(A) Pursuant to VA Code § 58.1-3222, the county hereby provides for the abatement of levies on buildings which are: razed; or destroyed or damaged by a fortuitous happening beyond the control of the owner. No such abatement, however, shall be allowed if the destruction or damage to such building shall decrease the value thereof by less than $500. Also, no such abatement shall be allowed unless the destruction or damage renders the building unfit for use and occupancy for 30 days or more during the calendar year.
(B) Application for such abatement shall be made by or on behalf of the owner of the building within six months of the date on which the building was razed, destroyed, or damaged. The provisions of this section are specifically retroactive and applicable from February 24, 2016, and the remainder of tax year 2016 and for all subsequent years thereafter. In the following tax year, if applicable, the provisions of VA Code § 58.1-3293 may determine the proper assessment and levy.
(C) These provisions shall only apply during natural disasters, only after a declaration of local emergency has been declared.
(1) For primary and secondary structures that are destroyed by the act of a natural disaster during the first six months of the calendar year, January 1 through June 30, the total assessed improvement value for destroyed structures shall be set at 30% for the real estate taxes due that year.
(2) For primary and secondary structures that are destroyed by the act of a natural disaster during the last six months of the calendar year, July 1 through December 31, the total assessed improvement value for destroyed structures shall be set at 50% for the real estate taxes due that year.
(3) For primary and secondary structures that are severely damaged, however deemed repairable, the total assessed improvement value for damaged structures shall be set at 75% for the real estate taxes due that year. This section shall pertain to structures that are repairable but will require extensive renovations and repairs in order to be usable again.
(4) These provisions shall require the Commissioner of the Revenue, or the contracted assessor, as well as the Building Inspector to make the qualifying determination, based on the application received and inspection of the property.
(5) All building permit fees for rebuilds or repairs shall be waived for affected structures, either destroyed or damaged, provided a building permit is applied for within one year of the declaration of local emergency.
(6) Property owners wishing to qualify for property damage relief shall file an official application with the office of the Commissioner of the Revenue, within six months of the declaration of local emergency.
(7) The Commissioner of the Revenue will inform the Board of Supervisors, as soon as possible, of what impacts there may be in the adjusted assessments of the affected tax year.
(Ord. 01-16, passed 5-12-2016)