What is a Transfer of Development Rights program?
A Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program is a powerful density allocation tool that supports the conservation of rural lands and works to contain development. Owners of open, undeveloped land in “sending” areas can package and sell the development potential of their land as a commodity to someone else who might want to build a denser development in a designated “receiving” area (near transit, in an old town center, or elsewhere). The ultimate purpose of a TDR program is to create more efficient growth patterns. Density bonuses and TDRs are both tools that can encourage denser development with better links to existing street networks. This system rewards the owner of the undeveloped land for choosing to preserve open space, and allows the urban developer to build a more profitable project with a greater return on investment. The costs of purchasing the easements are recovered from the developers who receive the building bonus. Who can implement it? TDR programs are typically imple
