How To Search for Bellevue Property Records

Bellevue is one of Washington's most desirable cities for homeowners and investors. However, before buying or developing property here, it's important to conduct proper due diligence by reviewing property records. These records provide valuable insight into ownership details, assessed values, tax obligations, zoning classifications, amenities, foreclosures, liens, and other crucial information needed to make informed decisions.

Bellevue property records are public, 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 is a list of useful resources that you can use to search for different types of Bellevue property records.

King County Recorder's Office

The King County Recorder's Office keeps official records of documents that establish real property ownership and transfers in Bellevue, such as deeds, plats, easements, and covenants. You can search for these records online by name, document type, date, parcel ID, and other criteria using the office's Landmark Records Search system. This system can also be used to request certified or uncertified copies of the required records, but account registration is required for this option. You may also request copies of these records by calling (206) 477-6620 (also available for general inquiries) or by visiting the recorder's office at Suite 204, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104.

King County Assessor's Office

The King County Assessor's Office is responsible for identifying and valuing all taxable real property in Bellevue for assessment and taxation purposes. This department is a great resource for comprehensive information on property ownership, legal descriptions, assessed values, property features and characteristics, recent sales data, and much more. You can search for this information online by address, parcel number, or name using the Assessor's eReal Property tool. There is also a separate eSales tool that you can use to get sales data on properties located in Bellevue (and across the rest of the county). If you prefer in-person services, you can visit the assessor's office, located on the 2nd Floor, 201 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104. You can also call (206) 296-7300 for general inquiries and assistance.

King County Treasury Operations Division

The King County Treasury Operations Division manages tax billing, collection, and distribution for the City of Bellevue. You can get tax statements, payment histories, delinquency information, and other tax-related property information online using the division's property taxes search tool. Searches may be done by either tax account or parcel number. If you prefer in-person services, you can visit the treasury operations office at 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104; you can also call them at (206) 263-2890 or send an email to propertytax.customerservice@kingcounty.gov for general inquiries and assistance.

King County Superior Court

The King County Superior Court is the primary resource for property-related legal filings, such as foreclosure actions, lien claims, boundary disputes, and civil judgments. You can view and request copies of these records online using the county's KC Script portal (account registration may be required to access certain services). You can also visit the King County Courthouse at 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, to request records in person. Note that copy fees will apply. You may call the Superior Court Clerk's Office at (206) 296-9300 for inquiries and general assistance.

City of Bellevue Resources

The City of Bellevue provides a map viewer tool on its website that you can use to search for properties within city limits and get information like parcel boundaries and identification, zoning designations, nearby amenities, and permit histories. You can also view aerial imagery and infrastructure like water and sewer lines, parks and trails, and environmental overlays with this tool.

Bellevue property taxes are a critical source of funding for essential local government services, such as schools, police and fire protection, road and infrastructure maintenance, trash collection, parks, and community programs. The King County Assessor's Office is responsible for determining the value of real property in the City of Bellevue for tax purposes, while the County Treasury Operations Division handles tax billing and collection. Property values are established using a combination of comparable sales, cost analysis, and income-based evaluations (for revenue-generating properties). Tax bills are then calculated by applying the city's annual tax rate, which is set by local authorities, to the assessed value of each property.

Tax statements are usually sent out in February. Property taxes are billed in two installments, with the first half due by April 30th and the second half due on October 31st. If these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, then the taxes are due on the next business day. Payments that aren't received by the due date become delinquent and will begin accruing penalties and interest immediately; late charges are calculated monthly until the balance is paid. If you have missed a tax payment, you can use the treasury operations' property taxes search tool to find out the exact amount due (including penalties and interest). If taxes remain delinquent for three years, the foreclosure process will be initiated, and the property may be sold at a public auction to recover the unpaid taxes. You can pay your Bellevue property taxes in many ways, including online, by mail, or in person at the Treasury Operations Office.

Assessments

The King County Assessor's Office conducts annual assessments of properties in the City of Bellevue to establish their market value (the price it would likely sell for in an open and competitive market between a willing buyer and seller). Residential properties are assessed using the sales comparison approach (comparing the property to sales of similar properties) and the cost approach (estimating the cost of replacing the property). Commercial properties are also assessed using these methods, plus the income approach, which involves valuing the property based on the amount of money it is expected to generate for its owner. Properties are assessed at 100% of their "true and fair" value, meaning that a property's taxable value is based on what it would realistically sell for, not a discounted or estimated percentage.

Property owners are usually sent a value notice between May and November, notifying them of changes to the estimated value of their property. This new value will be used to calculate their property tax bill for the next calendar year. If you disagree with the valuation, you may file a petition with the King County Board of Equalization (BOE). This petition must be filed by July 1st of the assessment year or within 60 days from the mailing date on the value notice, whichever is later. Appeals may be filed online or by mail using a real property petition form provided by the assessor's office. You can call the BOE at (206) 477-3400 or the King County Property Tax Advisory at (206) 477-1060 for inquiries and assistance with the petition process.

Appraisals

Bellevue assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. 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 Bellevue, Washington, is 0.71%, lower than both the national median of 1.02% and the Washington state median of 0.88%. However, the city's average annual tax bill is $9,782, which is significantly higher than the national average of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Bellevue's tax rate compares to other counties in Washington:

• Benton County 0.98%
• Clark County 0.92%
• Ferry County 0.93%
• Garfield County 1.09%
• Grant County 1.20%
• Mason County 0.86%
• Pend Oreille County 0.87%
• Pierce County 1.02%
• Snohomish County 0.79%
• Spokane County 0.93%
• Thurston County 0.94%
• Walla Walla County 0.91%
• Yakima County 1.10%

Exemptions

Even though Bellevue's property tax rates are moderate, the city's average annual property bill is usually substantially higher than the national average due to high property values. Fortunately, there are tax relief programs available to eligible residents of the city that can help lessen the tax burden. These include:

• Senior or Disabled Exemption: Provides partial to full reduction in property taxes for qualifying homeowners aged 62 and older or individuals with disabilities (including veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 80%) who meet specific income thresholds.
• Current Use Programs: Provides tax relief for property owners who voluntarily preserve or manage land for specific, pre-approved uses.
• Senior or Disabled Deferral: Allows eligible seniors (60+) and disabled homeowners to postpone payment of property taxes until the property is sold or ownership transfers.
• Limited Income Deferral: This is similar to the senior or disabled deferral but is open to homeowners of any age who meet specific income thresholds and other stipulated requirements.

You can get additional information on available tax relief programs by calling the King County Assessor's Office at (206) 296-3920 (for exemption-related inquiries) or 206-296-7300 (for deferrals). You may also send an email to exemptions.assessments@kingcounty.gov for general inquiries and assistance.

You will need a permit to construct new structures and to alter or repair existing structures or systems (within a building) in Bellevue. These permits are issued by the city's Development Services Department. Cosmetic work and minor repairs, like painting, installing flooring, and replacing cabinets or faucets, are usually exempt from permit requirements. You can apply for permits, upload plans, pay fees, and schedule inspections online using the department's MyBuildingPermit platform (account registration is required for first-time users). In-person services are also available at the department's Permit Center, located at 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004. Note that the city's permitting process is entirely online, so you may still be required to submit a permit application online. You can call (425) 452-6800 or email permits@bellevuewa.gov for general inquiries and assistance.

Common types of permits issued in Bellevue include:

• Building Permits: Required for constructing and renovating, or altering structures.

  • Residential Building Permits: Issued for projects involving one- and two-family dwellings.
  • Commercial Building Permits: Issued for projects involving commercial buildings, including multi-family residential buildings that contain more than two residential units.
  • Demolition Permits: Required to demolish part or all of any permanent structure.

• Trade Permits: Issued for stand-alone work or as part of a construction project. Sometimes, more than one trade permit may be required for a single task.

  • Electrical Permits: Required for installing, altering, or replacing electrical circuits, service panels, and other electrical systems.
  • Mechanical Permits: Required for installing or replacing HVAC equipment and piping or appliances that use natural and other fossil fuels.
  • Plumbing Permits: Required for installing, altering, or replacing water supply, drainage, and other plumbing systems.

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.

Located just east of Seattle across Lake Washington, Bellevue is the state's fifth-largest city and one of the fastest-growing and most prosperous cities in the Pacific Northwest. The tech giant Amazon was famously founded in Bellevue, and several tech and non-tech companies of all sizes are currently headquartered in the city, including T-Mobile US, PACCAR Inc., Valve, and Symetra. The city also boasts attractions like the Bellevue Botanical Garden, the Meydenbauer Center, and Bellevue Square, an upscale shopping center that attracts millions of visitors every year.

Bellevue, Washington, has a population of 151,854 residents. There are 69,039 housing units in the city: 92% of these units are occupied, and 55% are owner-occupied. The city offers a diverse mix of housing options, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, luxury apartments, and waterfront estates. Common housing styles include Traditional Colonial, Craftsman, Mid-Century-Modern, Northwest Modern, and Contemporary. The average home value in Bellevue, WA, is $1,463,126, reflecting a 1.3% increase from previous years. Note that actual home values may vary across neighborhoods. Here are some examples:

• Crossroads $1,066,006
• East Gate $1,313,885
• Factoria $535,158
• Phantom Lake $1,535,481
• Robinswood $1,307,971
• Wilburton $1,341,711
• WoodRidge $1,274,257

The Bellevue, Washington, real estate market is a competitive, seller-friendly market, characterized by strong demand, limited inventory, and premium prices driven by the city's status as a major tech hub and its high quality of life. Homes typically go under contract within 24 days of listing, with over 25% of these homes selling above the listing price.