Burlington City Assessor - Burlington, VT

Property Valuation and Assessment

The Office of the City Assessor is a critical municipal department located on the ground floor of Burlington City Hall. Its primary mandate is to discover, list, and estimate the value of all real and business personal property within the city limits. This process, known as creating the ’Grand List,’ is the foundation upon which the City Council sets the tax rate. It is important to clarify the division of labor: the Assessor determines the value of the property, but the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office sends the bills and collects the taxes.

Key Services and Functions

The office provides several technical services to property owners and the real estate community:

• Property Valuation: Staff continually update property data based on building permits (processed through OpenGov software), sales analysis, and periodic city-wide reappraisals.
• Grand List Administration: This official record lists the assessed value of all 11,000+ taxable and exempt parcels in Burlington.
• Business Personal Property: The office assesses the taxable value of business equipment, machinery, and inventory.
• Tax Exemptions: Staff assist eligible residents with veteran exemptions and other state or local tax relief programs.

The Appeals Process

Property owners who believe their assessed value does not reflect fair market value have the right to appeal. This is a strict statutory process.

Grievance Hearings: Typically held in May, these hearings allow owners to present evidence to the Board of Assessors (BOA). The BOA is a body comprised of the City Assessor and two resident members. Appeals must be filed in writing by a specific deadline, usually shortly after the Change of Appraisal notices are mailed in late spring.

Location and Visiting

The Assessor’s Office is situated in the historic City Hall at the top of the Church Street Marketplace.

Access

Visitors should enter through the main Church Street doors; the office is located on the ground level.

Hours

While the City Hall building is generally open until 4:30 PM, the Assessor’s Office specifically lists its primary phone availability as 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Online Tools

The city provides a robust online Property Database where the public can search for assessment data, property record cards (lister cards), and tax maps without needing to visit in person.