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Residents press county on fairness of taxing accessory structures; assessment office explains process
Summary
A county resident asked commissioners about perceived unfairness when property owners are taxed for exterior improvements while interior remodels may go unnoticed; the director of assessment explained how permits and field inspections inform valuations and how municipalities handle building permits.
A resident told Beaver County commissioners Wednesday she believes the countyproperty tax system treats homeowners unfairly when accessory buildings and exterior improvements are assessed while interior remodels are less visible to assessors.
Fabiola Durbridge, who identified herself as a Harmony Township resident, raised concerns during public comment about accessory buildings and how they are discovered and taxed. "I don't feel that a homeowner who pays taxes should be able to build whatever he or she wants on that property. He or she was already paying taxes on that land on their home as well," Durbridge said, adding that she perceives the system as unfair when exterior projects lead to tax increases while interior improvements may go unreported.
Josh, identified in the session as the director of assessment, explained the county's process: municipalities typically notify the county of building permits and assessors rely on permits, surveys and field inspections. He said if a permanent structure is permitted, county field staff will inspect from the exterior and mark property descriptions accordingly. "If there's a permanent for, say, a driveway, we're not gonna assess the driveway. But if we get that permit, we go out. And our field guys will look," Josh said.
County staff acknowledged differences among municipalities: some do not issue permits and some homeowners may not report interior work. The director said the county values accessory structures uniformly in most cases, though small moveable sheds sometimes receive no added assessed value. "Some sheds don't gain value. We just show that there's a 10 by 10 Fisher Price shed out there. But those they're not gonna increase value for taxing purposes," he said.
Commissioners and staff explained that the county follows state assessment rules and that changes to the fundamental tax model (for example, moving to a flat acreage tax) would require state action. Officials urged residents to contact local municipalities about permitting and to notify the assessment office when they believe unreported improvements exist.
Durbridge also raised broader fairness concerns and asked whether the county could take action; staff said permit requirements and zoning are set at the municipal level and that county assessment follows state law and municipal permitting practices. No policy changes were decided in the session.
