Monterey County Weighs Nonrenewal of Five Williamson Act Farmland Contracts Covering Nearly 3,920 Acres

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. — October 27, 2026. A proposal before the county Board of Supervisors could begin the nonrenewal process for five Williamson Act agricultural land-conservation contracts or portions of contracts, involving 24 parcels and approximately 3,919.21 acres.

The matter appears as RES 26-178 / REF260019 on the board’s October 27 agenda. At publication, its individual online legislative record was marked Scheduled PM, with no final action recorded; accordingly, this is a report on a county recommendation, not a notice that the five contracts have already ended.

Why the county is reviewing these contracts

Williamson Act contracts offer certain agricultural landowners reduced property-tax assessments in exchange for long-term restrictions on how contracted land is used. Monterey County staff say their review originally flagged eight contracts for possible noncompliance with county program and contract requirements, including agricultural production for commercial purposes.

After additional information and an advisory committee review, county staff recommended moving forward on five cases, postponing action on two others and retaining a third. The recommendation centers on whether the contract terms and agricultural-production requirements continue to be met; it should not be read as a finding that any owner committed a crime.

What nonrenewal actually means

The California Department of Conservation explains that nonrenewal is different from immediate cancellation. It stops the annual extension of a contract, while land remains subject to contractual restrictions until the remaining term expires. Depending on the contract category, the process can last years, and property-tax assessments can change during the phaseout.

The county proposal asks that any approved notices be recorded by November 2, 2026, with nonrenewal periods beginning January 1, 2027. Neither date means the parcels would become immediately available for housing or other development. Zoning, land-use permissions and other legal restrictions would still require independent review.

Property owners seeking specifics about a listed parcel should consult the county attachment identifying contracts and parcel numbers and contact the county Planning Department or a qualified land-use professional rather than assume every agricultural property is affected.

Related guide: California Williamson Act Land: What Buyers Should Check Before Planning a Home. The guide covers long-term land-use restrictions generally; this article concerns five specific Monterey County contract recommendations.

Official sources: Monterey County, RES 26-178, October 27 staff report and proposed resolution; California Department of Conservation, Williamson Act Contract Removal.

Check the eventual board order and recorded notices for the final status of each parcel.

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