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Thank you for subscribing to the Assessor’s Office newsletter. I hope you find the information educational and useful. If you have suggestions on how we can make this publication more beneficial to you, please do not hesitate to contact the office at assessor@kitsap.gov or call 360.337.5777.
Phil Cook
Kitsap County Assessor
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Physical inspections are underway
Physical inspections have begun in the South Kitsap area and should conclude in April 2026. As a result of these inspections, any changes to a property’s characteristics and value will be reflected on the Notice of Value that will be mailed next summer, June 2026, and will be used when calculating 2027 property taxes.
Did you know that Washington State law (RCW 84.41.030) requires the Assessor’s Office to physically inspect all parcels within the county at least once every six years? You might be asking yourself why? As property characteristics change, they may impact the overall value of a property and the Assessor’s Office must continually update the data on record for each parcel to accurately determine value. These values help to ensure equitable tax distribution for all parcels.
If you are curious about where Assessor Office appraisers are currently inspecting or wondering if one has already been through your neighborhood, you can check inspection progress on the website at: www.kitsap.gov/assessor. Once there, click on the banner referencing property inspections in the South Kitsap area.
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 Meet our appraisers
The Assessor’s Office has 13 appraisers on staff and has the responsibility to inspect more than 120,000 parcels throughout the county. When an appraiser from the office comes to your property, they will arrive in a county vehicle that has appropriate identifying marks and they will be wearing county specific attire, either highly visible vests or jackets and possibly a hat. They also have with them county issued identification, business cards and a variety of tools from measuring tapes to tablets or paperwork. If an appraiser comes to your door, they will be professional and identify who they are and why they are there. It is their opportunity to validate that your property characteristics match what is on record, and it is your opportunity to ask them any questions you may have. If necessary, they may need to walk around the property to verify some data. It is not standard practice for the appraisers to need or want to come into your home.
New construction notices to be mailed September 26th
If a new structure is being built or improvements being made to an existing property this year, a Notice of Value will be sent in late September, reflecting those changs in assessed value as of July 31st.
This notice informs the taxpayer of updates due to new construction, additions, or improvements, and provides an opportunity to review or appeal the assessment. Please contact the office with any questions or concerns. You have until December 1st to appeal your value to the Kitsap County Board of Equalization
State regulations regarding new construction assessment can be found in WAC 458-12-342.
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August election results
Our July newsletter included information regarding how the August 5 election would impact future property taxes and now we can report on which ballot measures Kitsap County voters have passed.
The Kitsap Regional Library’s ballot measure to increase the levy rate to $0.39 per $1,000 of assessed value has passed. The new rate will be applied for tax collection in 2026.
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Public outreach and presentations
Our next scheduled presentation will be about the Senior Citizen and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption Program.
A presentation will be held at the Bainbridge Island Senior Center on Monday, September 15 at 11:00 am. Staff will be available to answer your questions. The Bainbridge Island Senior Center is located at 370 Brien Drive SE, Bainbridge Island.
Do you belong to a group that would benefit from knowing more about the Assessor’s Office and what we do or on one of our exemption programs? If so, and your group would like to host a meeting, please let us know. Staff can come and answer their questions.
Contact us at assessor@kitsap.gov or call 360.337.5777.
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Monday - Thursday: 9 AM to 4 PM
Fridays: 9 AM to Noon
assessor@kitsap.gov • 360.337.5777
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