If you own property in Charlotte or anywhere else in Mecklenburg County, a new assessed value is on the way. The county is in the middle of its 2027 revaluation, which resets the tax value of every parcel to reflect market value as of January 1, 2027. New values are scheduled to be announced and notices mailed in early 2027, according to the county’s September 2026 update.
The window to respond after a notice arrives is short, so it helps to understand the process before the envelope shows up. This guide covers what a revaluation is, what has changed since the last one in 2023, and the steps property owners can take if they disagree with their new value.
What a revaluation is (and what it is not)
A revaluation is the process of updating the assessed value of all land and buildings in the county to current market value as of a set date. North Carolina law requires counties to revalue at least every eight years, but Mecklenburg County has chosen a four-year cycle to keep assessed values closer to the market.
A revaluation sets values. It does not set tax rates. After values are finalized, the City of Charlotte, the county, and the towns set their tax rates in the spring, and those rates are applied to the new assessed values. Tax bills are then calculated and mailed in the summer.
This distinction matters. A higher assessed value does not automatically translate into a proportionally higher tax bill, because rates are decided after the new values are known. How your bill changes depends on your new value, the rates your local governments adopt, and how your value moved relative to the rest of the county.
What changed for the 2027 revaluation
A shorter gap since the last revaluation
The 2023 revaluation followed a period of rapid price growth, and home values in Mecklenburg County increased by an average of 59%, as reported by WSOC-TV. The county’s stated goal for the four-year cycle is to reduce the likelihood of large, unexpected swings like that.
In its September 2026 update, the county reported that more than 428,000 residential and commercial parcels had gone through an initial review. The median increase after that initial review was about 15% for residential properties and about 30% for commercial properties. These figures are preliminary, assessment staff are conducting additional reviews through the end of 2026, and any individual property may move differently than the median.
A new schedule of values
Every revaluation is governed by a Schedule of Values, the official appraisal manual the assessor uses to value property consistently across the county. The 2027 Uniform Schedules of Values, Standards and Rules was presented to the Board of County Commissioners on September 1, 2026, with a public hearing held September 15. Property owners who want to understand how values are built can review it directly.
A new valuation date
All 2027 values reflect market conditions as of January 1, 2027. Market changes after that date do not factor into the 2027 value, and that date will also be the reference point for any appeal.
Where to find information
Revaluation resources now sit with the county’s Office of Tax Administration. That is where you can look up your property record, review revaluation FAQs, and find appeal instructions once notices go out.
Key dates to watch
Exact 2027 deadlines will be printed on your notice and posted by the county. Based on the published schedule and how past revaluations have worked, here is the general sequence:
- Now through the end of 2026: the county continues property reviews, and owners can check and correct their property records.
- Early 2027: Notices of Real Estate Assessed Value are mailed.
- After your notice arrives: a limited window to request an informal review. In 2023, owners had 30 days from the date on their notice.
- Spring 2027: the deadline to file a formal appeal with the Board of Equalization and Review, tied to the board’s adjournment date.
- Spring 2027: local governments set tax rates.
- Summer 2027: tax bills are mailed.
How to respond, step by step
Step 1: Check your property record now
You do not have to wait for your notice to start. The county encourages owners to review their property record card and submit corrections for any errors. Its own example is a home with two bathrooms that is listed as having three, which could generate a higher value than the home’s real features support.
Look closely at square footage, bedroom and bathroom counts, lot size, finished versus unfinished space, garages, and any features the county may have recorded incorrectly. Correcting a data error before values are finalized is often simpler than appealing afterward.
Step 2: Read your notice carefully
When your notice arrives, note the new assessed value, the date printed on the notice, and the deadlines listed. The informal review window starts from that date, not from when you open the envelope.
Step 3: Compare your value to the market
Ask whether your new value is a reasonable estimate of what your property could have sold for on January 1, 2027. The most useful reference points are sales of similar homes nearby that closed around that date. In past revaluations, the county has pointed to a few types of issues it will consider:
- An assessed value substantially higher than the property’s market value
- A value that differs significantly from similar, nearby properties
- Errors in the data, such as the wrong square footage or lot size
Step 4: Start with an informal review
An informal review lets you and an assessor go over your property together. If an error is found, the value can be adjusted without a formal appeal. The county encourages informal reviews, and in past revaluations they could be requested online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
Step 5: File a formal appeal if needed
If the informal review does not resolve your concern, or if you prefer to skip it, you can file a formal appeal with the Board of Equalization and Review before its adjournment date. After the board hears your appeal, you will receive written notice of its decision. If you disagree with that decision, you can take the appeal further to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission.
You are not required to hire an attorney for an informal review or a formal appeal. Keep in mind that the property owner carries the burden of proof, so the strength of your evidence matters.
What evidence carries weight
Because the burden is on the owner, a successful case usually rests on documentation rather than opinion. Evidence that tends to be relevant includes:
- Corrected property characteristics, such as measurements or room counts
- Sales of comparable nearby properties that closed close to January 1, 2027
- Documented condition issues, such as photos, inspection reports, or contractor estimates for needed repairs
- An independent appraisal with an effective date of January 1, 2027
- A recent arm’s-length purchase of the property near the valuation date
Some arguments carry little weight on their own. A higher tax bill, a large percentage increase, or financial hardship does not by itself show that the assessed value is above market value.
When an independent appraisal makes sense
An independent appraisal is not required to appeal, and many owners resolve issues through an informal review with a corrected record or a handful of comparable sales. An appraisal tends to be most useful when the property is unusual, when condition issues are significant, when few comparable sales exist, or when an appeal moves to the formal stage.
For tax appeal purposes, the appraisal should be completed with an effective date of January 1, 2027, so it speaks to the same date the county used. An appraiser’s role is to provide an independent, unbiased opinion of market value based on the data available. The conclusion depends on the market and the property, not on the outcome the owner hopes for, and no appraisal can guarantee an appeal result.
If you are weighing whether an appraisal fits your situation, Banks Valuation can talk through the details of your property and timeline.
If the concern is affordability, not value
A value appeal addresses whether the assessed value matches the market. It is not designed to address whether a tax bill is affordable. If affordability is the main concern, Mecklenburg County offers tax relief programs for qualifying property owners, which are worth reviewing separately from any appeal.
Frequently asked questions
When will Mecklenburg County mail 2027 revaluation notices?
The county has said new values will be announced and notices mailed in early 2027. The exact mailing date and deadlines will be listed on the notice and on the county’s revaluation page.
Does a higher assessed value mean my taxes will go up by the same amount?
Not necessarily. Tax rates are set by local elected officials in the spring, after new values are known, and are then applied to those values. Your bill depends on both your value and the adopted rates.
What date does my 2027 assessed value reflect?
All 2027 values reflect market value as of January 1, 2027. Any appeal evidence should speak to that date.
Do I need a lawyer to appeal my assessed value?
No. The county does not require an attorney for an informal review or a formal appeal, though some owners choose to hire one, particularly at the formal stage.
What is the difference between an informal review and a formal appeal?
An informal review is a conversation with an assessor about your property, often used to correct data errors. A formal appeal goes to the Board of Equalization and Review, which hears your case and issues a written decision. Decisions from the board can be appealed to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission.
Can an appraisal help with a property tax appeal?
An independent appraisal with an effective date of January 1, 2027 can be strong supporting evidence, especially for unusual properties or formal appeals. Results depend on the market and the property, and an appraisal does not guarantee a change in assessed value.
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Procedures and deadlines are set by Mecklenburg County and may change, so confirm all dates with your notice and the county’s Office of Tax Administration.