Public Works
Special Assessments for Capital Improvements
My tax statement says I owe money for a special assessment. What’s it for?
A Special Assessment is a fee collected by the City for improvements or services the City provides that benefit your property. Special assessments can be used to finance many different types of local improvements, including:
- Street and sidewalk improvements
- Sanitary sewer systems
- Street lighting systems
- Water works systems
- Parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities
- Planting maintenance and trimming of street trees
- Retaining walls and area walls
- Pedestrian skyway systems
- Underground pedestrian concourses
- Public malls, plazas and courtyards
- Parking facilities
Assessments for improvements to park property are handled by the Minneapolis Park Board.
How do I know what the special assessment on MY tax statement is for?
Whether it is an improvement project, a fine, or unpaid bill—you’ve likely received one or more notices from the City before the charge ended up on your tax statement as a special assessment. Don’t recall? To learn more about a special assessment on your tax statement, call (612) 673-2401. Please have your Property Tax ID available.
What is a Special Service District?
The City collects special assessments from non-residential property owners within Special Service Districts. The assessment covers the cost of services, like cleaning or maintaining pedestrian areas, which are not ordinarily provided elsewhere in the City.
What does it mean when a special assessment is "pending" or "levied?"
- For capital improvement projects, pending means the project has been approved by City Council and construction can start. Payment is not accepted at this point.
- Levied means the project is complete, the assessments have had their final calculation, and we can accept payment. Levied also means the assessments are certified and will be collected on your Hennepin County property tax statement.
Last updated Sep. 27, 2011