2026-22296·DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Administrative Site Leases

Final RuleFinal Rule

Published: Nov 2, 2026
Effective: Dec 2, 2026
Citation: 91 FR 68887
Agencies: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Forest Service

Final rule.

Summary

The Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has issued a final rule that removes administrative‑site leases from the agency’s “special uses” regulations. By treating these leases the same way they are handled under general property law, the Forest Service hopes to make it easier for private developers and local governments to partner with the agency on leasing and redeveloping Forest Service office buildings, warehouses, and other administrative facilities. The rule was published in the Federal Register on November 2, 2026 and takes effect on December 2, 2026. Because it is a final rule, the public comment period has already closed; stakeholders submitted any feedback during the notice‑and‑comment phase that preceded this publication. Going forward, the Forest Service will apply the exemption to new and renewed administrative‑site leases, allowing interested parties to negotiate and implement lease agreements without having to satisfy the more burdensome special‑use requirements. Existing leases are not automatically changed, but future leasing actions will follow the streamlined process outlined in the rule.

AI-generated summary — verify against the Federal Register text.

Official abstract

The United States Department of Agriculture (Department), Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency), this final rule will exempt administrative site leases from the regulations for special uses. The purpose of this deregulatory action is to better align Forest Service leasing activities with how leases are commonly legally defined to improve the feasibility of partnering with private developers and local municipalities for leasing and redeveloping administrative sites.