[Adopted 4-10-2006 by Ord. No. 2725 (Ch. 166, Art. VII, of the 1986 Code)]
As used in this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning set forth below:
DETERIORATED PROPERTY
A property subject to a governmental order requiring the property to be vacated, condemned or demolished by reason of noncompliance with law, ordinance or regulations and/or a property that does not meet minimum standards for habitability, safety, health, economic use and/or amenity.
[Amended 5-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2819]
CITY
The City of Oil City.
[Amended 5-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2819]
LOCAL TAXING AUTHORITY
The City of Oil City, the Oil City Area School District, and Venango County, or any other governmental entity having the authority to levy real property taxes within the City of Oil City.
[Amended 5-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2819]
DETERIORATED AREA
An area, the boundaries of which are determined by the City, in which improvements to deteriorated properties are eligible for tax exemption.
[Added 5-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2819]
IMPROVEMENT
Repair, construction or reconstruction, including alterations or additions, having the effect of rehabilitating a deteriorated property so that it becomes habitable or attains higher standards of safety, health, economic use or amenity or is brought into compliance with laws, ordinances or regulations governing such standards. Ordinary upkeep and maintenance shall not be deemed an improvement.
A. 
The Council of the City of Oil City does hereby affix the boundaries of the deteriorated areas to be all those parcels of land located within the City limits of the City of Oil City.
B. 
All commercial, industrial or local business properties located in the City may be eligible to participate in this tax exemption program.
A. 
The amount to be exempted shall be limited to that portion of the additional assessment attributable to the actual cost of new construction or improvements to the deteriorated property.
B. 
The exemption for taxes shall be limited to the additional assessment valuation attributable to the actual cost of the new construction or improvements. No tax exemption shall be granted or continued if:
[Amended 5-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2819]
(1) 
The taxpayer does not secure the necessary and proper permits and/or approvals prior to improving the property.
(2) 
The property as completed does not comply with the minimum standards of the housing, building and zoning codes of the City of Oil City.
(3) 
All property taxes imposed upon all properties owned by the taxpayer or the taxpayer's subsidiaries, affiliates, other associated holdings or business entities in the City of Oil City are not current.
(4) 
All fees for municipal services (including, but not limited to, water, sewer and trash collection services) are not current for all properties owned in the City of Oil City by the taxpayer or the taxpayer's subsidiaries, affiliates or other associated holdings or business entities.
(5) 
The exemption from real estate taxes provided under this article shall be forfeited by the taxpayer and/or any subsequent owner of the subject property for failure to pay nonexempt real estate taxes by their due date.
C. 
In any case after the effective date of this article where deteriorated property is damaged, destroyed or demolished by any cause or for any reason and the assessed valuation of the property affected has been reduced as a result of said damage, destruction or demolition, the exemption from real property taxation authorized by this article shall be limited to that portion of new assessment attributable to the actual cost of new construction or improvements that is in excess of the original assessment that existed prior to damage, destruction or demolition of the property.
A. 
Schedule.
[Amended 6-23-2008 by Ord. No. 2753]
(1) 
The schedule of real estate taxes to be exempted shall be in accordance with the portion of improvements to be exempted each year as set forth below:
Length
Portion
1st year
100%
2nd year
100%
3rd year
100%
4th year
90%
5th year
75%
6th year
60%
7th year
45%
8th year
30%
9th year
20%
10th year
10%
(2) 
After the 10th year, the exemption shall terminate.
B. 
The exemption from taxes granted under this article shall be upon the property and shall not terminate upon the sale or exchange of the property.
C. 
Any exemptions previously approved under this article prior to the effective date of this amendment shall not be affected or modified by the amendments hereto.
[Added 6-23-2008 by Ord. No. 2753]
A. 
There shall be placed on or with the form application for the building, zoning and alteration permits the following language:
Notice to Taxpayers
Under the provisions of Ordinance No. 2725, you may be entitled to a property tax exemption on your contemplated alteration or new construction of deteriorated industrial, commercial or other business property. An application for exemption may be obtained from the Code Enforcement Office and must be filed with the City of Oil City at the time a building or alteration permit is secured.
B. 
At the time a building or alteration permit is secured for the construction of an improvement for which an exemption is requested, the taxpayer shall apply to City Council for the exemption provided for in this article. A certified request for the exemption must be in writing as prescribed by the City setting forth the following information:
[Amended 5-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2819]
(1) 
The location (address) of the property to be improved.
(2) 
The use being made and to be made of the property.
(3) 
Whether or not the property has been condemned, ordered to be vacated or demolished, or the subject of any citation, sanction or penalty issued by any governmental body or agency for noncompliance with any laws, regulations, codes and/or ordinances.
(4) 
Attach a certification that the property has been inspected and examined by the City's Code Enforcement Officer.
(5) 
The date the building permit or alteration permit was issued for said new construction or improvements.
(6) 
The type of new construction or improvement.
(7) 
The summary of the plan of the new construction or improvement.
(8) 
The estimated cost of the new construction or improvement.
(9) 
The estimated date the new construction or improvement will be completed.
(10) 
Any or all such additional information as may be required to process the application for exemption.
[Amended 5-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2819]
A copy of the request for exemption shall be forwarded to the Venango County Assessment Office by the City. Upon completion of the improvement or new construction, the taxpayer shall notify the City so that the City may have the County Assessor assess the improvements separately for the purpose of calculating the amount of assessment eligible for tax exemption in accordance with the limits established in this article. The City will then obtain from the County Assessor the amount of the assessment eligible for exemption and will then notify the taxpayer. Appeals from the reassessment and the amount eligible for the exemption may be taken by the taxpayer or the City, as provided by applicable law or as may be stipulated by any regulations adopted by the County for handling appeals of tax assessments. After the initial assessment and an initial appeal, if one is undertaken, the applicant waives the right to appeal the assessment for the term of the program or exemption.
[Added 5-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2819]
The Council of the City of Oil City is hereby authorized and empowered to prepare, promulgate, and enforce rules and regulations to implement this article. Such rules and regulations shall have the full force and effect of law unless modified, revoked or repealed by Council.
[Amended 6-23-2008 by Ord. No. 2753; 5-23-2013 by Ord. No. 2819]
Unless otherwise repealed by Council, this article shall terminate on June 30, 2018. Nothing contained herein shall act to prohibit the Council of the City of Oil City from enacting a similar ordinance or extending this one. Any property tax exemptions granted under the provisions of this article shall be permitted to continue according to the exemption schedule even if this article expires or is repealed.