Real Estate Assessments

About the Office of Real Estate Assessment

The Office of Real Estate Assessments, part of the City Finance Department, ensures fair and equitable property assessments in the City of Fairfax based on fair market value.

Our work helps distribute the tax burden evenly among all property owners.

Important Dates

Jan. 1 - Effective date of assessment
Jan. 27 - 2024 Supplemental assessment notices mailed
Feb. 28 - 2025 Assessment notices mailed to property owners
May 2 (extended) - Due date to request a review (administrative appeal)(PDF, 288KB)
Mid-May - Real estate tax bills mailed
June 30 - Due date to file an appeal with the Board of Equalization(PDF, 282KB)
Sept. 30 - Due date for filing income/expense surveys

Guide to Understanding Real Estate Assessment

For more information or assistance, please view the presentation below or contact our office.

Understanding Real Estate Assessment Image.png(PDF, 631KB)

Our Services

The Office of Real Estate provides the following services to property owners in the City of Fairfax:

  • Property/new construction assessments – Appraise and maintain current and historical records for all real property in the city (approx. 9,700 parcels).
  • Assessment notices – Notify property owners of new assessments each year.
  • Certify real estate land books – Balance and certify real estate land books, including supplemental land books as needed for taxation purposes.
  • Market & sales data – Track property sales and transfers by subdivision. Publication of sale on the city website.
  • Appeals support – Assist property owners with the appeals process and support the Board of Equalization.
  • Online resources & data management – Maintain the Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal system, a software system used to manage property assessments efficiently, update our website, and manage the online real estate database.
  • Revenue forecasting – Provide real estate market information, new construction estimates, and long-range revenue projections for major development/redevelopment projects to support the annual budget process.