Ordinance would Force Tax Assessor to Inspect Improved Properties

Improve your house and spend more than $15,000?

The tax assessor could soon be coming your way.

The City Council's Finance Committee subcommittee will review a proposed ordinance that would require the tax assessor in Cranston to examine any property whose improvements are valued in excess of $15,000.

That examination would come after the building official's inspection to issue a certificate of occupancy once the work is completed.

According to the ordinance, the $15,000 value would be based on what's written on the building permit application. 

In cases in which the value is above $15,000, the building inspector would notify the tax assessor once the permit was issued and the subsequent re-examination enable the assessor to "adjust the assessed value of the property to reflect the value of the improvements in the assessment of the property," according to the ordinance.

The ordinance, sponsored by Councilman Steve Stycos, will be discussed at the committee's July 17 meeting at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall council chambers.