How To Search for Eugene Property Records

Always review property records before investing in or buying property in Oregon. These records contain essential information on past ownership, assessed values, outstanding liens, zoning rules, legal actions, and other vital details you need for due diligence. Property records in Eugene are public, meaning anyone can view them or request copies. You simply need to know where to look. Below, we have compiled a list of useful resources that you can use to search for Eugene property records.

Lane County Clerk's Office

The Lane County Clerk maintains official copies of records relating to property ownership in Eugene. These documents include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, and land contracts. You can visit the County Clerk's Deeds & Records Office/Public Research Library at 125 E 8th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401 to access these records. The clerk's office also offers online access to records through its Regional Land Information Database; however, you will need to pay a subscription fee to use this option. You can also call the office at (541) 682-3654 to have copies of records sent to you via mail or email. Note that fees may apply.

Lane County Assessment and Taxation Department

The Lane County Assessment and Taxation Department is responsible for determining the value of all real property in Eugene for tax purposes, calculating tax bills, and collecting payments from property owners in the city. This department is the primary resource for a wide range of Eugene property records, such as ownership details, valuation data, property characteristics, zoning information, sales history, tax data, and much more. The assessment and taxation department offers Property Information Portal, Easy Property Information Lookup, and Tax Maps Online tools that you can use to look up this information online. Searches may be done using these tools by name, address, account number, and other criteria (specific search options vary by tool). You can also visit the department at 125 East 8th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401 for in-person service, or call them at (541) 682-4321 for general information and inquiries.

City of Eugene Property Explorer

The City of Eugene provides a property explorer map on its website, which is an interactive online tool that you can use to access detailed property information across the city. Searches may be performed by address and tax lot, and results typically include zoning designations, land use history, building permit records, and environmental overlays like flood zones and wetlands.

Lane County Circuit Court

The Lane County Circuit Court is a great resource for Eugene property records tied to legal actions, such as foreclosures, liens, title disputes, landlord/tenant matters, and civil judgments. The Oregon Judicial Branch offers an OJD Records and Calendar Search tool (offered at no cost) and an OJCIN OnLine tool (subscription-based) that you can use to look up these records online. You can also visit the circuit court at 125 East 8th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401, to search for and request copies of records in person. Note that copy fees may apply. You can contact the court at (541) 682-4020 or (541) 682-7487 for more information.

Eugene property taxes are a crucial source of funding for various local government services, including public schools, police, fire departments, infrastructure and road maintenance, parks, and community programs. The Lane County Assessment & Taxation Department is responsible for valuing all real property in the city and also handles the calculation and collection of taxes. A property's real market value (the estimated price it would sell for based on a fair deal between a buyer and seller) is determined through physical inspections, local cost data analysis, and comparison of similar properties in the area. When a property is first assessed in Eugene (typically after it's built or sold), its taxable value is set equal to its real market value. Moving forward, this value cannot increase by more than 3% annually, a limit known as the "Maximum Assessed Value". This cap helps protect property owners from sharp tax hikes due to rising market prices, unless significant improvements or ownership changes occur. Property values are reassessed every year, and taxes are calculated based on the lower of the real market value or the maximum assessed value.

Tax statements are typically mailed out on or before October 25th each year. Payments are usually due in three installments: one-third by November 15th, one-third by February 15th, and the final one-third by May 15th. However, there are discounts for making full payments before the May due date: a 3% discount for paying the full amount by November 15th and a 2% discount for paying two-thirds (by November 15th as well). You will be charged a penalty interest of 1.333% per month for each due date missed, and the taxes will be considered delinquent if payment isn't made in full by May 15th. Taxes that remain unpaid for three years are subject to foreclosure proceedings. The Lane County Assessment & Taxation Department offers various methods to pay property taxes, including online, over the phone by calling (833) 819-5119, mail-in, in person, and bank-provided Bill Pay. You can call the department at (541) 682-4321 for more information.

Assessments

The Lane County Assessment and Taxation Department assesses all properties in Eugene to determine their value for tax purposes. Residential properties are typically assessed using mass appraisal methods based on recent sales data, while commercial and industrial properties are evaluated using a combination of income, sales comparison, and cost approaches. These valuations result in two key figures: the Real Market Value (RMV), which reflects current market conditions, and the Maximum Assessed Value (MAV), which is subject to a limited annual increase of 3% unless there are significant changes like new construction. The final taxable value, known as the Assessed Value (AV), is the lower of the RMV or MAV, ensuring a consistent and equitable basis for property taxation. Assessments are conducted annually, and the county is also actively working to establish a regular county-wide reappraisal cycle.

Tax statements are typically mailed to property owners around late October. These statements include their property's current real market value and assessed value (the basis for tax calculations). If you believe your property value was calculated incorrectly, you may file an appeal with the Lane County Property Value Appeals Board. This appeal must be filed between the date the tax statement was mailed and December 31st (if December 31st falls on a weekend or holiday, the filing deadline is moved to the next business day). You can obtain appeal forms from the Lane County Clerk's office. If you are unsatisfied with the board's decision, you may appeal further to the Oregon Tax Court.

Appraisals

Eugene assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair market value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

The median effective tax rate in Eugene, Oregon, is 0.96%, slightly lower than the national median of 1.02% but above the Oregon state median of 0.86%. However, the city's average annual tax bill is $3,879, significantly higher than the national average of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Eugene's tax rate compares to other counties in Oregon:

• Baker County 0.80%
• Clackamas County 0.92%
• Grant County 0.75%
• Jackson County 0.87%
• Jefferson County 0.67%
• Klamath County 0.72%
• Lincoln County 0.84%
• Marion County 0.84%
• Multnomah County 1.07%
• Polk County 0.82%
• Washington County 0.93%
• Wheeler County 0.87%
• Yamhill County 0.74%

Exemptions

Tax bills in Eugene are quite higher than the national average, and some residents may have difficulties with payments. Thankfully, Lane County offers exemptions to eligible homeowners that can help them ease the tax burden. These include:

• Disabled Veteran or Surviving Spouse Property Tax Exemption: This exempts a portion of the assessed value of a homestead (primary residence) for qualified disabled veterans or their surviving spouses.
• Active Duty Military Exemption: This is available to members of the Oregon National Guard or Reserves who are deployed on federal active duty, and it exempts a portion of their primary residence's assessed value.

The county also offers access to a tax deferral program that allows eligible senior and disabled homeowners to delay paying their property taxes. Under this program, the state pays the tax bill on their behalf, and the amount becomes a lien on their home that is repaid, with interest, when the property is sold or the owner passes away. You can contact the Lane County Assessment & Taxation Department at (541) 682-4321 for more information on tax exemptions and deferrals, and assistance with applying.

You must obtain a permit to construct a new building in Eugene or perform renovations on an existing building that will alter its structure or core systems. However, certain minor repairs and cosmetic work, such as painting, carpeting, wallpapering, installing cabinets, and interior trim, are usually exempt from this requirement. Permits are issued by the Eugene Planning and Development Department. You can apply for one, submit plans, and also schedule consultation meetings and inspections online using the department's eBuild permit system. If you prefer in-person services, you can visit the department's Permit Information Center at the Atrium Building, Suite 100, 99 W. 10th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401. You can also call the center at (541) 682-5086 for inquiries.

The types of permits issued in Eugene include:

• Building Permits: For new construction, structural modifications, or major renovations for both commercial and residential properties.
• Demolition Permits: For tearing down structures.

• Specialty (Trade) Permits: For specialized work on a building's core systems. These permits may be pulled independently without requiring a full building permit.

  • Electrical Permits: For installing or altering electrical systems, including wiring, panels, and fixtures.
  • Mechanical Permits: For installing or modifying heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
  • Plumbing Permits: For work involving water supply, drainage, sewer connections, and other plumbing systems.
• Express Permits: Typically issued for projects with relatively small scopes.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Eugene is known for its outdoor lifestyle, with easy access to hiking, biking, and river sports. The city is famously called "Track Town USA" and is home to Hayward Field, one of the most iconic track stadiums in the world, which has hosted multiple U.S. Olympic Trials, NCAA Championships, and even the World Athletics Championships. Eugene is also the birthplace of Nike, the world's largest supplier of athletic footwear.

Eugene, Oregon, has a population of 176,654 residents and 82,143 housing units. 76,758 of these units are occupied and 5,385 are vacant, indicating an occupancy rate of approximately 93%. The city has a diverse range of housing options, including single-family homes, multi-family units, townhouses, condos, apartments, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Common housing styles include Craftsman, Mid-Century Modern, Ranch, Minimal Traditional, Cottage, Victorian, Gothic Revival, Mediterranean, and Italianate. The average home value in Eugene, OR, is $473,430, representing a 0.2% increase over previous years. Note that actual prices can vary significantly depending on the neighborhood. Here are a few examples of average home values in different Eugene neighborhoods:

• Churchill $466,506
• Crest Drive $587,242
• Friendly $496,231
• Jefferson Westside $416,536
• Trainsong $316,152
• Whiteaker $410,838

The Eugene, Oregon, real estate market is competitive. Home values have trended upward, largely due to sustained demand combined with limited housing inventory. Listed homes typically go under contract in around 15 days, and approximately 33% of listings sell above the asking price.