Find Burien Property Tax Records
Burien property tax records are managed entirely by King County, which handles assessment and billing for every parcel inside the city. To search Burien property tax data, look up assessed values, or pay a tax bill, you use King County's free online tools. This page explains where to go and how each tool works.
Burien Overview
Burien Property Tax Records and King County
Burien lies entirely within King County. All property tax assessment, billing, and collection for Burien parcels runs through King County offices. The King County Department of Assessments establishes assessed values for every Burien property each year. King County Treasury Operations sends out the tax bills and collects payments. The City of Burien receives a portion of each property tax bill, but the county handles the end-to-end process.
Burien taxpayers pay several levies combined into one annual bill. These include the state levy, King County general levy, City of Burien levy, local school district levies, and any voter-approved special levies. The City of Burien's portion is just one line item. The county calculates all the rates and produces the total effective rate for your specific parcel.
Tax statements are mailed in February. First-half payment is due by April 30. Second-half payment is due by October 31. If your total annual tax is $50 or less, the full amount is due by April 30. Missing these deadlines triggers interest and penalties under state law.
Searching Burien Property Tax Records Online
Because Burien sits entirely within King County, the King County eReal Property database is the primary lookup tool for all Burien property tax records. Enter an address or parcel number to pull up the full property report. This includes assessed value for land and buildings, ownership, legal description, construction details, prior year values, and sales history. No account or login is needed.
The King County Parcel Viewer is another useful tool for Burien property research. The interactive GIS map at data.kingcounty.gov covers every King County parcel including every property within Burien. You can search by address or parcel number, or just click on the map. Selecting a parcel links directly to the eReal Property report and the Districts and Development Conditions report for that parcel. The viewer displays parcel boundaries, tax districts, and nearby infrastructure.
The image below is from the Washington State Archives collection of King County real property record cards, which are available for researching historical Burien property data going back to 1937.
The Washington State Archives King County Real Property Record Cards (1937-1972) provide historical parcel data for Burien and surrounding King County areas, including photographs, legal descriptions, and assessed valuations from that era.
Cards are searchable by location, parcel number, house number, street name, and other fields. The parcel number is the first 10 digits of the 12-digit tax account number used in King County today.
Burien City Taxes and Finance
The City of Burien Finance Department at 400 SW 152nd St, Suite 300, Burien, WA 98166, coordinates information on all Burien taxes including property tax, sales tax, business and occupation tax, utility tax, gambling tax, admission tax, and commercial parking tax. The city's taxes page at burienwa.gov/city_hall/taxes is the central portal for all of these tax types.
Burien also maintains Local Improvement Districts (LIDs) that help benefitting properties finance capital improvements like sidewalks, curbs, and gutters. The city maintains two assessment districts formed to finance street improvements. If you want to know whether your Burien property is in an LID or want a payoff figure, email the city's LID contact through the Finance Department page at burienwa.gov/city_hall/finance.
The image below is from the Burien Finance Department page, which links to all local tax information and LID resources.
Visit the City of Burien Finance Department for information on local improvement districts, vendor payments, and general city finance resources.
The Finance Department also handles accounts payable and vendor relations. W-9 forms for vendors must be on file with the city. Checks are issued on the first and third Mondays of each month.
Burien Public Safety Levy
Burien voters considered a Public Safety Levy Lid Lift in the November 2025 election as Proposition No. 1. If passed, the measure increases the city's regular property tax levy to a maximum rate of $1.90 per $1,000 of assessed value for 2026. The estimated cost for a home assessed at $596,000 is approximately $39.50 per month or $473.90 per year. The levy lid lift for years 2027 through 2031 sets a limit factor of 6%.
The levy was developed after more than two years of community engagement and planning. Three stated priorities include preserving and expanding the police co-response model, maintaining current police staffing and hiring additional officers, and creating safer streets through infrastructure improvements and additional street lighting. Funds from the levy would be held in a dedicated special revenue fund for public safety purposes.
Exemptions for seniors, veterans, and others apply to this levy as described in RCW 84.36.381. For more details on the levy, visit burienwa.gov/residents/public_safety/burien_public_safety_levy_information.
The image below is from Burien's public safety levy information page, which explains the levy structure and its estimated impact on property tax bills.
Read more about the Burien Public Safety Levy Lid Lift to understand how it affects Burien property tax bills and what the funds are intended to support.
The proposition was developed after the city identified a need for additional public safety funding following years of community feedback and fiscal review.
Paying Burien Property Taxes
Burien property taxes are paid to King County Treasury Operations, not to the City of Burien. The official payment portal is at payment.kingcounty.gov. This portal handles real and personal property tax bills for all Burien parcels. As of January 1, 2026, debit and credit card payments carry a 2.35% service fee with a $2.00 minimum. eCheck payments are accepted and typically cost less.
If you prefer to pay by mail, send your check payable to King County to King County Treasury Operations, 201 South Jackson Street, Suite 710, Seattle, WA 98104. Include the payment stub from your tax statement. For questions about your Burien tax account, call King County Treasury Operations at (206) 263-2890.
If you do not know your parcel number, the payment portal links to the eReal Property Search so you can find your account by entering your Burien address. Alternatively, you can call King County Treasury directly, and staff can look up your account. Payments are processed through InvoiceCloud on behalf of the King County Treasurer.
Burien Property Tax Exemptions and Appeals
Senior citizens and people with disabilities who own and occupy a Burien property as their primary residence may qualify for a King County property tax exemption. The program is administered by the King County Assessor and authorized by RCW 84.36.381. Income limits change annually. Call the King County Assessor's exemptions team at (206) 296-3920 for current eligibility information and to get application forms.
If you disagree with your Burien property's assessed value, file an appeal with the King County Board of Equalization. The Board is independent of the Assessor's Office. File within 60 days of your value notice date. You must show evidence that your assessed value exceeds fair market value. Contact the Board at 516 Third Avenue, Room 1222, Seattle, WA 98104. Phone: (206) 477-0750. Appeals are governed by RCW 84.48.
King County Property Tax Records
All Burien property tax records run through King County. For a complete overview of King County assessment tools, payment options, and resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Burien in King County and south King County. Each has a property tax records page.