[Adopted by the Board of Commissioners 1-28-1999]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACT 77
The Act of December 22, 1983, Public Law 529, No. 77, codified as the Allegheny County Regional Asset District Law, Pa.Stat.Ann. Tit. 16, § 6101 et seq.
ALLEGHENY REGIONAL ASSET DISTRICT LAW
See the definition of "Act 77" above.
ASSESSMENT
The fair market value of real property as determined by the Board of Property Assessment, Appeals and Review of Allegheny County.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Commissioners of Allegheny County.
BOARD OF PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
The Board of Property Assessment, Appeals and Review of Allegheny County.
COUNTY
Allegheny County.
ELIGIBLE TAXPAYER
A long-time owner/occupant of a principal residence in the County who is:
A. 
A single person aged 62 or older during a calendar year in which County real property taxes are due and payable and whose household income does not exceed $25,000.
B. 
Married persons if either spouse is 62 or older during a calendar year in which County real property taxes are due and payable and whose combined household income does not exceed $25,000.
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
All income received by an eligible taxpayer while residing in his or her principal residence during a calendar year.
INCOME
All income from whatever source derived, including, but not limited to, salaries, wages, bonuses, commissions, income from self-employment, alimony, support money, cash publish assistance and relief, the gross amount of any pension or annuities including railroad retirement benefits, all benefits received under the Federal Social Security Act except medicare benefits, all benefits received under the Federal Social Security Act except Medicare benefits, all benefits received under state unemployment insurance laws and veteran's disability payment, all interest received from the federal or any state government, or any instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, realized capital gains, net income from rentals, workers' compensation and the gross amount of loss of time insurance benefits, life insurance benefits and proceeds, except the first $5,000 of the total of death benefit payments and gifts of cash or property other than transfers by gift between members of a household in excess of a total value of $300, but shall not include surplus food or other relief in kind supplied by a governmental agency or property tax or rent rebate or inflation dividend.
LONG-TIME OWNER/OCCUPANT
Any person who for at least 10 continuous years has owned or has occupied the same dwelling place as a principal residence and domicile, or any person who for at least five years has owned and occupied the same dwelling as a principal residence and domicile if that person received assistance in the acquisition of the property as part of a government or nonprofit housing program.
PERSON
A natural person.
PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE
The dwelling place and so much of the land or lots surrounding it as is reasonably necessary for use of the dwelling as a home, owned and occupied by a person. The term "principal residence" shall also include premises occupied by reason of ownership in a cooperative housing corporation, mobile homes which are assessed as realty for local property tax purposes and the land upon which the mobile home is situated, and other similar living accommodations, as well as a part of a multidwelling or multipurpose building and a part of the land upon which it is built. It shall also include premises occupied by a person and located on land owned by a nonprofit incorporated association, of which the person is a member, if the person is required to pay a pro rata share of the property taxes levied against the association's land. It shall also include premises occupied by a person if he is required by law to pay a property tax by reason of his or her ownership or rental (including a possessory interest) in the dwelling, the land, or both. An owner includes a person in possession under a contract of sale, deed of trust, life estate, joint tenancy or tenancy in common or by reason of statutes of descent and distribution.
PROGRAM
See the definition of "special tax provisions" below.
SENIOR CITIZENS REBATE AND ASSISTANCE ACT
The Act of March 11, 1971, P.L. 104, No. 3, as amended, codified at Pa.Stat.Ann. Tit. 72, § 4751-1 et seq.
SPECIAL TAX PROVISIONS
The limitation of the assessment on the principal residence of an eligible taxpayer to the amount determined by the Board of Property Assessment to be applicable to that property for the calendar year 1993.
TREASURER
The office of the Treasurer of Allegheny County.
A. 
All eligible taxpayers in the County who are long-time owner/occupants of a principal residence shall be deemed a separate class of subjects of taxation and shall be entitled to the benefit of the special tax provisions of this section.
B. 
All eligible taxpayers in Allegheny County who are long-time owner/occupants shall be entitled to have the assessment on his or her principal residence maintained at or limited to the amount determined by the Board of Property Assessment for the calendar year 1993 if the household income of the eligible taxpayer(s) does not exceed $25,000.
Any person paying property taxes in the County may apply to the Department of Property Assessment for certification as a participant in the assessment limitation program authorized under this article. In order to be eligible to participate in the program, the person must meet the following conditions:
A. 
The person must be a single person ages 62 or older, or be married persons with either spouse being 62 years of age or older.
B. 
The person must be a long-time owner/occupant.
C. 
The property owned by the person must be the principal residence of the person.
D. 
The person's household income must not exceed $25,000.
The Board of Property Assessment and Treasurer shall have the authority to issue rules and regulations with respect to the administration of the limitation of assessment program established under this article. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, reasonable proof of household income, proof of residence and ownership of the principal residence, proof of qualification for or receipt of a property tax rebate under the Senior Citizens Rebate and Assistance Act, provision of the tax bill or receipt for the County real estate taxes owed or paid in connection with the principal residence, the rebate, refund or forgiveness of taxes as shall be reasonably and necessarily required from time to time to effectuate the limitation of assessment program, and any other reasonable requirements and conditions as may be necessary to operate the assessment limitation program.