R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-5-13.31 — Johnston — Reduction in assessed value of real estate upon removal of damaged buildings

(a) Whenever a building is damaged as to require total reconstruction before it may be
used for any purpose related to its use prior to, and following which, the owner provides
for complete demolition of the building with the material from demolition being removed
from the parcel of real property on which the building was situated or used as fill
on the parcel for purposes of grading, the parcel shall be assessed for purposes of
property tax of the date the demolition, removal, and grading are completed to the
satisfaction of the building inspector, and the assessment shall reflect a determination
of the assessed value of the parcel, exclusive of the assessment value of the building
so damaged, demolished, and removed.
(b) The adjusted assessment is applicable with respect to the parcel from the date demolition,
removal, and grading are completed, as determined by the building inspector, until
the thirty-first (31st) day of December next succeeding and the amount of property
tax payable with respect to the parcel for the assessment year in which demolition,
removal, and grading are completed is adjusted accordingly in the manner determined
by the assessor.
(c) This section is not applicable in the event of natural disasters such as, but not
limited to, erosion or demolition resulting from floods or hurricanes.
(d) This section applies only to assessments and taxes in the town of Johnston.