The purpose of this article is to grant a partial
exemption from taxation for capital improvements to residential buildings
within the City of Ithaca as authorized by § 421-f of the
Real Property Tax Law. "Residential building" shall mean any building
designed and occupied exclusively for residential purposes by not
more than two families.
The following terms and conditions shall be
applied in the implementation of this article:
A. No such exemption shall be granted for reconstruction,
alteration or improvements unless such reconstruction, alteration
or improvement was commenced subsequent to the effective date of this
local law.
B. No such exemption shall be granted for reconstruction,
alteration or improvements unless the greater portion, as so determined
by square footage, of the building reconstructed, altered or improved
is at least five years old.
C. The cost of the reconstruction, alteration or improvement
must exceed $3,000, and
D. For purpose of this section, the terms "reconstruction,"
"alteration" and "improvement" shall not include ordinary maintenance
and repairs.
E. The exemption provisions of this article shall not
apply to swimming pools, detached garage structures, or any other
accessory structures to the primary residential structure.
F. In the event that a building granted an exemption
pursuant to this Article ceases to be used exclusively for residential
purposes or title thereto is transferred to a person or entity other
than the heirs or distributees of the owner, the exemption granted
pursuant to this article shall cease.
G. Such exemption shall be granted only upon application
by the owner of such building on a form prescribed by the state board
to the Tompkins County Department of Assessment.