Apply for a Reduced or Waived DCA Assessment
Process to Apply for a Reduced or Waived Downtown Chattanooga Alliance (DCA) & (formally known as CBID) Special Assessment
Who Can receive a reduced or waived fee?
Property owners that are institutional nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status, as well as properties with PILOT or TIF agreements, may apply to receive a reduced or waived DCA fee. If you fall into one of these categories, see the remaining qualifications below to apply. All other types are not eligible for reductions or waivers.
Per City of Chattanooga Ordinance No. 13487; Sec. 11-531 F: Non-profit organizations that own real property located within the Downtown CBID may seek reductions and/or waivers of the special assessment on a case-by-case basis each year provided that: (i) the Owner is an institutional nonprofit organization registered under Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code, (ii) the property is exempt from property taxes under T.C.A. §67-5-212, and (iii) the Owner demonstrates substantial financial and/or economic hardship to the CBID Board, as determined by the CBID Board in its sole discretion.
Per City of Chattanooga Ordinance No. 13487; Sec. 11-533: During the term of a payment in lieu of ad valorem taxes (PILOT) or tax increment financing (TIF) agreement for real property in the Downtown CBID, the CBID Board may, by resolution, abate the special assessment such that the assessment is based on the assessed value prior to redevelopment of the real property. At the request of the Mayor, the CBID Board shall place the assessment abatement on its agenda and shall consider the assessment abatement at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Failure of the CBID Board to make a decision on the assessment abatement within thirty (30) days of the abatement first appearing on the CBID Board’s agenda shall constitute an approval. After the CBID Board makes its decision, any review shall be provided by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to T.C.A. § 27-8-101 et seq., T.C.A. § 27-9-101 et seq., or T.C.A. § 29-14-101, et seq.
If I am an eligible property owner and want to seek a reduced or waived fee, what do I need to do to be considered?
Submit the following documents to the DCA Treasurer via email at gstalans.chattanoogabid@gmail.com. For 2025, the deadline to request a waiver or reduction is Friday, January 17, 2025, by 5 pm EST. Any late or incomplete submissions will not be considered for 2025 assessment notices. Future requests will be due at the end of the year prior to the year you are seeking a reduction.
Required Documentation
A letter that sets forth the following:
1. The parcel #(s), property address(es) and assessment amounts for which a reduced orwaived assessment is being requested
2. An explanation of the financial and/or economic hardship that paying the fee will cause 3. An explanation of the Covid-19 pandemics’ impact on the organizationA copy of the organization’s IRS Determination Letter
A copy of the most recently filed Form 990 and/or most recent audited financial statements for
the organization
A copy of the organization’s current budget
Contact Information for the individual representing the submitting entity including phone
number, email address and mailing address
When and how will a decision be made?
The DCA Finance Committee will meet to review any submissions and bring a recommendation to the full DCA board for a vote no later than the regularly scheduled February board meeting.
Can I attend the meeting?
Yes, all DCA board and committee meetings are open to the public. Dates and times for all meetings can be found at www.dtchattalliance.org. A formal verbal presentation requesting a reduction or waiver is not required. The recommendation of the Finance Committee to the entire DCA Board and ultimate decision will be based solely on the requested and submitted documentation.