February 26, 2026 10:25 am
The Douglas County Appraiser’s Office will mail Change of Value Notices for real estate properties for the 2026 tax year on Feb. 27.
The office’s annual market study found overall increases in residential and commercial real estate prices, with roughly 90% of properties seeing an increase from 2025 to 2026. The analysis reviewed more than 2,000 sales, cost data from the Marshall & Swift Valuation Service, and rent and expense information for leased properties. Demand continues to outpace supply in several neighborhoods and property types.
Most residential and commercial parcels in Douglas County will see a 1% to 8% increase in value on the 2026 notice. The study also showed significant price increases for vacant land, ranging from 3% to 20%.
The Kansas Department of Revenue’s Property Valuation Division conducts an annual study of agricultural land. Agricultural values can change due to cropping practices, commodity prices and production costs. For 2026, Douglas County’s median agricultural land value did not change.
The mailed notices will provide information about how to access new features on the property search section of the county website, including comparable sale reports and comparable sale location maps as well as cost reports and an electronic copy of the Change of Value Notice.
Appeal process: Property owners who want to appeal their property valuation must complete the request form on the back of the notice and submit it to the Appraiser’s Office by 5 p.m. Monday, March 30. Forms may be mailed or dropped off at the office in the basement of the historic courthouse at 1100 Massachusetts St. or emailed to appeals@dgcoks.gov.
Information sessions: The Appraiser’s Office will host information sessions that include a presentation about the valuation process, current market trends, property taxes and the appeal process, followed by an opportunity to visit with a staff appraiser. All sessions will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays in March:
• March 9, Lecompton Community Building, 333 Elmore St., Lecompton
• March 16, Baldwin City Library, 800 Seventh St., Baldwin City
• March 23, Eudora City Hall, Commission Chambers, 4 E Seventh St., Eudora
• March 30, Historic courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., second floor, Lawrence
A walk-in session where residents can meet with an appraiser and ask questions about property values will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, on the second floor of the historic courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts, in Lawrence.
For more information, visit the County Appraiser’s website at dgcoks.gov/appraiser.
Contact: Karrey Britt, Communications and Media Coordinator, Media Contact Form