[Ord. 7/11/74; Ord. 1/9/75; Ord. 6/18/15]
Real properties held in fee by conservation organizations in Little Compton which are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax exempt per IRS Code 501(c)(3), shall be exempt from taxation. Currently, the eligible organizations are the Sakonnet Preservation Association, the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust, the Audubon Society of RI and the Nature Conservancy. Within 60 days of acquisition, written notification that includes plat and lot number(s) of conserved parcels shall be sent to the Town Council by the conserving organization. Included in that notification shall be a statement certifying that all taxes owed on the property for the current tax year are paid in full.
[Ord. 6/18/15]
This section shall take effect as of the assessment date of December 31, 2015.
[Ord. 7/1/91; Ord. 11/6/03; amended 12-8-2022]
Any person who is a legal resident of the Town of Little Compton and who qualifies as a veteran, pursuant to the provisions of Section 44-3.4. Rhode Island General Laws 1997 as amended, or is the unmarried widow of such veteran, shall be entitled to a reduction of $250 of real property taxes owed by said veteran or said widow, or $1,000 on personal property to said veteran or widow located within the Town, provided that said veteran or said widow makes application for such exemption on forms prescribed for such purpose by the Tax Assessor. This exemption of $1,000 shall be in addition to any exemption granted to such veteran or such widow, provided by the provisions of the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island.
[Ord. 7/1/91; Ord. 11/6/03]
This section shall take effect as of the assessment date of December 31, 2003.
[Ord. 10/23/83; Ord. 11/6/03; amended 12-8-2022]
Any person who is a legal resident of the Town of Little Compton and who qualifies as a veteran of the military, naval, and maritime service of the United States of America pursuant to the provisions of Section 44-3-4, Rhode Island General Laws, 1997 as amended, and who has been, or shall be classified as, or determined to be a prisoner of war by the Veterans Administration of the United States, shall be entitled to an exemption of $30,000 from local taxation on real or personal property owned by said veteran prisoner of war and located within said Town, provided that said veteran prisoner of war makes application for such exemption on forms prescribed for said purpose by the Tax Assessor. This exemption shall be in addition to any exemption granted to such veteran prisoner of war pursuant to the provisions of the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island 1997 as amended.
[Ord. 10/23/86; Ord. 11/6/03]
This section shall take effect as of the assessment date of December 31, 2003.
[Ord. 3/24/94; Ord. 11/6/03; amended 12-8-2022]
Any person who is a legal resident of the Town of Little Compton and who qualifies for an exemption under Section 44-3-12 Rhode Island General Laws, 1997, as amended, shall be granted a reduction of $250 of real property taxes owed by the person and located within the Town. Application for said exemption shall be made to the Tax Assessor.
[Ord. 3/24/94; Ord. 11/6/03]
This section shall take effect as of the assessment date of December 31, 2003.
[1]
Editor's Note: Please note the size of each exemption for sections 15-5 and 15-6 above will be based on household income and real estate assessed value in accordance with the schedule as prescribed by the Tax Assessor.
[Ord. 11/6/03]
Any person who meets the following requirements:
1. 
Is a legal resident of Little Compton for five years or more;
2. 
Sixty-five years or older;
3. 
Lives in a household that is subject to real estate taxes for which he/she is liable;
4. 
Earns no more than the scheduled household income, may qualify for a tax exemption. Application for said exemption shall be made on forms prescribed for such purpose by the Tax Assessor.
[Amended 12-8-2022]
[Ord. 11/6/03]
This section shall take effect as of the assessment date of December 31, 2003.
[1]
Editor's Note: Please note the size of each exemption for sections 15-5 and 15-6 above will be based on household income and real estate assessed value in accordance with the schedule as prescribed by the Tax Assessor.
[Ord. 11/6/03]
Any person who meets the following requirements:
1. 
Is a legal resident of Little Compton for five years or more;
2. 
Is 100% disabled and unable to work as of the date of such disability;
3. 
Lives in a household that is subject to real estate taxes for which he/she is liable;
4. 
Earns no more than the scheduled household income, may qualify for a tax exemption. Application for said exemption shall be made on forms prescribed for such purpose by the Tax Assessor.
[Amended 12-8-2022]
[Ord. 11/6/03]
This section shall take effect as of the assessment date of December 31, 2003.
[Ord. 5/5/05]
a. 
Upon the completion of any comprehensive revaluation update in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws § 44-5-11.6, and any other General Law affecting a revaluation update, the Little Compton Tax Assessor may adopt a tax classification plan, in accordance with the following limitations:
[Amended 12-8-2022]
1. 
The designated classes of property shall be limited to the four classes as defined below in paragraph b.
2. 
The effective tax rate applicable to any class shall not exceed by 50% the rate applicable to any other class. However, in the year following a reevaluation or statistical reevaluation or update, the Tax Assessor may adopt tax rates for all ratable tangible property no greater than twice the rate applicable to any other class. The State Office of Municipal Affairs must give written approval for this rate, that this rate is necessary to avoid a loss of revenue due to the reevaluation.
3. 
Any tax rate changes from one year to the next shall be applied such that the same percentage rate change is applicable to all classes.
4. 
Notwithstanding paragraphs 2 and 3 above, the tax rates applicable to motor vehicles within Class 4 as defined in paragraph b are governed by the Rhode Island General Laws § 44-34.1-1.
b. 
Classes of property.
1. 
Class 1: Residential real estate consisting of no more than five dwelling units, land classified as open space, and dwellings on leased land including mobile homes.
2. 
Class 2: Commercial and industrial real estate, residential properties containing partial commercial or business uses and residential real estate of more than five dwelling units.
3. 
Class 3: All ratable tangible personal property.
4. 
Class 4: Motor vehicles and trailers subject to the excise tax created by chapter 34.1 of title 44 of the Rhode Island General Laws.