Homeowners who are renovating their primary residence and who must move out temporarily during construction face losing their real property tax exemption. Council Member Trevor Ozawa has introduced Bill 66 to address the issue and ensure that homeowners are not penalized due to circumstances beyond their control.
Homeowners remain entitled to the exemption if the temporary residence is located within the city. The taxpayer must also provide documentation establishing the dates when renovation construction will cause the home to be uninhabitable, verification of a building permit from the Department of Planning and Permitting, documentation of intent to remain in the city, and certification that the taxpayer intends to re-occupy the home for which the exemption is granted, within a reasonable time after the renovation and the home is deemed inhabitable. Additionally, the home the taxpayer moves from cannot be rented, leased or let during the time the taxpayer resides in the designated temporary residence.
