PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – Oct. 7, 2025 – The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board announce an increase in the purchase price of Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) for the county’s TDR Reserve program.
In addition, the application period for the county’s Purchase and Retirement (PAR) Fund program is now open through Nov. 10, 2025. Current owners of Agricultural Preservation Districts may apply. Applications are ranked by a formula established in the Agricultural Preservation Program rules and regulations.
The TDR reserve program acts as a revolving fund in which TDRs are purchased, reserved and resold by the BOCC, allowing citizens to purchase and sell TDRs through county government instead of through private negotiations between buyers and sellers. By continually purchasing TDRs from Agricultural Preservation District (APD) owners, the program helps facilitate TDR sales between farmers and developers. The use of TDRs allows owners to increase density potential within designated residential growth areas while protecting the county’s natural resources and preserving productive agricultural and forested land for future generations.
In September, the BOCC approved a new purchase price of $6,230 per TDR, which replaces the $6,000 price previously approved in August 2024. The county will offer to buy and sell development rights from willing participants on a first-come, first-served basis as available funding and TDR supply allows. There is no cap on how many TDRs an owner can sell.
TDRs purchased from the TDR Reserve will be sold at the purchase price paid by the BOCC, plus an additional 1% administrative fee. Applications for both buyers and sellers are accepted by the Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning and are available on the county website at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/CalvertAgPres.
Completed applications may be submitted by mail to the Department of Planning & Zoning, attention: Jennifer David, at 205 Main St., Prince Frederick, MD 20678, or by email to Jennifer.David@CalvertCountymd.gov.
For more information contact Rural Planner Jennifer David at 410-535-1600, ext. 2238, or by email at Jennifer.David@CalvertCountymd.gov.
Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.
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