Assessing

What We Do

The duty of the Assessor's Office is to discover, list, and value residential, commercial, agricultural, and business personal property. This information is recorded on each year’s assessment roll. To view the 2021 Assessor's Annual Report, click here   .

The City of Fitchburg values all real and personal property in accordance with Chapter 70 of the Wisconsin State Statutes and under the authority of ss. 943.13 and 943.15.  All properties are reviewed and valued as of January 1 of each new year.  If the property value is changed from the previous year, a notice of changed assessment indicating the new assessed value will be sent to the property owner.  Dates and times for Open Book and Board of Review will be provided on the notice of assessment.    

The purpose of an assessment is to assure that all property in the city is valued fairly and equitably as required by law. Many individuals, such as property owners, prospective buyers, appraisers, real estate agents, builders, title companies, and government agencies may utilize this information for various reasons. 

Assessment Information

Specific information for properties located in the City of Fitchburg (square footage, year of construction, etc.) can be obtained on the Assessor Data web site.

Ownership information is posted on Access Dane.

Navigating Assessment Information

You can find a video explaining how to navigate the City of Fitchburg Assessing page and the Quick Links  YouTube Video here   .

Sale Information

We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.

• You can find the 2021 valid sales here   We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.  We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.  We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics..

• You can find the 2020 valid sales here    We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.  We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.  We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics..

• You can find the 2019 valid sales here   We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.  We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.  We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.. 

• You can find the 2018 valid sales here   We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.  We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.  We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics.. 

To easily search the documents, use "Ctrl F" to search by parcel number, address, or street. 

2021 Inspections

We view properties for various reasons: 

• Sale reviews

• Changes due to Building Permits

• Fire damage and/or repairs

• Owner request for review

• Periodic reviews, etc.

If you receive a letter requesting the Assessing Department view your property, please contact the Assessing Department at 608-270-4235 or schedule online at www.fitchburgwi.gov/assessingapptcalendar. Due to COVID-19, we are offering various options:

We are still offering an interior walk through for those that are comfortable. We are requesting all parties wear masks and the owner open all doors and turn on all light switches. We would prefer that staff not to touch any surfaces within the property.

We are offering Zoom visits for those with the technology. What you would need would be a mobile device with a camera (phone, laptop, tablet) where you could talk with us and show us the property. You would need internet access. We will email a Zoom link about a day before the scheduled appointment. The owner would click on the link at their scheduled appointment time and an appraiser would view the property and take notes from the office. The meeting will not be recorded.

We can do an exterior visit and verify the interior by discussing our data with the owner via phone.

We need to keep everyone as safe as possible, while still completing are required duties. Please call us at 608-270-4235 with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Calculating Property Taxes

Generally speaking, property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the mill rate (tax rate). The assessor assigns the assessed value to the property, however the mill rate is controlled by the budgets of the school districts, technical colleges, and at the county and local levels. The assessor is not involved with establishing mill rates or in the collection of taxes. If you have questions about the value of your property, please feel free to contact us. 

A video explaining how taxes are calculated can be found  YouTube Video here   .

Personal Property Taxes

Personal property tax forms are mailed to business owners at the beginning of each year.  Forms are due back to the city on March first of the same year. For detailed instructions on filling out the form, take a look at our  YouTube Video Personal Property form video.

Manufacturing Property

Manufacturing property is not assessed at the local level. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue assesses all manufacturing property in the State of Wisconsin.

2022 Open Book Session

The open book session is a period of time scheduled prior to the Board of Review to view the property assessment rolls, sale information, and/or speak with an appraiser regarding your assessment. If you would like to discuss your assessment, please contact us during these dates.

Wednesday, July 27, 2022 through Wednesday, August 10, 2022. Weekdays only from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

2022 Board of Review

Board of Review is a quasi- judicial appeal process. To schedule an appointment, please contact the City Clerk at least 48 hours prior to the start of Board of Review. The City Clerk will provide you with the required paperwork.

Wednesday, August 31, 2022.  9:00 a.m.

2022 Revaluation Assessment Year

The City of Fitchburg typically revalues each year.

Assessments fall into two broad categories, maintenance and revaluation. Maintenance consists of utilizing the assessment roll from the previous year and updating values to the current level of assessment when changes warrant. Examples of changes include new construction, combining or splitting of parcels, remodeling, demolition, annexation and zoning changes, changes in classification, and other occurrences that might affect value or the attributes of the parcel. These changes may, or may not, result in a change in value; nonetheless each of these requires the Property Record Card (PRC) to be updated.

In a revaluation, we still review all the changes that occur in a maintenance cycle except we complete additional steps. We analyze economic changes and apply market updates to set assessments at fair market values.