Property Assessors Offices - South Dakota Laws and Regulations

Learn about the laws and regulations governing a South Dakota assessors office
By Emmet McMahan South Dakota property assessors offices laws and regulations control the methods that property assessors use to estimate the value of real property. South Dakota 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 a South Dakota assessor. These sources include the three following categories:

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

Examine the laws that control SD assessors

The state government of South Dakota will have specific laws for property tax assessors. Private organizations also provide summaries and general information on property tax assessor laws in South Dakota.
Try:  The South Dakota Legislature covers property assessments in Chapter 10-11 of the South Dakota codified laws. Purdue University provides the legal standard of value for property assessment in South Dakota.

Study the procedures for conducting South Dakota property assessment in a particular jurisdiction

Local governments have specific procedures for property assessments and also may offer a South Dakota property tax search. A complete list of South Dakota property tax records also may be available.
Try:  The County Assessor for Brown County summarizes the property assessment method that South Dakota law requires and also provides an online property search. The Lawrence County Assessor provides the legal procedure for appealing a property assessment in that county.

Review South Dakota property assessors laws from private organizations in South Dakota

Private organizations in South Dakota such as law firms or political lobby groups frequently offer summaries on the property taxes that are assessed in South Dakota. They also may write articles on specific issues regarding property taxes in South Dakota.
Try:  The South Dakota State Historical Society provides the property tax benefits of owning historical structures and cites the relevant property tax law in South Dakota. The April 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 1 newsletter at Woods Fuller offers an article on property tax legislation in South Dakota.

• The laws on South Dakota 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.