It is the owner’s responsibility to notify their Local Assessment Office of the existence of a public or private easements on their parcel. However, when recent plats or surveys are recorded, the assessor should make an attempt to note the property record of the existence of any easements that may affect the value. Once notified of the easement, the assessor must attempt to determine if the existence of the easement has any impact on the market value of the parcel. Any change to the value is to be made for the next full taxable year.

Some easements may impose severe restrictions and have a measurable effect on value; others may not have a measurable impact, but may require some recognition by the assessor based upon the principle of substitution.

In the case of private easements, the assessor must also consider if the restriction is self-imposed and/or easily removable. If so, the effect on market value may be negligible, even if the restrictions are severe.

The valuation of conservation easements are described within procedure 14-90-10.