Chelan County Assessor

Real Property

Real property includes land, improvements to land, structures, and certain equipment affixed to structures. Characteristics of real property that influence the value include but are not limited to zoning, location, view, geographic features, easements, covenants, and the condition of surrounding properties.

State law requires that County Assessors value all taxable property at 100% of its true and fair market value in terms of money, according to the highest and best use of the property.   That means that the Assessor must first know what similar properties are selling for and what it would cost to replace it.  There are three basic approaches to the valuation of real property:

  1. Market or sales approach:  Comparison of a property with the characteristics of similar properties that have recently been sold.
  2. Cost approach:  Estimate of the replacement cost of a structure, and adjusting that estimated value to account for depreciation and obsolescence.
  3. Income approach:  For Commercial/industrial property; an analysis of a property’s value based on its capacity to generate revenue for the owner.
Fair market value is the amount that a willing and unobligated buyer is willing to pay a willing and unobligated seller.  In other words, it is the price most people would pay for your property in its present condition.  The Assessor does not create the fair market value nor does one sale within a neighborhood or area create the fair market value.  Multiple sales of comparable properties within a neighborhood or area are used to establish the fair market value for that area.  By law, our office is required to use sale data from 2016 to set the fair market value for your property’s 2017 assessed value which was set on January 1, 2017.

Posted: 12/09/2014 02:03 PM
Last Updated: 11/15/2018 05:11 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 12
    Sep 2026
    10:00 AM - 03:00 PM

    Cashmere Airport Day

    Posted by: Board Of County Commissioners

    Come for the food, the fun and the airplanes! A casual day to explore your local county airport.

    Cashmere Airport
  • 10
    Sep 2026
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

    Chelan County Fair 2026

    Posted by: Chelan County Expo Center

    The Chelan County Fair exists to provide a family event reflecting the past, showcasing current accomplishments and looking to the future of the county's best resources - its youth, agriculture and communities.

    Chelan County Expo Center
  • 05
    Sep 2026
    09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

    Monthly Drop-Off Saturday - Sept. 5, 2026

    Posted by: Solid Waste Management

    Drop-Off Saturday at the Moderate Risk Waste Facility is Sept. 5

    Moderate Risk Waste Facility
  • 18
    Aug 2026
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 18
    Aug 2026
    01:30 PM - 02:00 PM

    Public Meeting: Certify Election

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office