Ohio Administrative Code
Title 5703 - Department of Taxation
Chapter 5703-25 - Equalization - Appraisals
Section 5703-25-06 - Equalization procedures

(A) "True value in money" will be determined, in the first instance, by the county auditor as the assessor of real property in the county on consideration of all facts tending to indicate the current or fair market value of the fee simple estate, as if unencumbered of property including, but not limited to, the physical nature and construction of the property, its adaptation and availability for the purpose for which it was acquired or constructed or for the purpose for which it is or may be used, its actual cost, the method and terms of financing its acquisition, its value as indicated by reproduction cost less physical depreciation and all forms of obsolescence if any, its replacement cost, and its rental income-producing capacity, if any. The auditor will likewise take into consideration the location of the property and the fair market value of similar properties in the same locality.

(B) At least once each six-year period the county auditor of each county, in conformity with the provisions of section 5713.01 of the Revised Code, will view and appraise each parcel of real property and the improvements thereon in the county and this appraisal will reflect the one hundred per cent true value in money of each parcel appraised, and the auditor will place each parcel of real property on the tax duplicate at its "taxable value" which is thirty-five per cent of its true value in money.

(C) In the update year the county auditor will determine whether each parcel of real property and the improvements thereon is appraised at its true value in money, as defined in paragraph (A) of rule 5705-25-05 of the Administrative Code, as of tax lien date of said year. If the auditor finds that there has been either an increase or decrease in value, the auditor will adjust the tax records to show the true value in money of each parcel and the improvements thereon as well as the "taxable value" thereof, which "taxable value" will be thirty-five per cent of the true value in money thereof as redetermined by the county auditor as of tax lien date.

(D) In making this triennial update of the true value in money and the "taxable value" of each parcel of real property, the county auditor will be guided by sales of comparable property for a like use; the sales ratio and other related studies compiled by the tax commissioner for the three calendar years immediately preceding the update year; by the increase or decrease in current building costs and changes in construction technique both after the proper application of depreciation and obsolescence; by the increase or decrease in the net rental income, expenses, and services for comparable property since the year in which the preceding sexennial reappraisal had been completed; and such other indications of increase or decrease in value as may be pertinent, such as test or sample appraisals on a current basis, where sales of real property are limited or in question.

(E) In implementing any increase or decrease in valuation of real property pursuant to this rule or ordered by the tax commissioner pursuant to section 5715.24 of the Revised Code, the county auditor will, when practicable, increase or decrease the taxable valuation of parcels in accordance with actual changes in valuation of real property which occur in different subdivisions, neighborhoods, or among classes of real property in the county. The auditor may increase or decrease the true or taxable value of any lot or parcel of real estate in any township, municipal corporation, or other taxing district by an amount which will cause all real property on the tax list to be valued as required by law, or the auditor may increase or decrease the aggregate value of all real property, or any class of real property, in the county, township, municipal corporation, or other taxing district, or in any ward or other division of a municipal corporation by a per cent or amount which will cause all property to be properly valued and assessed for taxation in accordance with section 36, Article II and section 2, Article XII, Ohio Constitution, and sections 5713.03 and 5715.01 of the Revised Code, and this rule.

(F) In determining the true value in the year of the sexennial reappraisal or update year of any tract, lot, or parcel of real estate if such tract, lot or parcel has been the subject of an arm's length sale between a willing seller and a willing buyer within a reasonable length of time, either before or after the tax lien date, the auditor may consider the sale price of such tract, lot, or parcel to be the true value for taxation purposes. However, the sale price in an arm's length transaction between a willing seller and a willing buyer will not be considered the true value of the property sold if subsequent to the sale:

(G) The lien for taxes attaches to all real property on the first day of January. If a building, structure, fixture or other improvement to land is under construction on January first of any year, its valuation will be based upon its value or percentage of completion as it existed on January first.

(H) When the county auditor revalues real property, notifications of the change in value will be made as provided in section 5713.01 of the Revised Code.