Franklin County's 2026 Property Value Update: What Homeowners Need to Know Before Values Are Final

Franklin County's 2026 Property Value Update: What Homeowners Need to Know Before Values Are Final

Every three years, Ohio law requires county auditors to update the value of every property to reflect the market. Franklin County's 2026 Triennial Property Value Update is in its final stretch: tentative values were posted and mailed in June, informal review sessions ran from July through September, and values will be finalized in December 2026.


If you own a home in Franklin County, including Upper Arlington, Grandview, Worthington, Clintonville, Hilliard, and most of Dublin, here is what the update means for you.



How the Update Works


  • Certified appraisers set values using recent arm's-length sales, meaning sales between independent buyers and sellers.
  • Your property taxes are based on 35% of the auditor's appraised value, combined with the tax rates of your local taxing districts.
  • According to the auditor's office, homeowners will see any resulting changes on their tax bills in 2027.



Does a Higher Value Mean Higher Taxes?


The auditor's office answers this one honestly: maybe. Most of your tax bill comes from levies approved by voters, and under Ohio law, voted levies generally do not automatically collect more money just because property values rise. Tax reduction factors adjust the effective rates downward to offset much of the increase.


That said, some portions of the bill can still rise with value, and your share of the total can shift if your home's value rose faster than others in your district. So a value increase does not translate directly into the same percentage increase in your taxes, but it can still raise your bill.



What to Do If You Think Your Value Is Wrong


  • Check your value. Look up your property on the Franklin County Auditor's website and compare it with recent sales of similar homes nearby.
  • File with the Board of Revision. The informal review window has closed, but the Franklin County Board of Revision is accepting tax year 2026 complaints through March 31, 2027.
  • Bring evidence. The Board suggests documents such as settlement statements, purchase contracts, and appraisals. A recent purchase price or a professional appraisal is usually the strongest evidence.
  • Know the process. Hearings are generally held by Zoom, some cases go to mediation, and the Board decides values, not tax amounts. Its decisions can be appealed within 30 days to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals or the Court of Common Pleas.



When an Appeal Makes Sense, and When It May Not


  • It may make sense if you bought recently for less than the new value, or if your home has condition issues that comparable sales do not reflect.
  • It may not make sense if your value is in line with recent sales. A lower value also means a lower official number on record.
  • Remember that school boards and other parties can also file complaints, including ones seeking a higher value.



Why This Matters Even If You Are Not Selling


Your appraised value drives your tax bill for the next several years, until the next reappraisal. If you plan to sell, buyers will also look at your property tax amount when calculating their monthly payment, so an accurate value matters on both sides of a sale.



Bottom Line


Franklin County's 2026 property values will be finalized in December, with any tax changes appearing on 2027 bills. A higher value does not mean an equal jump in taxes, thanks to Ohio's tax reduction factors. If you believe your value is too high, gather recent sales or an appraisal and file with the Board of Revision by March 31, 2027.



Margaret Lipp | REMAX Premier Choice

Serving Upper Arlington, Dublin, Worthington, Clintonville, Hilliard, Powell, Grandview, and all Central Ohio communities



Sources: Franklin County Auditor's Office, 2026 Triennial Guide and Board of Revision pages; Franklin County news bulletin, January 15, 2026; NBC4/WCMH, January 19, 2026. This post covers Franklin County only and is general information, not legal or tax advice. Contact the Franklin County Auditor or a qualified professional about your property.

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Margaret Lipp.

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