How To Search for Chesapeake Property Records

Chesapeake's blend of suburban charm, waterfront beauty, and business opportunities makes it a desirable market. However, before buying or investing in property, be sure to do your due diligence by checking property records. These records offer a wealth of information, from ownership details and tax assessments to zoning classifications, amenities, foreclosures, liens, and other factors that help make sound investment decisions. Chesapeake property records are public records, meaning that they are available to anyone who wants to view and copy them. The key to a successful search is knowing which office to contact. Below, we've provided a list of resources you can use to find different types of Chesapeake property records.

Chesapeake Real Estate Assessor's Office

The Chesapeake Real Estate Assessor's Office is responsible for identifying, listing, and determining the market value of all real estate properties in the city for tax purposes. This office is a primary resource for property ownership details, assessed values, parcel descriptions, property features and characteristics, recent sales dates, and much more. You can search for this information online by address or parcel number using the city's Property Information tool. You can also get this information in person at the assessor's office, located on the 4th Floor, 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322, or call them at (757)382-6235 for general questions and assistance.

Chesapeake Treasurer's Office

The Chesapeake Treasurer's Office manages property tax billing and collection for Chesapeake. It is a valuable resource for tax-related property records, including tax statements, payment histories, delinquency accounts, and other related information. The treasurer's office offers a Real Estate Tax Information search tool you can use to access some of this information online; however, it is a subscription-based service with several fee tiers based on usage. If you prefer to search for these records in person, you can visit the Treasurer's main office, located at 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322. You can call (757) 382-6281 before your visit for information about their record request procedures or for general inquiries. Questions specifically related to the subscription-based search tool may also be emailed to realestatetax@cityofchesapeake.net.

Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk

The Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk serves as the official custodian of deeds, plats, and other similar records showing property ownership in the city. The clerk's office provides a remote access site that you can use to search for these records online. Note that this site is subscription-based, meaning that you will need to register an account and pay a subscription fee in advance. You also have the option of searching for and requesting copies of these records (for a fee) in person at the clerk's office, located at Suite 300A, 307 Albemarle Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322. You can call (757) 382-3000 before your visit for information about the office's record request procedures or for general inquiries.

Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue

The Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue administers the city's tax relief programs and is a resource for understanding and managing property tax obligations, liabilities, and potential savings. You can contact this office in person at 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322, or call them at (757) 382-6455 for general inquiries and assistance.

Chesapeake Courts

You can find information on property-related legal matters, like foreclosure filings, title disputes, landlord-tenant issues, and civil judgments, through the Chesapeake Circuit and General District Courts. You can use the Virginia Courts Case Information system to search for this information online (by name or case number) or visit the courthouse at 307 Albemarle Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322 to request copies in person. Note that fees may apply. You can call (757) 382-3000 (Circuit Court) or (757) 382-3100 (General District Court) for more information.

Chesapeake GIS Resources

The City of Chesapeake provides a Property QuickSearch tool on its website. This tool, integrated with the city's GIS system, allows users to quickly access basic property information and view interactive maps of real estate within the city.

Chesapeake property taxes fund essential city services, including public schools, police and fire departments, emergency services, parks and recreation, road maintenance, and more. The city's Real Estate Assessor's Office determines the taxable value of each property, while the Treasurer's Office handles tax billing and collection. Property values are determined using a combination of comparable sales, cost, and income-based approaches (for income-generating properties). Tax bills are calculated by multiplying a property's assessed value by the city's tax rate, which is set annually by the Chesapeake City Council.

Chesapeake operates a quarterly property tax billing cycle, with payments due on March 31st, June 5th, September 30th, and December 31st each year. While specific mailing dates may vary slightly, tax bills are typically sent to property owners no later than two weeks before each due date to ensure timely notification. This schedule allows taxpayers to plan for regular installments throughout the year rather than a single annual payment. A one-time 10% penalty is applied immediately to any unpaid balance on the first day after the due date, and interest then begins to accrue on the unpaid tax and penalty at a rate of 10% per annum. The Chesapeake Treasurer's Office offers several methods for paying property taxes, including online via credit card or e-check, by mail, over the phone by calling (844) 382-4426, or in person at any treasurer's office location across the city. If you're having trouble paying your taxes (due to financial difficulties), you can call the treasurer's office at (757) 382-6281 and ask for a collection agent to help you set up a payment plan.

Assessments

The Chesapeake Real Estate Assessor's Office conducts property assessments every year to establish the value of real estate across the city and ensure equitable taxation among all property owners. The assessment process involves on-site inspections, reviewing sales trends, analyzing market data, and applying mass appraisal methods to estimate fair market values. Three primary methods are used to determine a property's value: the market data/comparative sales approach, which compares the property to similar recently sold ones; the cost approach, which estimates value based on construction costs; and the income approach, which evaluates the property's income-earning potential. Properties are assessed at 100% of their estimated fair market value, meaning taxes are calculated based on the full value, not a partial amount or percentage.

Property values are assessed as of January 1st each year, but the taxes for that value aren't billed until the fiscal year starts on July 1st. You will typically receive an assessment notice in March, indicating your property's assessed value and classification. If you disagree with the assessment, you can request an administrative review with the assessor's office. If the issue remains unresolved, you can file a formal appeal with the city's Board of Equalization. Administrative reviews may be requested at any time, but official appeals must be filed between March 1st and April 1st. You can call the assessor's office at (757) 382-6235 for inquiries and assistance with administrative reviews and appeals.

Appraisals

Chesapeake assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair value of property by comparing it with similar properties that have recently sold in the local area. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

The median effective property tax rate in Chesapeake, Virginia, is 0.92%, lower than the national median of 1.02% but slightly above the Virginia state median of 0.89%. However, the city's average annual tax bill is $3,086, $686 above the national average of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Chesapeake's tax rate compares to other counties in Virginia:

• Arlington County 1.03%
• Chesterfield County 0.92%
• Fairfax County 1.14%
• Fauquier County 0.91%
• Henrico County 0.85%
• Loudon County 0.88%
• Prince George County 0.76%
• Prince William County 1.04%
• Tazewell County 0.58%
• Warren County 0.49%
• York County 0.77%

Exemptions

Even though Chesapeake's property tax rate is lower than the national median, actual tax bills tend to be higher, and some residents may find it difficult to meet their tax obligations. Thankfully, the city offers several tax relief programs designed to lessen the burden for eligible homeowners. These include:

• Real Estate Tax Relief Program: Offers partial or complete exemption from property taxes for homeowners aged 65 or older, or those with permanent disabilities, who meet specific income and net worth requirements.
• Surviving Spouse Tax Exemption: Offers property tax relief to surviving spouses of service members or first responders killed in action/in the line of duty.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Provides a full property tax exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability. Surviving spouses may also qualify.

You can contact the Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue's Office at (757) 382-6455 for additional details or assistance with applying for an exemption.

Permits are required for construction, renovation, demolition, and repair projects in Chesapeake. These permits are issued by the city's Development and Permits Department. Exceptions are usually made for cosmetic work and minor repairs that do not alter a building's structure or systems, such as painting, installing flooring, and replacing receptacles and faucets. You can apply for permits, upload required documents, schedule inspections, and pay associated fees online through the city's eBUILD system. Note that you will need to register an account to use this system. You may also visit the development and permit department's office at 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322 for in-person services, or call (757) 382-6018 for general inquiries and assistance.

Common types of permits issued in Chesapeake include:

• Building Permits: Required for constructing, altering, or repairing any structure (residential or commercial).
• Driveway Permits: Required for installing, modifying, or connecting a driveway to a public street or right-of-way.
• Electrical Permits: Required for installing or modifying electrical wiring, panels, or systems.
• Fire Protection or Hazardous Materials System Permits: Required for installing or modifying fire suppression systems or systems involving hazardous materials.
• Gas Permits: Required for installing or altering gas lines, appliances, or related systems.
• Mechanical Permits: Required for work on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
• Plumbing Permits: Required for installing or modifying water, sewer, or drainage systems in a building.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Chesapeake is Virginia's second-largest city and a part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. The city is known for its mix of suburban living and natural beauty, boasting attractions like Chesapeake Arboretum, Oak Grove Lake Park, and the Dismal Swamp Canal (the oldest continually operating man-made canal in the country).

Chesapeake, Virginia, has a population of 249,422 residents. There are 98,231 housing units in the city: 96% are occupied, and 75% are owner-occupied. The city offers a wide range of housing options, including single-family homes, townhomes, condos, apartments, manufactured homes, and waterfront properties. Common housing styles include Craftsman, Georgian, Hampton Style, Farmhouse, Modern Contemporary, and Transitional. The average home value in Chesapeake, VA, is $412,202, up 3.1% from previous years. Keep in mind that home values may vary across neighborhoods. Here are some examples:

• Deep Creek South $495,794
• Great Bridge $507,633
• Greenbrier East $432,122
• Greenbrier West $355,138
• Pleasant Grove West $645,336
• South Norfolk $291,506

The Chesapeake, Virginia, real estate market is moderately competitive and seller-friendly. Home prices have appreciated year over year, and homes typically go under contract within 27 days of listing, with approximately 41% selling above the listing price.