Will Westport’s 2025 revaluation raise your taxes or change what your home is worth? It is a common worry, especially when you start seeing inspectors on your street and letters in your mailbox. The good news is you can understand the process and prepare before numbers go live. Below, you will learn what is changing, key dates, how assessments are calculated, and what to do if you disagree. Let’s dive in.
Westport’s 2025 revaluation at a glance
Westport is updating all property assessments with a valuation date of October 1, 2025. The town will mail notices of assessment change in late November 2025, followed by informal hearings in November and December. Formal appeals to the Board of Assessment Appeals are typically due by February 20, 2026, with hearings in March. The first tax bills that reflect the new assessments are due starting July 2026. Westport’s 2025 Revaluation Summary outlines the full timeline and process.
How assessments and taxes work
In Connecticut revaluation years, your assessed value equals 70 percent of fair market value as of the valuation date. That 70 percent assessment ratio is set by state statute. The town uses the Grand List of assessed values and the approved budget to set a mill rate that determines your tax bill. Learn the legal framework and the 70 percent rule from the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management.
Simple tax example
- Market value on 10/1/2025: 2,000,000 dollars.
- Assessed value at 70 percent: 1,400,000 dollars.
- If the mill rate were 18.86 mills, taxes would be 18.86 times 1,400,000 divided by 1,000, or 26,404 dollars. This mill rate is the FY25–26 figure from local reporting and is shown only as an illustration. See current context in the Westport Journal’s mill rate coverage.
What changes on your tax bill
A revaluation is revenue neutral for the town, which means the town aims to collect the same total revenue after assessments are updated. The mill rate will be set after the new Grand List is finalized to meet the approved budget. Your individual tax bill may go up or down depending on how your new assessed value changed relative to the townwide average. The town explains this relationship on the 2025 Revaluation Summary.
Who may see bigger shifts
Properties that appreciated more than the town average often see larger tax increases. Homes with recent renovations, new construction, or locations that have seen strong buyer demand, such as parts of the waterfront, Greens Farms, or Saugatuck, may show bigger assessment changes. Other homes may see smaller increases or even decreases relative to the town average. Statewide, revaluation years often bring more appeals as markets have shifted since 2020, which has been reported across Connecticut towns in regional coverage.
What to expect during inspections
Westport hired Vision Government Solutions to conduct the 2025 revaluation. Inspectors will visit most properties for exterior verification and may request interior access to confirm data. You may also receive a data mailer to review and return. Details on inspector identification, interior appointments, and data collection are outlined in the town’s revaluation summary.
Your step-by-step action plan
- Watch your mail in late November 2025 for your notice of assessment change and any data mailer. Review the property details for accuracy. See the Assessor’s Office for portals and contact info.
- Schedule an informal hearing with Vision if something looks off. These meetings run in November and December 2025 and are the fastest way to correct data or discuss valuation.
- Gather evidence. Focus on sales close to October 1, 2025, documentation of condition or repairs, photos, permits, and any independent appraisal you may have.
- If needed, file a formal appeal with the Board of Assessment Appeals by the statutory deadline, typically February 20, 2026. The BAA meets in March. Instructions and forms are on the Board of Assessment Appeals page.
- Track the mill rate process in 2026. The Board of Finance sets the rate after the Grand List is finalized, which affects your final bill. Local context on mill rates is covered by the Westport Journal.
Buying or selling during revaluation
Revaluation updates assessed values for tax purposes, but it does not set market prices. Buyers still respond to supply, demand, and mortgage costs, while sellers should be ready to discuss estimated taxes once the mill rate is finalized. If you expect a significant tax change, include that context in your pricing and disclosures. Across Connecticut, recent revaluations have drawn extra attention and appeals because prices moved after 2020, as noted in regional reporting.
Final thoughts
The 2025 revaluation is designed to make assessments fair and current. Knowing the dates, the 70 percent rule, and your appeal options will help you protect your interests. If you want a clear, data-led view of how the revaluation intersects with your plans to buy or sell, connect with Robin Bartholomew for thoughtful guidance across lower Fairfield County.
FAQs
What is Westport’s valuation date for revaluation?
- October 1, 2025 is the date assessments must reflect fair market value, as explained in the town’s 2025 Revaluation Summary.
When will I see my new assessment and new tax bill?
- Notices of assessment change arrive in late November 2025, and the first tax bills using the new values are due starting July 2026, per the town’s timeline.
How does the 70 percent assessment rule work in Connecticut?
- In revaluation years, assessed value equals 70 percent of fair market value as of the valuation date, per state statute explained by OPM.
Do I have to allow an interior inspection in Westport?
- Inspectors will attempt exterior verification and may request interior access to confirm data. You can coordinate with Vision or the Assessor’s Office as outlined in the revaluation summary.
What if I think my new assessment is too high?
- Start with an informal hearing in November or December 2025, then file a formal appeal with the BAA by the February 20, 2026 deadline if needed. Forms and procedures are on the BAA page.
How is the new mill rate decided after revaluation?
- The Board of Finance sets the mill rate after the budget and Grand List are finalized to collect the required revenue. See local context in the Westport Journal’s coverage.
Where can I look up my assessment and property data?
- The Assessor’s page links to Westport’s property and GIS portals where you can view your card, building data, and recent sales. Start here: Westport Assessor.
