In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, the Town of Westport is conducting a real property revaluation as required for the Grand List of October 1, 2025. This revaluation will correspond to the tax bills that will be due beginning in July 2026. Property information will be obtained from inspections, data mailers, building permits, sales verifications and data analysis.

The Purpose of a Revaluation

The main purpose of a revaluation is to develop accurate and uniform assessments of real estate, based on fair market value. This, in turn, will generate an equitable tax base throughout the town and ensure that the tax burden will be fairly distributed among Westport taxpayers. A revaluation is a revenue neutral process. Meaning that the amount of taxes the town needs to collect is based on the budget, regardless of whether or not a revaluation takes place. What is likely to change is the amount of taxes individual taxpayers pay, based on the property value shifts that occur every five years.

The Revaluation Process

Revaluation is a long process required by state law, one that will take almost two years to complete from the start of the process to the payment of the first tax bills after the revaluation. The Town of Westport asks for patience during this period.

This process began in May 2024 when the Town of Westport undertook a Request for Proposal to solicit proposals from state certified revaluation firms. The company selected was Vision Government Solutions Inc. (Vision) of Hudson, Massachusetts. Vision also performed Westport’s revaluations in 2005, 2010 and 2015. They have been in business for over 35 years, and have performed over one hundred Connecticut revaluations. Some of Vision’s senior-most staff will be involved in Westport’s 2025 revaluation.

There are five major phases to a municipal revaluation: 1) Data Collection, 2) Market Analysis, 3) Valuation, 4) Field Review, and 5) Informal and Formal Appeal Hearings. Many tasks will be implemented during these phases in order to complete the revaluation.

Phase 1 - Data Collection

Westport’s 2025 revaluation will be an “inspection” type revaluation. Westport’s last revaluation in 2020 was one where an inspection was not required for most properties. For 2025, the Assessor's Office has hired appraisers to visit most properties in the town in order to view and verify exterior data and conduct interior and/or exterior inspections.

Appraisers performing inspections will wear safety vests, carry ID badges identifying them as Town employees and their vehicles will have the Town logo on them. Their vehicles are registered with the Westport Police Department and the Assessor's Office.

While at the property, they will note any new features as well as the building size, age, quality, condition, land topography, utilities, and other characteristics. The entire process should take 10 - 15 minutes at most.

The Town of Westport and Vision fully understand the sensitivities of the interior inspection process. If no one answers the door, the inspector may perform an exterior viewing of the home, confirming as much information as possible. If someone other that the owner is at home, the inspector will ask if they can walk around the outside of the home. The owner can call the Assessor's Office for an appointment. They can expect to receive a data mailer questionnaire in the mail.

The data collection process also includes revaluation staff viewing sales data properties and sending out data mailers to homeowners. It is to everyone's advantage that the town's real estate database is as accurate as possible. Updating exterior images will also be a part of this project.

If homeowners have a question as to the identity of an employee, they may call the Westport Police Department's non-emergency number (203-341-6000) or the Town of Westport Assessor's Office (203-341-1070) with any questions or concerns.

Homeowners should direct specific questions regarding their current assessment and taxes to the Westport Assessor’s Office. Appraisers doing inspections are not prepared to answer questions concerning current values or town laws. Their purpose is to verify and gather information. 2025 values and taxes resulting from this revaluation will be determined later during the valuation phase and after the mill rate is set in 2026.

Phase 2 - Market Analysis

A variety of resources are used to analyze the real estate market. Appraisal personnel will be analyzing property sales over the two-year period prior to October 1, 2025, to determine which market factors influence property values. Once all the data has been collected and reviewed for accuracy, appraisers will determine land values and define neighborhoods. The valuation of locations throughout the town is determined by actual market activity.

Phase 3 - Valuation

Depending on the property, valuation is done using three recognized appraisal methods: the Cost Approach, the Income Approach and the Sales Comparison Approach. During this phase, individual characteristics of buildings are analyzed using information gathered in both phases 1 and 2. Each property is compared to other properties with similar characteristics. The contributory market value of improvements is added to the previously determined land values. This value is the final estimate for each parcel of property, including building and land.

Phase 4 - Field Review

Field Review is the method of re-checking both the values that have been determined and the data that has been collected. During this review, properties are viewed in the field by experienced appraisers who double-check uniformity and accuracy of information.

Phase 5- Informal and Formal Appeal Hearings

In late November 2025, property owners will receive a notice of their new assessment. All assessments will be available online to allow taxpayers to view surrounding properties. Taxpayers may request an informal hearing with Vision staff members if they wish to discuss their new assessments. The informal hearing is the first step in the appeal process if the property owner feels their assessment is inaccurate. The informal hearings will take place in November/December 2025. Anyone who went to the informal hearings will receive another assessment notice in early 2026.

Owners who wish to appeal their assessment will have the opportunity to do so at Board of Assessment Appeals hearings. This formal appeal process is undertaken annually guided by state statute.

After all five phases are completed, all data, files, records, etc. used in the revaluation will be given to the Assessor’s Office. This will allow the town to maintain the data collected and values determined during the revaluation on a continual basis.