Turn My House into a Church to Avoid Property Taxes (Brookhaven: section 8, houses)

[msarran]

Obviously this is more of a joke question as opposed to a serious question, but is it possible to designate your home as a house of worship to avoid property taxes? My assumption is there are zoning laws that would prevent this, and there's the ethical "pay your fair share" argument, but I'm sure at least one person has at least tried.

Anyone try or know anyone that has tried?

[csteen85]

I don't know if it's true, but I'd heard that many of the hasidic jewish have done this in Syosset and Plainview.

[kayfouroh]

Check out the 5 Towns. This happens all the time.

[Justanumber]

This is common practice in Wyandanch. Place a sign out front designating your home as a place of worship with posted hour(s) of service. Drive around there..it's comical. Probably Section 8 housing too.

[ave1024]

Originally Posted by Justanumber

This is common practice in Wyandanch. Place a sign out front designating your home as a place of worship with posted hour(s) of service. Drive around there..it's comical. Probably Section 8 housing too.

This is funny. I wonder if I can knock on their door during service time and worship with them.

[BadAndyHolbrook]

My house is a beer and wine temple

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by msarran

Obviously this is more of a joke question as opposed to a serious question, but is it possible to designate your home as a house of worship to avoid property taxes? My assumption is there are zoning laws that would prevent this, and there's the ethical "pay your fair share" argument, but I'm sure at least one person has at least tried.

Anyone try or know anyone that has tried?

I can't find anything concerning this in Brookhaven's code, and what I gleaned from the code is houses of worship can be situated in a fair number of residence districts.

[ovi8]

Originally Posted by csteen85

I don't know if it's true, but I'd heard that many of the hasidic jewish have done this in Syosset and Plainview.

I wish I knew some addresses to see what their records say on mynassauproperty.

[nuts2uiam]

Originally Posted by rh71

I wish I knew some addresses to see what their records say on mynassauproperty.

Rh71 c'mon you've been around long enough to know that MNP.com is as behind the times as the rest of the county. Usually you are right on the money.

[TomMoser]

You cannot prohibit houses of worship through zoning, as that is considered discriminatory.