Managed Forest Classification in British Columbia

BC Assessment’s Managed Forest Land Class refers to privately-owned forest land property for which an acceptable forest management commitment has been made that is approved and complies with the Private Managed Forest Land Act.

Application for Managed Forest Land under the Private Managed Forest Land Act

The Private Managed Forest Land Council, established by the Private Managed Forest Land Act administers the forestry requirements and application process for Managed Forest Land Classification.

Before private land may be classified as managed forest land under the Private Managed Forest Land Act, or managed forest land under the Assessment Act, the owner must submit to the council a proposed management commitment that is in a prescribed form.  This form must include the legal description of the lands to which the management commitment relates and any other information specified by the council, as well as acknowledgement of the requirements to otherwise comply with this Act. Copies of the commitment form are available through the council.

Approval for Managed Forest Land Classification under the Private Managed Forest Land Act

If the council determines that a proposed management commitment or amendment meets the applicable requirements of the Private Managed Forest Land Act and complies with the regulations of the council, the council must notify BC Assessment and recommend to the assessor that the land that is the subject of the management commitment or amendment be classified as managed forest land under the Assessment Act.

Owner Notification of Approval for Managed Forest Classification

After classifying land that is the subject of a management commitment as managed forest land under the Assessment Act, the assessor must notify the council and the owner.

More Information

For more information on how to obtain the managed forest class for a property, contact the Private Managed Forest Land Council at (250) 386-5737, or visit their website at www.pmflc.ca

Why apply for Managed Forest Class?

The method of calculating managed forest land assessments produce values based on the land’s tree growth rate capability. This is a forest use value not influenced by other market forces.

What are the benefits of the Class?

• Owners of land in the managed forest class are assured the right to harvest trees (right to log),
• Assessments are reasonably stable through years of no harvesting (as the trees grow),
• Increased assessments will apply only following a year in which logging occurs (tree harvesting).

What are the requirements for Managed Forest Class?

To be classified as managed forest, the land must be at least 25 hectares and be managed as a single unit.

If the land measures 50 hectares or less, at least 70% of the land must be productive during the year ending on October 31.

If the land measures more than 50 hectares, at least 50% of the land must be productive during the year ending on October 31.

Land owners must also commit to good forest practices and comply with the legislated requirements of the Private Managed Forest Land Act.

What are the legislated requirements and how do I apply?

New legislation was passed in November 2003 and came into force in the summer of 2004. This legislation regulates the approval of, and forest practices on private managed forest land.

The new Private Managed Forest Land Act replaces the Forest Land Reserve Act.

The Private Managed Forest Land Council, independent of BC Assessment, is established, under the Private Managed Forest Land Act, to administer the legislation and process applications for managed forest classification from forest land owners.

Once BC Assessment is notified by the Private Managed Forest Land Council that a property meets the requirements, BC Assessment will assign managed forest classification of that property for the next assessment year.

Is there a deadline every year for application?

Questions on application dates should be directed to the Private Managed Forest Land Council. The council must notify BC Assessment of changes to land that qualify for Managed Forest classification by September 30 each year for the following assessment year.

Where can I get more information on the requirements for Managed Forest Class?

Contact information for the Private Managed Forest Land Council is available on their website at www.pmflc.ca or the office can be reached by telephone at 250-386-5737.

For more information, contact:

Assessment and Valuation Services
BC Assessment
400 - 3450 Uptown Blvd.
Victoria BC V8Z 0B9
Phone:  250 595-6211
Toll Free:  1-800-661-2116
Email:  bca.avs.non-residential@bcassessment.ca