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Costa Rica beach front property is commonly known as
concession property. In Costa Rica, about 95% of beach front property
is designated "concession property" which is protected from ownership
by foreigners and local residents. Shoreline zone law and other
special dispositions issued by municipalities and the Costa Rica
Board of Tourism specified the legal means by which foreigners and
local residents can lease beach front property.
Costa Rica shoreline zone is comprised of a 200
meters strip of land beginning at the mean high tide line and running
inland. The first 50 meters of this strip is designated as a public
zone available for use and transit by any individual. This beach
front or public
zone is not available for ownership or development of any kind. The
next 150 meters is subject to lease by individuals or companies
either through a municipal beach front property concession for approved residential or
commercial development or a management plan with the Ministry of
Environment and Energy (MINAE) for environmentally sensitive portions
of land.
Concession agreements and management plans define
the right to use and enjoy a specific portion of land located
on the short line zone for a predetermined period of time based upon a
specific zoning or master plan known as the Plan Regulador. The
government grants this right
beach front property concession through a private agreement between the concessionaire and
the municipality that is recorded in a public registry.
All concessions and management plan are granted
for a limited period of time between 5 and 20 years, with a 20 years
period most common. The agreement also establishes a yearly
concession fee for the use of the beach front and occupation of such
government land based upon an appraisal by the government
authorities. Renewal for equal and consecutive periods is negotiated
between the private parties and the government authorities
controlling beach front property.
Costa Rican law prohibits foreigners from majority
holding of beach front property concession land unless they have lived in Costa Rica for
least five years. However, a foreigner may enter into a partnership
with a Costa Rican citizen who appears as the majority holder of the
concession land. Alternative holding mechanisms may be available on a
case by case basis.
Aerial of our land for sale Dominical, Beach Front
Property Costa Rica.
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