[Adopted 12-11-1995 as L.L. No. 3-1995]
Residential buildings reconstructed, altered or improved for residential purposes subsequent of the date of this Article shall be exempt from taxation and special ad valorem levies to the extent provided herein.
A. 
Such buildings as defined in § 280-49 shall be exempt for a period of one year to the extent of 100% of the increase in assessed value thereof attributable to such reconstruction, alteration or improvement and for additional period of seven years; provided, however, that the extent of such exemption shall be decreased by twelve and one-half per centum (12 1/2%) of the initial exemption each year during such additional period, provided, further, that such exemption shall be limited to $50,000 in increased market value, of the property attributable to such reconstruction, alteration or improvement and any increase in market value greater than such amount shall not be eligible for the exemption pursuant to this section. For the purpose of this section, the market value of the reconstruction, alteration or improvement shall be equal to the increased assessed value attributable to such reconstruction, alteration or improvement divided by the most recently established state equalization rate or special equalization rate established for the city by the State Board, except where the state equalization rate or special equalization rate equals or exceeds 95%, then the increase in assessed value attributable to such reconstruction, alteration or improvement shall be equal to the market value of such reconstruction, alteration or improvement.
B. 
No such exemption shall be granted for reconstruction, alterations or improvements unless:
(1) 
Such reconstruction, alteration or improvement was commenced subsequent to the date the local law is enacted.
(2) 
The value of such reconstruction, alteration or improvement exceeds $3,000.
(3) 
The greater portion, as so determined by square footage, or the building reconstruction, altered or improved is at least five years old.
(4) 
The work has been completed pursuant to the New York State Building Code and a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the City of Hornell for said reconstruction, alteration or improvement.
C. 
For the purposes of this section, the terms "reconstruction," "alteration" and "improvements" shall not include ordinary maintenance and repairs.
Such exemption shall be granted only upon application by the owner of such building on a form prescribed by the State Board pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 421-f, the original such application shall be filed with the City Assessor on or before the 1st day of January of each year, the appropriate taxable status date for the city.
If the Assessor is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to an exemption pursuant to this article, the Assessor shall approve the application and such building shall thereafter be exempt from taxation and special ad valorem levies as herein provided commencing with the assessment roll prepared after the taxable status date referred to in § 280-51 of this article. The assessed value of any exemption granted shall be entered by the Assessor on the assessment roll with the taxable property with the amount of the exemption shown in a separate column.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
Any building or structure designed and occupied exclusively for residential purposes by not more than two families.
In the event that a building granted an exemption pursuant to this article ceases to be used primarily for residential purposes or title thereto is transferred to other than heirs or distributees of the owner, the exemption granted pursuant to this article shall cease.