King County Transfer of Development Rights Program

How does TDR work?

King County’s Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program is a voluntary incentive program that allows landowners of designated rural or resource lands with farm, forest, open space, or regional trail amenities to transfer unused development potential from their land to developers in urban areas who use the Transferable Development Rights to achieve bonus density in development projects.

What types of land qualify to transfer development rights?

Working forestland, farmland, and open space with recreational or ecological importance can transfer development rights. Every property transferring development rights goes through a screening process to ensure there is public benefit to permanently protecting the property.

How are lands that transfer development rights protected?

Rural and resources lands are permanently protected by conservation easements, a permanent legal protection that runs with the land (not the owner) and restricts some or all future development and protects a property’s “conservation values.”

Where can TDRs be used to achieve density bonuses?

“TDRs” are typically bought by developers building projects inside the Urban Growth Area. Projects using TDRs must be eligible for increased density and must comply with applicable building codes.

Can TDRs be used in cities?

King County TDRs can be used by developers in cities with which King County has an interlocal agreement. Agreements are in place with Bellevue, Issaquah, and Sammamish.

How much land has been protected by the TDR program?

Since the year 2000, 141,392 acres of Rural and Resource lands in King County (more than 220 square miles) have been protected from development through King County’s TDR program. This equates to relocating 2,467 potential dwelling unit s out of the County’s rural landscape and into its urban areas.

For more detailed information about the Program visit the King County TDR website.