Michigan FOIA Knowledge Center
Michigan Property Assessment and Assessor Records
Assessment files may contain more than the public property card. Field notes, photographs, inspection dates, data changes, and valuation workpapers can explain how the record developed.
Property-specific materials
Request the current and historical property record cards, sketches, measurements, photographs, field notes, inspection records, data-change history, permits reviewed, correspondence, and valuation calculations.
Sales and equalization data
For valuation analysis, request the relevant sales study, comparable sales, land tables, economic condition factors, cost schedules, neighborhood codes, and instructions used for the assessment year.
Electronic data
When examining patterns, request an existing assessment export with parcel, classification, assessed value, taxable value, sale, neighborhood, and property-characteristic fields, excluding personal data not needed.
Look for changes over time
A current property card is only a snapshot. Historical cards, change logs, field notes, photographs, sketches, inspection dates, and permit information can show when a characteristic was added or altered and what evidence supported the change.
When valuation methodology matters, pair the parcel file with the relevant sales study, land table, cost schedule, neighborhood assignment, and assessor instructions. Those materials help distinguish a data-entry issue from a broader valuation choice.
Requester checklist
- Parcel identification
- Historical property cards
- Photos and field notes
- Data-change history
- Sales study/comparables
- Electronic assessment export
Primary sources
External authorities control. Confirm the current statute, decision, policy, and local procedures before relying on them.