New Occupancy Law Aims to Help Residents
By Tim Schmidt, Record Editor | Warren County Record | First Published January 5, 2012
Beginning this week, property taxes will be assessed and levied on newly constructed homes at the time they are first occupied, rather than waiting until Jan. 1 of each year.
While the change means some homeowners will begin paying taxes sooner on their new homes, county officials are touting that the new occupancy regulations will allow the county to pro-rate property taxes in the event a home — new or old — is destroyed in a natural disaster.
Should a natural disaster strike in a county where the occupancy regulations have not been adopted, County Assessor Wendy Nordwald said there would be no way assistance could be offered in the form of reducing property assessments and taxes. A natural disaster is defined as a tornado, fire, flood or earthquake.
January 13, 2012