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Property Assessors Offices - Washington Laws and Regulations

Learn about the laws and regulations governing a Washington assessor

By Emmet McMahan
Washington property assessors offices laws and regulations deal with the property taxes that derive from the estimated value of real property. Property assessors in the United States routinely assess property according to the fair market standard, although there are other standards, such as the distressed value and the foreclosure value. All federally regulated institutions must perform property appraisals with a licensed appraiser and Washington generally requires licensed appraisers for all appraisals. Washington property laws also specify the conditions under which a property owner may qualify for a homestead exemption or other property tax exemption.

You can find Washington state property assessor laws in a variety of locations. These sources may be classified according to the types of laws they cover and include the three following categories:
  1. The Washington state government. These sources provide laws and other information on Washington property assessments that apply to the entire state.
  2. County and municipal governments in Washington. Each jurisdiction has its own procedures for implementing laws on property assessments.
  3. Law firms that practice property law. Law firms in Washington frequently offer information for resolving disputes on property taxes.

 

Examine the laws that control property assessment in Washington

The state government of Washington will have specific laws for property tax assessors. Private organizations also provide summaries and general information on property tax assessor laws in Washington.
Try: The Washington State Legislature specifies the role of the property assessor in Washington's property tax deferral program. The Association of Washington Cities provides an excerpt of tax legislation that deals with a recent increase in the assessment of property taxes in Washington.

Study the procedures for accessing records on Washington assessor property taxes

Local governments have specific procedures for property assessments and also may offer a Washington property tax search. A complete list of Washington property tax records may also be available.
Try: The Benton County Assessor provides the legal requirements for assessing property, including the property valuation methods that Washington allows. The Assessor for Douglas County offers an overview of the regulations on property assessment in that county.

Review laws on property assessors in Washington from law firms

Washington lawyers who specialize in property law frequently offer summaries on property assessments and property taxes in Washington. They also may write articles on specific issues regarding property taxes in Washington.
Try: Ahlers & Cressman posts articles on issues of property assessment in Washington, such as the case of Storedahl Properties, LLC v. Clark County. D. Douglas Titus has an article on property assessment laws for inherited property in Washington.

 

  • The quality of Washington property assessment is controlled by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). It was developed in the 1980s in response to the savings and loan crisis that was occurring in the United States at that time. The Appraiser Foundation (TAF) is the current administrator of the USPAP.

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