The Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program
The City of West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County have approved ordinances authorizing exemptions from increases to ad valorem taxes for qualified improvements to individually designated historic sites or contributing properties within historic districts listed in the West Palm Beach or National Register of Historic Places.
Why is the exemption offered?
The exemption is a financial incentive to encourage more restoration,
renovation, and rehabilitation of historic properties and to stabilize
and improve property values in the City.
How long does the exemption last?
The program permits a ten (10) year ad valorem tax exemption for interior
and exterior improvements made to historic properties, if the historic
character of the property is maintained throughout the exemption period.
What properties qualify?
To qualify, the property must be designated as an individual site or as
a contributing property within an historic district on the Local or National
Register of Historic Places.
The Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Process
The property owner is required to receive approval from the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) prior to beginning any improvements.
1. A Preconstruction Application and all required documentation must be submitted for review by the Historic Preservation Board. The review is based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabiliation.
2. Once the Preconstruction Application has been approved, the project may commence. The project must be completed within two years of preliminary approval. Any chages to the project will require an Amendment Application to be submitted for review by the HPB.
3. After the project has been completed, a Completed Work Application and supporting documentation must be submitted for review by the HPB. It will then be forwarded to the City Commission to authorize the exemption from the City’s portion of property taxes.
4. The information will then be forwarded to the County for approval of the County’s portion of property taxes.
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