Section 9-325 - Worcester County.
§ 9-325. Worcester County.
(a) Credit.-
(1) The governing body of Worcester County may grant, by law, a property tax credit under this section against the county property tax imposed on:
(i) property that is:
1. owned by the Berlin Community Improvement Association, Incorporated, of Worcester County; and
2. used only for the nonprofit activities of the organization;
(ii) property that is:
1. owned by the Marlin Park Association, Incorporated; and
2. used for nonprofit purposes;
(iii) property that is owned or leased by the Greater Ocean City Health Service Corporation; and
(iv) property that is owned by the Ocean City, Maryland Chamber of Commerce.
(2) The governing body of Worcester County may provide, by law, for:
(i) the amount and duration of a property tax credit under this section; and
(ii) any other provision necessary to carry out this section.
(b) Property owned by various entities.-
(1) The governing body of Worcester County or the governing body of a municipal corporation in Worcester County may grant, by law, a property tax credit against the county or municipal corporation property tax imposed on:
(i) property that is owned by the Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce;
(ii) real property that is:
1. owned by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City;
2. leased to the Sinepuxent Pier and Improvement Company, Incorporated; and
3. known as the Ocean City Amusement and Fishing Pier; and
(iii) real property that:
1. is located in Ocean City on or west of Route 528;
2. consists of at least 30 acres; and
3. is actually used exclusively for the operation of an amusement park.
(2) The governing body of Worcester County or of a municipal corporation in Worcester County may provide, by law, for:
(i) the amount and duration of a property tax credit under this subsection;
(ii) additional eligibility criteria for a property tax credit under this subsection;
(iii) regulations and procedures for the application and uniform processing of requests for the tax credit; and
(iv) any other provision necessary to carry out this subsection.
(c) Historically operated amusement park.-
(1) In this subsection, "historically operated amusement park" means real property that is used for mechanical amusement rides, games, and concessions that:
(i) have been continuously owned by members of the same family or by entities of which members of the same family own a controlling interest;
(ii) have been operated at the same general location for a period of more than 100 years and continue to be operated at the same general location; and
(iii) have created a tourist destination at a boardwalk.
(2) The governing body of Worcester County or of a municipal corporation in Worcester County may grant, by law, a property tax credit against the county or municipal corporation property tax imposed on real property that is actually used as a historically operated amusement park.
(3) The governing body of Worcester County or of a municipal corporation in Worcester County may provide, by law, for:
(i) the amount and duration of the property tax credit under this subsection;
(ii) additional eligibility criteria for the tax credit under this subsection;
(iii) regulations and procedures for the application and uniform processing of requests for the tax credit; and
(iv) any other provision necessary to carry out the credit under this subsection.
[An. Code 1957, art. 81, § 9C; 1985, ch. 8, § 2; 2000, chs. 345, 346; 2001, ch. 29, § 1; 2008, chs. 310, 330.]