The Dutchess County Legislature passed a resolution, unanimously, for a tax incentive to address the housing shortage locally, potentially even in your backyard.
The legislation, sponsored by Town of Poughkeepsie Democrat Legislator Trevor Redl, aims to increase accessory dwelling units, otherwise known as backyard cottages, in-law apartments and garage apartments.
Dutchess County local law would adopt a New York State property tax exemption authorized under section 421-P of the NYS Real Property Tax Law, to encourage homeowners to create additional housing on residential properties.
However, to ensure the tax exemption is used as it’s intended, these accessory dwelling units could not be used as short-term rentals, like an Airbnb or VRBO. The units must be for long-term residential housing.
“Accessory dwelling units are widely recognized as just one way to increase housing supply,” Redl said in a statement. “ADUs provide flexible housing options for seniors wishing to age in place, young adults entering the housing market, caregivers and working families, while allowing homeowners to make better use of existing residential properties.”
What to know
This tax exemption will only apply to future accessory dwelling unit projects with building permits issued on or after the effective date. This cannot be applied to existing units.
As well, according to Chair of the Dutchess County Legislature Yvette Valdés Smith, the tax exemption would last indefinitely, so long as changes in state and local law don’t impact it.
“This legislature is committed to addressing affordability and easing the financial burden everyone in Dutchess is carrying,” Valdés Smith wrote in an email statement. “Young people and seniors are the two groups hit hardest by our current housing crisis, and this local law will expand the pool of affordable housing for both. It passed unanimously because it’s a common sense solution to a bipartisan issue and I commend Legislator Redl for bringing this issue to the floor.”
When would this go into effect?
According to Valdés Smith, before anything else happens, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has to sign the resolution passed by the legislature, and Serino’s office must hold a public hearing.
The local law would take effect after it’s filed with the New York Secretary of State. Valdés Smith noted this would most likely be in the fall, to allow time for this process.
“To reduce the cost of housing, we need to use every tool in the toolkit, and create a wide variety of housing,” Town of Poughkeepsie Democrat Legislator Lisa Kaul said in a statement. “ADUs provide gentle infill development, adding housing stock without creating sprawl and without straining services like water, sewer and the electric grid. I’m proud to advance this common-sense solution.”
Nickie Hayes is Breaking & Trending News Reporter for the Poughkeepsie Journal. See her most recent articles here. Contact reporter Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gannett.com, 845-863-3518 and @nickieehayess on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Dutchess County Legislature passes tax incentive to tackle housing shortage
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
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By Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal | USA TODAY Network
