Lancaster County, Pennsylvania recently announced it will be conducting a county-wide reassessment for the 2027 tax year. The reassessment will be conducted by Certified Pennsylvania Evaluators (CPE) that the county employs on a full-time basis.
Lancaster County property owners can expect to receive notices with their new 2027 assessed values in June 2026. Pennsylvania statute requires reassessments to be revenue-neutral on a county level, so the millage rates will decrease in conjunction with the increase in assessed values. By Pennsylvania statute, millage rates must be lowered in a reassessment year. The taxing jurisdictions (i.e., county, municipality, and school districts) cannot collect more taxes than they did the previous year as a result of the reassessment.
However, a taxing district may then, by a separate vote, choose to adjust their millage rate if they need to collect additional taxes. The law caps the additional taxes at 10% of the total amount collected the previous tax year.
Despite the reassessment being revenue-neutral on a county-wide basis, some properties will see an increase in real estate taxes as a result of the reassessment, while others will see their taxes decrease. There will be a 40-day appeal window from the mailing date of the new value notice following the reassessment, in addition to the regularly scheduled annual appeal deadline of August 1 for Lancaster County. The last county-wide reassessment for Lancaster County was effective January 1, 2018.
Why Ryan?
Ryan’s Pennsylvania property tax experts bring a deep understanding of Lancaster County’s unique tax landscape. We proactively support property owners across the county with tailored tax mitigation strategies that address both current reassessments and future liabilities. With years of experience in every township and borough within Lancaster County, our team knows how to navigate local regulations and maximize available tax abatement programs. We ensure our clients—from agricultural operations to industrial facilities and commercial properties—never overpay, helping them stay competitive and financially resilient in the local market.
Please contact our Ryan tax professionals listed below for more information on the Lancaster County reassessment and how it may affect your property.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Kurt Lieberman
Principal
Ryan
215.817.7528
kurt.lieberman@ryan.com
Stephane Hardinger
Senior Consultant
Ryan
610.955.9021
stephane.hardinger@ryan.com
The material presented in this communication is intended to provide general information only and should solely be seen as broad guidance and not directed to the particular facts or circumstances of any individual who may read this publication. No liability is accepted for acts or omissions taken in reliance upon the content of this piece. Before taking (or not taking) any action, readers should seek professional advice specific to their situation from Ryan, LLC or other tax professionals. For additional information about this topic, please contact us at info@ryan.com.