Land Conservation

The City of Chesapeake administers several programs to conserve land in response to the community's concern for the preservation of the City's natural open spaces, rural character, and agricultural resources. All programs are strictly voluntary. View Chesapeake's Conservation Story Map summary of preservation efforts to gain an overall perspective on program properties. 

• Open Space and Agriculture Preservation (OSAP) Program - City-wide competitive program in which the City purchases development rights from willing landowners in exchange for a preservation easement on their property. The landowner receives fair market value for the development rights of the land, but still retains ownership as well as the ability to have a home on the property and use the land for agricultural or open space purposes. Limited to the preservation of agricultural lands of no less than 10 acres.
• NALF Fentress Encroachment Protection Acquisition Program (FEPAP) - Competitive program focused on properties in the vicinity of NALF Fentress in which the City purchases property fee simple at fair market value from willing sellers to prevent encroachment and to preserve the rural nature and agricultural heritage of the Fentress area. Limited to properties located within the NALF Fentress Overlay District.
• Navy Multi-Year Agreement (MYA)/Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) - Competitive program focused on properties in the vicinity of Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads - Northwest Annex in which the City and Navy work together to purchase property fee simple or conservation easements at fair market value from willing sellers to prevent encroachment and to preserve the rural nature and agricultural heritage of southern Chesapeake. Limited to properties located within a 5-mile radius of Northwest Annex.

If you are unsure if your property is eligible for one of the City's Land Conservation Programs, use this map link to search for your address. Conservation program areas are shown on the map. Please note these Land Conservation Programs are only available for properties located in the City of Chesapeake.

In addition to City-sponsored programs, state agencies and private organizations are also working in our area to help landowners conserve their property for future generations. Below is just a sample of organizations that may offer additional information. 

• Virginia Outdoors Foundation
• Virginia Department of Forestry
• Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• Living River Restoration Trust
• American Farmland Trust
• The Nature Conservancy of Virginia

This is not an endorsement for any organization.

For questions regarding land conservation in the City of Chesapeake, contact Lucy Stoll, Planner III, with the Planning Department at 757-382-6176.

Eligible Properties

Search a Chesapeake address to confirm eligibility using the Land Conservation Application map.