The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Code of Ordinances provides the official policy regarding development rights and land coverage in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Step 1. Gather information for your parcel.
Visit the TRPA website for general information on the IPES/Bailey system and coverage transfers.
Visit the TRPA Parcel Tracker to gather your parcel’s information, including your IPES/Bailey Score and Hydrologic Area.
Visit the Conservancy Inventory and Price List to identify your costs based on your parcel’s information and your coverage type.
Step 2. Apply for building permits with your local jurisdiction.
Contact your local jurisdiction’s building department to begin your permit process (El Dorado County, Placer County, City of South Lake Tahoe, or TRPA).
The Conservancy requires an active permit to process an application for coverage or any other development right.
Step 3. Apply to the Conservancy Land Bank
Apply for coverage or other development rights.
See below for details such as timing and eligibility. If you need help, contact Land Bank staff at landbank@tahoe.ca.gov or (530) 542-5580.
Timeline to Acquire Rights
Apply to the Conservancy the same day as submitting final plans to the building department/Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). Transactions for Land Coverage and Restoration Credit typically take up to 16 weeks and must be completed within four months. For Development Rights (Existing Residential Units of Use, Potential Residential Units of Use, and Commercial Floor Area) transactions, allow up to 18 weeks and must be completed within one year. Extension fees are required to extend the escrow.
The Conservancy will not release Development Rights until the TRPA has issued a conditional permit.
Sale Requirements
A limited supply of rights is for sale by the California Tahoe Conservancy’s Land Bank Program on the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Land Bank Program provides rights to the following broad market categories: Open Market Sales (residential and commercial projects), Public Service projects, Conservancy projects, Excess Coverage Mitigation, and Memorandums of Understandings with other agencies. If a project is cancelled, the inventory increases. If a project uses rights, the rights are removed from the inventory.
Purchase Eligibility / Prequalification
There are restrictions on purchaser eligibility, use, and transfer of the marketable right. The Conservancy reserves the right to disqualify applicants who do not meet the following eligibility criteria:
- There must be an active project.
- Submitted final site plans to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and/or Local Jurisdiction reviewing the TRPA permit.
- The project must comply with TRPA Code.
- All transfers are subject to all applicable permitting agency approval.
- Incomplete applications will be rejected, and fees returned.
What Happens After You Apply
After Conservancy staff reviews the completed application, the Conservancy will request:
- Administrative fee:
- $350 non-refundable administrative fee for Land Coverage and Restoration Credit transactions;
- $800 non-refundable administrative fee for Existing Residential Units of Use, Potential Residential Units of Use, and Commercial Floor Area transactions;
- Signed purchase and sale agreement;
- Notarized Notice of Transfer; and
- Purchase price plus non-refundable escrow fee per right:
- $755 for Land Coverage;
- $855 for Existing Residential Units of Use, Potential Residential Units of Use, and Commercial Floor Area transactions;*
- No escrow required for Restoration Credit transactions.
Your rights are not reserved for you until you have signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Conservancy.
* Larger transactions require higher escrow fee. Contact staff below for details.
California Environmental Quality Act Fee
The Conservancy must have a complete application to evaluate the project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Find more information regarding CEQA.
Land Bank Contact
Email questions to landbank@tahoe.ca.gov or call (530) 543-6033.
Contact the Conservancy for current terms and conditions. The Conservancy reserves the right to withdraw, postpone, or otherwise modify the provisions of this announcement prior to concluding any sale of rights.
Pursuant to Government Code section 66907.8, the Conservancy may sell any real property interest to fulfill the purposes of its enabling legislation and to promote the state’s planning priorities.