NC Senate Passes One-Year Freeze on 2026 Property Reappraisals

Overview

• North Carolina senators voted 35-8 on Wednesday to send Senate Bill 889 to the House, with seven Democrats joining Republicans in support.
• The bill pauses use of 2026 county reappraisal values for the 2026–27 fiscal year, keeping current values in place before switching to the 2026 numbers in 2027–28.
• A reappraisal updates a property's market value, which can raise tax bills even if a county leaves its tax rate unchanged.
• The pause would apply to nine counties scheduled to revalue in 2026, but a late amendment excludes Clay, Chowan and Pamlico counties.
• County leaders warn the delay could strain 2026–27 budgets now being drafted for July, and a fiscal note projects about $10 million in local revenue loss, while the House advances a separate levy-limit amendment that Democrats call political maneuvering.