Del Norte County Municipal Code § 21.13 TPZ Timberland Preserve Zone District

The timber preserve zone, or TPZ, is intended to provide for timberland zoning and restrictions for a minimum ten-year period as a "timberland preserve." Such zoning allows land to be valued for property taxation, in general, on the basis of its use for growing and harvesting timber only. Beginning in fiscal year 1977-78, timber would be exempt from ad valorem taxation however, a yield tax would be imposed at such time the timber is harvested. Changes of district from timberland preserve zone district to another classification are to be made only where such uses are in accord with the General Plan or adopted specific plan.

For the purposes of Section 21.52.20(A)(4), the timberland preserve zone district uses listed under principal permitted use section herein shall be considered as the principal permitted use in the California Coastal Zone. Variances and adjustments to the district's requirements and standards shall not be considered a principal permitted use for purposes of Section 21.52.20(A)(4).

The regulations set forth in this chapter shall apply in all timberland preserve zone districts, subject to the provisions of Chapters 21.02 through 21.60.

(Ord. 83-03 (part))

The principal permitted timberland preserve zone use includes: growing and harvesting timber and uses accessory (compatible) thereto.

(Ord. 83-03 (part))

Permits authorized under this section cannot be approved if such use will significantly detract from the use of the property for, or inhibit, growing and harvesting timber:

1. Timber products processing plants (buildings) for commercial processing of wood and wood products, including sawmills, lumber and plywood mills but not including a pulp mill.

2. Public camps, public stables and similar recreational uses, not including recreational vehicle parks or mobilehome parks.

3. A one-family residence or one mobilehome and normal accessory uses and structures for owner or caretaker.

(Ord. 83-03 (part))

1. Where the land use plan of the General Plan Coastal Element designates a portion of a TP zoned parcel as a resource conservation area, the extent and type of environmentally sensitive habitat shall be determined prior to development in the manner set forth in Section 21.11.60 however, no rezoning shall be required.

   2. Uses within such environmentally sensitive habitat areas (including uses permitted by use permit) shall be as set forth in Sections 21.11A.30 and 21.11A.40. Sections 21.13.20 and 21.13.30 shall not apply.

• (Ord. 83-03 (part))

1. The following accessory uses are deemed to be compatible with the growing and harvesting of timber provided they do not significantly detract from the use of the property for, or inhibit, growing and harvesting timber:

   1. Management for watershed.

   2. Management for fish and wildlife habitat.

   3. A use integrally related to the growing, harvesting and processing of forest products, including but not limited to roads, log landings, and log storage areas (portable chippers and portable sawmills are considered a part of "processing").

   4. The erection, construction, alteration or maintenance of gas, electric, water or communication transmission facilities.

   5. Grazing and uses accessory to grazing.

   6. Mineral extraction subject to the requirements of Chapter 7.36 of the Del Norte County Code.

   7. Temporary labor camps, less than one year in duration, accessory to timber harvesting or planting operations.

   8. Recreational use of the land for any of the following: walking, hiking, picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting and skiing.

2. Provisions of Article 1, "General Provisions" (Section 51100), Article 2, "Establishment of Timberland Preserves" (Sections 51110 through 51119.5), Article 3, "Rezoning" (Sections 51120 and 51121), Article 4, "Immediate Rezoning" (Sections 51130 through 51134) and a portion of Article 5, "Removal from Zone" (Sections 51140 through 51146), of the Government Code of the state as it now reads or may be hereinafter amended shall apply.

3. The board of supervisors, in accordance with Section 51113 of the Government Code, shall adopt a list of criteria required to be met by parcels being considered for zoning as timberland preserve initiated by the owner or authorized agents. The minimum parcel size shall be one hundred sixty acres.

After November 1, 1977, owners of timberland not included on List A (Section 51110.1 of the Government Code) or List B (Section 51110.1 of the Government Code) may petition the board to zone his land as timberland preserve, provided all criteria to be adopted are met.

(Ord. 83-03 (part))

An applicant who petitions the county to zone his land as timberland preserve shall submit the appropriate information to meet the following requirements:

1. A map shall be prepared showing the legal description of the assessor's parcel number of the property desired to be zoned.

2. A plan for forest management must be prepared or approved as to content for the property by a registered professional forester. Such plan shall provide for the eventual harvest of timber within a reasonable period of time as determined by the preparer of the plan.

3. The parcel shall currently meet the timber-stocking standards as set forth in Section 4561 of the Public Resources Code and the Forest Practice Rules adopted by the State Board of Forestry for the district in which the parcel is located, or the owner must sign an agreement with the board or council to meet such stocking standards and Forest Practice Rules by the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of such agreement. If the parcel is subsequently zoned as timberland preserve under subdivision (A), failure to meet such stocking standards and Forest Practice Rules within this time period provides the board or council with a ground for rezoning of the parcel pursuant to Section 51121.

4. The land area to be zoned timberland preserve shall be in the ownership of one person as defined in Section 38106 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and shall be comprised of single or contiguous parcels which constitute twenty acres or more in size.

5. The land to be included in timberland preserve shall be Timber Site IV or better.

(Ord. 83-03 (part))

Parcels zoned as timberland preserve under this chapter may be considered for division into parcels containing twenty acres or more provided the following conditions are complied with:

1. The owners of the resulting parcels submit or the present owner makes sufficient provisions for a joint timber management plan prepared or approved as to content by a registered professional forester.

2. Such owners enter into a binding contract with the board of supervisors, representing the county, to manage and harvest timber on the timberland jointly and are bound by the provisions of the management plan for a minimum period of ten years.

3. Any division shall be approved by a four-fifths vote of the full board of supervisors provided the project has been reviewed by the planning commission.

(Ord. 83-03 (part))