Des Moines Property Tax Records
Des Moines property tax records are maintained by King County, which handles assessment and tax collection for all parcels within the city. To search Des Moines property tax information, find a parcel's assessed value, or pay a tax bill, King County provides free online tools that are available around the clock. This page covers the main resources and contacts you need.
Des Moines Overview
Des Moines Property Tax Records Through King County
Des Moines sits entirely within King County. Property tax for every Des Moines parcel is assessed, billed, and collected by King County. The King County Department of Assessments sets property values each year. King County Treasury Operations sends out statements and collects payments. The City of Des Moines receives its share of the revenue after collection, but the county runs the assessment and billing process.
Des Moines property tax bills include several line items. Each bill shows the state levy, King County general levy, City of Des Moines levy, local school district levies, and any other voter-approved special levies. General Fund revenues for Des Moines include property taxes, sales taxes, utility taxes, fees, fines, and service charges. Property taxes are one of the largest local revenue sources for the city's day-to-day operations, funding public safety, parks, recreation, senior services, and administrative services.
According to Des Moines Budget FAQs, General Fund money does not fund construction projects. Those capital costs have separate funding sources such as bonds or grants. Real Estate Excise Taxes collected on property sales are dedicated to specific construction uses and cannot be redirected to general operations. More detail on how Des Moines uses its revenues is at desmoineswa.gov/departments/finance/budget_f_a_qs.
Searching Des Moines Property Tax Records Online
The King County eReal Property database is the main free tool for looking up Des Moines property tax records. Enter an address or parcel number to get the full property report. This includes assessed value for land and buildings, ownership information, legal description, construction details, prior year values, and sales history. The system is publicly available without a login and runs around the clock.
Users must acknowledge that King County cannot warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of the information. Any person relying on the data does so at their own risk. Washington State law under RCW 42.56.070(9) prohibits using lists of individuals obtained from the system for commercial purposes.
The King County Parcel Viewer at kingcounty.gov/parcel-viewer is an interactive GIS map for searching Des Moines parcels. You can search by street address, parcel number, or click directly on a parcel on the map. Once you select a parcel, the viewer links to the eReal Property report and the Districts and Development Conditions report for that parcel. The viewer shows zoning, taxing districts, flood zones, and other spatial layers.
You can also find your parcel number by using the city's GIS maps, by searching King County's Parcel Viewer, or by calling the Des Moines Permit Center at (206) 870-7576. Parcel numbers are required for many permit applications and are useful when paying taxes online or requesting records.
The image below is from the King County eReal Property search portal, the primary tool for looking up assessed values and tax records for Des Moines properties.
Access the King County eReal Property Search to find Des Moines property tax account information by address or parcel number.
The eReal Property system is published on King County's open data portal and updated regularly from the Assessor's property information system.
Paying Des Moines Property Taxes
Property taxes for Des Moines parcels are paid to King County Treasury Operations. The official payment portal is at payment.kingcounty.gov. You can check your tax statement or property value notice through this portal before paying. The portal also links to the eReal Property Search so you can look up your parcel by address if you do not know your account number.
Property tax payments can be made electronically through the portal, by mail, or in person. For mailed payments, send your check to King County Treasury Operations, 201 South Jackson Street, Suite 710, Seattle, WA 98104. The portal offers Google Translate integration to assist users in multiple languages, though King County notes it does not control the quality of automated translations. For assistance, call the King County Treasury customer service line at (206) 263-2890.
First-half taxes are due April 30. Second-half taxes are due October 31. If your annual total is $50 or less, full payment is due April 30. Late payments accrue interest and penalties as set out under RCW 84.56.
The image below is from the King County Parcel Viewer, which serves Des Moines property owners who want to locate their parcel on a map before accessing assessment or payment details.
The King County Parcel Viewer integrates geographic data with assessment records so Des Moines property owners can visually locate their parcel and access tax information.
The Parcel Viewer is publicly accessible and intended to support property research, valuation inquiries, and tax-status verification for all King County parcels including those in Des Moines.
Des Moines City Finance Department
The Des Moines Finance Department manages the city's financial operations including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, vendor payments, payroll, and revenue and tax collection. Starting in 2024, the city adopted a biennial budget cycle to improve long-range planning. Annual financial statements are prepared on a cash-accounting basis and audited by the Washington State Auditor's Office each year.
The Finance Department is at 21630 11th Avenue S., Suite A, Des Moines, WA 98198. Core services include accounts payable, accounts receivable, business licenses and B&O taxes, debt management and investments, fixed assets management, and financial reporting. The department monitors revenue, expenditures, and cash balances continuously and posts financial reports as they become available. Visit desmoineswa.gov/departments/finance for details.
The Finance Department also oversees administration of Real Estate Excise Tax revenues. Under state law, REET funds are restricted to specific capital uses such as construction and cannot be used for ongoing services like senior programs or general operations. The Marina and Surface Water Management Utility are enterprise funds that are self-sustaining under RCW 43.09.210 and legally prohibited from supporting general government operations.
Des Moines Property Public Records Requests
The City of Des Moines Public Records Officer is Taria Keane at 21630 11th Avenue S., Suite A, Des Moines, WA 98198. Phone: 206-870-7603. Fax: 206-870-6540. The city handles public records requests uniformly and expeditiously. Any person can request access to city-held records using the public records request form. The city discloses all public records not exempt under chapter 42.56 RCW or other applicable laws.
Records for past or current building and land use projects can also be requested through the Permit Center public records process. Building permit applications, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits are submitted through the MyPermits Online portal. Land use and sign permits go by email to the Planning Division. For permit records inquiries, call the Permit Center at (206) 870-7576 or visit desmoineswa.gov/doing_business/permits_licenses.
Des Moines Property Tax Exemptions and Appeals
Senior citizens and people with disabilities may qualify for a King County property tax exemption if they own and occupy a Des Moines property as their primary residence and meet the annual income limit. The program is authorized under RCW 84.36.381. Contact the King County Assessor's exemptions team at (206) 296-3920 for current income limits and application forms.
Washington also has a senior/disability property tax deferral program under RCW 84.38. This program lets qualifying property owners defer paying their annual property tax. The deferred amount becomes a lien on the property and is repaid when the property is sold or transferred. It is designed for qualifying owners who cannot afford to pay the annual tax but want to remain in their home.
To appeal your assessed value, file with the King County Board of Equalization at 516 Third Avenue, Room 1222, Seattle, WA 98104. Phone: (206) 477-0750. File within 60 days of your value notice date. Bring sales data or other market evidence showing your property's value is lower than the county's assessment. The appeal process is governed by RCW 84.48.
King County Property Tax Records
Des Moines is in King County. All property tax records for Des Moines parcels run through King County. For the full overview of King County assessment and payment tools, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are close to Des Moines in south King County. Each has a property tax records page with local information.