FAQs • Santa Cruz County, AZ • CivicEngage

What is the difference between Right of Way and Easement?: In most cases Right of Way (ROW) is fee deeded or taken through a condemnation usually for major roads, and some utility purposes. ROW is removed from the affected properties acreage, and legal description. Some types of ROWs are not actually deeded property, and will not be removed from the acreage or the legal.

Easements only limit the use of the property they describe, and therefore remain in the gross acreage. The Assessor’s Office does not track or note easements for this reason.

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Assessor

1. What is an Affidavit of Affixture?: An Affidavit of Affixture is a document that legally secures personal property to real property.

2. My parent(s) is in a nursing home, can I still file an affidavit?: Yes. A letter from the nursing home (which must be in the State of Arizona) stating that he/she has been a patient and the number of years of residence is needed. Bring a copy of your Power of Attorney with a photo ID of the applicant.

3. How do I report Taxable Personal Property?: File a Personal Property Statement, Form DOR 82520 or an Agricultural Personal Property Statement, Form DOR 82520A, with the County Assessor each year, listing property that has been acquired or disposed of during the year and confirming property items still on the roll. If the Assessor does not mail a business personal property reporting form, it is the owner's responsibility to report his personal property to the Assessor.

These forms are available online.

4. What is my legal class?: The legal class is based on the use of the property. There are 12 different classes. Individual parcels may have more than one use. In this case the parcel will have a "mixed ratio" applied to the total value. Review Chapter 12 Article 1 and Chapter 15 Article 1 for more information.

5. What is the best way to find my property lines and corners?: The best and most accurate way is to have the property surveyed. This is especially critical when erecting fences and building on the property. To find a surveyor, look in the Yellow Pages of your phone book.

6. I recently completed the minor land division process, how do I get Assessor Parcel Numbers for each lot?: The survey required for the minor land division process will not split the property. A recorded deeding action is still required to complete the land division process. The surveyor should have created each lot’s legal description needed for doing this.

7. How do I combine 2 or more contiguous properties into 1 for assessment purposes?: A Combination of Parcels Application is available to download. The Assessor’s Office requires that all parcels be contiguous, the ownership is the same, the vesting is the same, and that they are in the same special districts.

8. How do I find the minimum lot size requirements for my property?: If your property is within an incorporated boundary of a city or town you must contact them. If your property is in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, contact Planning and Development. It is faster and easier if you have your Parcel ID Number before calling. Check your tax bill and/or notice of value for this number. If you need assistance finding your parcel number you can call the Assessor’s Office at 520-375-8030.

9. How do I get an address for my property?: If your property is within an incorporated boundary of a city or town you must contact them. If your property is within unincorporated Santa Cruz County, you must contact Planning and Development to see the requirements for addressing. The Assessor’s Office does not assign addresses to any portion of the county.

10. How do I find out if a parcel of land has legal access?: This is best done through a title search. Any title company will do this for you. The Assessor’s Office does not track easements because they do not affect property size. The Assessor’s Office will not research access to property, however a copy of the parcel history (Alpha Card) may be purchased which sometimes aides in the research.

11. What is the difference between Right of Way and Easement?: In most cases Right of Way (ROW) is fee deeded or taken through a condemnation usually for major roads, and some utility purposes. ROW is removed from the affected properties acreage, and legal description. Some types of ROWs are not actually deeded property, and will not be removed from the acreage or the legal.

Easements only limit the use of the property they describe, and therefore remain in the gross acreage. The Assessor’s Office does not track or note easements for this reason.

13. When are the Notice of Value mailed out?: Usually they are mailed out by the third week in February. But there is no set date.

14. How can I have a better understanding of my Notice of Value?: https://youtu.be/dTbd5htJkdg