Buncombe County Starts Mailing 2026 Property Value Notices to 130,000-plus Parcels

Property value notices began arriving in Buncombe County mailboxes Wednesday as staff phased mailings to more than 130,000 parcels, with county officials expecting all notices to be in the mail by early March. The notices estimate fair market value as of Jan. 1, 2026 and are not tax bills; tax rates will be set in June and property tax bills mailed in August.

The county last completed a general reappraisal with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2021, and officials say this cycle was delayed after Tropical Storm Helene disrupted work last year. State law requires reappraisals at least every eight years, and Buncombe County typically performs them every four years; county staff say this update brings parcel values into alignment with current market data after five years.

Buncombe County says values for more than 130,000 parcels were updated using a combination of field visits, in-office analysis and property owner information, "utilizing extensive data" to estimate market value as of Jan. 1, 2026. Eric Cregger, Buncombe County tax assessor, said, "On that notice, they’ll see an estimated market value from our office and instructions of what this notice means, how we came up with the value, but also they’ll have information on how to appeal their values."

Formal and informal appeals open Feb. 18. Informal appeals to the Assessment Office will be accepted through April 7, and formal appeals to the Board of Equalization and Review must be filed by May 5; the board is scheduled to begin hearing formal appeals in June. Appeals may be submitted online through the county’s new appeal portal, by mail, in person, or via a drop box at 182 College St., downtown Asheville. Property owners can schedule an in-person appointment by calling 828-250-4940 or emailing realestate.questions@buncombenc.gov.

The property assessment team launched new online tools to help residents review values and prepare appeals, including a residential comparable-sales search tool called Comper and property record cards. County officials are scheduling community meetings and drop-in appeal clinics through March and April to walk taxpayers through the new portal and the appeals forms that will be included with each notice. Commissioner Jennifer Horton outlined staff improvements that include additional staffing, updated valuation methods and expanded outreach with mobile-friendly appeal options.

Buncombe County’s calendar notes that applications for exemptions, exclusions and present-use value are open through June, the Board of Commissioners will set the fiscal year tax rate in June, and the schedule of values, standards and rules for Reappraisal 2026 will be adopted between August and October. Property owners seeking documents, comparable sales reports or to start an appeal should use the county tax portal or contact the tax assessor’s office at 828-250-4940 or realestate.questions@buncombenc.gov, and may submit appeal materials in person or at the College Street drop box.