Interesting analysis from 'Save Our Trails' – a Nova Scotia group:
"ATVs and your Property Value
How do we know your property value will fall (if near a motorized trail)?
In 2009, a number of test cases were started by Nova Scotia property owners who felt that the value of their properties had dropped because of proximity to an ATV trail and formally appealed their assessments.
One of the arguments used by the appellants was based on a report published in the Road Engineering Journal (1) which said studies show that property values decrease by about .4% for every decibel of noise above 55 dB. To see a discussion about what your noise level will be based on your distance from an ATV trail, click here.
The Road Engineering Journal formed the basis of the original appeal. Since then, additional information has been received which provides a far more detailed analysis. For example, Reference (4) says that the property value decrease as a function of noise is greater in Canada than the US by almost twice as much, ie .8 to .9% for every dB of additional noise.
The appellants also produced data from Wyle Laboratories which has measured the noise of ATVs for the state of California (2). Based on that information, the appellants calculated that the noise level on their property was about 35 decibels higher than the threshold of 55 dB.
The Property Valuation Services Corporation – PVSC - agreed with them, and granted a reduction of about 15%.
...
How do we know your property value will rise (near a non-motorized trail)?
There is an overwhelming amount of evidence in the form of peer-reviewed professional papers, consultants' reports and government studies which show that, if a hiking/walking/bicycling trail – aka an Active Transportation trail or a "Greenways" trail, usually just called an “AT” trail - is even located close to your home, the value of your property will increase by anywhere from 4% to 34% but 13% is usually quoted as the more typical number."
"ATVs and your Property Value
- An adjacent ATV trail can drop your property value by 15%
- An adjacent hiking trail can raise your property value by 13%
- Translation: if you shut down that ATV trail going by your house and turn it into an Active Transportation, ie non-motorized trail, your property value should increase by about 28%.
How do we know your property value will fall (if near a motorized trail)?
In 2009, a number of test cases were started by Nova Scotia property owners who felt that the value of their properties had dropped because of proximity to an ATV trail and formally appealed their assessments.
One of the arguments used by the appellants was based on a report published in the Road Engineering Journal (1) which said studies show that property values decrease by about .4% for every decibel of noise above 55 dB. To see a discussion about what your noise level will be based on your distance from an ATV trail, click here.
The Road Engineering Journal formed the basis of the original appeal. Since then, additional information has been received which provides a far more detailed analysis. For example, Reference (4) says that the property value decrease as a function of noise is greater in Canada than the US by almost twice as much, ie .8 to .9% for every dB of additional noise.
The appellants also produced data from Wyle Laboratories which has measured the noise of ATVs for the state of California (2). Based on that information, the appellants calculated that the noise level on their property was about 35 decibels higher than the threshold of 55 dB.
The Property Valuation Services Corporation – PVSC - agreed with them, and granted a reduction of about 15%.
...
How do we know your property value will rise (near a non-motorized trail)?
There is an overwhelming amount of evidence in the form of peer-reviewed professional papers, consultants' reports and government studies which show that, if a hiking/walking/bicycling trail – aka an Active Transportation trail or a "Greenways" trail, usually just called an “AT” trail - is even located close to your home, the value of your property will increase by anywhere from 4% to 34% but 13% is usually quoted as the more typical number."