Sec. 78-167Ad valorem tax increase on blighted property
Needs a look
A seven-times tax on a property is a big penalty, and owners will challenge it if the legal basis isn't clean. See the fix
Plain English: what this chapter covers
This chapter covers city property taxes: billing, due dates, interest, penalties, and what happens if they go unpaid, up to a tax sale. It also covers taxes on insurers, banks and hotel rooms, the monthly E-911 charge, and the 2022 Blighted Property Ordinance, which raises taxes on officially blighted, non-owner-occupied property and gives a tax break once it's fixed.
(a) There is hereby levied on all real property within the city which has been officially identified as maintained in a blighted condition an increased ad valorem tax by applying a factor of seven to the millage rate applied to the property, so that such property shall be taxed at a higher millage rate generally applied in the municipality, or otherwise provided by general law; provided, however, real property on which there is situated a dwelling house which is being occupied as the primary residence of one or more persons shall not be subject to official identification as maintained in a blighted condition and shall not be subject to increased taxation.
(b) Such increased ad valorem tax shall be applied and reflected in the first tax bill rendered following official designation of a real property as blighted.
(c) Revenues arising from the increased rate of ad valorem taxation shall, upon receipt, be segregated by the city manager and used only for community redevelopment purposes, including defraying the cost of the city's program to close, repair, or demolish unfit building and structures.
History: (Ord. No. 2022-6, § 2, 10-6-2022)
This is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. The official code is on Municode and at City Hall. Our copy is from April 30, 2026.
Online: https://jamesburgessleads.com/city-code/PTIICOOR_CH78TA_ARTVIIASBLPROR_S78-167ADVATAINBLPR
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH78TA_ARTVIIASBLPROR_S78-167ADVATAINBLPR
Paid for by James Burgess