What is the Ohio property tax assessment ratio?

Ohio law sets taxable value at 35% of market (true) value statewide, under Ohio Revised Code §5713.03. Your county auditor must use this ratio when calculating your tax bill.

How much is the Ohio Homestead Reduction in 2026?

For tax year 2026, the general Homestead Reduction shields $29,000 of market value for qualifying owners age 65+, totally disabled, or surviving spouses age 59+ with Ohio Adjusted Gross Income under $41,000. The enhanced amount for 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses of public-safety officers killed in the line of duty is $58,000 with no income limit. File DTE Form 105A with your county auditor.

When is the Ohio Board of Revision deadline?

Ohio's statutory Board of Revision (BOR) complaint deadline is March 31 for the prior tax year, per ORC §5715.19. Complaints are filed using DTE Form 1 with your county auditor at no cost. Late filings are rejected except in very narrow clerical-error circumstances.

How much is the Ohio real property conveyance fee?

Ohio's conveyance fee has two parts: a mandatory $1.00 per $1,000 state fee (ORC §319.54(F)(3)) and a permissive county levy of up to $3.00 per $1,000 (ORC §322.02). Most Ohio counties charge the full $4.00 per $1,000. A separate $0.50 transfer fee applies per parcel. Filed using DTE Form 100 at the auditor's office at closing.

Who qualifies for Ohio's CAUV agricultural tax break?

Ohio's Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) program lets actively farmed land be taxed on its agricultural value rather than its market value. Eligibility requires 10+ acres devoted exclusively to commercial agriculture, or smaller parcels with $2,500+ in gross annual income from agriculture. Apply using DTE Form 109 and renew annually with DTE 109A. Removing land from CAUV triggers recoupment of three years of saved taxes under ORC §5713.34.

Story County Auditor Property Search: Records, Tax & GIS

Story County, Iowa · Parcel, ownership, assessment, tax, deed and GIS help

Find Parcels, Values, Taxes & Land Records

Search Story County property records by owner, address or parcel number, then use the result to review ownership, assessment data, aerial imagery, photographs, recent sale information, taxation and mapped property details.

Story County property research is not controlled by one office. This guide explains when to use the Auditor, County Assessor, Ames City Assessor, Treasurer or Recorder and gives the exact next step for corrections, deeds, taxes, credits, maps and assessment appeals.

Read the quick answer Follow property search steps Check 2026–27 taxes

STORY COUNTY PARCEL LEDGER RECORD FLOW ACTIVE

OWNER SEARCH · NAME OR ENTITY

ADDRESS SEARCH · HOUSE + ROAD

PARCEL SEARCH · 10-DIGIT PIN

LOCATE

OWNER
TRANSFER
TAX MAP

PROPERTY
RECORD

ASSESSED
VALUE

TAX +
CREDITS

DEED + GIS
NEXT STEP

Story County has an important Ames exception. The Story County Assessor handles property outside the City of Ames. Property inside Ames is assessed by the Ames City Assessor. The Story County Auditor, Treasurer and Recorder still perform countywide functions, so identifying the correct office is essential.

Quick answer: where should you start?

Start with the county-linked Beacon property search. Search by address, owner information or parcel number, open the matching record and copy the 10-digit parcel ID. Then switch offices only when your task requires assessment help, tax payment, a recorded deed, an address correction or another official action.

1 Find the parcel Use owner, address or parcel information.

2 Verify the record Match the location and parcel number.

3 Identify jurisdiction Ames or Story County Assessor.

4 Finish the task Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder or Assessor.

Ten Story County property facts

Property search Beacon GIS

Parcel ID Unique 10-digit number

Auditor Lucy Martin

Auditor phone 515-382-7210

County Assessor 515-382-7320

Ames Assessor 515-239-5370

Treasurer 515-382-7340

Recorder 515-382-7230

Main county office 900 Sixth St., Nevada

Transfer history Auditor books to about 1860

The official Beacon database can display aerial views, appraisal information, recent sale information, taxation and valuation, ownership, maps and available property photographs. Use original recorded documents for legal or survey questions.

Open official Beacon property search Open Auditor property-record guidance

Choose the property question you need answered

The article is organised around real tasks rather than sending users through a directory of government pages.

Do not call the wrong office

Auditor vs Assessor vs Treasurer vs Recorder

Story County’s property system is split among several public offices. Knowing the difference prevents one of the most common property-search problems: finding the right parcel but asking the wrong office to change it.

Which office controls each Story County property task?
Task	Correct office	What that office does	Important exception
Current ownership and transfer history	Story County Auditor	Maintains ownership records for taxation, transfer books and tax maps.	Use the recorded deed for legal ownership proof.
Market assessment and property characteristics	Story County Assessor	Values property, maintains appraisal information, photographs, sketches and assessment records.	Does not assess property inside Ames.
Assessment inside City of Ames	Ames City Assessor	Values residential, commercial and industrial property inside Ames.	County Auditor still calculates countywide taxable value and tax levies.
Current tax bill and payment	Story County Treasurer	Collects taxes, posts payments, issues receipts and handles delinquency.	Does not determine the assessed value.
Deed, mortgage, lien or survey	Story County Recorder	Records and maintains official real-estate instruments.	Auditor tax descriptions are not substitutes for recorded legal descriptions.
Tax levy and taxable value	Story County Auditor	Applies rollback information, prepares taxable values and certifies levy rates.	Assessment originates with the applicable assessor.

Best workflow: Find the parcel in Beacon → copy the parcel number → determine whether it is inside Ames → contact only the office responsible for the next action.

Exact property-search workflow

Search by owner, address or 10-digit parcel number

Search by owner

Start with the surname or entity name.
Add the first name only if results are too broad.
Try a trust, estate, LLC or former owner when applicable.
Remove punctuation and middle initials if nothing appears.
Verify the physical location before selecting the parcel.

Start broad, then narrow

Search by address

Enter the house number.
Add the main street or road name.
Remove directional words and suffixes when needed.
Leave apartment or unit details out initially.
Use the map for rural property or unusual mailing addresses.

Useful when parcel ID is unknown

Search by parcel ID

Copy the 10-digit number from the tax statement or assessment notice.
Enter the complete parcel number first.
Confirm the mapped location and owner.
Use the same number when calling county offices.
Do not confuse it with township-range information.

Format: XX-XX-XXX-XXX

What the 10-digit parcel number means

Story County describes the parcel number as a unique 10-digit identifier. It may also be called a geo number, map reference number, parcel ID or PIN.

First two digits

Township reference.

Next two digits

Section reference.

Next three digits

Block reference.

Final three digits

Individual parcel reference.

Parcel-number warning: The county says the PIN is different from the Section-Township-Range numbering used in federal land-survey descriptions.

Verify the parcel before relying on it

Open the likely search result Do not rely only on the owner-name result list.

Match the physical property Confirm address, road, municipality or township and map position.

Copy the parcel number Use it as the primary identifier for later county-office questions.

Review appraisal information Check land, buildings, photographs, assessed value and property characteristics.

Review the sale and tax sections Save relevant sale date, price, taxable information and tax statement.

Determine the correct assessment office Use Story County Assessor unless the property is inside the City of Ames.

Open Story County / Ames Beacon

Troubleshooting

No property found? Follow this search order

Owner name returned nothing Search only the surname, then try the trust, company, estate or former owner.

Exact address failed Remove directional letters, road suffixes, punctuation and unit information.

Recently purchased property Search the seller because the deed and public database may update at different times.

New parcel or subdivision Search the parent parcel, developer or previous legal description.

Rural acreage is difficult to locate Search by owner and use GIS to identify adjoining parcels and road location.

Ames address causes confusion Beacon may show the parcel, but assessment questions belong to the Ames City Assessor.

Owner has died The name may remain until an appropriate recorded document changes ownership.

Old parcel number no longer works Contact the Auditor to check for a subdivision, combination or numbering change.

Auditor search-help script “I am trying to identify the parcel at [address or road]. The owner may be [name], and I have [old parcel number, prior owner or legal-description clue]. Can you help me identify the current 10-digit parcel number or determine whether the parcel changed?”

Call Auditor: 515-382-7210

Property-record decoder

Understand the information in a Story County parcel record

Common parcel fields explained
Field	What it tells you	What to do with it
Parcel number	Unique tax-parcel identifier.	Use it in every county-office question.
Owner	Current ownership display used for taxation records.	Verify legal ownership through the recorded deed.
Assessment	Value established by the applicable assessor.	Contact County Assessor or Ames City Assessor depending on location.
Taxable value	Value after applicable rollback and exemptions or credits.	Do not confuse this figure with assessed market value.
Last sale	Recent transfer or sale information available in the system.	Open the Recorder record when the actual deed matters.
Photographs	Images used as part of appraisal records.	Do not assume the image reflects current condition.
Aerial map	Geographic context and approximate parcel position.	Do not use the screen line as a legal boundary.
Tax history	Tax statements and payment-related property information.	Use the Treasurer for the live amount due.

Assessment is not the same as taxable value. The applicable Assessor establishes the assessed value. The County Auditor applies Iowa’s assessment limitation or rollback and applicable credits or exemptions to determine taxable value used for property-tax calculation.

Major local exception

Property inside Ames uses a separate assessor

The Story County Assessor expressly excludes property inside the City of Ames. Ames maintains its own City Assessor, currently responsible for valuing residential, commercial and industrial real property within the city.

Outside City of Ames

Story County Assessor

Wayne Schwickerath

515-382-7320

900 Sixth St., Nevada, IA 50201

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Inside City of Ames

Ames City Assessor

Shari Plagge

515-239-5370

515 Clark Ave., Ames, IA 50010

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Which office answers which Ames question?

Ames property routing
Question	Office
Is the assessed value correct?	Ames City Assessor
What property characteristics are recorded?	Ames City Assessor
What is the taxable value or levy?	Story County Auditor
How do I pay the property tax?	Story County Treasurer
Where is the recorded deed?	Story County Recorder

If the property is inside Ames, use the City Assessor for assessment, appraisal and assessment-appeal questions. Countywide tax collection and recorded land documents remain with Story County.

Open Ames City Assessor Open Story County Assessor

Ownership-history research

Trace property ownership back through transfer records

Story County’s Auditor maintains transfer books with grantor and grantee names, instrument numbers, and book-and-page references for recorded deeds going back to approximately 1860.

Research the chain in the right order

Find the current parcel Save the parcel number, current owner and legal-description clues.

Open the Auditor transfer records Use prior owners and instrument references to trace earlier transfers.

Write down book, page or instrument numbers These references help locate the actual recorded document.

Move to the Recorder Obtain or review the corresponding recorded deed, survey or other legal instrument.

Repeat backward when necessary Use the prior grantor and grantee information to continue the ownership chain.

Do not build a legal chain of title from tax records alone. Transfer books are useful research indexes. The recorded documents themselves control legal land-record research.

Story County links directly to its scanned real-estate transfer records. Use the Auditor record to find historical references, then use the Recorder or Iowa Land Records to inspect recorded instruments.

Search Story County transfer records Open Recorder land-record guidance

Owner and mailing corrections

Fix a mailing address, misspelled name or deceased owner

Change the mailing address

Story County requires a written mailing-address request. The Auditor states that this information cannot be changed over the telephone.

Find every affected parcel number The county form provides space for multiple parcel IDs.

Enter the new mailing information Include owner name, street, city, state, ZIP, phone and email.

Identify your ownership status The form asks whether the signer is a title holder, contract buyer, trustee or other party.

Review Homestead and Military questions A move may affect eligibility for credits tied to occupancy.

Sign the request The owner’s signature is required.

Send it to the Auditor Story County Auditor – Mail Change Form, 900 6th Street, Nevada, IA 50201.

Owner name is misspelled

County data-entry error

The Auditor can correct the entry based on the recorded document.

Error is in the recorded deed

A corrected recorded document is generally needed before the Auditor can change the property record.

Why a deceased person’s name may remain

Story County explains that it often cannot remove a deceased owner’s name without a recorded affidavit, change of title or court-officer deed. In certain life-estate or joint-tenancy situations, different recorded documentation may be used.

Do not simply request deletion of a deceased owner. First ask what recorded document is legally required for the ownership situation.

Open mailing-address form Read Auditor property FAQs

Current tax workflow

Story County property-tax dates, payment fees and receipts

Iowa describes the installments as due September 1 and March 1. Story County begins charging late interest on October 1 and April 1, making September 30 and March 31 the usual last penalty-free payment dates.

2026 first installment Due September 1

Current upcoming installment.

Late interest begins October 1, 2026

Complete online payment by midnight September 30.

Second installment Due March 1, 2027

Second half of the cycle.

Second-half late interest April 1, 2027

March 31 is normally the final no-interest date.

Find the current tax statement

Find the parcel in Beacon Verify the parcel ID and property address.

Open Tax History Locate the desired tax year.

Select Tax Statement/Receipt Story County says the statement can be opened from the right side of the tax-history section.

Check whether a payment has already posted This is especially important when taxes are paid through a mortgage escrow account.

Contact the Treasurer if the balance is unclear Use the parcel number when calling.

Payment options and published service fees

Story County property-tax payment methods
Method	Published fee	Important instruction
Cash in person	No fee	Pay at the Administration Building, 900 6th St., Nevada.
Check	No county payment fee	Make payable to Story County Treasurer.
Online e-check	$0.25 per transaction	Use the county-authorized Iowa Treasurers payment route.
Debit card in person	$2.00 per transaction	Debit cards are not listed as an online method.
Credit card	2.25%	Published for in-person and online payments.
Returned payment	$30 service charge	Verify funds and account details before submitting.

Mail and drop-box instructions

Mail

Story County Treasurer
P.O. Box 498
Nevada, IA 50201

Include the payment stub and use a timely U.S. Postal Service postmark.

After-hours drop box

The drop box is in the window directly east of the Administration Building’s main entrance.

On September 30 and March 31 it is checked at 4:30 p.m.; items placed there afterward may be assessed late interest.

Tax-sale warning: Tax-sale redemptions cannot be paid online. Story County also requires guaranteed or certified funds for certain delinquent taxes from May 1 through the Friday before tax sale.

Treasurer call script “I am calling about parcel [parcel number] at [address]. Can you confirm the current tax statement, amount due, whether a payment has posted, the next penalty date and the approved payment method?”

Review official payment instructions Call Treasurer: 515-382-7340

Tax calculation

Why assessed value and taxable value are different

Property taxes are not calculated by multiplying the Assessor’s market value directly by a levy rate. Iowa applies an assessment-limitation percentage commonly called the rollback.

Assessor establishes assessed value Property is assessed as of January 1.

State certifies rollback percentages The percentage varies by property classification and year.

Auditor applies the rollback This produces taxable value before applicable credits or exemptions.

Credits and exemptions are applied Homestead, military and other programs may affect taxable calculations.

Auditor applies the tax levy Levy rates differ by city or township, school district and other taxing authorities.

Treasurer collects the final tax The payable bill is then collected in two installments.

Planning a purchase or improvement? Story County’s Tax Estimator asks for city or township, school district, property classification, assessed or market value and relevant exemptions or credits before producing an estimate.

Read estimator and rollback instructions Open Property Tax Estimator

Assessment appeal workflow

Challenge an assessment with the correct assessor

The 2026 regular protest period has passed. Story County’s regular informal-review and Board of Review periods occur in April. Use the information below to understand the process and prepare for the next applicable assessment year.

Regular Story County assessment calendar

April 1

Property owners are notified when their assessment changes.

April 2–25

Informal review period with the Assessor.

April 2–30

Formal Board of Review protest period.

May

Board of Review meets and considers petitions.

Build an evidence file before protesting

Parcel number and assessment notice

Property record card

Correct square footage and building facts

Recent arm’s-length sale

Comparable property sales

Photographs showing condition

Repair or damage estimates

Evidence of classification error

Formal Board of Review steps

Determine the correct assessor Ames property uses the Ames process; other Story County property uses the County Assessor.

Review the assessment data Identify the exact value, characteristic or classification you dispute.

Consider informal review first Story County’s published informal-review period is April 2 through April 25.

Use the current petition The formal protest period runs April 2 through April 30.

State a recognized protest reason Support the requested value or correction with specific evidence.

Request an oral hearing when desired The request should be made as part of the petition process.

Keep filing proof A mailed petition must satisfy the applicable deadline and postmark requirement.

Board authority: The Board may confirm the existing assessment, reduce it or increase it. A protest is therefore a valuation proceeding, not an automatic reduction request.

Open Story County appeal instructions Call County Assessor: 515-382-7320 Call Ames Assessor: 515-239-5370

Credits and exemptions

Check Homestead, Military and Family Farm benefits

Common Story County property-tax programs
Program	Key eligibility	Published filing timing	Where to start
Homestead Credit	Iowa resident who owns and occupies the home as a homestead under program requirements.	New claim generally by July 1.	Applicable assessor.
Military Exemption	Qualifying veteran or qualifying reserve/National Guard service.	Published new-application deadline July 1.	Applicable assessor.
Family Farm Credit	Qualifying agricultural land with owner or designated person actively engaged in farming.	July 1 through November 1.	Assessor application.
Agricultural Land Credit	Qualifying agricultural or horticultural property under Iowa rules.	Owner generally does not file an individual claim.	County Auditor determines credit allocation.

Current August 2026 action: The July 1 deadline for new Homestead and Military applications has passed, but the published Family Farm Credit filing period runs through November 1. Qualifying farm owners should review the current requirements now rather than waiting until tax statements arrive.

Homestead Credit basics

The home must qualify as the owner’s Iowa homestead.
The owner generally must occupy the property on July 1 and for at least six months each year.
Military and nursing-home exceptions may apply.
Once approved, the credit generally continues while eligibility remains unchanged.
A sale or change in homestead use should be reported to the assessor.

Family Farm Credit basics

The owner or designated person must satisfy active-farming requirements.
Qualifying agricultural or horticultural land is generally involved.
Story County publishes November 1 as the filing deadline.
A new filing normally is not required every year if ownership and the designated farming person remain unchanged.

Ames property reminder: Credits and exemptions tied to assessment jurisdiction should be filed with the Ames City Assessor when the property is inside Ames.

Review official credits and exemptions

GIS, aerials, floodplain and maps

Use Story County GIS without treating it as a survey

Story County’s interactive mapping resources include Beacon property information, aerial imagery, subdivision documents, ArcGIS applications and downloadable geographic data.

Find the property on the map

Search the parcel first A 10-digit parcel ID is more reliable than a complicated rural address.

Open the map view Confirm that the highlighted parcel matches the property address and ownership record.

Review aerial imagery Use imagery to understand roads, structures, adjoining land and general site context.

Check available geographic layers Use only the layers relevant to the question.

Use recorded documents for legal questions Parcel lines on the GIS display do not establish surveyed corners.

Floodplain check

Story County recommends searching the property address in Beacon and opening the map to compare the parcel with flood-hazard areas. For official floodplain help, the county Floodplain Manager can provide digital or paper flood-hazard maps at no charge.

Floodplain help: Story County Floodplain Manager — 515-382-7245.

County plat and custom maps

The Auditor maintains plat maps, while Story County GIS offers custom printed and digital maps. The county’s property FAQ also notes that countywide E911 maps may be available free in county offices while supplies last.

Boundary warning: Never place a fence, building, driveway, septic component or other improvement solely from a Beacon parcel line. Use the recorded deed, recorded plat or survey and obtain professional boundary work when exact locations matter.

Open Story County maps and GIS resources Review floodplain mapping help

Unincorporated property

Buying land? Check zoning and permits separately

A parcel being visible in Beacon does not mean that a proposed house, barn, deck, fence, business or other use is automatically allowed. Story County states that all unincorporated areas are zoned and permits are required for most structures and changes of use.

Confirm whether the parcel is inside a city or unincorporated county

Check zoning classification

Confirm setbacks before designing a structure

Review floodplain status

Check subdivision restrictions or recorded covenants

Confirm permit requirements before construction

Local land-buyer tip: The county specifically warns that even portable structures may require zoning approval in unincorporated Story County.

Review Story County permit guidance

Recorded land documents

Find deeds, mortgages, liens, surveys and releases

Use the Recorder when the actual recorded document matters. Story County Recorder records deeds, mortgages, releases, leases, land surveys, subdivision plats, financing statements and state or federal tax liens.

Search a deed or other document

Identify the parcel Save the current owner, previous owner, parcel number and sale or transfer date.

Check the Auditor transfer record Look for the instrument number, book and page or prior grantor and grantee.

Open Recorder land-record search Story County states that online land-record searches are available 24 hours a day.

Search Iowa Land Records Registration is free and permits online searching for recorded documents, including deeds.

Verify the legal description Use the full recorded legal description rather than the shortened tax-statement description.

Request a certified copy only when needed Ask the receiving agency, attorney or lender whether certification is required.

Legal-description warning: Story County specifically says the abbreviated legal description found on a tax statement should not be used for a document presented for recording.

Recording-document checklist

Document is legible and reproducible

Original signatures are included

Document is dated and notarized where required

Complete legal description is included

Three-inch top space is available

Preparer name, address and phone are shown

Tax-statement mailing address appears on conveyance

Return address is included

Grantor and grantee names are complete

Required Declaration of Value is prepared

Published Recorder fees

Story County’s currently published recording-fee page
Item	Published amount	Practical note
Many real-estate documents	$5 per page	Additional transaction fees may apply.
Record management	$1 per transaction	Listed on the county fee page.
E-commerce fee	$1 per transaction	Listed for applicable recordings.
Auditor transfer fee	$5 per parcel	Published maximum of $50 for one instrument.
Real-estate certification	$5 plus copy costs	Confirm the current total before ordering.

Fee-page caution: Story County’s published Recorder fee schedule is still labeled “Effective July 1, 2011.” Confirm the current total with the Recorder before presenting a document for recording.

Recorder

Stacie Herridge

515-382-7230

Office hours

Monday–Friday

8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Recording hours

Monday–Friday

8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Open Recorder land-record information Read recording requirements Check published Recorder fees

Special property questions

Answers that are easy to miss in a normal property search

Less-obvious Story County property questions
Question	Correct answer or next step
Where is a cemetery deed?	The Auditor does not maintain cemetery deeds. Contact the cemetery directly.
Where do I get the full legal description?	Auditor can provide deed references; use the Recorder’s recorded deed for the full legal description.
Can I change mailing information by phone?	No. Story County requires its written mailing-address form.
Can Auditor remove a deceased owner immediately?	Usually not without the appropriate recorded document or qualifying proof.
Who maintains drainage-district records?	Story County Auditor maintains drainage-district records and maps.
Can the GIS map prove my boundary?	No. Use original recorded documents and professional survey work when exact boundaries matter.

Phone, address and office hours

Story County property contacts

Call the office that can actually solve the problem
Office	Use it for	Contact	Hours and location
Auditor	Ownership, transfers, parcel IDs, taxable values, levies, plat maps and mailing changes.	Lucy Martin 515-382-7210	900 6th St., Nevada, IA 50201 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Story County Assessor	Assessment, appraisal data, property characteristics, credits and appeals outside Ames.	Wayne Schwickerath 515-382-7320	900 Sixth St., Nevada, IA 50201 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Ames City Assessor	Assessment, property data, credits and appeals for property inside Ames.	Shari Plagge 515-239-5370	515 Clark Ave., Ames, IA 50010 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Treasurer	Tax statements, payments, receipts, delinquency and tax sale.	Ted Rasmusson 515-382-7340	900 Sixth St., Nevada, IA 50201 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. second Tuesday monthly.
Recorder	Deeds, mortgages, liens, surveys, plats and certified recorded documents.	Stacie Herridge 515-382-7230	900 Sixth St., Nevada, IA 50201 Office 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; recording through 3:30 p.m.

Universal property call script “I am calling about parcel [10-digit parcel number] at [address]. I need help with [ownership, assessment, tax payment, deed, mailing change, map, credit or appeal]. The current public record shows [brief fact]. Which office, form or official record should I use next?”

Before you rely on the data

What Story County online records cannot prove

Good uses for Beacon and county records

Identify a parcel
Check ownership display
Review assessed and taxable information
Compare maps and aerial photography
Find recent sales
Locate deed references
Prepare tax and assessment questions

Get stronger verification for

Legal ownership and title
Exact boundary locations
Easement interpretation
Unreleased liens
Zoning or building approval
Purchase and lending decisions
Legal descriptions used for recording

Same-name warning: Never assume that a person owns a specific property merely because the owner name matches. Verify the parcel number, location and recorded land documents where ownership matters.

Ten practical answers

Story County property search FAQs

How do I search Story County Iowa property records?

Use the county-linked Beacon property search. Start with an address, owner name or parcel number, open the matching parcel and verify the location and 10-digit parcel ID before relying on the result.

Does the Story County Assessor handle property inside Ames?

No. The Story County Assessor handles property outside the City of Ames. Property located inside Ames is assessed by the Ames City Assessor, although county offices still perform countywide tax, transfer and recording functions.

What does a Story County parcel number mean?

Story County parcel numbers contain 10 digits and generally follow the Township-Section-Block-Parcel pattern. They may also be called a geo number, map reference number or PIN.

How can I research old ownership in Story County?

The Auditor maintains transfer books containing grantor, grantee, instrument, book and page information going back to about 1860. Recorded deed images and legal instruments should be verified through the Story County Recorder or Iowa Land Records.

How do I change a property mailing address in Story County?

Complete the Story County Request to Change Mailing Address for Real Estate Correspondence and submit it to the Auditor. The county states that a property mailing address cannot be changed by telephone.

When are Story County property taxes due?

The first installment is due September 1 and becomes delinquent October 1. The second installment is due March 1 and becomes delinquent April 1. September 30 and March 31 are therefore the usual last dates to pay without late interest.

How do I challenge a Story County property assessment?

For property outside Ames, an informal assessment review is available April 2 through April 25 and a formal Board of Review protest may be filed April 2 through April 30. Ames properties use the Ames City Assessor and Ames Board of Review process.

Where do I find a Story County deed or mortgage?

Use the Story County Recorder and Iowa Land Records for deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, surveys and other recorded instruments. The Auditor’s tax description should not replace the full recorded legal description.

Are Story County GIS parcel lines legal boundaries?

No. Beacon and GIS maps are valuable research tools, but Story County advises users to rely on original recorded documents for legal and survey questions.

Who do I call about Story County property taxes?

Call the Story County Treasurer at 515-382-7340 for payment and current balance questions. Call the Auditor at 515-382-7210 for ownership records, transfers and tax levy questions, and the appropriate assessor for assessed-value questions.

Information checked August 7, 2026: Property-search resources, Auditor responsibilities, Ames jurisdiction, office contacts, parcel-number format, ownership-history procedures, property-tax dates, payment fees, assessment protest dates, tax credits, Recorder requirements, GIS resources and floodplain guidance were checked against Story County and City of Ames official sources.

Khushboo Bobade

Khushboo Bobade is the editor and digital publisher of CountyAuditors.org. She oversees the research and editorial process for the website, ensuring that information about county auditor offices, property records, and government resources is accurate, verified, and easy for visitors to understand.

Ohio Auditor Tools · Tax Year 2026

10 Ohio Property Tax Calculators & Auditor Tools

Built specifically for Ohio's 35% assessment ratio, current DTE forms, and 2026 Homestead, Owner-Occupancy, CAUV, Conveyance Fee, and Board of Revision rules. Every number reflects verified Ohio Department of Taxation amounts.

Homestead: $29,000 Enhanced Vet: $58,000 OAGI limit: $41,000 Assessment: 35% of market BOR filing: Free · DTE 1

Annual Tax Bill Estimator

OHIO

Applies Ohio's 35% assessment ratio plus your county's effective millage tier — the actual math your auditor uses.

County tier

Your effective rate (%)

Market (appraised) value ($)

Pick a county tier and enter your market value.

Homestead Reduction Calculator

DTE 105A

2026 Ohio Homestead: $29,000 general or $58,000 enhanced (100% disabled vet, KIA spouse). OAGI under $41,000 required for non-veteran applicants.

Exemption type

Home market value ($)

County effective rate (%)

Pick your situation and enter your home value.

Owner-Occupancy & Non-Business Credits

DTE 105C

Every Ohio owner-occupied home qualifies for the 2.5% Owner-Occupancy Credit plus the automatic 10% Non-Business Credit. Most owners don't realize these stack.

Current annual property tax ($)

Enter your annual tax to see both credit amounts.

Conveyance Fee Calculator

ORC 322

When you sell or transfer Ohio property, the auditor collects $1 state + up to $3 county per $1,000, plus $0.50 per parcel. Counties choose their rate.

Sale / consideration price ($)

County fee rate

Number of parcels

Enter sale price and pick your county rate.

CAUV Agricultural Savings

DTE 109

Ohio's Current Agricultural Use Value cuts taxable value dramatically for farmland (10+ acres, or smaller with $2,500+ annual gross income).

Market value of farmland ($)

CAUV value (from auditor) ($)

County effective rate (%)

Enter both market and CAUV values to see savings.

Mill Rate Converter

Ohio tax rates appear three ways on auditor sites: mills, percent, or dollars per $1,000. Convert between them instantly.

Convert from

Value

Enter a rate to see all three forms.

Parcel Number Cleaner

Ohio's 88 counties each format parcels differently — Franklin uses 010-123456-00, Cuyahoga uses 001-23-456, Hamilton uses 100-0001-0001-00. Auto-detects.

Parcel / APN / PIN

Paste any Ohio county parcel to format it.

35% Ratio Sanity Check

Ohio law sets taxable value at 35% of market value. If yours is significantly higher, you're a strong BOR appeal candidate.

Taxable value (from tax bill) ($)

Likely market value ($)

Enter both values to compare against Ohio's 35% target.

BOR Appeal Savings

DTE 1

A successful Board of Revision complaint typically cuts your value 10–20%. Filing is free and stays in effect until the next reappraisal.

Current annual tax ($)

Likely value reduction

Enter your tax bill and reduction estimate.

BOR Deadline Countdown

MAR 31

Ohio's statutory Board of Revision filing deadline is March 31 for the prior tax year. Miss it and you wait until next year — no extensions.

Filing deadline (default March 31)

Set your deadline to start the countdown.

Verify with the official Ohio source

These calculators use the verified 2026 Ohio Department of Taxation amounts and statutory rules. For your exact bill, exemption status, and county-specific deadlines, always confirm with your county auditor and the Ohio Revised Code:

Ohio Dept. of Taxation — Real Property DTE Forms (105A, 105C, 1, 109) ORC 5715 — Board of Revision ORC 5713 — Taxable Real Property ORC 322.02 — Conveyance Fee ORC 319.54(F)(3) — State Fee ORC 5713.30 — CAUV tax.ohio.gov — Main Portal

Estimates use Ohio's 35% statutory assessment ratio and effective tax rate tiers averaged across major Ohio counties. Your actual bill depends on local school levies, voted millage, inside vs. outside millage splits, House Bill 920 reduction factors (HB 920), and special assessments. The 2026 Homestead general amount ($29,000) and enhanced amount ($58,000) reflect HB 187 inflation indexing — your county auditor's office may show slightly different transitional figures. Nothing here is legal or tax advice. CountyAuditors.org is an independent informational directory, not affiliated with any county government.