Law and Other Resources

These general legal resources may be relevant to PAAB proceedings. Although every effort is made to provide links to the most up-to-date versions of documents, you should confirm you are viewing the appropriate document before relying on it. This website does not provide legal advice.

Assessment Law Basics

For a basic explanation of how a property's market value can be determined read the source What You Should Know About Real Estate Valuation.

•  Evidence should comply with the statutory scheme for valuing property under Iowa Law.
• Evidence should address the Grounds for Appeal that you have selected.
• Evidence should focus on the total value of the property.

Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Property 

Typically residential, commercial, and industrial properties are valued based on market value.

• Market value is based on recent, normal, arm's-length sales of the property or comparable properties. 
  • It is often shown using an appraisal, a comparative market analysis (CMA) or normal sales of comparable properties.
  • Comparable sales need to be adjusted for differences to make them similar to the property being appealed.
• Abnormal sales like family sales, foreclosure or forced sales, contract sales, discounted purchase transactions, purchase of adjoining land or other land to be operated as a unit, should not be used unless they can be adjusted.
• If a property's value cannot be readily established using sales, then other factors may be considered.

Agricultural Property

Ag property is assessed based on its productivity and earning capacity. 

Administrative Rules

Administrative rules guide practices and procedures for PAAB and other agencies. 

701-115 PAAB Appeal Rules

701-102 Assessment Practices and Equalization 

• 701-102.1 Classification of Real Estate
• 701-102.20 Boards of Review

Statutory Law

The statutory code sections below generally apply to real property assessment in Iowa, protests before local boards of review, and/or appeals to PAAB. They are found in Iowa Code Title X - Financial Resources. 

• Each appeal is unique, and other provisions of law may also apply.
• Refer to the code sections for the year the appeal was filed.

2024 Iowa Code

421.1A Property Assessment Appeal Board Enabling Statut

Chapter 441 Assessment and Valuation of Property

• 441.21 Actual, Assessed, and Taxable Value
• 441.35 Powers of the Board of Review
• 441.30 Informal Assessment Review Period
• 441.37 Protest of Assessment - Grounds
• 441.37A Appeal of Protest to Property Assessment Appeal Board
• 441.37B Appeal to District Court from Property Assessment Appeal Board
• 441.38 Appeal to District Court
• 441.39 Notice of Assessment Protests and Appeals to Taxing Districts

17A.19 Judicial Review

2023 Iowa Code (Archived)

2002 Iowa Code (Archived)

Other Resources

Iowa Property Tax Overview

Iowa Real Property Appraisal Manual

Iowa Tax Research Library

Iowa Assessors

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