(a) There is levied on the owner of each dwelling and commercial building in Dale County, excluding the corporate limits of the City of Ozark, a fire protection emergency medical service fee of thirty dollars ($30) per year for each dwelling and commercial building. (b) For the purposes of this part a "dwelling" shall be defined as any building, structure, or other improvement to real property used or expected to be used as a dwelling or residence for one or more human beings, including, but not limited to:
(1) Any building, structure, or improvement assessed, for the purposes of state and county ad valorem taxation, as "Class III" single-family owner-occupied residential property.
(2) A duplex or an apartment building.
(3) Residential property used to generate rental income.
(4) Any mobile home or house trailer used or expected to be used as a dwelling or residence for one or more human beings.
(c) Any buildings, structure, or other improvement shall be classified as a "dwelling" for purposes of this part notwithstanding:
(1) That it is wholly or partially vacant or uninhabited at any time during the year for which a fire protection and emergency medical service fee with respect thereto is to be levied.
(2) That it is also used or expected to be used simultaneously for a purpose, whether or not commercial in nature, other than as a dwelling or residence as aforesaid.
(d) For the purposes of this part, a "commercial building" shall be defined as any building, structure, or other improvement to real property used or expected to be used for commercial or business purposes, including rental property. The term "commercial building" shall not apply to any school, church, senior citizen facility, or any building used primarily for volunteer fire or emergency services, and shall not apply to any building or structure used primarily for agricultural purposes by the owner or an employee of an agricultural business or concern.
(e) The fee shall not be construed as a tax on property. The fee shall be levied for the purposes of funding fire protection and emergency medical services under the purview of this part.
Last modified: May 3, 2021