GLOSSARY

Profile Page

State Use Class: For assessment purposes, all real property is classified into seven broad classes of real estate established by the Virginia Department of Department of Taxation.

Class 1 Urban Single Family – All parcels devoted to or available for use primarily as place of abode for a single-family housing in a developed or developing area with public water and sewer. This class includes attached and condominium units.

Class 2 Suburban Single Family – Any residential parcel up to 20 acres without public water, public sewer or both.

Class 3 Multi Family – All parcels on which there are one or more dwelling units designed for occupancy by more than one family, generally apartment buildings.                                                      

Class 4 Commercial/Industrial – Any parcel vacant or developed, devoted to or zoned for business, retailing, mining, manufacturing, warehousing, etc.                                                                            

Class 5 Undeveloped/Agriculture 20-99.99 Acres – Any tract, pieces or parcels of land from 20 to 99.99 acres that does not qualify for any of the above classification.

Class 6 Undeveloped/Agriculture 100+ Acres – Any tract, pieces or parcels of land over 99.99 acres that does not qualify for any of the above classification.

Class 7 Exempt – Any parcel designated as exempt either by classification or designation. Parcel(s) can be public or private.

Deactivation Status: Indicates if a parcel is scheduled to be deleted for the next tax year. Generally, the result of a subdivision.

Solar Exemption: Indicates if a dwelling has met the criteria for a tax exemption for certified solar equipment.

Values Page

FM Land – The estimated land value effective January 1^st.

FM Building – The estimated building value effective January 1^st.

FM Total – The estimated land + Building value effective January 1st.

Notice – The estimated total value provided to property owners as the official notice of the assessed value of their real property for local tax purposes.

Landbook – The estimated total value used to generate the tax levy.

Supp/Exon – An adjustment to the value, either negative (exoneration) or positive (supplemental).

 

Land Page

Land Type – The method used to value the land – generally Acre, Square Foot or Base lot (Gross).

Land Code – The code used to apply the valuation model based on the Land Type.

Location Factor – Indicates if an adjustment was applied to the base land value to adjust for positive or negative influences.

Land Use Status Page

Primary Qualifying LU Category – The land use category for which a property is qualified, either Agriculture/Horticulture, Forestry or Open Space.

Reval/Recert Year – Indicates the year that the parcel was recertified for land use assessment.

Reapply Status – Indicates if the parcel is Active or Inactive for use assessment.

Rollback Status – Indicates if the parcel received a roll back assessment.

Permanent Open Space Easement (POSE) – Indicates if the parcel has been placed in a permanent conservation easement.

Sliding Scale Beginning year/expiration – The terms where the owner recorded a commitment to keep the property in its qualifying use for a certain number of years.

Residential Page

Net SFLA (above grade) –  Represents the total square foot living area (SFLA) of the conditioned living space above the basement or foundation.  It does not include unfinished areas, the area occupied by a cathedral ceiling, or other enclosed non-living areas.

Full Bath – Full bathrooms must include at least a sink, shower/tub, and toilet. Counts include basement bathrooms in the total bathroom count.

Half Bath – Half baths include a sink and toilet only.

Cathedral Ceiling/Foyer – Areas of the house where the ceiling spans the height of at least two stories, often referred to as “open to below”.  These areas will be removed from the Net SFLA of the dwelling.

Unfinished Area – Above grade areas of the dwelling that would typically be counted in the Net SFLA but due to the lack of finish the area will be back out of the Net SFLA.  These areas typically have no floor cover, wall cover, ceiling cover, or heat source.

Total Basement Area – The total square footage of the basement, regardless of finish.

Finished Basement Sq Ft – The finished area in the basement level of a house.

 

 

Grade – A measurement of the quality of a dwelling. Grade data points include but are not limited to; building materials, interior finish, exterior finish, floor cover, heating/cooling, fenestration, ceiling height and roof pitch. Residential properties are divided into eleven grade categories with general descriptions:

1.0 – Poor: Properties were built prior to or without regard for modern building codes. Dwellings are often built with rudimentary plans or without plans, utilizing the lowest quality and least expensive building materials available. Inherent functional obsolescence makes these dwellings uncomfortable to live in on a permanent basis.

2.0 – Fair: Properties are generally older dwellings built prior to the adoption of modern building codes. They are usually of simple shape and contain little ornamentation. Building materials are typically below average in quality.

3.0 – Average: Typically, tract subdivision houses. Meet or exceed the requirements of applicable building codes. Standard or modified plans are used, and design includes minimal fenestration and some exterior ornamentation and limited interior refinements.

4.0 – Average +: Typically, tract subdivision houses. Meet or exceed the requirements of applicable building codes. Standard or modified plans are used, and design includes adequate fenestration and exterior ornamentation with some interior refinements.

5.0 – Good: Typically, of higher quality tract developments or designed for an individual owner. Design includes significant exterior ornamentation and interiors that are well finished. Materials and finishes throughout are upgraded beyond stock standards.

5.5 – Good +: Found in higher quality tract developments from individual plans or highly modified or upgraded plans. High quality of workmanship, finishes, appointments, & attention to detail. Materials and finishes throughout are upgraded beyond stock standards.

6.0 – Very Good: Semi-custom or custom design. High quality of workmanship, finishes, appointments, & attention to detail. High quality/grade materials. Substantial ornamentation.

7.0 – Excellent: Custom design & workmanship. Top quality materials. Detailed high-quality exterior ornamentation, high-quality interior refinements, and detail. Workmanship, materials, and finishes throughout the dwelling are of exceptionally high quality.

8.0, 9.0, 10.0 – Luxury: Custom design & workmanship. Top quality materials. Detailed highest-quality exterior ornamentation, highest-quality interior refinements, and detail. Workmanship, materials, and finishes throughout the dwelling are of exceptionally highest quality.

Condition – A measurement of the condition of a dwelling. Describes the condition of the house in comparison to the typical house in the market area.  Interior and exterior maintenance is considered along with dwelling improvements and renovations. Residential properties are divided into six grade categories:

Very Good: There has been both a kitchen and main bathroom remodel within the last twelve year.  A kitchen remodel usually entails new cabinets, appliances, and countertops.  A main bath remodel usually entails new cabinets, countertops, toilet, and tub and/or shower. 

Good: There has been either a kitchen or main bath remodel within the last eight years. A kitchen remodel usually entails new cabinets, appliances, and countertops.  A main bath remodel usually entails new cabinets, countertops, toilet, and tub and/or shower. 

Average +: There has been a kitchen and/or main bath remodel that is in the last stages of condition adjustments. It that will return to average condition the following year if no other updates have been made.

Average: This is the typical condition for a property for its age. This often includes some minor deferred maintenance and physical deterioration due to normal wear and tear. Average condition is also the typical condition of properties within an assessment neighborhood.

Fair: The improvements feature obvious deferred maintenance and are in need of some significant repairs that is atypical for the properties’ age and below what would be considered average condition for the properties’ assessment neighborhood.  The functional utility and overall livability is somewhat diminished due to condition, but the dwelling remains useable and functional as a residence.

Poor: The improvements have substantial damage or deferred maintenance with deficiencies or defects that are severe enough to affect the safety, soundness, or structural integrity of the improvements. The improvements are in need of substantial repairs and rehabilitation, including many or most major components.

 

Detached Structures Page

Structure Type – Provides an abbreviated description of the structure being assessed. If year-built equals 1111, that means the actual year built is unknown. Well and septic are included since they are considered improvements to raw land.