Property Assessors Offices - Vermont Laws and Regulations

Learn about the laws and regulations governing Vermont property assessment agencies
By Emmet McMahan Vermont property assessors offices laws and regulations control the methods that property assessors use to estimate the value of real property. Vermont property appraisers usually perform assessments against a given standard, such as fair market value, distressed sale value or foreclosure value. The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) provides quality control standards for the appraisal of real property in the United States. The USPAP does not actually define standards of value for property assessments, but does provide guidance on how they should be defined.
 

There are many different sources of information on the laws regarding Vermont property values. These sources include the three following categories:

1. The Vermont state government. These sources provide the state laws and other official information on Vermont property tax assessors.
2. County and municipal governments in Vermont. These sources provide the rules and procedures for a specific property assessors office in Vermont.
3. Law firms in Vermont that specialize in property law. Many of these firms provide general information on the property tax laws in Vermont.
   

Examine the laws that control assessors of Vermont property taxes

The state government of Vermont will have specific laws for property tax assessors. Private organizations also provide summaries and general information on property tax assessor laws in Vermont.
Try: The Vermont Department of Taxes summarizes the property tax assessor laws in Vermont and also provides links to specific legislation. Vermont Law Help provides legal aid in Vermont and also has information on Vermont property tax assessor laws.

Study the procedures for conducting Vermont property assessment in a particular jurisdiction

Local governments have specific procedures for property assessments and also may offer a Vermont property tax search. A complete list of Vermont property tax records may also be available.
Try: The Assessor's Office for the Town of Barre provides information on county laws that grant tax exemptions for certain types of property. The City of Montpelier Assessor & Building Inspector provides extensive legal information on local tax laws and a complete list of property tax records.

Review Vermont property assessors laws from law firms in Vermont

Vermont lawyers who specialize in property law frequently offer summaries on the property taxes that are assessed in Vermont. They also may write articles on specific issues regarding property taxes in Vermont.
Try: Kenlan, Schwiebert, Facy & Goss includes property tax law as one of its areas of practice and also provides articles on specific matters of Vermont property assessments and property tax law. PeetLaw specializes in tax law and summarizes the different types of property taxes in Vermont.

• The laws on Vermont property assessment are generally guided by the Financial Institutions Reform and Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) of 1989. This federal legislation requires all states to have a system to certify and license real estate appraisers. Prior to the passage of the FIRREA, there were no national standards for ensuring the quality of real estate appraisers in the United States.