Powers of Board members are directed by state law (Revised Code of Washington, RCW 84.48, and Washington Administrative Code, WAC 458-14).

The only way to appeal an Assessor's valuation of your property is by timely filing a complete appeal petition with the County Board of Equalization.  As stated on your "Assessor's Notice of Change of Value," an approved appeal petition must be used.  A letter or phone call is not acceptable as a substitute for the petition form (see RCW 84.40.038).

The deadline for filing an appeal petition is July 1st in each year of the assessment year, or within 30 days of when the "change of value notice" was mailed by the Assessor's Office, whichever date is later.  Example: If your notice was dated 9/1/2004, you would have until 10/1/2004 to file your petition (Board of Equalization decision would be effective for 2005 taxes), or if you failed to meet the deadline, you could appeal the value that your 2006 taxes will be computed upon by filing before 7/1/2005.  This appeal information was included on your Assessor's Notice of Change (see RCW 84.40.038).

According to WAC 458-14-056, your deadline for filing can be extended only under specific circumstances.  If you feel your circumstance falls within these guidelines, you will need to send a request for late filing in letter form to the Pacific County Board of Equalization listing applicable dates, conditions, and possibly locations if you were out of the area, along with a copy of the "Assessor's Notice of Change of Value" and the completed petition.

The petition can be printed from the link below.  Please be sure to sign and date it, then return the petition to Pacific County Board of Equalization, P.O. Box 6, South Bend, WA 98586.   You can not complete the petition on-line and electronically transfer.  Once your petition is received, you will be mailed notification of the date and time your hearing is scheduled.

Hearing Examiners