typically less than $100).

North Star Tax Appeals LLC will manage the property through the application process. Our attorney, James McClellan, will lead the process or when its appropriate may consult with outside counsel. We typically charge a flat fee for managing property tax reduction via an Act 319 application. Please contact us to discuss the advantages/disadvantages of filing an Act 319 application and to receive a quote for our flat fee.

You can reach us by completing this short form. We will be in touch very soon. 

Act 319 – Clean & green

Pennsylvania Act 319 (also known as Clean & Green) provides preferential assessment by reducing the assessment on the land value of property.  In exchange for a reduced land assessment, the property owner agrees to restrictions on developing or dividing the land.  Commonwealth Assessment Consulting understands the pros and cons of Act 319 and will discuss these with interested property owners.  Once hired, we will manage your property through the application process.

Qualifying for Act 319

Properties that are 10 acres or more in size and that are devoted to an agricultural use may be eligible for preferential assessment under the Pennsylvania Act 319 (Clean & Green).  While most counties require 10 acres, at least one county (Montgomery) is known to require 11 acres.  Additionally, properties that are less than 10 acres (or 11 acres in Montgomery County), but generate at least $2,000 in annual gross income from agricultural commodities may also be considered for preferential assessment.

Land Assessment vs Builder Assessment

Typically, a total property assessment has a land assessment and a building assessment.   Act 319 reduces your land assessment.  Act 319 does not reduce your building assessment.  In our experience, a successful Act 319 application will reduce your land assessment by 80-95%.

Process & Costs

In order to obtain Act 319 designation for your property, we must file an Act 319 application during the county’s open filing season.  For example, the open season in Chester County is March 1 to June 1 and the open season in Lancaster County is January 1 to June 1.  The Act 319 open filing period varies by county.  There is a filing fee (typically $50) associated with filing your Act 319 application.  Additionally, your county will likely impose a recording fee and other administrative costs (typically less than $100).

Commonwealth Assessment Consulting will manage the property through the application process.  Our attorney, James McClellan, will lead the process or when its appropriate may consult with outside counsel.  We typically charge a flat fee for managing property tax reduction via an Act 319 application.  Please contact us to discuss the advantages/disadvantages of filing an Act 319 application and to receive a quote for our flat fee.

You can reach us by completing this short form. We will be in touch very soon.