Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Open Space Subvention Act?

• What is the funding source for OSSA payments?

• How much money does the State typically distribute annually for OSSA payments?

• Which local governments receive OSSA payments?  

• How does the application and payment process work?

• When is the application published? When is it due to the Department?

• When are OSSA payments made?

• What information is reported to the Department in the application?

What is the Open Space Subvention Act?

The Open Space Subvention Act (OSSA) was enacted on January 1, 1972, to provide for the partial replacement of local property tax revenue foregone as a result of participation in the California Land Conservation (Williamson) Act and other enforceable open space restriction programs (Government Code §16140 et seq.). Participating local governments receive annual payment on the basis of the quantity (number of acres), quality (soil type and agricultural productivity), and, for Farmland Security Zone contracts, location (proximity to a city) of land enrolled under eligible enforceable open space restrictions.

What is the funding source for OSSA payments?

The State's General Fund.

How much money does the State typically distribute annually for OSSA payments?

In fiscal year 2007-08, local governments claimed approximately $38 million in OSSA payments.   Since fiscal year 1972-73, when the first OSSA payments were made, the state has distributed approximately $839 million to counties and cities in support of the Williamson Act and other enforceable open space restriction programs.    

Which local governments receive OSSA payments?

In fiscal year 2007-08, nearly all of California's counties received subvention payments, with the exceptions being Del Norte, Inyo, Modoc, San Francisco, and Yuba Counties.   In that same fiscal year, three cities received OSSA payments.

How does the application and payment process work?

First time applicants should contact the Department of Conservation's Division of Land Resource Protection before submitting an application. OSSA payment is based on an application that is filled out by a local government and submitted to the Department of Conservation. Local governments must use an application provided by the Department. The Department publishes the application on its website and then alerts participating local governments to the application in a notification letter. Local governments download the application, fill it out, and submit it to the Department. The Department reviews the applications for accuracy and then certifies the entitlement amounts to the State Controller's Office for payment.

When is the application published? When is it due to the Department?

The Department typically publishes the application in August. It is due back to the Department on or before October 31st of that year.

When are OSSA payments made?

The Department has the authority to certify applications for payment as early as August. However, the Department certifies the bulk of the applications for payment in the months of October, November and December. Applications are processed in the order that they are received. Accurate and completed applications are compiled in a monthly entitlement report. The Department certifies the entitlement report, which is then sent to the Controller's Office for payment.

What information is reported to the Department in the application?

The application captures ten types of enrollment changes and four categories of eligibility. The enrollment changes are captured at the parcel-level, while the eligibility categories are aggregated at the county- or city-wide level. Cancellation fee payment information is also reported, as well as the subvention payment amount to which the local government is entitled.