Services Provided
The Assessor of Property office maintains a large amount of public information on local properties in order to correctly classify and assess them for tax purposes. While the primary purpose for these records and documents is to assist assessment personnel with their duties, this information is also used extensively by other government offices, members of the local real estate, legal and financial communities, as well as the general public. Below are a few of the major information sources and services available at the Assessor's Office:
Property Record Cards
The Assessor creates and maintains an individual property record card on every parcel of property in the county (approximately 80,000). These records are maintained in a data base in the computer assisted mass appraisal (CAMA) system. Specific records can be retrieved through use of a computer terminal available to the general public. Information contained on property record cards includes:
- street address of the property
- names of owner(s)
- parcel identification number
- address of owner(s)
- subdivision name (if applicable)
- lot # (if applicable)
- dimensions of lot
- acreage for larger tracts
- construction types and components for structures (type roofing, foundation, etc.)
- extra features of improvements (fireplaces, driveways, etc.)
- value for improvements
- value for land
- overall appraisal for tax purposes for land and all improvements
- assessment classification
- overall assessment value
- transfer data, including sales history (amounts, dates, deed volume and page #'s)
Property Maps
The Assessor's Office maintains a set of maps of all properties in the jurisdiction to keep inventory of size, location, and boundary information. These maps are constantly updated through the use of data contained in transfer deeds, registered surveys and recorded plats of subdivisions. Currently, there are approximately 600 maps on file in map cabinets for use by office personnel and the general public. Aerial Photographs ( a series taken in December 2004) will be available in the Spring of 2005. Montgomery County Tax Maps are for Assessment Purposes only. They are constructed from property information recorded in the Register of Deed's office, and represent no more than a graphic illustration of that information. They are not conclusive as to location of property, size, shape, or legal ownership. Copies of all materials can be obtained for a reasonable fee per copy.
Application for Greenbelt Program
Owners of properties that meet the criteria for enrollment in the Greenbelt Program can fill out the application, have it approved, notarized, and recorded (recording takes place in the Register of Deeds located in the same building) all in one short visit. To be effective for the current tax year, the application process must be completed no later than March 15th.
Application for Exemption
Religious, charitable, educational, or scientific institutions which own properties that may qualify for exemption can obtain the applications and assistance in completing them at the Assessors Office. The Assessor of Property does not approve or deny exempt status, that function is performed by the State Board of Equalization.
Informational Brochures
The Assessors of Property has a full line of informational brochures on a variety of topics pertaining to property assessment and tax policy. Subject covered include Tangible Personal Property, Reappraisal, Appealing Assessments, as well as explanations of various forms and records used in the Assessor's Office.