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Putnam County Legislature adopts local law expanding senior property tax exemption to 65%
Summary
The Putnam County Legislature on Feb. 19, 2026, adopted a local law to clarify application of New York Real Property Tax Law §467 and raise the county's maximum senior citizen property tax exemption from 50% to 65%. The change, passed by roll call vote 7'0'00 (two absent), is effective upon filing with the state.
The Putnam County Legislature on Thursday adopted a local law to clarify how Real Property Tax Law §467 is applied in the county and to increase the maximum senior citizen property tax exemption to 65 percent.
Legislator Sarah Montgomery moved to advance and approve the measure during a special meeting called by Chairman Birmingham. Montgomery told colleagues that "New York State passed legislation in December of 2025 enabling the County to pass this legislation," and that approving the local law now would help assessors and align county practice with state law ahead of the 2026 tax season.
The adopted local law amends Article V of Chapter 220 of the Putnam County Code. Section 1 sets the maximum county exemption at 65 percent of assessed valuation for qualifying senior owners; Section 2 adds a clarification that, "except as expressly modified herein with respect to income eligibility thresholds and percentage schedules adopted by the County, all other definitions, conditions, qualifications, options, exclusions, and administrative requirements applicable to the Senior Citizen Real Property Tax Exemption pursuant to Real Property Tax Law §467, including any local options adopted by the Town in which the property is located, shall apply to the County exemption." Section 3 authorizes the Legislature to adopt updated exemption percentage schedules by resolution.
The resolution cites Local Law #15 of 2022 (Resolution #239 of 2022) and notes that amendments to RPTL §467 now permit local governments to adopt exemptions above 50 percent and up to 65 percent. The law includes a severability clause and specifies it will take effect immediately upon filing with the New York Secretary of State.
The Clerk recorded the roll call for RESOLUTION #38: Legislators Montgomery, Gouldman, Russo, D'Angelo, Regan, Crowley and Chairman Birmingham voted yes; Legislators Addonizio and Sayegh were absent. By that tally, the motion carried.
There was no further business; Chairman Birmingham moved to adjourn at 6:52 p.m., and the Legislature adjourned. The new local law will govern county-level exemption schedules and clarifies the relationship between town-level options under RPTL §467 and county-adopted thresholds.
