Users can filter projects based on:

1.     Construction Type: Based on whether an abatement is an Addition, New, or Remodel.

2.     Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified: This covers abatements that are Certified, the level of certification (Silver, Gold, Platinum), and Not Certified.

3.     Home Energy Ratings System (HERS) Qualified: This includes abatements that did or not qualified.

4.     Visitability Certified: This is based on whether an abatement is certified for Visitability or not.

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) provides and leverages funding and other resources that support quality housing, neighborhood revitalization and human services in the City of Cincinnati. DCED provides tax incentives to help businesses and residents grow and thrive. 

The Cincinnati Residential Tax Abatement program reduces the amount of property taxes that owners must pay on new construction or improvements to their dwelling for up to 15 years. Property tax abatement is available for any increased valuation that results from improvements to the property for new construction and renovation. The goals of this program are: 1) stimulate community revitalization, 2) retain City residents, 3) attract homeowners, and 4) reduce development costs of home-ownership and rental projects. 

All condominiums and one-, two-, or three-unit structures within the City of Cincinnati—new construction or rehab—may apply for the residential tax abatement program. New construction or remodel projects to four-unit structures that commenced construction on or after January 1, 2022 are also eligible for the program. A minimum of $2,500 for one- and two-unit structures and $5,000 for three and four-unit structures must have been spent on eligible activities. The Hamilton County Auditor's Office determines the abatement amount based on the type of improvements as well as what affected tax bill it is applied. Application information is available here.

New Construction: The creation of a new dwelling structure on vacant land.

Remodel: An improvement to an existing structure that increases the value of the structure.

Addition: An improvement that increases the square footage of a structure. This includes lateral and vertical additions. Note:Addition became its own Construction Type category for the purposes of this program beginning with projects that commenced construction on or after January 1, 2022. An Addition that began prior to then is categorized as Remodel.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified: Is a certification given by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). To achieve LEED certification, a project earns points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality. Projects go through a verification and review process by USGBC and are awarded points that correspond to a level of LEED certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Home Energy Ratings System (HERS) Qualified: The Home Energy Ratings System (HERS) Index is an industry standard by which a home's energy efficiency is measured. In order for a remodeled housing unit to be HERS Qualified, an applicant must have a RESNET certified Home Energy Rater conduct an initial home energy rating before construction and a final rating upon project completion.

Visitability Certified - Visitability is an accessibility design standard that allows for a guest with mobility impairments to access a dwelling. Design guidelines, governed by Ordinance 276-2017, include a no-step entrance, a visitable path from the no-step entrance to a central gathering place, wide doors/openings along the visitable path, and a visitable bathroom along the path. The improvements must be certified by the Department of Buildings & Inspections to qualify for the incentive.

Incentive Value: A rough estimated value of the taxes saved by the property owner over the duration of the abatement. This value is calculated by multiplying the Hamilton County Auditor’s abated improvement value and qualifying term length by the effective residential tax rate. Note: Factors that may cause this estimate to be less accurate include, but are not limited to, changes to the effective tax rate over the term of the abatement, tax credits that a property owner may qualify for, and late application filings that result in a reduced abatement benefit term length.