[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Westville as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 8-14-2017 by Ord. No. 9-2017[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also provided for the
repeal of former Art. I, Five-Year Home Improvement Exemption, adopted
3-14-2016 by Ord. No. 5-2016.
[Amended 5-31-2018 by Ord. No. 7-2018]
This article shall be known as the "Tax Exemption for Real Property
Improvements Ordinance."
The Borough of Westville hereby finds that various statutes
authorized by the New Jersey Constitution permitting municipalities
to grant for a period of five years exemptions or abatements, or both,
from taxation in areas in need of rehabilitation have proven to be
effective in promoting the construction and rehabilitation of residential
and commercial structures. It is the purpose of this article to permit
the Borough of Westville to encourage rehabilitation and modernization
of older dwellings. The Borough hereby authorizes the utilization
of tax exemption in accordance with Article VIII, Section I, Paragraph
6, of the New Jersey Constitution and establishes the eligibility
of residential and multiple dwellings, commercial and industrial structures
for five-year tax exemptions to the maximum degree permitted by N.J.S.A.
40A:21-1 et seq. throughout the entire Borough.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
That portion of the assessed value of the property, as it
existed prior to the construction, improvement or conversion of a
building or structure thereon, which is exempted from taxation pursuant
to this article.
The entirety of the Borough of Westville, which has been
determined to be an area in need of rehabilitation pursuant to the
Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.).
The Assessor of the Borough of Westville, who is charged
with the duty of assessing real property for the purpose of general
taxation.
A structure or part thereof used for the manufacturing, processing
or assembling of material or manufactured products, or for research,
office, industrial, commercial, retail, recreational, hotel or motel
facilities, or warehousing purposes, or for any combination thereof,
which the governing body determines will tend to maintain or provide
gainful employment within the municipality, assist in the economic
development of the municipality, maintain or increase the tax base
of the municipality and maintain or diversify and expand commerce
within the municipality. It shall not include any structure or part
thereof used or to be used by any business relocated from another
qualifying municipality unless the total square footage of the floor
area of the structure or part thereof used or to be used by the business
at the new site, together with the total square footage of the land
used or to be used by the business at the new site, exceeds the total
square footage of that utilized by the business at its current site
of operations by at least 10% and the property that the business is
relocating to has been the subject of a remedial plan costing in excess
of $250,000 performed pursuant to an administrative consent order
entered into pursuant to authority vested in the Commissioner of Environmental
Protection.
Substantially ready for the intended use for which a building
or structure is constructed, improved or converted.
Property created or recorded as a condominium pursuant to
the Condominium Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8B-1 et seq.).
The provision of a new dwelling, multiple dwelling or commercial
or industrial structure, or the enlargement of the volume of an existing
multiple dwelling or commercial or industrial structure by more than
30%, but shall not mean the conversion of an existing building or
structure to another use.
The alteration or renovation of a nonresidential building
or structure, or hotel, motel, motor hotel or guesthouse, in such
manner as to convert the building or structure from its previous use
to use as a dwelling or multiple dwelling.
A housing corporation or association, wherein the holder
of a share or membership interest thereof is entitled to possess and
occupy for dwelling purposes a house, apartment or other unit of housing
owned by the corporation or association or to purchase a unit of housing
owned by the corporation or association.
A building or part of a building used, to be used or held
for use as a home or residence, including accessory buildings located
on the same premises, together with the land upon which such building
or buildings are erected and which may be necessary for the fair enjoyment
thereof, but shall not mean any building or part of a building defined
as a "multiple dwelling" pursuant to the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling
Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.). A "dwelling" shall include, as they
are separately conveyed to individual owners, individual residences
within a cooperative, if purchased separately by the occupants thereof,
and individual residences within a horizontal property regime or a
condominium, but shall not include general common elements of such
horizontal property regime or condominium as defined pursuant to the
Horizontal Property Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8A-1 et seq.) or the Condominium
Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8B-1 et seq.), or of a cooperative, if the residential
units are owned separately.
That portion of the Assessor's full and true value of
any improvement not regarded as increasing the taxable value of a
property pursuant to this article.
A modernization, rehabilitation, renovation, alteration or
repair which produces a physical change in an existing dwelling that
improves the safety, sanitation, decency or attractiveness of the
building or structure as a place for human habitation. In no case
shall it include the repair of fire or other damage to a property
for which payment of a claim was received by any person from an insurance
company at any time during the three-year period immediately preceding
the filing of any application pursuant to this article.
A property submitted to a horizontal property regime pursuant
to the Horizontal Property Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8A-1 et seq.).
A building or structure meeting the definition of "multiple
dwelling" set forth in the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law, N.J.S.A.
55:13A-1 et seq., and means, for the purpose of improvement or construction,
the "general common elements" and "common elements" of a condominium,
a cooperative, or a horizontal property regime.
A.
This article authorizes the Borough of Westville to grant exemptions
and abatements to commence and take effect in the 2016 tax year and
thereafter.
B.
Application for exemption from taxation may be filed pursuant to
this article so adopted to take effect for tax year 2016 and for tax
years thereafter as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:21-1 et seq. No application
for exemption shall be filed for exemptions to take initial effect
for the 11th full tax year, 2026, or any tax year occurring thereafter,
unless this article is readopted by the governing body pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 40A:21-4.
The Borough of Westville hereby provides for the exemption from
taxation of improvements to dwellings in accordance with the provisions
of this article. In determining the value of the real property, the
municipality shall regard the first $25,000 of the Assessor's
full and true value of improvements for each dwelling unit primarily
and directly affected by the improvement in any dwelling more than
20 years old as not increasing the value of the property for a period
of five years, notwithstanding the value of the property to which
the improvements were made, unless there is damage to the dwelling
through an action of elements sufficient to warrant a reduction.
Conversion to single-dwelling use from a multiple-dwelling use
are eligible for tax exemption for a period of five years. If approved,
the Borough, in determining value, shall regard up to the Assessor's
full and true value of the improvements or conversion alterations
as not increasing the value of the property, notwithstanding that
the value of the property to which the improvements or conversion
alterations are made is increased thereby. During the exemption period,
the assessment on the property shall not be less than the assessment
thereon existing immediately prior to the improvements, unless there
is damage to the dwellings sufficient to warrant reduction.
Abatement for new construction and/or conversions. The Borough
may abate some portion of the assessed valuation of construction of
new dwellings or of conversions of other buildings and structures,
including unutilized public buildings, to dwelling use, or both. In
determining the value of real property, the municipality shall regard
a percentage, not to exceed 30% of the Assessor's full and true
value of the dwelling constructed, or conversion alterations made,
as not increasing the value of the property for a total of up to five
years, notwithstanding that the value of the property upon which the
construction or conversion occurs is increased thereby. The abatement
period and the annual percentage of the abatement to be granted shall
be set forth in the specific ordinance, which may include a schedule
providing for a different percentage of abatement, up to 30%, for
each year of the abatement period.
[Added 5-31-2018 by Ord.
No. 7-2018]
A.
There shall be an exemption from taxation of improvements to commercial
and industrial structures. In determining the value of the real property,
the Borough shall regard the first $50,000 of the Assessor's
full and true value of the improvements or conversion alterations
as not increasing the value of the property for a total of five years,
notwithstanding that the value of the property upon which the construction
or conversion occurs is increased thereby. During the exemption period,
the assessment on the property shall not be less than the assessment
thereon existing immediately prior to the improvements, unless there
is damage to the structure through action of the elements sufficient
to warrant a reduction.
[Added 5-31-2018 by Ord.
No. 7-2018]
A.
The governing body of the Borough of Westville is hereby authorized to enter into tax agreements for an exemption and abatement from taxation of new construction of commercial structures and industrial structures in accordance with the procedures set forth in §§ 350-8 through 350-16 of this article.
Applicants for improvement exemptions as contemplated by this
article shall provide the Municipal Assessor with an application setting
forth:
A.
A general description of a project for which exemption and abatement
is sought.
B.
A legal description of all real estate necessary for the project.
C.
Plans, drawings and other documents as may be required by the governing
body to demonstrate the structure and design of the project.
D.
A description of the number, classes and type of employees to be
employed at this project site within two years of completion of the
project.
E.
A statement of the reasons for seeking tax exemption and abatement
on the project and a description of the benefits to be realized by
the applicant if a tax agreement is granted.
F.
Estimates of the cost of completing such project.
G.
A statement showing the real property taxes currently being assessed
at the project site, estimated tax payments that be made annually
by the applicant on the project during the period of the agreement
and estimated tax payments that would be made by the applicant on
the project during the first full year following the termination of
the tax agreement.
H.
If the project is a commercial or industrial structure, a description
of any lease agreements between the applicants and proposed users
of the project and a history and description of the user's businesses.
I.
If the project is a multiple dwelling, a description of the number
and types of dwelling units to be provided, a description of the common
elements or general common elements and a statement of the proposed
initial rental or sales prices of the dwelling units according to
type and of any rental lease or resale restrictions to apply to the
dwellings' units respecting low- or moderate-income housing.
J.
Such other pertinent information as the governing body may require.
Upon adoption of a resolution authorizing a tax agreement for
a particular project under this article, the Mayor may enter into
a written tax agreement with the applicant for the exemption and the
abatement of local real property taxes. The agreement shall provide
for the applicant to pay the municipality in lieu of full property
tax payments an amount annually to be computed by one, but in no case
a combination, of the following formulas:
A.
Cost basis. The agreement may provide for the applicant to pay to
the municipality in lieu of full property tax payments an amount equal
to 2% of the cost of the project. For the purposes of the agreement,
"the cost of the project" means only the cost or fair market value
of direct labor and all materials used in the construction, expansion,
or rehabilitation of all buildings, structures and facilities at the
project site, including the costs, if any, of land acquisition and
land preparation, provision of access roads, utilities, drainage facilities
and parking facilities, together with architectural, engineering,
legal, surveying, testing and contractor's fees associated with
the project; which the applicant shall cause to be certified and verified
to the governing body by an independent and qualified architect, following
the completion of the project.
B.
Gross revenue basis. The agreement may provide for the applicant
to pay to the municipality in lieu of full property tax payments an
amount equal to 15% of the annual gross revenues from the project.
For the purposes of the agreement, "annual gross revenues" means the
total annual gross rental and other income payable to the owner of
the project from the project. If, in any leasing, any real estate
taxes or assessments on property included in the project, any premiums
for fire or other insurance on or concerning property included in
the project or any operating or maintenance expenses ordinarily paid
by the landlord are to be paid by the tenant, then those payments
shall be computed and deemed to be part of the rent and shall be included
in the annual gross revenue. The tax agreement shall establish the
method of computing the revenues and may establish a method of arbitration
by which either the landlord or tenant may dispute the amount of payments
so included in the annual gross revenue.
C.
Tax phase-in basis. The agreement may provide for the applicant to
pay to the municipality in lieu of full property tax payments an amount
equal to a percentage of taxes otherwise due, according to the following
schedule:
(1)
In the first full tax year after completion, no payment in lieu of
taxes otherwise due.
(2)
In the second tax year, an amount not less than 20% of taxes otherwise
due.
(3)
In the third tax year, an amount not less than 40% of taxes otherwise
due.
(4)
In the fourth tax year, an amount not less than 60% of taxes otherwise
due.
(5)
In the fifth tax year, an amount not less than 80% of taxes otherwise
due.
The Assessor shall determine, on October 1 of the year following
the date of the completion of an improvement, the true taxable value
thereof. The amount of tax to be paid for the first full year following
completion shall be based on the assessed valuation of the property
for the previous year, plus any portion of the assessed valuation
of the improvement not allowed an exemption pursuant to this article.
Subject to the provisions of this article, the property shall continue
to be treated in the appropriate manner for each of the five full
tax years subsequent to the original determination by the Assessor.
An additional exemption pursuant to this article during the
period in which previous exemption is in effect shall be qualified
for an exemption just as if such property had not received a previous
exemption. In such case, the additional improvement shall be considered
as separate for the purposes of calculating exemptions pursuant to
this article, except that the assessed value of any previous improvement
shall be added to the assessed valuation as it was prior to that improvement
for the purpose of determining the assessed valuation of the property
from which any additional exemption is to be subtracted.
No exemption shall be granted pursuant to this article with
respect to any property for which property taxes are delinquent or
remain unpaid or for which penalties for nonpayment of taxes are due.
For purposes of this article, the existence of a tax installment agreement
shall not be considered; all taxes, penalties and interest due and
owing must be paid in full upon application.
No exemption shall be granted pursuant to this article except
upon written application filed with and approved by the Assessor.
Every application shall be on a form prescribed by the Director of
the Division of Taxation in the State Department of the Treasury and
provided for the use of the claimants by the Borough of Westville
and shall be filed with the Assessor within 30 days, including Saturdays
and Sundays, following the completion of the improvement. Every application
for exemption which is filed within the specified time shall be approved
and allowed by the Assessor to the degree that the application is
consistent with the provisions of this article, provided that the
improvement for which the application is made qualifies as an improvement
pursuant to the provisions of this article. The granting of an exemption
shall be recorded and made a permanent part of the official tax records,
which record shall contain a notice of the termination date thereof.
N.J.S.A. 40A:21-19 provides that the Commissioner of the Department
of Community Affairs is authorized to determine standards and guidelines
and to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes
of the Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law,[1] and this article is subject to those rules and regulations
and shall be interpreted and applied consistent herewith.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:21-1 et seq.
The appropriate notice of the adoption of this article, as shall
be supplied by the Department of Community Affairs, shall be included
in the mailing of annual property tax bills to each taxpayer during
the first year following the adoption of this article.
All tax exemption agreements shall provide that the tax shall
be billed and collected in the same manner as any conventional taxes
and any arrearages shall accrue at a rate of interest charged for
delinquent real estate taxes and shall be subject to foreclosure.
Further, if any payments due under a tax exemption agreement shall
be delinquent for a period of 30 days, the tax exemption shall terminate
as of the date such payments first became delinquent.
The Mayor shall report, on or before October 1 of each year,
to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the
Department of Community Affairs and to the Director of the Division
of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury the total amount of
real property taxes exempted within the municipality in the current
tax year for improvements of dwellings.
