Search Westland Property Tax Records

Westland property tax records are kept by the City Assessor and are open to the public through the BS&A Online portal. Westland is a Wayne County city with around 81,000 residents located in the western suburbs of Detroit. Residents, buyers, and researchers can use the online portal to search parcel data, assessed values, taxable values, and tax history for any property in the city. This page covers how to search those records, who manages assessments, what exemptions are available, and how to appeal if your value seems too high.

How to Search Westland Property Tax Records

Westland uses the BS&A Online system to provide public access to property tax records. This is the same platform used by most Michigan cities and townships. You can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address. The results display assessed value, taxable value, ownership information, and tax billing history for each parcel within Westland city limits. No account is needed for basic lookups.

Go to the Westland BS&A property tax search portal to begin your search. Enter a name, address, or parcel ID in the search box. The portal returns matching results, and you can click into any parcel to see its full record. This includes current year values and prior year data for comparison. If you are buying a home in Westland, checking the current assessed value and whether the Principal Residence Exemption is on file is a smart first step before making an offer.

The screenshot below shows the BS&A Online portal used by the City of Westland. It is the primary public tool for searching Westland property tax records without a trip to City Hall.

The portal is updated by the city on a regular basis and generally reflects current assessment and billing data.

For records not online or for specific questions, contact the Westland City Assessor's office. Assessing in Westland is handled by WCA Assessing under contract with the city. Call (734) 467-3200 to reach city hall, where staff can direct you to the assessing department. The city hall is at 36601 Ford Road.

Westland City Assessor's Office

The City of Westland Assessor is responsible for valuing all real and personal property within the city each year. Under MCL 211.1, all Michigan property must be assessed annually. Westland contracts its assessing services to WCA Assessing, which handles the day-to-day work of setting parcel values, processing exemption forms, and reviewing transfer affidavits. Assessment notices are mailed each February and show the assessed value and taxable value for each parcel in the city.

When property in Westland is sold, the buyer must file a Property Transfer Affidavit (Form L-4025) with the assessor's office within 45 days of the transfer. This is a state requirement and it triggers the uncapping of taxable value in the following tax year. Missing the deadline results in penalties. If you have recently purchased property in Westland, file the affidavit right away. The city hall on Ford Road is where you submit it, or you can call to ask about mail submission.

Note: Call (734) 467-3200 to confirm current office hours and what to bring before visiting City Hall.

Property Tax Assessment in Westland

All Westland properties are assessed as of December 31 each year under MCL 211.30. The legal standard is 50% of true cash value. The Wayne County Equalization Department reviews Westland's assessments each spring. If the city's overall assessment level falls above or below 50%, the county can apply a corrective multiplier. This review process ensures consistency across Wayne County's many municipalities.

Westland is an older suburban city with a predominantly residential character. Property values have been steady in many neighborhoods, though market conditions vary by area. Long-term owners often have taxable values that are well below their assessed values because the taxable value cap has held growth in check for years. When those properties sell, taxable value uncaps and resets to the assessed value in the following year. Buyers coming from a lower taxable value on the same property can face a meaningful increase in their tax bill. Use the Michigan Property Tax Estimator to understand the likely post-purchase tax amount before you close.

The Michigan Treasury publishes the rules and guidance that Westland's assessors follow when valuing all types of property in the city.

Property Tax Exemptions in Westland

Westland homeowners can apply for exemptions to reduce their property tax. The Principal Residence Exemption is the most valuable for most owners. Under MCL 211.7u, the PRE removes 18 mills from the school operating portion of the tax bill for property owners who live in the home as their primary residence. File Form 2368 with the Westland City Assessor by June 1 each year. The PRE applies to one property at a time. If you move, you must rescind the exemption at the old address and file a new one at the new home.

The Poverty Exemption is available for low-income owners who live in the home they own. Submit Form 5737 and Form 4988 to the assessor. The March Board of Review considers each request based on income, household size, and assets. Westland sets specific income guidelines that must be met. Reach out to the assessor's office at (734) 467-3200 well before March to find out if you may qualify.

Disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can apply for a full property tax exemption under Michigan law. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may also qualify. Contact the Westland City Assessor for specifics on eligibility and required documentation. These exemptions can eliminate the property tax bill entirely for those who qualify.

Appealing Your Westland Assessment

Property owners in Westland who believe their assessed or taxable value is incorrect can appeal. The March Board of Review is the starting point. This board meets each March and hears protests from owners who disagree with their assessment notice. You can appear in person or file a written protest before the deadline. Supporting evidence is key. A recent appraisal, a sale price from the prior year, or documented sales of similar Westland properties that closed for less than your assessed value all help make your case.

If the Board of Review does not correct the issue, you can appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The MTT handles property tax disputes from all Michigan municipalities. For residential homestead property, the filing deadline is July 31. For commercial parcels, it is May 31. Reach the MTT at 517-335-9760. Your rights throughout this process are covered by the Property Taxpayer's Bill of Rights under MCL 205.735. Filing a petition with the MTT is a formal step that keeps your appeal alive while the process continues. Most cases resolve before a formal hearing through negotiation between the owner and the city.

Property Tax Payments in Westland

Westland sends out summer and winter tax bills annually. Summer taxes are generally due in September. Winter taxes come due in February. Pay current-year taxes to the Westland City Treasurer at City Hall on Ford Road. The city may also accept online payments. Check with the city at (734) 467-3200 for current due dates and payment options. Keeping track of both billing cycles is important since missing either can trigger interest charges.

Once taxes become delinquent past the local due dates, they are forwarded to the Wayne County Treasurer. At that point, interest and fees begin to accumulate. Michigan law allows the county to foreclose on properties with three years of unpaid taxes. If you are behind on taxes in Westland, reach out to the Wayne County Treasurer as soon as possible. Payment plans are often available for delinquent accounts, and getting on a plan stops the accrual of additional penalties. Acting quickly when taxes fall behind is always the better path compared to waiting until foreclosure proceedings begin.

Wayne County Property Tax Records

Westland is in Wayne County. County-level property tax resources include the equalization office, Register of Deeds, GIS mapping tools, and the county treasurer. Visit the county page for full details.

View Wayne County Property Tax Records

Nearby Cities

These neighboring Wayne County communities also have property tax records pages with local search tools and assessor contacts.