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Transfer of Development Rights - TDR - in King County, Washington State

Transfer of development rights (TDR) program
King County, Washington

Introduction

Transfer of Development Rights Program - TDRKing County's Transfer of Development Rights or “TDR” Program is a voluntary, incentive-based, and market-driven approach to preserve land and relocate development growth away from rural areas and into urban areas.

The Program is based on free-market principles and prices that would motivate landowner participation. Rural landowners realize economic return through the sale of development rights to private developers who are able to build more compactly in designated Urban areas.

This market in development rights allows rural landowners to receive financial compensation without having to sell or fully develop their land. Developers are financially motivated to purchase development rights from the TDR market as they are able to put additional dwelling units in their projects. TDRs have several non-density uses and benefits, as well.

You can also buy and sell TDRs on the TDR Exchange using information provided in the TDR Market Information section on this website.

For further information see the TDR Program Overview, or for specific questions not answered on the website please contact the staff people listed below, or consult the TDR Code.

Staff Contacts:

Darren Greve
TDR Program Manager                                        
206-263-0435
darren.greve@kingcounty.gov

Michael Murphy
TDR Program Assistant
206-296-8008
michael.murphy@kingcounty.gov

King County TDR Program
201 S Jackson St, Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98104
206-296-0192 Fax
206-296-0200 TDD

Related information

Related agencies

News and announcements

Apr. 28, 2009
External opinion, Seattle Times
Mountains to Sound, acre by green acre

December 10, 2008, KOMO 4 the Earth Report
Major land deal between King County and Plum Creek Timber video

Dec. 12, 2008
External article, Seattle Times
Development Credits Preserve Green Future
"Extraordinary conservation deal...will be applauded as brilliant foresight by generations to come."

Dec. 10, 2008
External article, Seattle P-I
Timber, but no homes, on 45,500-acre swath
Deal aims to fight suburban sprawl

Dec. 10, 2008
Upper Green River Watershed protected forever in King County-Plum Creek conservation agreement

Jan. 4, 2008
King County protects open space, habitat while housing density increases in urban core
Sims says best-in-nation TDR Program is perfect tool for smart growth

Jan. 2, 2007
Seattle Times
Can I-933 foes, backers reach a compromise?

Nov. 9, 2006
King County’s open-space protection gets boost from Seattle skyscraper’s higher reach

Nov. 9, 2006
Seattle Times
Olive 8 buys rights to become city's tallest residential building

Nov. 9, 2006
Blog Article, Seattle Post Intelligencer
Hey, baby, wanna transfer some development rights?

May 16, 2006
King County, Girl Scout land-preservation deal earns 'innovative conservation' award

Archived News