Forest Land Eligibility


Ohio Forest Tax law (OFTL) is administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. In exchange for tax reduction, landowners agree to manage their forestland for the production of timber and other forest products and abide by pertinent rules and regulations.

Forest Land Definition

Land for which:

  • the primary purpose is the growing, managing and harvesting of a merchantable forest product of commercial species under accepted silvicultural systems through natural or artificial methods
  • there are approved forest management plans
  • it shall consist of a stand or stands of commercial species of forest trees which contain
    • at least fifty percent of basal area or
    • at least three hundred stems per acre which shall be evenly distributed throughout the stand

If your land meets that definition, it may be eligible for certification under OFTL.

 

Requirements

  • Forestland must be a tract consisting of 10 contiguous acres or larger of forest trees and no less than 125 feet wide and accessible for management. Deductions are made for Homesites, other outbuildings, streams, rivers, and roads, right of ways and lakes and ponds less than one acre in size.
  • Property boundary line and/or forest boundary lines must be clearly marked prior to examination.
  • The land owner must manage his or her forestland in accordance with a forest management plan.
  • Every 5 years, the DOF will inspect certified forestland to ensure compliance with the program and with the forest management plan.
  • There is a one-time application fee of $50.00
  • Certification is continuous unless land use changes, ownership changes, the landowner withdraws his or her forestland from the program, or the landowner is otherwise no longer in compliance. There is no penalty for withdrawal.

 

For more detailed information, please refer to 5713.22 of the Ohio Revised Code or call the Division of Forestry or the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department’s Appraisal Division.

Contact Us

Division of Forestry

Phone:
614-512-0271

Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department’s Appraisal Division

Phone:
216-443-4663

 

 


  
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