Field Guide to Transfer Of Development Rights (TDRs)
(Updated March 2009)
The quest for controlled growth requires creative planning and foresight. Transfer of development rights (TDR) is just one tool used in the battle to contain sprawl . TDR is the exchange of zoning privileges from areas with low population needs, such as farmland, to areas of high population needs, such as downtown areas. These transfers allow for the preservation of open spaces and historic landmarks, while giving urban areas a chance to expand and experience continued growth. This page includes information on what TDRs are and how they work, issues in creating a successful TDR program, case studies, and more. (Information Specialist)
Growth Management Factbook, Section 9: Transferable Development Rights, (National Association of REALTORS®, 2008).
TDR 101, (Washington Business Journal, Aug. 17, 2007).
Transfer of Development Rights in U.S. Communities: Evaluating Program Design, Implementation, and Outcomes, (Resources for the Future, Sept. 2007).
Preserving property: Transfer of development rights saves natural and historic sites, (Commercial Investment Real Estate, Mar./Apr. 2006).
Transfer of development rights, (1000 Friends of Minnesota, Fact Sheet #5, Feb. 7, 2005).
Land Use Planning Strategies -- Transfer of Development Rights, (Smart Communities Network, Dec. 7, 2004).
Locals contain sprawl by transferring rights, (The American City & County, Oct. 2004).
Recent trends in TDR, (2002 American Planning Association National Planning Conference Proceedings, Apr. 16, 2002).
Transfer of development rights: Fact sheet, (American Farmland Trust - Farmland Information Center, Jan. 2001).
Transfer of development rights: Cases, statutes, examples, and a model, (2000 American Planning Association, National Planning Conference Proceedings, Apr. 18, 2000).
Transfer of Development Rights for Balanced Development, (Regional Plan Association, May 1998).
Transfer of Development Rights, (Ohio State University Fact Sheet, 1998).
From landmarks to landscapes: A review of current practices in the transfer of development rights, (Journal of the American Planning Association, Summer 1997). Q
Transfer of Development Rights Programs: Using the Market for Compensation and Preservation, (Cornell University, n.d.).
Issues in Implementing TDR Programs
Making markets for development rights work: what determines demand?, (Resources for the Future, Oct. 2005).
Letting the market preserve land: The case for a market-driven transfer of development rights program, (Contemporary Economic Policy, Apr. 1999). Q
Great idea but questionable value, (The Appraisal Journal, Apr. 1997). Q
Using referendum data to characterize public support for purchasing development rights to farmland, (Land Economics, May 1994). Q
Transfer of development rights (TDR) program, King County, Washington, (KingCounty.gov, 2009).
Transferable Development Rights (TDR) Program , (Boulder County Colorado Land Use Department, 2008).
Chesterfield Township TDR Program and Village Plan, (Planning, Apr. 2004). Q
Transfer of Development Rights Report: South County Watersheds Technical Planning Assistance Project, (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Apr. 2001).
Upper Blue Basin: Transfer of Development Rights Program, (Colorado Sprawl Action Center, 2001).
Transfer of development rights update, (American Planning Association, National Planning Conference Proceedings, Apr. 1999).
The Purchase of development rights, agricultural preservation and other land use policy tools - The Pennsylvania experience, (State University of New York at Albany, Department of Geography and Planning, 1998).
Montgomery's line of defense against the suburban invasion, (Washington Post, Mar. 25, 1997).
Transferable Development Rights: A Market Approach to Preserving Farmland and Open Space, (Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers, 1994).
Books, eBooks & Other Resources
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Beyond takings and givings: Saving natural areas, farmland, and historic landmarks with transfer of development rights and density charges, (Arje Press, 2003). NAC 1565 P95b
Putting Transfer of Development Rights to Work in California, (Solano Press, 1993). NAC 1565 P95
Field Guides & More
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Field Guide to Development Impact Fees
Field Guide to Agricultural & Farm Land
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The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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