BUILDING | EDC | HISTORY | INSURANCE | LOCATION | MAIL SERVICE | MEDICAL SERVICES
MORTGAGES | NATIONAL PARK | SCHOOLS | TAXES | TELECOMMUNICATIONS | UTILITIES

 

VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN, U. S. Virgin Islands

BUILDING ON ST JOHN:

Virgin Islands zoning, building & housing laws & regulations may be obtained from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, accounting section, 18 Kongens Gade, St. Thomas 00802, (340) 774-2991.

Building specifications can be obtained from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) (340) 774-3320 on St. Thomas and (340) 693-8735 on St. John. Website www.dpnr.gov.vi

Masonry construction costs are approximately $350/per square foot.

UP TO TOP

CUSTOMS:

All your baggage must go through Customs when you travel to the U.S. from the Virgin Islands, and your bags may be searched. Give yourself time-an extra hour-to clear customs at the airport. U.S. residents, including children, may send or carry up to $1,200 of duty-free merchandise every 30 days from the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you go over the $1,200 allowance, your Virgin Islands purchases are taxed at a flat rate of 5% on the next $1,000, and 6.5% after that, depending onthe type of goods.

You can also send as many gifts as you want to friends and relatives-but no more than one per day-spending up to $100 each. These do not have to be declared in your exemption. U.S. residents over 21 can return to the United States with 5 bottles of lliquor duty free. You are allowed 6 bottles if one is locally bottled. All island-made good are duty-free and do not count toward your exemption.

Call the Bureau of Customs at (340) 774-5539.

EDC: www.usvieda.org

The Virgin Islands has a unique program to encourage and retain business investment in the territory-the Economic Development Commission. Simply, the Virgin Islands are allowed to give certain tax breaks to businesses that comply with specific rules and guidelines. The EDC program grants long-term tax exemptions in exchange for investment in the territory.

Ask us for a brief summary of Eligible Businesses and Requirements for Granting Benefits and how your company can apply for 100% Exemption from the following taxes;

And Reduction of tax liability as follows;

UP TO TOP

HISTORY OF ST JOHN:

The U. S. Government purchased St. John from Denmark in 1917. Naval governor ruled until 1931 when the U.S. Dept. of the Interior assumed control. We are an unincorporated territory. Residents of the Virgin Islands vote for a local Governor. We cannot vote for the President of the United States. However, we do receive all other benefits awarded the (mainland) United States.

St. John Historical Society

UP TO TOP

INSURANCE:

Although not required, title insurance is available and recommended. Full Homeowner's insurance coverage including Windstorm/Earthquake insurance is about 2%-3% of replacement value for masonry/stone (wood frame may be higher).

UP TO TOP

LOCATION:

St. John is located…

1075 mi. East/Southeast of Miami
50 mi. East of Puerto Rico
3 mi. East of St. Thomas

St. John is 19 sq. miles – 9 miles long x 2 miles wide

Highest Elevation: Bordeaux Mountain 1,277’

Population 1990 census: St. John 4,200 +/- / St. Thomas – 48,166 +/-

Climate: Average rain fall – 43” Sept-Oct & May-June

Winter temperatures – 77 – 84 degrees
Summer temperatures – 82 - 90 degrees

UP TO TOP

MAIL SERVICE ON ST JOHN:

U S Postal Service, DHL, UPS, Sprint Courier, Federal Express

UP TO TOP

MEDICAL SERVICES:

UP TO TOP

MORTGAGES ON ST JOHN:

Mortgages are available through banks and lending institutions, including First Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia and Merrill Lynch. Most banks require the Buyer to pay for a title search, title insurance, property appraisal, surveyor’s certificate and report, survey and bank attorney fees. Second home buyers can qualify for at least 70% loan to value mortgages and some sellers will offer owner financing. We will gladly prepare an amortization schedule for you.

ORGANIZATIONS:

AARP (territorywide)
PO Box 1599 Kingshill
St. Croix VI 00851
Tel. 719-2277 / fax 692-2544
Web site: www.aarp.org/vi
Denyce Singleton, director
Yvette Canegata, associate director

American Legion
Viggo E. Sewer Post 131
P.O. Box 37
St John, VI 00831
Elmo L. Rabsatt Sr, commander 693-8557 or 344-4878
Paul Devine, adjutant 998-1925

Coral Bay Yacht Club
9901 Estate Emmaus
St. John, VI 00830
Tel. 513-4523
e-mail: studioequinox@earthlink.net
Dave Conro, Commodore
Chris Schatzman, media relations
The Yacht Clubs meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay on St. John.

Cruz Bay Revitalization Project
50000-4A Estate Enighed #250
St. John VI 00830
Tel. 715-0150 / fax 715-0150

D.C. Metro Virgin Islands Association
PO Box 75903
Washington, DC 20013
e-mail: viadcmetro@yahoo.com
www.dcmetrovia.com
Lo'an Sewer, vice president

Epiphany Theater Company
P.O. Box 37
St John, VI 00831
Paul Devine, Managing Director 998-1925
Carol DeSenne, Director of Public Relations 643-4838

Friends of the Elaine I Sprauve Library
PO Box 30
St. John, VI 00831
Tel. 776-6901

Friends of the National Park
P.O. Box 811
St. John, VI 00831
Office in Mongoose Junction
Tel. 779-4940
Fax 693-9973
e-mail: info@friendsvinp.org
www.friendsvinp.org

Gateway Community Planning Committee
Raphael Wesselhoft
Tel. 776-6317

Girl Scout Council of the US Virgin Islands
PO Box 761
St. Thomas VI 00804-0761
Tel. 774-1054 / Fax 779-7223
e-mail: girlscoutsusvi@earthlink.net
Jacqueline A. Dennis, board president
Violet Anne Golden, management consultant

Love City Pan Dragons Youth Steel Orchestra
PO Box 1537
St. John VI 00831
e-mail: pandragons@unitedstates.vi
Web site: www.pandragons.org
Tel. 776-6484
Fax 693-8807
Corine Matthias, President

Navy League of the United States
St. Thomas/St. John Council
P.O. Box 7663
St. Thomas, VI 00801
Tel. 776-3650 ext. 16 or 776-0241
Fax 774-1050
e-mail: thoffman@islands.vi
Web site (local): www.vinavyleague.org
Web site (national): www.navyleague.org
Thomas W. Hoffman, national director

St. John Business and Professional Women
St. John Community Foundation
St. John EMS Association
14 Spring Garden
St. John, U.S.V.I. 00830
Tel. 693-5461 or 776-6222
Carol Beckowitz, President

St. John Lions Club
St John Rescue Inc.
PO Box 1225
St John, VI 00831
Contact:
John Bowman, Chief
774-8513 or 643-3831
Web site: www.StJohnRescue.org

Rotary Club of St. John
Westin Resort, Great Cruz Bay
St. John 00830
Fax 779-4752
Dave Carlson, president
John Fuller, secretary

PALS
People Moving Forward
Tel. 779-4585

St. John School of the Arts
Tel. 779-4322
Ruth "Sis" Frank, director

St. John Recreation Association
Tel. 693-5220

Virgin Islands Charteryacht League
3801 Crown Bay, Suite 204
St. Thomas, USVI 00802
Tel. 774-3944 or 800-524-2061
Fax. 774-3076

UP TO TOP

SCHOOLS:

UP TO TOP

TAXES IN THE VI:

PROPERTY TAXES:

In 2008 the VI Legislature approved and the Governor signed into law a new property tax system including the following mill rates: 

    Land:                Unimproved non-commercial real property taxed at .004946
    Homes:             Residential real property, taxed at .003770
    Commercial:    Commercial real property taxed at .007110
    Timeshares:    Timeshares taxed at .014070

This is the new VI Government formula for calculating the property taxes on various property types.  However, the part which is not finalized involves the new property values which have been assigned recently by the VI Tax Assessor.

The 2008 property tax bills have been issued using the 1998 property values and tax rate. The 2009, 2010 and 2011 bills will be issued also at the 1998 level.

An important source for valuation information on each parcel can be found at www.VIPropertyRevaluation.com.  You can arrive at an estimate for property tax using the valuation amount with the appropriate mill rate as stated above.

The SJBOR will do its best to keep you accurately informed of new developments or final decisions made by the judiciary and the VI Government. 

DOCUMENTARY STAMPS:

All transactions require documentary stamp (transfer stamp tax) on all real estate sales and can be paid by the Buyer or Seller.

Income taxes are the same as U.S. Federal taxes.

No state or city taxes.

1031 LIKE KIND EXCHANGE:

The tax benefits of 1031 Exchanges provide tremendous flexibility and encourage investment growth.

The 1031 Exchange is shorthand for Internal Revenue Code section 1031, which provides that capital-gains taxes on the sale of investment property or property used in a business or trade can be deferred if the property is exchanged solely for property of a "like kind." "Like kind" property doesn't mean the properties must have the same use, as long as they are held for investment or business use. For example, an apartment building could be exchanged for raw land, or a rental house for a retail center.

It's important for real estate practitioners to be knowledgeable about how 1031 exchanges work, but their main responsibility is to inform their investor clients that the strategy exists.

Investors should know that investment properties are subject to preferential treatment under a special tax code, and you consult a tax adviser before selling an investment property. Complex rules that dictate the exchanged properties must be identified in 45 days and that the exchange closing must take place in 180 must be followed exactly or the preferred tax treatment may be disallowed by the Internal Revenue Service. For complex 1031 exchanges, please seek legal counsel.

GROSS RECEIPTS TAX:

Businesses pay 4.5% gross receipts tax on gross money earned from all transactions including services. Monthly exemption is $9,000 for taxpayers with gross receipts of less than $225,000.

UP TO TOP

TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

Internet connection through AOL, ATT Global, VI Access, WorldNet, CompuServe offering dial-up, wireless & satellite services. There are numerous cyber cafes and the St. John Library offering internet access. Cellular phone service is avaialble through AT&T, Inovative Wireless, Sprint, Verizon.

Local telephone service is provided by Innovative Telephone. The St. John office is located on the 2nd floor at The Marketplace. (340) 779-9999

UP TO TOP

US VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK:

In 1950 Mr. Lawrence Rockefeller purchased extensive holdings on St. John from the Danish West Indies Company, developed Caneel Bay Resort and donated remaining acreage to the U.S. Government as public park and Congress formed the VI National Park.

The Virgin Islands National Park is 7200 acres of land plus 5650 acres of underwater holdings

UTILITIES:

Electric is supplied by underwater cable from St. Thomas with a back-up generator on St. John. WAPA (Water and Power Authority) office is located on the 3rd floor of The Marketplace, (340) 776-6446, Mon-Fri.

Cable TV service is provided by Innovative Cable TV. The office is located on the 2nd floor of The Marketplace. (340) 693-8685.

Rain water is collected from the roof and stored in cisterns. Water is available for purchase from the desalination plant at a cost of about $365 for 4,200 gallons or about 8.7 cents a gallon.

Required cistern capacity is 10 gallons of cistern storage for every square foot of roof on single story home, 15 gallons for a 2-story home.

Propane gas is available for home delivery by Paradise Gas. A 100lb tank is $105. Small BBQ tanks can be dropped off and refilled. (340) 693-8848

ZONING:

ZONING REQUIREMENTS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM	MAXIMUM	FRONT	SIDE/REAR
Zoning **	LOT AREA*	DENSITY	HEIGHT	SETBACK***	SETBACK***
			(STORIES)
R1	1/2 acre	2 du	2	15 ft.	15 ft.
R2	10,000 sq. ft.	2 du	2	15 ft.	10 ft.
R3	6,000 sq. ft.	80 ppa	6
R4	3,000 sq. ft.	120 ppa	3
R5	10,000 sq. ft.	160 ppa	8
A1	40 acres	2 du	3	50 ft.	100 ft.
A2	2 acres	2 du	3	25 ft.	50 ft.
W1†	10,000 sq. ft.	2 du	3	25 ft.	10 ft.\20 ft. to S\R
W2†	20,000 sq. ft.		35 ft.	none	none\25 ft. S\R
B1	R 20,000\C None	160 ppa	3 within	zero	zero
			historical areas
B2	R 5,000\C None	80 ppa	3 within	zero	zero
			historical areas
B3	R 3,000\C None	120 ppa	R 3\C 2	5 ft.	5 ft.\10 ft. to R
B4	R 6,000\C None	80 ppa	2	5 ft.	5 ft.\20 ft. to R
C	5,000 sq. ft.		35 ft.
I1	5 acres		50 ft.		100 ft. to R
I2	5,000 sq. ft.		35 ft.		20 ft. to R
P			Max. of adj. zone
	A → Agricultural		* Check your deed for additional restrictions
	B → Business		** See zoning ordinance for clarification and further
	C → Commercial		considerations
	I → Industrial		*** Where none are indicated, use 10 ft. Setbacks
	P → Public		are measured from property line
	R → Residential		† All waterfront has a 50 ft. setback from the high
	W → Waterfront		tide mark or the first sign of vegetation
	ppa → persons per acre
	du → dwelling units		NOTE: 1 acre = 43,560 sq. ft.
		Original source: Virgin Islands Engineering & Surveying, Inc. - 1972

 

UP TO TOP

 

Home • Homes for Sale • Land for Sale • Condos for Sale • Timeshares • Commercial Property for Sale • Our Team • Contact Us
St. John Info • Sold Properties • St. John Links • Testimonials • Villa Rentals • St. John Map

RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty   •   PO Box 646   •   St. John, US Virgin Islands 00831

Phone: (340) 775-0949 Fax: (888) 577-3660 Cell: (340) 690-4170 Home: (340) 776-6942 Email: dbeam@remax.net

© Copyright Island Paradise Realty, Inc. - Virgin Island Real Estate Agency