Real Property

Valuation of Real Property

What is real property? Real property is defined by the Utah State Tax Commission as The interests, benefits, and rights inherent in the ownership of real estate.

How does the Assessor’s Office determine the value of real property? The initial phase is a site visit when a new structure is being built, or a change has been made to the existing building. When a change is made to an existing structure, a site visit is performed to update the county record with the new information. This information is gathered to ensure that the county records are as accurate as possible. The valuation stage comes after the initial collection segment.

Click on the links below to read the current and prior years annual reports.

In this annual report you will see changes in values by cities and property types, sales trends, new construction trends, information about appeals and much more.

Reappraisal involves a detailed review of property characteristics of at least one fifth of the county’s property inventory each year (Five Year Review of Property Characteristics Plan). Reappraisal looks at all physical components of properties to ensure all characteristics are correct. Reappraisal is identified with physical inspections or updated aerial photographs when possible.

Physical Inspections

What is the Assessor’s Office role in the Board of Equalization?

The Davis County Assessor’s Office reviews valuation appeals that have been accepted through the Board of Equalization. An appraiser in our office reviews the pertinent market information, performs an analysis, and then estimates the market value and, if warranted, recommends a value change to the Board of Equalization. Pertinent market data includes information submitted by the appellant, as well as other information available through data sources such as the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The Assessor’s Office also represents Davis County in Board of Equalization hearings at both the county and state level.

People often ask, “What does it take to successfully appeal the market value of my property?” Here are some tips to navigate through the appeal process.

Keys to a Successful Valuation Appeal

Davis County works hard to ensure that the assessed value of all properties accurately reflects a fair market value. Despite our best efforts, sometimes there is an error in the valuation or in our records. With almost 100,000 parcels in the county we rely on property owners to help bring errors to our attention through the appeal process.

The residential exemption is limited to one primary residence per household. “Household” means the association of persons who live in the same dwelling, sharing its furnishings, facilities, accommodations and expenses; and “household” includes married individuals, who are not legally separated, that have established domiciles at separate locations. To qualify, a property does not need to be owner-occupied. Apartments and other rental housing used as a primary residence qualify for the exemption. An owner of multiple properties may receive the primary residential exemption on all properties for which the property is the primary residence of the tenant.

Criteria for Determining Primary Residential Status

• Length of continuous residency in the place claimed as primary (owner-occupied) or a long-term (yearly) lease to a tenant.
• The place of residence of the claimant’s spouse.
• Location of vehicle registration.
• The nature and payment of taxes in another state or county.
• The address used on such things as:
  • State and Federal Tax Returns
  • Driver’s License
  • Voter Registration
  • County Tax Rolls
  • Utility Billings

There is no exemption given for Commercial Properties, Vacant Land, Secondary Homes, Vacation Homes, Cabins, Time-Shares, or other types of transitory housing. These properties are taxed at 100% of the market value.

When applying for the primary residential exemption, be sure to include at least two forms of supporting documentation:

• Copy of Driver’s License (preferred)
• Copy of Voter Registration
• Copy of Utility Bills
• Copy of Tax Returns
• Copy of Motor Vehicle Registration

The Primary Residential Exemption Application can be printed and submit by mail or in person.

Return completed applications to:
Davis County Assessor’s Office
Attn: Primary Residential Exemption
PO Box 618
Farmington, UT 84025

• Utah State Tax Commission
• Appraisal Institute
• International Association of Assessing Officers
• The Appraiser Foundation
• Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
• Utah Real Estate (Multiple Listing Service)