Short answer: Butler County’s 2026 reappraisal raised the median residential value by 18% in both West Chester Township and Liberty Township, compared with 19% countywide. The new values will show up on the property tax bills you pay in 2027. That does not mean your tax bill goes up 18%. Ohio law and several new state laws limit how much of a value increase turns into higher taxes, and the bigger driver of your bill is usually the levies voters approve.
What changed in the 2026 reappraisal?
Ohio requires every county to reappraise all property every six years and to update values at the three-year mark. Butler County’s last full reappraisal was in 2020 and its last update was in 2023, so 2026 is a full reappraisal year. The state approved the county’s new values on June 25, 2026.
According to the Butler County Auditor, the median residential value increase was:
- West Chester Township: 18%
- Liberty Township: 18%
- Butler County overall: 19%, with some communities up 30% or more
“Median” means half of the homes in each township went up more than 18% and half went up less, so your own change could be higher or lower.
When will I see the new value on my tax bill?
The new values apply to tax year 2026, which you pay in 2027. Because Ohio property taxes are paid a year in arrears, the first bill that reflects the new value is the first-half bill due in early 2027. The Auditor is mailing every residential owner a letter with the new value later this year, and the tentative values are already posted in the Auditor’s property search.
Will my property taxes go up 18%?
Almost certainly not. Three things work against a matching increase:
- Tax reduction factors. Under Ohio law, most voted levies are adjusted after a reappraisal so they collect about the same number of dollars as before, even though values went up.
- New state laws. The Ohio Legislature passed several laws that limit how much higher values raise taxes. One of them increases the owner-occupancy credit on your primary residence over the next few years. The Auditor says these laws will prevent the large increases many owners saw after the 2023 update.
- The Auditor’s values run below market. The Auditor reports that its values average about 90% of full market value.
What can raise your bill is new or increased levies. New for tax year 2026 is a countywide 2-mill levy for the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities, which the Auditor says adds about $70 a year for every $100,000 of property value. Any levies that pass on the November ballot would add to that.
To estimate your own bill, use the Auditor’s tax calculator. For more on how taxes, credits and billing work here, see our guide to taxes, utilities and who to call.
What if I think my new value is wrong?
You can appeal to the Butler County Board of Revision. Appeals for the 2026 value can be filed from January through March 31, 2027. The strongest appeals rely on recent sales of similar homes nearby, or on a recent appraisal of your home. The Auditor is also holding town hall forums on the reappraisal, and the schedule will be included in the value letters.
If you want a second opinion before you appeal, we’re happy to pull recent comparable sales for your street at no cost.
What does this mean if I’m buying or selling?
- Buyers: the tax figure on a listing is usually based on the current bill, not the new 2026 value. Budget from the new value and the current rates, and ask us for an estimate on any home you’re considering.
- Sellers: a higher Auditor value is not the same as your home’s market value, which depends on recent sales and today’s competition. See what homes are selling for right now, or get a free home value.
Frequently asked questions
How much did home values go up in West Chester and Liberty Township in the 2026 reappraisal?
The Butler County Auditor reported a median residential value increase of 18% in both West Chester Township and Liberty Township, compared with 19% countywide.
When do the new 2026 property values affect my taxes?
The new values apply to tax year 2026, which Butler County homeowners pay in 2027. The first bill that reflects the new value is the first-half bill due in early 2027.
Will my property taxes go up by the same percentage as my value?
Usually not. Ohio’s tax reduction factors keep most voted levies from collecting more money just because values rise, and new state laws further limit the impact. New levies that voters approve are usually the bigger driver of a higher bill.
How do I appeal my Butler County property value?
File a complaint with the Butler County Board of Revision between January and March 31, 2027. Recent sales of similar nearby homes or a recent appraisal make the strongest case.
Sources: Butler County Auditor, “Residential Values Increasing 19% Countywide”; Butler County Auditor reappraisal schedule; Butler County Auditor. Tax figures are estimates; confirm your own bill with the Auditor.
