Washoe County Property Search
Washoe County property records constitute all documents and information concerning public, private, and commercial properties in Washoe County. Property records typically include real estate valuation information, deeds, mortgage records, lien and encumbrance, federal and state taxes, sales and transfer records, and assessment data.
The public nature of property records in Washoe County fosters transparency in property sale transactions and ownership. Government agencies use property records to access and value properties as well as estimate and calculate tax rates. Listing and documenting property information that is publicly accessible protects the rights of property owners. It also serves as a repository for potential homeowners to find accurate information on the properties they intend to purchase.
The Washoe County Recorder and the Washoe County Assessor’s Office are the custodians of Washoe County Public Records including property records. They record, manage, transfer, and dispense property documents and records within the county’s jurisdiction. In order to create legal proof of ownership, residents must submit property-related documents in the required format to the County Recorder’s office.
Are Washoe County Property Records Public?
Yes. Washoe County property records are publically accessible documents. The Nevada Public Records Act (NPRA), as codified in Chapter 239 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, guarantees the right of the general public to inspect and make copies of government records, whether it be state, federal, or county city books or records.
Under the NPRA, public bodies must not deny requesters access to public records unless designated to confidentiality and not subject to public disclosure. The law puts these exceptions in place to balance the citizens' rights to security and privacy of personal information with the public interest. Common examples of property records that are exempt from public disclosure include:
- Personal Information (mobile or home numbers, email address, financial information, social security numbers)
- Wills
- Property records that are key to divorce cases
- Blueprints, floor plans, or other sensitive records that can pose a security risk.
What Do Washoe County Property Records Contain?
Property records often contain information on property ownership, change and transfer of title, sales history, and the legal descriptions and features of the property. Below are the documents and other details individuals should find in a property record maintained by the Washoe County’s Assessor's Office and the County Recorder:
- Names of the Primary and Secondary Owner
- Grantor and Grantee information
- Property Address
- Mail Address
- Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
- Parcel Information
- Tax District
- Building and land characteristics ( Number of stories, year built, features, heating system, quality, building type, number of units)
- Size of the property(square feet and acres)
- Legal Description of the Land
- Valuation Information (Taxable land value, taxable total, assessed land value)
- Sale and Transfer Records
- Grant, Bargain, Sale Deed
- Declaration of Value
- Deed of Trust
- Deed of Full Reconveyance
- Declaration of Homestead
- Tax Report and History
- Assessment Data
- Parcel Map
- Zoning and Planning Records.
Where to Perform a Washoe County Property Lookup
Looking up property records in Washoe County involves scouting for ownership information, tax records, appraisal reports, and publicly available government resources. Residents of Washoe County can find information on properties through the following platforms:
- The Washoe County Assessor's Office
- The Washoe County Recorder
- The Office of the Washoe County Treasurer (for tax records)
- Third-party aggregate sites
The Washoe County Assessor’s Office is open to the general public from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday through Friday. The Assessor’s Office is available to receive in-person requests, as well as email, fax, and post mail. The County Assessor cannot deny anyone access to property records unless it is exempt from public disclosure.
Furthermore, the Washoe County Assessor's Office has an online search platform where requesters can search for real personal property records by owner’s name, address, account number, and APN. In addition, researchers can access a broader range of property data like sales reports, county-wide assessment data, business property, assessment listings, aircraft, and mobile homes.
The Washoe County Recorder records property information relating to ownership, sales, and property transfer. Interested persons can search through and order copies of Washoe County Recorder’s Office official records via their online ordering system. Requesters can view and order digital or paper (physical) copies of the property records. Paper records will be mailed to the requester with the US Mail within seven to ten days.
While viewing documents online is free, requesting copies is a paid service. The fee for public records requests is $0.05 per page, plus postage and additional costs incurred in filing the request. The acceptable modes of payment are cash, check, or money order payable to Washoe County. Also, it must include the ID number of the request being paid for.
Furthermore, if the researcher is unable to find the document they need online, they should visit the recorder’s office to search in person.
Washoe County Recorder's Office
1001 East 9th Street
Building A, Suite 140
Reno, NV 89512
Phone: (775) 328-3660
Email: recordmar@washoecounty.us
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in Washoe County
Interested Persons can perform a property owner lookup on the Assessor’s Office website. The Washoe County Assessor's Office has a Personal Property Data Search tool, which is free and publically available. Searchers may use the following search criteria - Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN), name, address, and account number. Individuals may also request ownership information at the Washoe County Assessor's Office or the County Recorder’s Office.
How to Find Washoe County Property Records Online
In Washoe County, residents can conduct property record searches free of charge on the County Assessor and Recorder Office online property data repository. The County Recorder’s Office primarily records and indexes documents on real property transactions like deeds, deeds of trust, assignments of deeds of trust, and deeds of reconveyance.
Researchers can also employ third-party public record websites to search for property records. Although most of these independent websites provide free property information, a handful offer paid subscriptions or one-time payment services. However, information on third-party sites may not be as accurate as government resources.
How to Find Property Owner by Address for Free
The Assessor's Office Personal Property Data Search site allows searchers to find property owner information using the site address. Here is a quick guide: Go on the property data website, opt for “search by address,” type the street name or number, and click on search. The search result will include the name of the primary and secondary owner, DBA name (Doing Business as), property address, mail address, and property information.
Washoe County Property Tax Lookup
In Washoe County, taxpayers and other residents direct tax-related inquiries to the Office of the Washoe County Treasurer. The County Treasurer’s office provides information on tax rates, taxes payable, taxes due, suitable tax payment methods, delinquents, tax auctions, installments, due dates, and property appraisal reports. Residents may also contact the Washoe County Treasurer’s Office for more tax information. Visitors must ensure to schedule their calls or visits within office hours (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).
Washoe County Treasurer’s Office
1001 East 9th Street
Room D140
Reno, NV 89512-2845
Email: tax@washoecounty.gov
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 30039
Reno, NV 89520-3039
Phone: (775) 328-2510
Fax: (775) 328-2500
How to Find Washoe County Property Appraiser
Residents of Washoe County can find a property appraiser online on the Washoe County Directory. Visit the website and enter “appraiser” in the search box. This action will unroll a list of appraisers that work with the Assessor's Office. Researchers may visit the county assessor's office or call the Washoe County Real Property Appraisal hotline for requests and other inquiries. The office and phone hours are open from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., from Monday to Friday except on National holidays.
Washoe County Real Property Appraisal
Phone: (775) 328-2233
Fax: (775) 328-3643
Alternatively, persons needing a property appraiser may search the license verification tool maintained by the Nevada Real Estate Division. Property Appraisers in Washoe County provide commercial property and real property assessment and other services, including:
- Assessing and valuing property for tax purposes
- Writing reports
- Site Inspection
- Insurance Claim Assessments
- Preparing properties for development or redevelopment
- Updating property records(legal descriptions, pictures of the property, survey, land improvements)
- Deed, transfer, and change in ownership verification.
Washoe County Property Assessor
The principal function of the Washoe County Assessor's Office is to discover, make inventory of, access, appraise, and assign fair value to all real estate and personal property in the county. The Assessor’s offers the following services to residents and property owners in the Washoe County:
- Estimate and assign the taxable value for all real property subject to taxation annually
- Reappraise all real property at least once in five years
- Send assessment notice to property owners to inform them of the assessed value of the property for tax purposes
- Respond to queries and resolve errors in tax value assessments
- Record personal property declarations and building improvements.
Researchers and other interested persons can reach out to or visit the Washoe County Assessor's Office with the contact information provided below:
Washoe County Assessor Office
1001 East Ninth Street
Reno, NV 89512
Email: exemptions@washoecounty.gov
Phone: (775) 328-2003
Administration
Phone: (775) 328-2200
Fax: (775) 328-3641
Real Property Record Information/Exemptions
Phone: (775) 328-2277
Personal Property
Phone: (775) 328-2213
Fax: (775) 328-3642
