As the Common Level Ratio (CLR) for properties in Allegheny County has been dramatically reduced over the past three years (from 86.2% in 2021 to 63.5% in 2022; and from 63.6% in 2023 to 54.5% in 2024), the number of real estate tax assessment appeals filed has increased.
To start the appeals process, you can file a form online or mail it to the local assessment office. The forms are available on the website or by contacting the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Below are all the levels of review. If you lose at one level, you can appeal to the next.
Complete and return the Annual Appeal Form to the Office of Property Assessments. Forms will be made available in advance of the 2026 tax bills in compliance with County Council Bill 13056-24 . Submit by online, by email, by mail, or in person; do not submit by fax.
The Allegheny County Vacant Property Recovery Program (VPRP) acquires vacant, blighted properties and conveys them to applicants who have developed: A concrete reuse plan and. Demonstrated the capacity to implement it.
All Pennsylvania counties base their property taxes on the assessed value of your home, which is determined by the county or municipality assessor. However, some counties base it on 100% of the current market value of your home, while others use a fraction of the home's current market value to determine your rate.
Pittsburgh has 10,000 abandoned houses and empty lots, of which 1300 have reported code violations, and restoring these properties to the tax rolls would go far in helping to balance the city and school district budgets.
Today, there are over 27,000 vacant lots in the City of Pittsburgh. THE CURRENT SCALE OF ISSUES CREATED BY VACANCY: COMPROMISING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS • REDUCING PROPERTY VALUES • WEAKENING THE CITY'S TAX BASE. Approximately 26% of the total number of vacant lots are City- owned.
The Act 152 Blight Removal Program provides funding for demolition and blight remediation planning. This program uses established blight conditions to focus on demolishing hazardous structures, site preparation for development projects, and multiphase planning efforts.