Section 1. Land not less than five acres in area shall be deemed to be recreational land if it is retained in substantially a natural, wild, or open condition or in a landscaped or pasture condition or in a managed forest condition under a certified forest management plan approved by and subject to procedures established by the state forester in such a manner as to allow to a significant extent the preservation of wildlife and other natural resources, including but not limited to, ground or surface water resources, clean air, vegetation, rare or endangered species, geologic features, high quality soils, and scenic resources. Land not less than five acres in area shall also be deemed to be recreational land which is devoted primarily to recreational use and which does not materially interfere with the environmental benefits which are derived from said land, and is available to the general public or to members of a non-profit organization including a corporation organized under chapter one hundred and eighty.
For the purpose of this chapter, the term recreational use shall be limited to the following: hiking, camping, nature study and observation, boating, golfing, non-commercial youth soccer, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, skiing, swimming, picnicking, private non-commercial flying, including hang gliding, archery, target shooting and commercial horseback riding and equine boarding.
Such recreational use shall not include horse racing, dog racing, or any sport normally undertaken in a stadium, gymnasium or similar structure.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 61b - Classification and Taxation of Recreational Land
Section 1 - Recreational Land and Uses
Section 2 - Value of Recreational Land; Rate of Tax
Section 2a - Tax Rate for Recreational Land
Section 3 - Eligibility for Classification as Recreational
Section 4 - Changes in Use; Valuation; Additional Assessments
Section 5 - Revaluation Programs; Time for Application for Recreational Classification
Section 6 - Allowance or Disallowance of Applications; Time; Records; Liens
Section 7 - Land Sold for Other Uses; Conveyance Tax; Nonexempt Transfers
Section 8 - Disqualification of Land; Roll-Back Taxes
Section 11 - Continuance of Classification
Section 12 - Separation of Land for Non-Recreational Use
Section 13 - Special or Betterment Assessments
Section 14 - Roll-Back Taxes; Procedures for Assessment, etc.; Modification or Abatement; Appeals
Section 15 - Certificate of Amount of Conveyance or Roll-Back Tax
Section 16 - Equalized Valuation Based on Recreational Use
Section 17 - Tax List of Board of Assessors; Information Required