2 ms·
The problem is that a large fraction of our land value is in cities and most of them have zoning restrictions that don't match classic notions of owning land.
by Symmetry 12y ago
The problem is that a large fraction of our land value is in cities and most of them have zoning restrictions that don't match classic notions of owning land. It's easy for otherwise identical pieces of land in the same neighborhood to differ in price by a factor of ten depending on whether it comes with the right to build a house on it. Well, I suppose that means that the land tax just has to incorporate different gradients of "owning" land but that's probably still simpler than trying to determine the value of improvements.
- whomonk 12y agoYou are right that assessments are based on the highest and best allowable use, but actually land assessments are the easiest part. Pennsylvanian mayors are on record that assessment changes (both technical and legal) almost completely evaporate from shifting from buildings to land.
- whomonk 12y agoYou are right that assessments are based on the highest and best allowable use, but actually land assessments are the easiest part. Pennsylvanian mayors are on record that assessment challenges (both technical and legal) almost completely evaporate from shifting from buildings to land.