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New York Real Property Tax Law Section 421-a - Exemption Of New Multiple Dwellings From Local Taxation.

Legal Research Home > New York Lawyer > Real Property Tax > New York Real Property Tax Law Section 421-a - Exemption Of New Multiple Dwellings From Local Taxation.




    § 421-a.  Exemption of new multiple dwellings from local taxation. 1.
  The following terms, whenever used or referred to in this section, shall
  have the following meaning, unless a different meaning  clearly  appears
  in the context.
    a.  "Adjusted Monthly Rent." The rent payable per month as provided in
  the first effective lease or occupancy agreement upon initial  occupancy
  of  a  rental  dwelling  unit  of a multiple dwelling after construction
  aided by exemption under this section less the cost of providing parking
  facilities and electricity, gas, cooking fuel and other utilities  other
  than heat and hot water to occupants of such dwelling units.
    b.  "Floor  area."  The  horizontal areas of the several floors or any
  portion thereof of a dwelling or dwellings and accessory structures on a
  lot measured from the exterior faces  of  exterior  walls  or  from  the
  center line of party walls.
    c.  "Multiple  Dwelling."  A  dwelling  which  is to be occupied or is
  occupied as the residence or home  of  three  or  more  families  living
  independently  of  one another, whether such dwelling is rented or owned
  as a cooperative or condominium. A new multiple dwelling  shall  include
  new  residential  construction and the concurrent conversion, alteration
  or improvement of a pre-existing building or structure provided that (i)
  for all tax lots  now  existing  or  hereafter  created,  no  more  than
  forty-nine  percent of the floor area (as defined in paragraph b of this
  subdivision) of the  multiple  dwelling  consists  of  the  pre-existing
  building  or structure that was converted, altered or improved, and (ii)
  for tax lots in the city of New York now existing or  hereafter  created
  within  the  following  area  in  the  borough  of  Manhattan,  the  new
  residential construction and/or the concurrent conversion, alteration or
  improvement of the pre-existing building or  structure  is  aided  by  a
  grant,  loan  or  subsidy  from  any  federal,  state or local agency or
  instrumentality: beginning at the  intersection  of  the  United  States
  pierhead line in the Hudson river and the center line of Chambers street
  extended,  thence  easterly  to  the  center line of Chambers street and
  continuing along the center line of Chambers street to the  center  line
  of  Centre  street,  thence  southerly  along  the center line of Centre
  street to the center line of the Brooklyn Bridge to the intersection  of
  the  Brooklyn  Bridge  and  the  United States pierhead line in the East
  river, thence northerly along the United States  pierhead  line  in  the
  East  river  and  the  center line of one hundred tenth street extended,
  thence westerly to the center line  of  one  hundred  tenth  street  and
  continuing  along  the  center  line  of one hundred tenth street to its
  westerly terminus, thence westerly to the  intersection  of  the  center
  line of one hundred tenth street extended and the United States pierhead
  line  in  the  Hudson  river,  thence  southerly along the United States
  pierhead line in the Hudson river to the point of beginning.
    d. "Room Count." Two and one-half rooms for each  dwelling  unit  plus
  one  room  for  each  bedroom  plus  one  room  for each additional room
  separated by either walls or doors plus one-half  room  for  a  balcony,
  provided  that  kitchens, bathrooms or corridors shall not count as such
  additional rooms.
    2. (a) (i) Within a city having a population of one million  or  more,
  new multiple dwellings, except hotels, shall be exempt from taxation for
  local  purposes,  other than assessments for local improvements, for the
  tax year or years immediately following taxable status  dates  occurring
  subsequent   to   the  commencement  and  prior  to  the  completion  of
  construction, but not to exceed three such tax years, and shall continue
  to be exempt from such taxation in tax years immediately  following  the
  taxable  status  date  first  occurring  after  the  expiration  of  the
  exemption herein conferred during construction so long as  used  at  the
  completion  of  construction  for  dwelling purposes for a period not to
  exceed ten  years  in  the  aggregate  after  the  taxable  status  date
  immediately following the completion thereof, as follows:
    (A)  except as otherwise provided herein there shall be full exemption
  from taxation during the period of construction or the period  of  three
  years  immediately  following  commencement  of  construction, whichever
  expires sooner, and for two years following such period;
    (B) followed by two years of exemption from eighty per  cent  of  such
  taxation;
    (C)  followed  by  two  years of exemption from sixty per cent of such
  taxation;
    (D) followed by two years of exemption from forty  per  cent  of  such
  taxation;
    (E)  followed  by  two years of exemption from twenty per cent of such
  taxation;
    The following table  shall  illustrate  the  computation  of  the  tax
  exemption:
 
                 CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN MULTIPLE DWELLINGS
 
                                                    Exemption
  During Construction (maximum three years)         100%
  Following completion of work
  Year:
 
   1                                                100%
   2                                                100%
   3                                                 80
   4                                                 80
   5                                                 60
   6                                                 60
   7                                                 40
   8                                                 40
   9                                                 20
  10                                                 20
    (ii)  (A) Within a city having a population of one million or more the
  local housing agency may adopt  rules  and  regulations  providing  that
  except  in  areas  excluded  by local law new multiple dwellings, except
  hotels, shall be exempt from taxation for  local  purposes,  other  than
  assessments   for   local  improvements,  for  the  tax  year  or  years
  immediately following taxable status dates occurring subsequent  to  the
  commencement  and  prior  to  the completion of construction, but not to
  exceed three such tax years, and shall continue to be exempt  from  such
  taxation  in  tax  years  immediately  following the taxable status date
  first occurring after the expiration of the exemption  herein  conferred
  during   such  construction  so  long  as  used  at  the  completion  of
  construction for dwelling purposes for a period not  to  exceed  fifteen
  years in the aggregate, as follows:
    a.  except  as otherwise provided herein there shall be full exemption
  from taxation during the period of construction or the period  of  three
  years  immediately  following  commencement  of  construction, whichever
  expires sooner, and for eleven years following such period;
    b. followed by one year of  exemption  from  eighty  percent  of  such
  taxation;
    c.  followed  by  one  year  of  exemption  from sixty percent of such
  taxation;
    d. followed by one year  of  exemption  from  forty  percent  of  such
  taxation;
    e.  followed  by  one  year  of  exemption from twenty percent of such
  taxation.
    (B)  The benefits of this subparagraph shall not be available in areas
  made ineligible for the benefits of this section by a local law  enacted
  pursuant   to   paragraph  (i)  of  subdivision  two  of  this  section,
  notwithstanding any exceptions to ineligibility contained in such  local
  law for certain types of projects in such areas.
    (C) Unless excluded by local law, in the city of New York the benefits
  of  this subparagraph shall be available in the borough of Manhattan for
  tax lots now existing or hereafter  created  south  of  or  adjacent  to
  either side of one hundred tenth street only if:
    a.  the construction is carried out with the substantial assistance of
  grants, loans or subsidies from any federal, state or  local  agency  or
  instrumentality, or
    b. the local housing agency has imposed a requirement or has certified
  that  twenty  percent  of the units be affordable to families of low and
  moderate income.
    The following table shall illustrate the computation of the exemption:
 
                           CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
                             MULTIPLE DWELLINGS
 
                                                    Exemption
  During Construction (maximum three years)         100%
  Following completion of work
  Year:
   1 through 11                                     100%
  12                                                 80
  13                                                 60
  14                                                 40
  15                                                 20
 
    (iii) (A) Within a city having a population of one million or more the
  local housing agency may adopt rules and regulations providing that  new
  multiple  dwellings,  except  hotels,  shall be exempt from taxation for
  local purposes, other than assessments for local improvements,  for  the
  tax  year  or years immediately following taxable status dates occurring
  subsequent  to  the  commencement  and  prior  to  the   completion   of
  construction, but not to exceed three such tax years, and shall continue
  to  be  exempt from such taxation in tax years immediately following the
  taxable  status  date  first  occurring  after  the  expiration  of  the
  exemption  herein  conferred during such construction so long as used at
  the completion of construction for dwelling purposes for a period not to
  exceed twenty-five years in the aggregate, provided  that  the  area  in
  which  the  project  is  situated is a neighborhood preservation program
  area as determined by  the  local  housing  agency  as  of  June  first,
  nineteen  hundred eighty-five, or is a neighborhood preservation area as
  determined by the New York city planning commission as  of  June  first,
  nineteen  hundred  eighty-five,  or  is  an  area  that was eligible for
  mortgage insurance provided by  the  rehabilitation  mortgage  insurance
  corporation  as  of May first, nineteen hundred ninety-two or is an area
  receiving funding for a neighborhood preservation  project  pursuant  to
  the  neighborhood reinvestment corporation act (42 U.S.C. §𨴌 et seq.)
  as of June first, nineteen hundred eighty-five, as follows:
    a. except as otherwise provided herein there shall be  full  exemption
  from  taxation  during the period of construction or the period of three
  years immediately  following  commencement  of  construction,  whichever
  expires sooner, and for twenty-one years following such period;
    b.  followed  by  one  year  of  exemption from eighty percent of such
  taxation;
    c.  followed  by  one  year  of  exemption  from sixty percent of such
  taxation;
    d. followed by one year  of  exemption  from  forty  percent  of  such
  taxation;
    e.  followed  by  one  year  of  exemption from twenty percent of such
  taxation.
    (B) The benefits of this subparagraph shall not be available in  areas
  made  ineligible for the benefits of this section by a local law enacted
  pursuant  to  paragraph  (i)  of  subdivision  two  of   this   section,
  notwithstanding  any exceptions to ineligibility contained in such local
  law for certain types of projects.
    (C) Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  item  (A)  or  (D)  of  this
  subparagraph,  in the city of New York the benefits of this subparagraph
  shall not be available in the borough of  Manhattan  for  tax  lots  now
  existing or hereafter created south of or adjacent to either side of one
  hundred tenth street.
    (D)  In addition to being available in the areas described in item (A)
  of this subparagraph, the  benefits  made  available  pursuant  to  this
  subparagraph shall be available where:
    a.  the construction is carried out with the substantial assistance of
  grants, loans or subsidies from any federal, state or  local  agency  or
  instrumentality, or
    b. the local housing agency has imposed a requirement or has certified
  that  twenty  percent  of the units be affordable to families of low and
  moderate income.
    The following table shall illustrate the computation of the exemption:
 
                           CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
                             MULTIPLE DWELLINGS
 
                                                    Exemption
  During Construction (maximum three years)         100%
  Following completion of work
  Year:
   1 through 21                                     100%
  22                                                 80
  23                                                 60
  24                                                 40
  25                                                 20
 
    (iv) (A) Unless excluded by local law, in the city of  New  York,  the
  benefits  of  this  subparagraph  shall  be  available in the borough of
  Manhattan for new  multiple  dwellings  on  tax  lots  now  existing  or
  hereafter  created  south  of  or adjacent to either side of one hundred
  tenth street which commence  construction  after  July  first,  nineteen
  hundred  ninety-two and before December thirty-first, two thousand seven
  only if:
    a. the construction is carried out with the substantial assistance  of
  grants,  loans  or  subsidies from any federal, state or local agency or
  instrumentality, or
    b. the local housing agency has imposed a requirement or has certified
  that twenty percent of the units are affordable to families of  low  and
  moderate income.
    (B)  Such  new multiple dwellings, except hotels, shall be exempt from
  taxation  for  local  purposes,  other  than   assessments   for   local
  improvements  for  the  tax  year or years immediately following taxable
  status dates occurring subsequent to the commencement and prior  to  the
  completion  of construction, but not to exceed three such tax years, and
  shall continue to be exempt from such taxation in tax years  immediately
  following  the taxable status dates first occurring after the expiration
  of the exemption herein conferred during such construction  so  long  as
  used  at  the  completion  of  construction  for dwelling purposes for a
  period not to exceed twenty years in the aggregate, as follows:
    a. except as otherwise provided herein, there shall be full  exemption
  from  taxation  during the period of construction or the period of three
  years immediately  following  commencement  of  construction,  whichever
  expires sooner, and for twelve years following such period;
    b.  followed  by  two  years  of exemption from eighty percent of such
  taxation;
    c. followed by two years of  exemption  from  sixty  percent  of  such
  taxation;
    d.  followed  by  two  years  of  exemption from forty percent of such
  taxation;
    e. followed by two years of exemption  from  twenty  percent  of  such
  taxation.
    The following table shall illustrate the computation of the exemption:
 
                           CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN
                             MULTIPLE DWELLINGS
 
  During construction (maximum three years)              Exemption 100%
  Following completion of work year:
                    1 through 12                         100%
                      13-14                               80%
                      15-16                               60%
                      17-18                               40%
                      19-20                               20%
 
    (b)  In addition to the taxes payable pursuant to the table above, the
  owner shall pay in each tax year in which such full or partial exemption
  is in effect, real property taxes and assessments as follows:
    (i) real property taxes on the assessed valuation of such land and any
  improvements thereon  in  effect  during  the  tax  year  preceding  the
  commencement  of  such  construction  without regard to any exemption or
  abatement  from  real  property  taxation  in  effect  prior   to   such
  construction  which  real  property taxes shall be calculated on the tax
  rate in effect at the time such taxes are due; and
    (ii) all assessments for local improvements.
    (c) Such multiple dwellings  shall  be  eligible  for  exemption  from
  taxation pursuant to this section only if:
    (i)  exemption  from  taxes  is  not availed of concurrently under any
  other law and that on or after July first, nineteen hundred  seventy-six
  no  preliminary certificate of eligibility or certificate of eligibility
  issued under this section may be rescinded by the local  housing  agency
  to  avail the property of the benefits of tax exemption or tax abatement
  for rehabilitation or new construction under the provisions of any other
  law, but that prior to July  first,  nineteen  hundred  seventy-six  the
  local housing agency may rescind such certificates to avail the property
  of  the  benefits of tax exemption or tax abatement under the provisions
  of any other law;
    (ii) construction is commenced after January first,  nineteen  hundred
  seventy-five  and  before  December  thirty-first,  two  thousand  seven
  provided, however, that such commencement  period  shall  not  apply  to
  multiple  dwellings  eligible  for  benefits  under subparagraph (iv) of
  paragraph (a) of this subdivision;
    (iii)  in  the  event  that,  immediately prior to commencement of new
  construction, such land was improved  with  a  residential  building  or
  buildings  that  have  since  been substantially demolished, and the new
  building or buildings contain more than twenty dwelling units, then such
  new construction shall contain at least five  dwelling  units  for  each
  class  A  dwelling unit in existence immediately prior to the demolition
  preceding construction; and
    (iv) in the event that a  project  contains  more  than  100  dwelling
  units, at least 15 per cent of the dwelling units contain at least three
  and  one-half  rooms  and  at  least  10  per cent of the dwelling units
  contain at least four and one-half rooms,  unless  a  waiver  from  such
  requirements is granted by the local housing agency based on hardship.
    (d)  As of July first, nineteen hundred seventy-five, if the aggregate
  floor area of commercial, community facility  and  accessory  use  space
  exceeds  twelve per cent of the aggregate floor area, as defined herein,
  of any building granted tax exemption pursuant to  this  section  on  or
  subsequent  to  July  first, nineteen hundred seventy-one, tax exemption
  shall be reduced by an amount equal to the per  cent  of  the  aggregate
  floor  area  by  which the aggregate floor area of commercial, community
  facility and  accessory  use  space  exceeds  twelve  per  cent  of  the
  aggregate  floor  area of the building provided, however, that accessory
  use space shall not include accessory  parking  located  not  more  than
  twenty-three  feet  above  the  curb  level  and provided, further, that
  whenever a building containing two or more separately  assessed  parcels
  of  real  property  has commercial, community facility and accessory use
  space in excess of such twelve percent,  the  tax  arising  out  of  the
  reduction  in  exemption  for such excess space shall not be apportioned
  pro rata among all of the separately assessed parcels  in  the  building
  but  shall  be  applied first to those separately assessed parcels which
  are unrelated to the residential use of the  building;  and  only  after
  such unrelated parcels are fully taxable shall the remainder of such tax
  be  apportioned pro rata among the remaining separately assessed parcels
  and provided further, that no such exemption for  commercial,  community
  facility  and  accessory  use  space  shall  be applicable prior to July
  first, nineteen hundred seventy-five. To be eligible for exemption under
  this  section  such  construction  shall  take  place  on  land   which,
  thirty-six  months  prior  to the commencement of such construction, was
  vacant,  predominantly  vacant,  under-utilized,  or  improved  with   a
  non-conforming   use,  provided  that  if  such  new  multiple  dwelling
  displaces or replaces a  building  or  buildings  containing  more  than
  twenty-five   occupied   dwelling   units   in   existence  on  December
  thirty-first, nineteen hundred seventy-four and administered  under  the
  local  emergency housing rent control act, the rent stabilization law of
  nineteen hundred sixty-nine, or the emergency tenant protection  act  of
  nineteen  seventy-four, such new multiple dwelling shall not be eligible
  in the city of New York unless a certificate of eviction has been issued
  for any of the displaced  or  replaced  units  pursuant  to  the  powers
  granted  by  the  city  rent  and rehabilitation law, and that the sale,
  transfer or utilization of air rights over  residential  buildings  that
  were  not  demolished  shall  not  be  construed  as  a  displacement or
  replacement of the  dwelling  units  contained  within  those  buildings
  within the meaning of this subdivision.
    (e) Any provision of this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the
  following properties shall not be eligible for exemption:
    (i)  any  multiple dwelling located in any geographical area where the
  exemption is eliminated by regulations promulgated by the local  housing
  agency, pursuant to subdivision three of this section, upon a finding by
  the  local  housing  agency  that the need for the tax incentive in such
  area has been significantly reduced, or that an area should be preserved
  for  mainly  non-residential purposes in accordance with local municipal
  policy; unless construction actually commenced prior to  January  first,
  nineteen  hundred  eighty-two;  provided  that  the local housing agency
  shall not reduce or eliminate such exemption with  respect  to  multiple
  dwellings of less than four stories in height, as stories are defined in
  the  multiple  dwelling  law, except in areas to be preserved for mainly
  non-residential purposes provided further that no  regulation  regarding
  such geographical limitation shall eliminate benefits available pursuant
  to  this  section  for  construction which is commenced within two years
  from the effective date of  such  regulation,  except  in  areas  to  be
  preserved for mainly non-residential purposes;
    (ii)  any  land  which  is mapped as a public park, provided, however,
  that this exclusion from eligibility for exemption shall  not  apply  to
  any  land which has been mapped as a public park but which, for a period
  of ten years or more after the  date  of  such  mapping,  has  not  been
  acquired by the state or the city in which such land is located and with
  respect  to  which land the local department of parks and recreation has
  determined that such land is not required for public park purposes,  and
  that such department has no intention of acquiring such land and that no
  funds have been allocated for such purpose;
    (iii)  any  land  which  has been utilized for ten or more consecutive
  years prior to October first, nineteen hundred seventy-one as a "private
  park" as hereinafter defined. A private park is a privately owned zoning
  lot in a densely developed area having a minimum size of  four  thousand
  square  feet, free of all developments and containing only trees, grass,
  benches,  walkways  and  passive   recreational   facilities   including
  structures  incidental thereto which has been used and maintained during
  said period for such passive recreational activity by the general public
  without charge with the consent and participation of the owner  thereof;
  where  construction  is  commenced after December thirty-first, nineteen
  hundred seventy-two, eligibility shall be determined on the basis of the
  condition of the land on the first  day  of  October,  nineteen  hundred
  seventy-one.
    (f)   Notwithstanding   the  provisions  of  any  local  law  for  the
  stabilization of rents in multiple dwellings  or  the  emergency  tenant
  protection  act  of  nineteen seventy-four, the rents of a unit shall be
  fully subject to control under such local law or such act, unless exempt
  under such local  law  or  such  act  from  control  by  reason  of  the
  cooperative  or  condominium  status  of the unit, for the entire period
  during which the property is receiving tax  benefits  pursuant  to  this
  section  for  the  period  any  such applicable law or act is in effect,
  whichever is shorter.  Thereafter,  such  rents  shall  continue  to  be
  subject  to such control to the same extent and in the same manner as if
  this section had never applied thereto, except that such rents shall  be
  decontrolled if:
    (i) with respect to units subject to the provisions of this section on
  the effective date of this subparagraph such a unit becomes vacant after
  the  expiration  of  such  ten  year  period  or  applicable law or act;
  provided, however, that such units may be decontrolled pursuant  to  the
  rent  regulation  reform  act of 1993 and provided further that the rent
  shall not be decontrolled for a unit which the commissioner  of  housing
  and  community renewal or a court of competent jurisdiction finds became
  vacant because the landlord or any person acting on his  behalf  engaged
  in  any course of conduct, including but not limited to, interruption or
  discontinuance of essential services which interfered with or  disturbed
  or  was intended to interfere with or disturb the comfort, repose, peace
  or quiet of the tenant in his use or occupancy of such unit,  and,  that
  upon such finding in addition to being subject to any other penalties or
  remedies  permitted  by  law,  the landlord of such unit shall be barred
  from collecting rent for such unit in excess  of  that  charged  to  the
  tenant  who  vacated  such  unit until restoration of possession of such
  tenant, if the tenant so desires, in which case the rent of such  tenant
  shall  be  established  as  if such tenant had not vacated such unit, or
  compliance with such other remedy, including, but not  limited  to,  all
  remedies provided for by the emergency tenant protection act of nineteen
  seventy-four  for rent overcharge or failure to comply with any order of
  the  commissioner  of  housing  and  community  renewal,  as  shall   be
  determined  by  the  commissioner of housing and community renewal to be
  appropriate; provided, however, that if a tenant  fails  to  accept  any
  such  offer of restoration of possession, such unit shall return to rent
  stabilization at the previously regulated rent; or
    (ii) with respect to units which become subject to the  provisions  of
  this  section  after  the  effective date of this subparagraph, such tax
  benefit period as provided in the opening paragraph of this paragraph or
  applicable law or act shall have  expired  and  either  each  lease  and
  renewal thereof for such unit for the tenant in residence at the time of
  such  decontrol  has  included  a  notice  in at least twelve point type
  informing such tenant  that  the  unit  shall  become  subject  to  such
  decontrol  upon the expiration of such tax benefit period as provided in
  the opening paragraph of this paragraph or applicable  law  or  act  and
  states the approximate date on which such tax benefit period as provided
  in  the  opening  paragraph of this paragraph is scheduled to expire; or
  such unit becomes vacant as provided  under  subparagraph  (i)  of  this
  paragraph.
    (g)  For  purposes  of  this  section  construction  shall  be  deemed
  "commenced" when excavation or alteration has begun in good faith on the
  basis of approved construction plans.
    (h) Anything in this section to  the  contrary  notwithstanding,  with
  regard  to  a  project  consisting  of  two  or  more multiple dwellings
  constructed on a contiguous site and containing an aggregate of not less
  than one thousand dwelling units, each of such multiple dwellings  shall
  be  entitled  to the exemption set forth herein provided construction of
  such  project  be  commenced  before  January  first,  nineteen  hundred
  seventy-eight  and  completed  no later than a date certain fixed by the
  local housing  agency  not  to  exceed  four  years  from  the  date  of
  commencement of construction of such project.
    (i)  Authority  of  city  to  enact  local  law.  Except  as otherwise
  specified in this section, a city to which this  section  is  applicable
  may  enact  a local law to restrict, limit or condition the eligibility,
  scope or amount of  the  benefits  under  this  section  in  any  manner
  provided  that  such  local  law  may  not  grant  benefits beyond those
  provided in this section and provided further that in the  city  of  New
  York  such local law shall not take effect sooner than one year after it
  is enacted.
    3. Application forms for exemption under this section shall  be  filed
  with the assessors between February first and March fifteenth and, based
  on the certification of the local housing agency as herein provided, the
  assessors shall certify to the collecting officer the amount of taxes to
  be  abated.  If  there  be in a city of one million population or more a
  department of housing preservation and development,  the  term  "housing
  agency"  shall  mean  only  such  department of housing preservation and
  development. No such application shall  be  accepted  by  the  assessors
  unless  accompanied  by  a  certificate  of  the  local  housing  agency
  certifying the applicant's eligibility pursuant to subdivisions two  and
  four  of  this  section.  No  such certification of eligibility shall be
  issued by the local housing agency  until  such  agency  determines  the
  initial  adjusted  monthly rent to be paid by tenants residing in rental
  dwelling  units  contained  within  the  multiple   dwelling   and   the
  comparative  adjusted  monthly  rent  that would have to be paid by such
  tenants if no tax exemption were applicable as provided by this section.
  The initial adjusted monthly rent will be certified by the local housing
  agency as the first rent for the subject dwelling units. A copy of  such
  certification  with  respect  to  such  units  shall  be attached by the
  applicant to the first  effective  lease  or  occupancy  agreement.  The
  initial  adjusted  monthly  rent  shall  reflect  the full tax exemption
  benefits as approved by the agency.
    The agency shall determine the amount of the initial adjusted  monthly
  rent as follows:
    (i) The total project cost shall be determined by adding the following
  items:
    (a)  Land  acquisition cost or purchase price, if purchased within two
  years  prior  to  the  date  on  which  construction  or  alteration  is
  commenced;  or  land  acquisition cost or purchase price or an appraisal
  prepared by a qualified  independent  appraiser,  in  such  form  as  is
  acceptable to the agency, if purchased more than two years prior to such
  date.  Land  acquisition  cost  or  purchase price, where used, shall be
  certified to by an independent certified public accountant;
    (b)  Costs  incurred  in  the  process  of  preparing  the  site   for
  construction,  including but not limited to operating losses, relocation
  expenses, demolition expenses and carrying charges,  such  costs  to  be
  certified  by  an  independent certified public accountant to a date not
  more than ninety  days  prior  to  the  filing  of  an  application  for
  certification  of  eligibility  and  the  balance  of  such  costs to be
  estimated;
    (c) Construction costs for constructing or rehabilitating the multiple
  dwelling as determined by the agency in accordance with subdivision four
  of this section, plus such  amount,  if  any,  representing  unique  and
  special  costs as may be allowed by the agency for a particular multiple
  dwelling;
    (d) An allowance for  estimated  off-site  costs,  including  but  not
  limited  to  architects,  engineers  and  legal fees, interest and taxes
  during construction, insurance, title and mortgage fees,  as  determined
  by the agency in accordance with subdivision four of this section, and
    (e)  such  other amounts as are ordinarily and customarily incurred in
  connection  with  the  construction  or  rehabilitation  of  a  multiple
  dwelling,  as  determined  by  the agency in accordance with subdivision
  four of this section.
    (ii) The total expenses of the multiple dwelling shall  be  determined
  by adding the following items:
    (a)  The amount that the agency determines to be the reasonable annual
  costs for the continuing  maintenance  and  operation  of  the  multiple
  dwelling in accordance with subdivision four of this section;
    (b)  The amount that the agency determines to be an appropriate annual
  provision for vacancies, contingency reserves  and  management  fees  in
  accordance with subdivision four of this section.
    (c)  The  projected  real  property taxes to be levied on the multiple
  dwelling and the land on which it is situated at the time  of  estimated
  initial occupancy;
    (d)  Fourteen  (14) per cent of the total project cost, as hereinabove
  defined, which amount will include all expenses for debt service; and
    (e) Deducting from said  total  the  estimated  annual  income  to  be
  derived  from  any commercial, community facility or accessory use space
  in the building.
    (iii) The total expenses shall be divided by the room count to provide
  the adjusted monthly rent per room per month.
    (iv)  The adjusted monthly rent per room per month shall be multiplied
  by the room count of each rental dwelling unit to  provide  the  initial
  adjusted  monthly  rent  for  such  dwelling  unit. The agency may allow
  adjustments in the initial adjusted  monthly  rent  for  any  particular
  dwelling  units  provided that the total of the initial adjusted monthly
  rents for all of the rental dwelling units in a multiple dwelling  shall
  not exceed the total expenses of such multiple dwelling.
    The  agency shall determine the estimated comparative adjusted monthly
  rent that would have to be paid if no tax exemption were  applicable  as
  provided by this section by adding to the adjusted monthly rent for each
  dwelling  unit  as  hereinabove  computed  an  amount  equal  to (a) the
  difference between the projected real  property  taxes  which  would  be
  levied  on the multiple dwelling and the land on which it is situated at
  the time estimated initial occupancy if no tax abatement were applicable
  as provided by this  section  and  the  projected  real  property  taxes
  hereinabove  utilized  in  connection  with  the  computation  of  total
  expenses; (b) divided by the room count of  the  building  as  per  this
  section;  and  (c)  multiplied  by the applicants approved room count of
  each such dwelling unit.
    The local housing agency may promulgate rules and regulations to carry
  out the provisions of this section, not inconsistent with the provisions
  hereof, and may require a reasonable filing fee in an amount provided by
  such rules and regulations.
    4. a. After a public  hearing  the  housing  agency  shall  promulgate
  annually  to  take  effect  as of January first of each year the amounts
  that it determines to be the reasonable amounts in such  categories  and
  classifications  as  may  be established by the housing agency, for such
  items as are generally applicable to all developments and  are  required
  to  be  determined  pursuant to subdivision three of this section, which
  amounts  shall  be  filed  with  the  city  clerk  and  published  in  a
  publication  of  general  circulation in the city or the city record, if
  any, upon adoption by the housing agency.
    b. The local housing agency may require a filing fee not to exceed the
  greater of (i) four-tenths of one percent of the total project cost,  or
  (ii)  if  the  building  will  be owned as a cooperative or condominium,
  four-tenths of one percent of the total project cost or  four-tenths  of
  one  percent  of  the  total  project  sell-out price stated in the last
  amendment to the offering plan  accepted  for  filing  by  the  attorney
  general of the state, at the option of the applicant. Such total project
  cost  or  total  project  sell-out price shall be determined pursuant to
  rules promulgated by  the  local  housing  agency.  Notwithstanding  the
  foregoing,  the  local  housing  agency may promulgate rules imposing an
  additional fee if an application, or any part thereof, or submission  in
  connection therewith, is defective and such defect delays the processing
  of  such  application  or  causes  the  local  housing  agency to expend
  additional resources in the processing of such application.
    c. The local housing agency may rely on certification by an  architect
  or  engineer  submitted by an applicant in connection with the filing of
  an  application  for  benefits  pursuant  to  this  section.   A   false
  certification  by  such  architect  or  engineer  shall  be deemed to be
  professional misconduct pursuant to section sixty-five hundred  nine  of
  the  education  law.  Any licensee found guilty of such misconduct under
  the procedures prescribed in  section  sixty-five  hundred  ten  of  the
  education  law  shall  be subject to the penalties prescribed in section
  sixty-five  hundred  eleven  of  such  law,  and  shall  thereafter   be
  ineligible to submit a certification pursuant to this section.
    5.  An  applicant  for  tax exemption under this section whose project
  contains  more  than  twenty  dwelling  units  shall  notify  the  local
  community  planning  board  for  the  area  which  is the subject of the
  application within ten days of submission  of  the  application  to  the
  local  housing  agency.  The local community planning board shall have a
  forty-five day period to file objections to the applicant's  eligibility
  under  subdivision two of this section, or to the applicant's failure to
  comply with the standards adopted  by  the  agency  in  accordance  with
  subdivision  four  of this section. The local community board may within
  such time in its own discretion  hold  a  public  hearing  to  determine
  whether  or not any objections as to eligibility should be filed. In the
  event the local community board files such objections, the local housing
  agency  shall  make  a  determination  and  notify  such  board   within
  forty-five  days.  When  an  applicant's  project contains more than one
  hundred fifty dwelling units the local community board may within thirty
  days of receipt of an applicant's notification request the local housing
  agency to and the local housing  agency  shall  hold  a  public  hearing
  solely on the questions of the applicant's eligibility under subdivision
  two  of  this  section  or  the  applicant's  failure to comply with the
  standards adopted by the agency pursuant to  subdivision  four  of  this
  section.  The  local housing agency shall hold this hearing and make its
  determination and notify such board within forty-five days.
    6. (a) When used  in  this  subdivision  unless  a  different  meaning
  clearly  appears  from  the  context, the following terms shall mean and
  include:
    (i)  "Covered  project."  (A)  A  new  building  located  within   the
  Greenpoint  -  Williamsburg  waterfront  exclusion area, (B) two or more
  buildings which are part of one contiguous development entirely  located
  within  the Greenpoint - Williamsburg waterfront exclusion area, (C) two
  or more buildings which are located within the Greenpoint - Williamsburg
  waterfront exclusion area and are part of a  single  development  parcel
  specifically   identified   in   section  62-831  of  the  local  zoning
  resolution, or (D) where so authorized in writing by the  local  housing
  agency,   one   or  more  buildings  located  within  the  Greenpoint  -
  Williamsburg waterfront exclusion area and one or more buildings located
  outside the Greenpoint -  Williamsburg  waterfront  exclusion  area  but
  within  Community  District  Number  One in the borough of Brooklyn. The
  cumulative number of affordable units located outside the  Greenpoint  -
  Williamsburg waterfront exclusion area in all covered projects described
  in  clause  (D)  of  this  subparagraph  shall not exceed two hundred. A
  building  located  outside  the  Greenpoint  -  Williamsburg  waterfront
  exclusion  area  which  is part of a covered project described in clause
  (D) of this subparagraph shall not contain  any  affordable  units  with
  respect  to which an application pending before a governmental entity on
  the effective date of this subdivision or a written agreement in  effect
  on  the  effective date of this subdivision provided for the development
  of such affordable units.
    (ii) "Greenpoint - Williamsburg waterfront exclusion  area."  Any  tax
  lots now existing or hereafter created which are located entirely within
  the  geographic area in the borough of Brooklyn bounded and described as
  follows:
    BEGINNING at the intersection of the bulkhead line in the  East  River
  and  South  Fifth Street extended; thence easterly to South Fifth Street
  and continuing along South Fifth Street  to  the  intersection  of  Kent
  Avenue;  thence northerly along Kent Avenue to the intersection of South
  Fourth Street, thence easterly along South Fourth Street to a point  320
  feet from Kent Avenue; thence northerly to a point on South Third Street
  320  feet from Kent Avenue; thence westerly on South Third Street to the
  intersection  of  Kent Avenue; thence northerly along Kent Avenue to the
  intersection of Grand Street; thence westerly along Grand Street to  the
  intersection of River Street; thence northerly along River Street to the
  intersection  of  North  Third Street; thence easterly along North Third
  Street to the intersection of Kent Avenue; thence northerly  along  Kent
  Avenue  to  the  intersection of Franklin Street; thence northerly along
  Franklin Street to the intersection  of  Quay  Street;  thence  westerly
  along  Quay  Street to the intersection of West Street; thence northerly
  along West Street to the intersection of Eagle Street;  thence  easterly
  along  Eagle  Street  to  the  intersection  of  Franklin Street; thence
  northerly along Franklin Street to the intersection  of  Dupont  Street;
  thence  westerly  along  Dupont Street to the intersection of Commercial
  Street; thence northerly along Commercial Street to the intersection  of
  Manhattan  Avenue;  thence  northerly  along  Manhattan  Avenue  to  its
  northerly terminus; thence northerly to the  intersection  of  Manhattan
  Avenue  extended and the bulkhead line in Newtown Creek, thence westerly
  along the bulkhead line in Newtown Creek and continuing southerly  along
  the  United  States  pierhead  line  in  the  East River to the place of
  beginning; included in said area are all  piers  and  other  projections
  from the bulkhead line into the East River or Newtown Creek.
    (b)  No  benefits  under  the  provisions  of  this  section  shall be
  conferred  on  any  covered  project  located  in   the   Greenpoint   -
  Williamsburg waterfront exclusion area unless such project shall provide
  affordable  housing  for persons and families of low and moderate income
  that meets one of the following conditions:
    (i) not less than twenty percent of the units in the  covered  project
  are affordable to and occupied or available for occupancy by individuals
  or families whose incomes at the time of initial occupancy do not exceed
  eighty percent of the area median incomes adjusted for family size; or
    (ii) not less than ten percent of the units in the covered project are
  affordable  to and occupied or available for occupancy by individuals or
  families whose incomes at the time of initial occupancy  do  not  exceed
  eighty  percent  of the area median incomes adjusted for family size and
  not less than an additional fifteen percent of the units in the  covered
  project  are  affordable  to  and occupied or available for occupancy by
  individuals or families whose incomes at the time of  initial  occupancy
  do not exceed one hundred twenty-five percent of the area median incomes
  adjusted for family size.
    (c)  Unless  affordable  units are developed under a federal, state or
  city program having contrary requirements, (i) all affordable units must
  have a comparable number of bedrooms as market rate units and a unit mix
  proportional to the market rate units, or (ii) at least fifty percent of
  the affordable units must have two or more bedrooms  and  no  more  than
  fifty percent of the remaining units can be smaller than one bedroom.
    (d)  Unless  affordable  units  are developed under a federal or state
  program having contrary requirements, residents of the  local  community
  shall  have  priority for the purchase or rental of fifty percent of the
  affordable units.
    (e) In order to ensure that affordable units created pursuant to  this
  subdivision  will  continue to be affordable for the life of the covered
  project, the local housing agency shall  employ  mechanisms,  including,
  but  not  limited  to,  regulatory agreements, deed restrictions, resale
  restrictions, occupancy requirements,  and  such  other  instruments  or
  requirements  as  it  may  deem  necessary,  and  shall  establish legal
  remedies to enforce such mechanisms.
    (f) With respect to any covered project located  entirely  within  the
  Greenpoint  -  Williamsburg waterfront exclusion area, the period of tax
  benefits awarded to any building in such covered project  shall  be  the
  same  as  the  period  of  tax  benefits  awarded  under  clause  (A) of
  subparagraph  (iii) of paragraph (a) of subdivision two of this section.
  With respect to any covered project which includes one or more buildings
  located outside the Greenpoint - Williamsburg waterfront exclusion area,
  the period of tax benefits awarded  to  any  building  in  such  covered
  project  that is located within the Greenpoint - Williamsburg waterfront
  exclusion area shall be the same as the period of tax  benefits  awarded
  under  clause  (A)  of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of subdivision
  two of this section.

Last modified: August 26, 2006