Property Tax Records in Keweenaw County

Keweenaw County is Michigan's smallest county by population and occupies the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula. Property tax records for the county are maintained by the Equalization Department at 5095 4th St. in Eagle Harbor and are searchable online through the BS&A Online platform. Whether you are a property owner, buyer, or researcher, this guide explains how to access Keweenaw County property tax records, how the assessment process works, and what steps to take if you want to appeal a valuation.

How to Search Keweenaw County Property Tax Records

Keweenaw County uses the BS&A Online platform for public access to property tax records. The Keweenaw County BS&A property search portal lets you search parcels by owner name, address, or parcel number. The results display the current owner, legal description, assessed value, taxable value, school district, and tax history. All parcels in the county, across its townships and the unincorporated areas, are accessible through this single system.

No account or registration is needed for basic searches. The portal is free to use and available around the clock. Because Keweenaw County is small, the number of parcels is limited compared to most other Michigan counties, which makes searching straightforward. If a parcel is not returning results, try searching by parcel number rather than by name or address, as rural parcel addresses can vary in how they are entered in the system.

For records not available online, contact the Equalization Department directly at 5095 4th St. in Eagle Harbor. Director Karen A. Harmon's office can be reached at 906-337-3049. Because Keweenaw County has a small staff, it is wise to call ahead before visiting in person to confirm availability and office hours.

The image below shows the BS&A search portal used for Keweenaw County property tax records. This is the primary public tool for accessing parcel and assessment data in the county.

The county updates the portal periodically. Contact the Equalization office if data appears inconsistent with what you expect to see.

Keweenaw County Equalization Department

The Equalization Department is the main office for property tax records in Keweenaw County. Director Karen A. Harmon oversees the annual equalization process that reviews township assessments and confirms they comply with Michigan law. Under MCL 211.1 et seq., all property in Michigan must be assessed at 50% of true cash value. In a small county like Keweenaw, the Equalization Department often handles a wider range of tasks than its counterparts in larger counties, including direct assistance to property owners with questions about their parcels.

Records held by the Equalization Department are public. Most basic parcel information is accessible through BS&A Online, but detailed records may require an in-person visit or a records request. The office also manages exemption applications and special assessment rolls for the county's townships. Because Keweenaw County is remote and has limited online infrastructure compared to larger counties, plan ahead if you need something beyond what the online portal provides.

Keweenaw County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds records all instruments that affect real estate in Keweenaw County, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Register Julie R. Carlson oversees the office at 5095 4th St. in Eagle Harbor. Contact the Register of Deeds at 906-337-3041 for information about recorded documents or to request copies of instruments on file for a specific parcel.

When property changes hands in Keweenaw County, the buyer must file a Property Transfer Affidavit (Form L-4025) with the local township assessor within 45 days of the transfer. This filing triggers the uncapping of the taxable value, which brings it back in line with the assessed value in the following tax year. Skipping this step can complicate future assessments and exemption claims. The standard Michigan recording fee is $30 per document. Copies are $1 per page, and certified copies cost $5.

Note: Given Keweenaw County's remote location, requesting copies by mail may be more practical than visiting in person for out-of-area researchers.

Property Tax Assessment in Keweenaw County

Property in Keweenaw County is assessed as of December 31 each year, which is Michigan's Tax Day under MCL 211.30. Township assessors set individual parcel values based on market conditions and property characteristics. The Equalization Department reviews those values each spring to confirm they hit the required 50% of true cash value. Assessment notices go out to property owners in February and show both the assessed value and the taxable value.

Michigan limits annual taxable value increases to the lesser of the inflation rate or 5%, as long as the property does not change hands. This cap means long-term owners often pay taxes on a taxable value significantly below their assessed value. After a sale, the taxable value uncaps and resets to the full assessed value in the next tax year. Property values in Keweenaw County have historically been modest given its remote location, but buyers should still use the Michigan Property Tax Estimator to understand post-purchase tax levels before committing to a purchase.

Keweenaw County consists almost entirely of rural and forested land. Millage rates vary by township and school district. The Michigan Treasury property tax resource provides statewide guidance that applies to Keweenaw County parcels as it does everywhere in Michigan.

Property Tax Exemptions in Keweenaw County

Keweenaw County homeowners who use their property as a primary residence can claim the Principal Residence Exemption under MCL 211.7u. The PRE removes 18 mills from the school operating tax and is one of the most valuable exemptions available to Michigan homeowners. File Form 2368 with your local township assessor by June 1. Because Keweenaw County has a significant number of vacation and seasonal properties, the PRE only applies to your true primary home.

Agricultural land in the county may qualify for an exemption under MCL 211.7v. Keweenaw County is heavily forested, and properties used for qualifying agricultural operations can access this exemption if they meet the statutory definition. Contact your township assessor or the Equalization Department to confirm eligibility. The Poverty Exemption is also available for low-income homeowners. File Form 5737 and Form 4988 with your township assessor before the March Board of Review. Disabled veterans and qualifying surviving spouses may qualify for additional relief under Michigan law.

Appealing Your Keweenaw County Assessment

If you believe your Keweenaw County property is overassessed, you can challenge the value. The first step is the March Board of Review in your township, which meets each March to hear owner protests. You can appear in person or submit a written protest before the board's deadline. Evidence supporting a lower value, such as a recent independent appraisal or comparable sales from similar properties in the area, gives your protest the best chance of success.

If the Board of Review does not adjust the value, you can file a petition with the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The MTT is a statewide body that hears property tax appeals independent of county government. Residential property petitions must be filed by July 31. Commercial property petitions are due by May 31. The MTT can be reached at 517-335-9760. Your rights during the appeal process are protected under the Property Taxpayer's Bill of Rights under MCL 205.735.

Note: In a small county like Keweenaw, comparable sales can be limited, so appraisers with knowledge of the Upper Peninsula real estate market tend to be more useful than general-purpose appraisers.

Keweenaw County Property Tax Payments

Property taxes in Keweenaw County are collected first by local township treasurers. Summer taxes are typically due in September, and winter taxes come due in February. Each township sets its own specific collection dates, so check with your local treasurer to confirm deadlines for your parcel. Once taxes go unpaid past the local deadline, they are forwarded to the County Treasurer as delinquent.

Treasurer Bernadette R. Lakomaki oversees delinquent tax collections in Keweenaw County. The office is at 5095 4th St. in Eagle Harbor and can be reached at 906-337-3060. The county handles payment arrangements and manages properties in forfeiture. Michigan law sets clear timelines for the forfeiture and foreclosure process, and addressing delinquent taxes early limits both the financial cost and the risk of losing the property. Interest and fees accrue on unpaid taxes, so acting quickly reduces the total owed.

Cities in Keweenaw County

Keweenaw County has no incorporated cities. Eagle Harbor is the county seat and home to county offices. Other communities include Copper Harbor and Delaware. None of the unincorporated communities in Keweenaw County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Property tax records for all areas of the county are handled through the Equalization Department and the BS&A Online portal.

Nearby Counties

Keweenaw County is connected to the rest of Michigan only through Houghton County to the south. It is the only county that borders Keweenaw on land.