Monroe County Property Tax Records

Monroe County property tax records cover all 21 assessing jurisdictions in the county, from the City of Rochester to surrounding towns like Greece and Irondequoit. The Real Property Tax Services office at 39 West Main Street in Rochester maintains assessment rolls, tax maps, and sales history for every parcel. You can search records through the county's Real Property Portal, which gives free access to tax bills, assessed values, and payment history. Director Amy Grande oversees the office and staff who help residents with assessment questions, exemptions, and tax rate calculations throughout the year.

Monroe County Property Tax Records Online

The Monroe County Real Property Portal is the main tool for searching property tax records in Monroe County. It gives free access to tax bills, assessed values, sales history, and payment records. You can look up any parcel by address, owner name, or Section-Block-Lot number. The portal also lets you pay taxes online, though a 3% fee applies for credit card payments. Data gets updated each night, so what you see is current.

The City of Rochester runs its own search tool at cityofrochester.gov/property-information. This GIS-based app shows assessment data, water billing, and zoning districts for city parcels. You can switch between street and satellite views, measure distances, and print PDF reports. If you need records for parcels outside the city limits, the county portal is the right place to look. Towns like Brighton, Chili, Gates, Greece, Irondequoit, and Penfield all use the Monroe County system.

The Monroe County Clerk's office keeps deed records, mortgages, and other land documents. The Clerk can provide certified copies of recorded instruments that show ownership changes over time. These records supplement the tax data found on the county portal.

Property Tax Assessments in Monroe County

Each town in Monroe County has its own assessor who sets property values based on market data. The Real Property Tax Services office helps these local assessors by maintaining tax maps, processing title changes, and advising on legal matters. Under RPTL, the tentative assessment roll publishes on May 1 each year. Property owners can review their assessed value and compare it to recent sales in the area.

If you believe your Monroe County property tax assessment is wrong, the first step is to contact your town assessor. Many issues get resolved through an informal talk. If that does not work, file Form RP-524 with the Board of Assessment Review by the fourth Tuesday in May. The board will hear your case and make a decision. Still not satisfied? You can pursue Small Claims Assessment Review by filing Form RPTL-730 within 30 days of the final roll. The final assessment roll posts on July 1.

The office apportions the county levy among all 21 assessing units. Staff also calculate tax rates for towns, special benefit districts, and school districts. Monroe County Treasury at (585) 753-1200 handles questions about tax bills and payments.

Monroe County Tax Payment and Collection

Town and county tax bills go out in late December or early January each year. The due date is typically February 10 in most Monroe County towns. School tax bills come out in late August with a due date around October 1. Each town has a Receiver of Taxes who handles collection. If you miss the deadline, penalties start at 1% and go up each month.

Online payment is available through the Monroe County Real Property Portal. You can pay by credit card with a 3% convenience fee or by electronic check. In-person payments are accepted at your town hall during business hours. Many towns also have a 24-hour drop box for after-hours payments. If you have questions about a specific tax bill, call the Monroe County Treasury at (585) 753-1200 or visit the office at 39 West Main Street in Rochester on the third floor of the County Office Building.

Under Real Property Tax Law Section 922, the failure to mail or receive a tax bill does not affect the validity of taxes or interest charges. It is your job to know when taxes are due. If you did not get your bill, contact the county or your town tax office right away to get a copy.

State Resources for Monroe County Tax Research

The Municipal Data Portal from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance lists contact info for every Monroe County town assessor. It also links to local assessment search tools. SalesWeb provides ten years of real estate sales data for Monroe County municipalities. The Check Your Assessment page walks you through how to find and review your assessed value step by step.

For the full text of the Real Property Tax Law, visit the New York State Senate website. Key sections for Monroe County residents include RPTL Article 5 (assessment rolls), Article 7 (court review of assessments), and Section 922 (tax bill mailing). The county Real Property Tax Services office can help you understand how these laws apply to your parcel.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County includes the City of Rochester and the towns of Greece and Irondequoit, all of which have separate pages on this site. Rochester manages its own assessment system through the Bureau of Assessment, while Greece and Irondequoit use the Monroe County Real Property Portal for tax records.

Nearby Counties

Counties next to Monroe each run their own property tax records systems. Pick one below to find local office details and search tools.