Allentown, PA Business Regulation & Taxation Code

350.03

LAND VALUE TAX

Property Development Incentive Taxation System. (Art. VIII, §807)

1. Beginning in 1997, the City of Allentown will adopt a property taxation system designed to encourage development of new properties and improvements to existing properties. The system will accomplish this by gradually reducing the tax rate applied to all buildings relative to the tax rate applied to all land (whether developed or undeveloped). (Art. VIII, §807)

2. The following shall be the minimum ratios of the land tax rate to the building rate for the respective years:

1997 1.49

1998 2.06

1999 2.76

2000 3.62

2001 and beyond 4.70

(Art. VIII, §807)

3. Council may establish a ratio of the land tax rate to the building tax rate higher than 4.70 after 2001. (Art. VIII, §807)

350.04 COUNCIL VOTE ON INCREASING OR DECREASING TAXES

Council may reduce any tax rate or fee (provided it maintains the minimum ratios for property taxes as in Section 807(C)(2) of the Charter, by a majority vote. Council may increase property tax rates or fees (provided it maintains the minimum ratios for property taxes as in Section 807(C)(2) of the Charter, by five (5) votes. (Art. VIII, §807; 5/18/99)

350.05 REFERENDUM AND PROPERTY TAXES

The citizens of Allentown may increase or decrease property tax rates through the referendum process defined in Sections 1002-1009 (provided that, as long as the Property Development Incentive Taxation System is in effect, the resulting ratio meets or exceeds the minimum ratio set by this Charter or by Council). (Art. VIII, §807)

Business Regulation and Taxation – Title Five Annual Taxes – January 2009