Virginia Law

Article 5. Reassessment/Assessment Cycles.

In each of the cities of this Commonwealth, there shall be a general reassessment of real estate every two years. Sections 58.1-3258, 58.1-3275, 58.1-3271, 58.1-3276, and 58.1-3278, and other relevant provisions of law shall be applicable to general reassessments of real estate in cities. Any city which has a total population of 30,000 or less, may elect by majority vote of its council to conduct its general reassessments at four-year intervals.

No provision of this section shall affect the power of any city to use the annual or biennial assessment method in lieu of general assessments.

Code 1950, § 58-776; 1976, c. 717; 1979, c. 577; 1980, c. 569; 1984, c. 675.

The governing body of any city having a population not in excess of 30,000 may, in lieu of the reassessment provided by general law, by ordinance provide for the annual assessment and reassessment and equalization of assessments of real estate therein, and to that end may appoint a professional real estate assessor certified by the Department, or a board of assessors, to assess and from time to time reassess for taxation in such city, and shall prescribe the duties and terms of office of the assessor or assessors.

Code 1950, § 58-776.1; 1950, p. 700; 1952, c. 164; 1976, c. 717; 1979, c. 577; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675.

There shall be a general reassessment of real estate every four years or, if determined by majority vote of a county's board of supervisors, every three years. Any county that has a total population of 50,000 or less may elect by majority vote of its board of supervisors to conduct its general reassessments at either five-year or six-year intervals. In addition, Augusta County and Bedford County may elect by majority vote of their respective board of supervisors to conduct their general reassessments at either five-year or six-year intervals.

Nothing in this section shall affect the power of any county to use the annual or biennial assessment method as authorized by law.

Code 1950, § 58-778; 1950, p. 10; 1976, c. 717; 1977, c. 419; 1979, cc. 574, 577; 1981, c. 439; 1984, cc. 273, 675; 2009, c. 529; 2018, c. 24; 2022, cc. 361, 362.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the governing body of any county or city having at least one full-time real estate appraiser or assessor qualified by the Tax Commissioner may provide by ordinance for the biennial assessment and equalization of real estate in lieu of the reassessments required under this chapter. Any county or city employing such method shall conduct a new reassessment of all real property biennially, but may complete such reassessment during an entire two-year period, employing the same standards of value for all appraisals made during such period.

B. In lieu of the method now prescribed by law, the governing body of any county or city may, by ordinance duly adopted, provide for the annual assessment and equalization of real estate for local taxation, or the biennial assessment as authorized by subsection A. If so made, all real estate shall thereafter be assessed as of January 1 of each year, except as provided in Chapter 30 of this subtitle.

Code 1950, §§ 58-769.2, 58-778.1; 1966, c. 84; 1976, cc. 711, 717; 1979, c. 577; 1984, c. 675; 2008, c. 540.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, there may be a general reassessment of real estate in any county or city in any year if the governing body so directs by a majority of all the members thereof, by a recorded yea and nay vote. If such general reassessment is conducted, further general reassessments shall be required only every fourth year thereafter for counties, or every second year thereafter for cities notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 58.1-3250 and 58.1-3252 to the contrary.

Code 1950, § 58-784.3; 1950, p. 1267; 1976, c. 717; 1984, c. 675.

The governing body of any county which established a department of real estate assessments and provided for annual assessment and reassessment and equalization of assessments of real estate as provided in §§ 15.2-716 and 15.2-716.1 shall not be required to undertake general reassessments of real estate every four years as otherwise provided in this article.

Code 1950, § 58-784.5; 1973, c. 152; 1976, c. 717; 1984, c. 675; 2010, cc. 154, 199.

In any incorporated town there may be for town taxation and debt limitation, a general reassessment of the real estate in any such town in the year designated, and every fourth year thereafter, that the council of such town shall declare by ordinance or resolution the necessity therefor. Every such general reassessment of real estate in any such town shall be made by a board of assessors consisting of three residents, a majority of whom shall be freeholders, who hold no official office or position with the town government, appointed by the council of such town for each general reassessment and the compensation of the person so designated shall be prescribed by the council and paid out of the town treasury. The assessors so designated shall assess the property in accordance with the general law and Constitution of Virginia. If for any cause the board is unable to complete an assessment within the year for which it is appointed, the council shall extend the time therefor for three months. Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled by the council within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, but such vacancy shall not invalidate any assessment. The assessments so made shall be open for public inspection after notice of such inspection shall have been advertised in a newspaper of general circulation within the town at least seven days prior to such date or dates of inspection. Within 30 days after the final date of inspection the assessors shall file the completed reassessments in the office of the town clerk and at the same time forward to the Department of Taxation a copy of the recapitulation sheets of such assessments.

Any person, firm, or corporation claiming to be aggrieved by any assessment may, within 30 days after the filing of reassessments in the office of the town clerk, apply to the town board of equalization for a correction of such assessment by filing with the town clerk a written statement setting forth his grievances. The board of equalization of every such town shall, within 30 days of the filing of such complaint, fix a date for a hearing on such application and, after giving the applicant at least 10 days' notice of the time fixed, shall hear such evidence as may be introduced by interested parties and correct the assessment by increasing or reducing the same. The circuit court having jurisdiction within the town shall, in each tax year immediately following the year in which a general reassessment was conducted, appoint for such town a board of equalization of real estate assessments made up of three to five citizens of the town. Any such town board of equalization shall be subject to the same member composition requirements and limits on terms of service as provided for boards of equalization pursuant to § 58.1-3374. In addition, at least once in every four years of service on a town board of equalization, each member of such board shall take continuing education instruction provided by the Tax Commissioner pursuant to § 58.1-206. In equalizing real property tax assessments, such board of equalization shall hear complaints, including but not limited to, that real property is assessed at more than fair market value. In hearing complaints, the board shall establish the value of real property as provided in § 58.1-3378. The provisions of § 58.1-3379 shall apply to all complaints heard by any town board of equalization.

Town taxes for each year on real estate subject to reassessment shall be extended on the basis of the last general reassessment made prior to such year subject to such changes as may have been lawfully made. The town tax assessor shall make changes required by new construction, subdivision and disaster loss. The council of any town may provide by ordinance that it will have a general reassessment of real estate in the town in the year designated by the town council and every year thereafter. The town council may declare the necessity for such general reassessment by such ordinance, but in all other respects this section shall be controlling. No county or district levies shall be extended on any assessments made under the provisions of this section.

Any town which has failed to conduct a general reassessment within five years shall use only those assessed values assigned by the county.

Code 1950, § 58-795; 1956, c. 219; 1958, c. 428; 1962, c. 174; 1976, c. 717; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675; 2003, c. 1036; 2023, cc. 506, 507.

A. Except as provided in subsection B, in every city and county the person or officers making such reassessment shall complete the same and comply with the provisions of § 58.1-3300 not later than December 31 of the year of such reassessment. But the circuit court in such city or county may for good cause, extend the time for completing such reassessment and complying with such section for a period not exceeding three months from December 31 of the year of such reassessment.

B. In Hanover County, the person or officers making such reassessment shall complete the same and comply with the provisions of § 58.1-3300 not later than three months after December 31 of the year of such reassessment.

Code 1950, § 58-792; 1968, c. 742; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 221; 1976, c. 717; 1980, c. 2; 1984, c. 675; 2001, c. 449; 2007, c. 813.

A. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as repealing or amending any provisions of law authorizing or permitting the annual or biennial assessment or reassessment of real estate in cities or counties, except as hereinafter expressly provided.

B. The supervisors, assessors and appraisers conducting assessments who are employees of the locality shall have the qualifications prescribed by the Department for the particular position held, which shall include such combination of education, training and experience as deemed necessary for the performance of their duties.

C. The supervisors, assessors and appraisers conducting assessments who have been contracted by the locality to conduct assessments shall hold a valid certification issued by the Department pursuant to § 58.1-3258.1.

Code 1950, § 58-785; 1950, p. 1267; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675; 2008, c. 540.

A. No supervisor, assessor or appraiser shall contract or offer to contract to perform the assessment or reassessment of real property for any locality unless he holds a valid certification issued by the Department.

B. The Department shall establish requirements for the certification of all supervisors, appraisers and personnel contracted by a locality to perform the assessment or reassessment of real property located in the locality. Such requirements shall prescribe qualifications for certification including (i) minimum education and training requirements, to include guidance for conducting appraisals of certain multi-unit real estate under § 58.1-3295 and guidance for following generally accepted appraisal practices; (ii) minimum levels of experience; and (iii) standards of conduct. All supervisors, appraisers, and personnel employed or contracted to perform general assessments shall be required to hold a valid certification issued by the Department.

C. The Department may establish requirements for continuing education as a prerequisite to renewal of any certificate issued under this section.

2008, c. 540; 2010, c. 552.

The Department shall have the power to require remedial education, suspend, revoke, or deny renewal of the certificate of any supervisor, assessor or appraiser who is found to be in violation of the regulations established by the Department pursuant to § 58.1-3258.1.

The Department may suspend, revoke, or deny renewal of an existing certificate, or refuse to issue a certificate, to any supervisor, assessor or appraiser who is shown to have a substantial identity of interest with a supervisor, assessor or appraiser whose certificate has been revoked or not renewed by the Department.

2008, c. 540.

If any county or city fails to comply with the provisions of this article requiring a general reassessment of real estate periodically in such county or city by omitting such general reassessment in the year required by this article, or by failing to comply with the provisions of § 58.1-3201 requiring assessment at 100 percent fair market value, the Department, on receiving proof of such delinquency, shall so notify the Comptroller, whereupon the Comptroller shall withhold from such county or city the payment of its share of the net profits of the operation of the alcoholic beverage control system as provided for by § 4.1-117 until such time as the provisions of § 58.1-3201 have been complied with in such county or city. Results of the Tax Department's official assessment sales ratio study showing such county or city to have a sales assessment ratio lower than 70 percent or higher than 130 percent for the year a general reassessment or annual assessment is effective shall be prima facie proof that such locality has failed to assess at 100 percent.

The Department shall notify the Comptroller to pay over the accumulated profits, less a penalty charge of eight percent annually, on receipt of the results of an official assessment sales ratio study showing such county or city to have a sales assessment ratio higher than 70 percent and less than 130 percent.

Code 1950, § 58-795.2; 1964, c. 281; 1979, c. 156; 1980, c. 125; 1983, c. 161; 1984, c. 675; 1993, c. 866; 2010, c. 552.

The following acts are continued in effect as amended from time to time:

1. Chapter 261 of the Acts of Assembly of 1936, approved March 25, 1936, as amended by Chapter 64 of the Acts of Assembly of 1938, approved March 4, 1938, Chapter 234 of the Acts of Assembly of 1942, approved March 14, 1942, Chapter 422 of the Acts of Assembly of 1950, Chapter 339 of the Acts of Assembly of 1958, and Chapter 1036 of the Acts of Assembly of 2003, authorizing provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate and the election of assessors in cities of more than 175,000; transferring to the assessors in such cities the duties in regard to the assessment of real estate formerly devolved upon the commissioners of the revenue; repealing all provisions of law relating to the equalization of real estate assessments insofar as they applied to such cities; and relating to other connected matters.

2. Chapter 29 of the Acts of Assembly of 1947, approved January 29, 1947, authorizing provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate, the appointment of assessors, and the appointment of boards of review, in cities of not less than 125,000 nor more than 190,000; conferring on such boards of review the powers exercised by boards of equalization; and relating to other connected matters.

3. Chapter 211 of the Acts of Assembly of 1944, amended by Chapter 167 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946 (Repealed by Acts of Assembly of 1952, Chapter 636).

4. Chapter 65 of the Acts of Assembly of 1944, approved February 26, 1944, as amended by Chapter 80 of the Acts of Assembly of 1954, and Chapter 624 of the Acts of Assembly of 1968, authorizing, in cities of not less than 40,000 nor more than 50,000, provision for the general reassessment of real estate and equalization of assessments every one, two, three or four years, and the appointment of assessors to perform these duties; conferring on the assessors certain duties formerly imposed upon commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

5. Chapter 17 of the Acts of Assembly of 1947, approved January 29, 1947, as amended by Chapter 29 of the Acts of Assembly of 1952, Ex. Sess., authorizing, in cities having a population of not less than 30,000 nor more than 31,000, provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate and equalization of assessments, and the appointment of assessors to perform these duties; conferring on the assessors certain duties formerly imposed upon commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

6. Chapter 146 of the Acts of Assembly of 1942, approved March 9, 1942, authorizing, in any city adjoining a county having a density of more than 1,000 per square mile, provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate and equalization of assessments, and the appointment of assessors to perform these duties; conferring on the assessors certain duties formerly imposed upon commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

7. Chapter 189 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946, approved March 15, 1946, as amended by Chapter 325 of the Acts of Assembly of 1950, authorizing, in any county adjoining a county having a population density of 1,000 or more per square mile, provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate and equalization of assessments, and the appointment of assessors to perform these duties; conferring on the assessors certain duties formerly imposed upon commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

8. Chapter 237 of the Acts of Assembly of 1942, amended by Chapter 44 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946 and Chapter 59 of the Acts of Assembly of 1948.

9. Chapter 345 of the Acts of Assembly of 1942, approved March 31, 1942, authorizing, in any county adjoining a city of more than 190,000, and any county with an area of less than 70 square miles of highland, provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate and the equalization of assessments, and the appointment of assessors to perform such duties; conferring upon the assessors certain duties imposed by general law on commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

10. Chapter 237 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946, approved March 25, 1946, authorizing, in counties having an area of more than 135 square miles but less than 152 square miles, and a population of more than 4,000 but less than 8,000, provision for boards for the annual general reassessment of real estate and equalization of assessments; conferring on the assessors certain duties imposed by general law upon commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

11. Chapter 85 of the Acts of Assembly of 1948, approved March 3, 1948, codified in Michie Supplement 1948 as Tax Code § 348b, as amended by Chapter 266 of the Acts of Assembly of 1952, providing, in counties of not more than 30,000 adjoining cities of not less than 100,000 and not more than 150,000, for continuing boards of assessors to meet annually and perform the duties imposed upon boards of assessors of real estate assessments by general law, and relating to other connected matters, is incorporated in this Code by this reference.

Code 1950, § 58-769; 1984, c. 675; 2003, c. 1036; 2011, c. 851.

The following acts are incorporated in this Code by this reference:

1. Chapter 32 of the Acts of Assembly of 1956, approved February 13, 1956, as amended by Chapter 33 of the Acts of Assembly of 1958, authorizing provision for annual assessments of real estate and equalization of assessments in cities of not less than 70,000 and not more than 125,000 inhabitants, but not in cities of not less than 90,000 and not more than 100,000 inhabitants.

2. Chapter 348 of the Acts of Assembly of 1956, approved March 14, 1956, authorizing provision for annual assessment of real estate in any county having a population of more than 99,000 and adjoining 3 or more cities lying entirely within the State.

3. Chapter 383 of the Acts of Assembly of 1956, approved March 14, 1956, authorizing provision for annual assessments of real estate and equalization thereof, in any county having a population of more than 22,000 but less than 23,000.

4. Chapter 56 of the Acts of Assembly of 1959, Ex. Sess., approved April 27, 1959, authorizing provision for annual assessments of real estate and equalization of assessments in any city having a population of more than 25,000 and less than 34,000.

5. Chapter 548 of the Acts of Assembly of 1964, approved March 31, 1964, providing for annual assessment and equalization of assessments in any county having a population of more than 20,000 but less than 50,000 and adjoining a county having a population of more than 200,000.

6. Chapter 584 of the Acts of Assembly of 1964, approved March 31, 1964, authorizing provision for annual assessment of real estate and equalization of assessments in any city having a population of more than 92,000 and less than 110,000.

7. Chapter 311 of the Acts of Assembly of 1966, authorizing provision for annual assessment and equalization of assessments of real estate in any county adjoining two cities of the first class and in which a military fort is located.

Code 1950, § 58-769.1; 1984, c. 675.