Property values have gone up on average 13.5 percent in the City of Waynesboro over the past two years with residential properties seeing the largest increase in value.
Real estate assessment notices have been mailed to owners for the 10,300 parcels in the city.
The increase among multi-family properties exceeded the overall increase as did single-family properties at lower price points in the market, according to the City Manager’s office.
Waynesboro City Council will hold a public hearing on the reassessments in April. City Council’s intent is to hold it on April 14; however, when the date is finalized, it will be found on the city’s website.
The tax rate for calendar year 2025 has not been proposed. To provide an estimated levy, the tax amount shown on your notice is based on the 2024 tax rate of $0.77 per $100. Currently, a lowered tax rate of $0.69 per $100 would be needed to generate a tax levy equivalent to 2024, according to the city.
The public hearing will take place prior to setting a real property tax rate for 2025 in May.
The last general reassessment in Waynesboro was Jan. 1, 2023. The reassessment is done of all real property every two years in the city. Property, per the code of Virginia, is assessed at 100 percent of market value.
If you are aged 65 or older, permanently disabled, a veteran or have a household income less than $40,000, you may qualify for relief. For more information on tax relief, contact the Commissioner of Revenue’s office.
Comparisons to other localities
- Staunton: Average property values increased by 16 percent in 2025; reassesses property every two years
- Albemarle County: Average property values increased by 5.1 percent in 2025; reassesses property annually
- Augusta County: Average residential property values increased by 54 percent in 2024; reassesses property every five years (previous assessment done in 2019)
Waynesboro: Appealing your assessment
To appeal an assessment or if you do not receive a notice, property owners may contact the Real Estate Assessor’s Office at (540) 942-6722.
Virginia law defines the basis for an appeal as either or both of the following reasons:
- The property is not assessed at its fair market value
- The property is not assessed equitably compared to similar properties
There are three levels of appeals:
- Administrative: Administrative hearings will be conducted through March 7. Most appeals are resolved at this level. Staff will review your property record and any information you have gathered and answer any questions you have. The Assessor’s Office will mail a notice of decision regarding your appeal after all appeals have been heard. Written appeals are also accepted. An appeal review application is available online. Appeals sent by mail or email must be received no later than March 7. To schedule an appointment, call (540) 942-6722.
- Board of Equalization: The Board of Equalization will take applications for appeals March 17 through April 17. If you miss the deadline for an administrative appeal, you may still appeal to the BOE. This is a three-member board, appointed by the Circuit Court judge and trained by the Virginia Department of Taxation. Appealing to the BOE requires a formal application which must be filed in the Real Estate Assessment Office.
- Circuit Court: Property owners may appeal an assessment in Circuit Court if they are unsatisfied with the Board of Equalization’s determination. You may not file in Circuit Court unless you have first appealed to the BOE.
More information is available at waynesboro.va.us/158/Real-Estate-Assessor
Related stories
- Staunton: Average property value up 16 percent, reassessment notices in the mail
- Albemarle County tax reassessments increase by 5.1 percent, notices go out this week
- Nelson County: Appraisers beginning work on four-year reassessment
- Augusta County leaders concede ‘anxiety’ of residents over 2024 reassessments
- Augusta County real estate assessments are in the mail; how to appeal or apply for tax relief
- Charlottesville 2024 reassessments are in; values increased 5 percent on average
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Crystal Graham
