Access Clinton County Property Tax Records

Clinton County property tax records are managed by the Equalization Department in St. Johns, Michigan. Located just north of Lansing, Clinton County is growing fast and has a mix of residential, agricultural, and commercial parcels. You can search Clinton County property tax records online using the county's BS&A portal and GIS mapping tools. This page explains how to access parcel data, which offices maintain the records, and what to do if you need to appeal an assessment or file for an exemption.

How to Search Clinton County Property Tax Records

Clinton County provides two strong online tools for searching property tax records. The BS&A Online portal is the primary database for parcel assessments and tax history. The county's GIS mapping system lets you search by location on an interactive map. Both are free to use and cover all parcels in the county, from township subdivisions to farmland and commercial properties.

Visit the Clinton County BS&A Online portal to search by owner name, address, or parcel ID. The results page shows assessed value, taxable value, property class, school district, active exemptions, and several years of tax history. This data comes directly from local assessing offices in each of the county's townships and cities. It is updated regularly throughout the year as assessors make changes.

The screenshot below shows the BS&A portal for Clinton County property tax records. This is the primary access point for online parcel data in the county. Use the Clinton County property tax search portal to look up any parcel.

For a map-based search, the Clinton County GIS Mapping portal lets you navigate visually to any area of the county. Click on a parcel to see its basic information including parcel number, owner, and assessed value. This is especially helpful for new subdivisions or rural areas where street addresses may not be fully standardized yet.

Clinton County is one of the faster-growing counties in mid-Michigan. New construction and subdivision development have been active in recent years, which means parcel records may change more frequently here than in slower-growth counties. Both the BS&A portal and GIS system are good tools for staying current on parcel data in this market.

Note: Contact Scott A. Morrell at the Equalization Department (989-224-5170) if you need help locating a parcel or have questions about what the data shows.

Clinton County Equalization Department

The Clinton County Equalization Department reviews and equalizes property assessments across all local units in the county. Scott A. Morrell serves as Equalization Director. His department's role is defined by MCL 211.1 et seq., which requires all property to be assessed at 50% of true cash value. The Equalization Director studies local assessments, identifies units that are above or below the standard, and applies adjustments to bring them into compliance before the state equalizes county values each spring.

The department also manages the parcel database that underlies both the BS&A portal and the county GIS system. With Clinton County's growth in residential development, the database is updated frequently as new parcels are created through splits, combinations, and new plats. For questions about your parcel's classification, how your value was set, or whether your property has been correctly mapped, the Equalization Department is a good starting point.

Clinton County Register of Deeds

The Clinton County Register of Deeds records all real property documents in the county. Kim R. Thomas serves as Register of Deeds. Her office is at 100 E. State St. in St. Johns and can be reached at 989-224-5270. The Register records deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other instruments that affect title to real property in Clinton County.

Buyers in Clinton County must file a Property Transfer Affidavit (Form L-4025) with the local city or township assessor within 45 days of a property sale. This notifies the assessor of the transfer and triggers an uncapping of taxable value for the following assessment year. In a growing county like Clinton, where many properties have sold at elevated prices in recent years, this reset can cause a meaningful jump in the first-year tax bill. Standard recording fees in Michigan are $30 per document. Copies cost $1 per page, and certified copies are $5 each.

With active development in Clinton County, the Register of Deeds has frequent new recordings. If you are researching the chain of title on a recently subdivided lot or a newly platted development, the Register's office can provide the most current deed and plat information. Staff can help you search the indexes and make copies of relevant documents.

Property Tax Assessment in Clinton County

All Clinton County properties are assessed as of December 31 each year under MCL 211.30. Local township and city assessors set each parcel's assessed value at 50% of true cash value. The Clinton County Equalization Department then reviews all local units and applies equalization factors where needed to ensure the county meets the state's standard before state taxes are calculated.

Clinton County's proximity to Lansing and its suburban growth have put upward pressure on home values in recent years. Michigan's taxable value cap provides some protection for existing owners. The cap limits annual taxable value growth to the lesser of 5% or the rate of inflation. When a property sells, this cap resets. The new taxable value equals the assessed value in the first year after the sale. For buyers in communities like DeWitt, Bath, and other growing townships in Clinton County, this reset can mean a substantially higher first-year tax bill compared to what the prior owner paid.

Assessment notices go out in February each year. They show the current and prior year assessed and taxable values and the deadline for filing a Board of Review protest. If you want to challenge your assessment, you must act before the March Board of Review. The Michigan Department of Treasury provides statewide guidance on how assessments work. Use the Michigan Property Tax Estimator to estimate your bill at different taxable value levels.

Property Tax Exemptions in Clinton County

Clinton County property owners may qualify for several exemptions that reduce their annual tax bill. The Principal Residence Exemption is the most widely used. Under MCL 211.7u, owners who occupy their home as their primary residence can claim an 18-mill reduction on the school operating levy. File Form 2368 with your local city or township assessor by June 1. If you have recently moved into Clinton County or bought a home here, confirm with your assessor that a PRE is on file for your parcel right away.

Agricultural land in Clinton County can qualify for the Agricultural Exemption under MCL 211.7v. Clinton County has a significant amount of farmland, and enrolled parcels are assessed at agricultural use value rather than market value. This can lead to a substantial reduction in taxable value for working farms. The exemption must be applied for through the local assessor and renewed as required. Contact the Equalization Department or your local township assessor to ask about the enrollment process.

Low-income property owners can apply for a poverty exemption by filing Form 5737 and Form 4988 with the local assessor before the March Board of Review. Disabled veterans and their surviving spouses may qualify for a full exemption. Contact the Clinton County Equalization Department at 989-224-5170 for guidance. Mark A. Stites is the Clinton County Treasurer and can be reached at 989-224-5260 for billing and payment questions.

Appealing Your Clinton County Assessment

Property owners in Clinton County who disagree with their assessed value can appeal starting with the March Board of Review in their local township or city. The board meets each March and hears protests in person or in writing. Bring solid evidence to support your position. A recent independent appraisal is the strongest evidence. Comparable sales from similar properties sold in the same time frame also work well. Photos or repair estimates showing condition issues that affect value can also help your case.

If the Board of Review does not adjust your assessment, you can take the matter to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The MTT is an independent body that hears property tax disputes statewide. Residential owners must file by July 31. Commercial and industrial property owners must file by May 31. Reach the MTT at 517-335-9760. The Michigan Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, MCL 205.735, protects your right to appeal and to receive clear written explanations of how your value was set.

Mark A. Stites serves as Clinton County Treasurer. His office at 100 E. State St. in St. Johns handles all property tax billing, payment, and delinquency matters. Reach the Treasurer's office at 989-224-5260. If you are behind on your Clinton County property taxes, contact the Treasurer early to discuss options before your property reaches a delinquency sale.

Note: You must continue to pay your taxes on time while an appeal is pending to avoid additional interest and penalties.

Cities in Clinton County

Clinton County includes the city of St. Johns as its county seat as well as growing townships like DeWitt and Bath in the Lansing metro area. No cities in Clinton County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. All Clinton County property tax records can be searched through the BS&A Online portal or the county GIS mapping system.

Nearby Counties

Clinton County borders several counties in mid-Michigan. Each maintains its own property tax records and assessing offices.