This chapter establishes a construction excise tax (CET) on commercial, industrial and residential improvements to provide funding for affordable housing in the City of Milwaukie.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
"Commercial"
means any structure designed or intended to be used, or actually used, for occupancy for other than residential purposes and includes structures otherwise categorized or described as industrial.
"Construct" or "construction"
means erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, improving, or converting any building or structure for which the issuance of a building permit is required pursuant to the provisions of Oregon law.
"Improvement"
means any improvements to real property resulting in a new structure, additional square footage added to an existing structure, or additional living space to an existing structure.
"Median family income"
means median family income by household size for the city as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development as adjusted and published periodically.
"Net revenue"
means revenues remaining after refunds and the administrative fees described in Section 3.60.130.A are deducted from the total construction excise tax collected.
"Residential"
means any structure designed or intended to be used, or actually used, for occupancy for residential purposes including any residential structure, dwelling, or dwelling unit.
"Value of improvement"
means the total value of the improvement as determined by the construction permit(s) or building permit(s) for the improvement, regardless of the number of separate permits issued. The City building official shall calculate the total value in accordance with OAR 918-050-0100 Statewide Fee Methodologies for Residential and Commercial Permits or as otherwise provided by law.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
The City Manager or designee is responsible for the implementation, administration and enforcement of this chapter. The City Manager may adopt such policies and procedures as are necessary to efficiently and effectively carry out that responsibility, consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
A. 
Each person who obtains a permit to construct a commercial improvement in the City of Milwaukie shall pay a commercial construction excise tax (CET) in the amount of one percent of the value of the improvement.
B. 
Each person who obtains a permit to construct a residential improvement in the City of Milwaukie shall pay a residential construction excise tax (CET) in the amount of one percent of the value of the improvement.
C. 
The construction excise tax (CET) shall be due and paid at the time of issuance of a building permit.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
A. 
Notwithstanding Section 3.60.040, the construction excise tax (CET) shall not be imposed on the following:
1. 
Residential housing units, including detached housing and market rate multifamily housing projects, that are subject to a deed restriction or other mechanism acceptable to the City ensuring that the unit(s),or a portion of the units in the case of a multifamily housing project, are affordable under guidelines established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, to households that earn no more than 80% of the median household income for a period of at least 30 years following the date of issuance of the building permit on which the improvement value is based and that remain affordable. For purposes of the initial determination of eligibility for this exemption, the City shall use the median family income for the year prior to the date of issuance of the permit on which the improvement value is based. Continuing affordability shall be determined based on the median family income for the prior calendar year. Multifamily housing project must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the City Manager or designee the financial impact to the developer of the deed restricted units exceeds the CET that would have been otherwise imposed on the project by at least twice the amount being exempted.
2. 
Accessory Dwelling Units
This exemption expires automatically on the date that is the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. The construction excise tax (CET) shall apply to all building permits for accessory dwelling units issued after that date.
3. 
Improvements having a total improvement value of less than $100,000.
4. 
Public school improvements.
5. 
Public improvements as defined in ORS 279A.010.
6. 
Public or private hospital improvements.
7. 
Improvements to religious facilities primarily used for worship or education associated with worship.
8. 
Long-term care facilities, as defined in ORS 442.015, operated by a not-for-profit corporation.
9. 
Residential care facilities, as defined in ORS 443.400, operated by a not-for-profit corporation.
10. 
Continuing care retirement communities, as defined in ORS 101.020, operated by a not-for-profit corporation.
11. 
Any improvements required to be exempted from this construction excise tax (CET) by state law.
B. 
The City may require any person seeking an exemption to demonstrate that the improvement is eligible for an exemption and to establish all necessary facts to support the exemption.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017; Ord. 2190 § 1, 2020)
The City shall not issue a building permit to any person who has failed to pay the construction excise tax (CET) unless the person has paid the full amount alleged by the City to be due.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
The exemption for affordable unit(s) provided in Section 3.60.050.A.1. automatically terminates if the unit(s) ceases to qualify as affordable at any time during the 30 year period of affordability. For purposes of this section, affordability shall be calculated using the median family income determination for the preceding calendar year. The construction excise tax (CET) immediately shall be due and payable to City as of the date the unit no longer qualifies as affordable, together with interest and penalties as provided in Section 3.60.090. The amount of the construction excise tax (CET) shall be calculated using the construction excise tax (CET) in effect at the time the unit(s) ceases to qualify. The person obligated to pay shall be the owner of record of the unit(s) at the time the unit(s) ceases to qualify. The seller and buyer, jointly and severally, shall be obligated to pay if the unit(s) ceases to qualify as the result of a sale, including a sale to a person occupying or intending to occupy the unit whose income exceeds the median family income determination for the prior year.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
A. 
It is a violation of this chapter for any person to fail to state or to misstate the full value of the improvement.
B. 
The construction excise tax (CET) shall be due on any increase in the value of the improvement arising from the value having been understated or arising from construction changes that result in increased building permit fees.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
A. 
Interest. Interest shall be due on the entire amount that the City Manager or designee determines has not been paid, assessed at the rate of 10% per annum from the due date. Interest shall be assessed to the 15th day of the month following the due date. Interest amounts properly assessed in accordance with this section may not be waived or reduced by the City Manager.
B. 
Penalties. In addition to assessing interest, a penalty of 5% of the otherwise applicable construction excise tax (CET) liability shall be imposed upon:
1. 
Any person who removes a unit from the affordability exemption provided in Section 3.60.050.A.1 shall pay a penalty of 5% for each unit that no longer is exempt.
2. 
Any person who intentionally fails to state the full value of an improvement.
3. 
Any person who fails to pay the full amount of the tax, interest, and any penalty within 30 days of notice from the City that the tax is due.
C. 
Penalties and Interest Merged with Tax. Any accrued interest and imposed penalties under this section shall be merged with and become a part of the construction excise tax (CET) required to be paid under this chapter. This amount becomes the new base for calculating new interest amounts.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
The construction excise tax (CET), and any assessed interest and penalties, due and owing under this chapter constitutes a debt owing to the City by the person liable for the tax as set forth in Section 3.60.040. The City has all remedies available at law and equity.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
A. 
The City shall issue a refund to any person who has paid a construction excise tax (CET) if:
1. 
The person establishes that the tax was paid for improvements that were otherwise eligible for an exemption under Section 3.60.050 at the time of permit issuance;
2. 
The person establishes that construction of the improvements was not commenced and the associated building permit has been cancelled by the City; or
3. 
The City Manager or designee determines that the amount of any construction excise tax (CET), penalty, or interest was erroneously collected or paid to the City.
B. 
The City shall either refund all amounts due within 30 days of a complete request for the refund or give written notice of the reasons why the request has been denied. Claims for refunds shall be made upon forms provided by the City. The request for the refund must be submitted within three years from the date of payment of the construction excise tax (CET).
C. 
Denial of a request for refund may be appealed as provided for in Section 3.60.120.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
A. 
A person who objects to a determination issued by the City applying the provisions of this chapter may file for review of the determination by the City's Community Development Director. The request for administrative review must be in writing and received within 10 days of the determination, and must include documentation supporting the request.
The Community Development Director's determination in the administrative review shall be sent by regular mail.
B. 
The administrative review determination of the Community Development Director may be appealed to the City Manager by filing a notice of appeal with the City Manager within 10 days of issuance of the Community Development Director's determination. The notice shall describe the basis for the appeal and the relief sought.
C. 
The filing of any notice of appeal shall not stay the effectiveness of the written determination unless the City Manager so directs.
D. 
Notwithstanding Section 3.60.060 the City may issue a building permit while an appeal is pending provided that the applicant posts with the City the full amount alleged by the City to be due. No interest shall accrue to the applicant on the deposit.
E. 
The City Manager shall provide a written decision by regular mail to the person who filed the appeal. The City Manager's decision on appeal shall be the City's final decision, subject to judicial review only as provided in ORS 34.010 et seq.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)
A. 
The City may retain up to 4% of the tax collected for payment toward administrative expenses related to collection and distribution of the tax.
B. 
The net revenue from the tax on residential improvements will be allocated by the City as follows:
1. 
Fifteen percent of net revenue will be remitted to the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services to fund home ownership programs.
2. 
Fifty percent of net revenue to fund incentives for the development and construction of affordable housing authorized by the City as provided by state law.
3. 
Thirty-five percent of net revenue to fund programs and activities related to affordable housing.
C. 
The net revenue from the tax on commercial improvements will be distributed as follows:
1. 
Fifty percent to fund incentives for the development and construction of housing that is affordable at up to 120% of median family income; and
2. 
Fifty percent for economic development programs with an emphasis on areas of the City that are subject to plans designated as eligible by the City. The eligible plans as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter are: Central Milwaukie Land Use and Transportation Plan, Downtown and Riverfront Land Use Framework Plan, Milwaukie Urban Renewal Plan, Economic Development Strategic Plan, and the North Milwaukie Industrial Area Plan. Additional eligible plans may be designated by the City Council.
(Ord. 2154 § 1, 2017)