Appeals
Protest Deadline
For property owners seeking to file an appeal (protest) with the ARB (Appraisal Review Board) the deadline is set to no later than May 15th, 2025 (or within 30 days after a notice of appraised value was mailed to you, whichever is later)
Late protests are allowed for good cause if you miss the usual deadline.
The ARB decides whether you have good cause.
Late protests are not allowed after the ARB approves the appraisal records for the year.
Anatomy of an Appraisal Notice
Check out a visual representation of the structures and systems within a Notice of Appraised Value (or appraisal notice). This breakdown will aid property owners in understanding the organization, function, and relationships of various data, statements and tables.
From Appeal to Hearing: The Process of Appealing
Summary of Content
- First Steps — 0:22
- How to File — 0:57
- After Filing — 2:00
- What to Expect in a Formal Hearing — 2:57
- Evidence to Bring — 3:43
- Understanding our Evidence — 4:11
- After a Formal Hearing — 7:01
*Runtime — 7:39
Step 1: File Your Appeal
Option 1
Online Appeal
2-in-1 Method — Electronic Filing of Protest & Online Informal Conference
Fastest and most efficient way to submit your Notice of Protest, in addition to having your appeal reviewed by an FBCAD Appraiser.
*Online Account Required
Option 3
Postal
Traditional Filing of Notice of Protest
Utilize USPS (United States Postal Service) to send in your Notice of Protest.
MAIL TO:
2801 B.F. Terry Blvd. Rosenberg, TX 77471-5600
Option 2
eFile
Electronic Filing of Notice of Protest
Fastest and most efficient way to just submit your Notice of Protest.
*No Online Account Required
Option 4
Drop-Off
Traditional Filing of Notice of Protest
We are happy to accept your Notice of Protest in person at FBCAD’s office.
TRAVEL TO:
2801 B.F. Terry Blvd. Rosenberg, TX 77471
Step 2: Request an Informal Conference (Optional)
In many cases, your appeal can be resolved by having an informal conference with a registered FBCAD appraiser.
If you did not include an Informal Conference Request on your Notice of Protest, request one below:
*A Notice of Protest is required to have an Informal Conference.
Step 3: Await Response
If you requested an Informal Conference, an FBCAD Appraiser will proceed to contact you.
If a settlement is reached, then the Formal Hearing will be cancelled.
If a settlement is not reached, then you will be scheduled for a Formal Hearing with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).
If you did not request an Informal Conference, then the ARB will send you a hearing notice for your Formal Hearing.
*Please note that FBCAD receives thousands of protests each year. A response may take as little as a few days or weeks or as much as a few months. We will work diligently to contact you as soon as possible.
Step 4: Attend Your Formal Hearing
All Formal Hearings are conducted on-site in the Appraisal Review Board building located at 2801 B. F. Terry Blvd in Rosenberg, Texas.
*Learn more about the ARB process here
Tips for Appeal/Protest Review
- You have the choice of requesting an informal conference, also known as an informal meeting. The meeting must take place before your formal ARB hearing date. A notice of protest must be filed to be able to request an informal conference.
- Informal conferences are conducted remotely with an appraiser. You can request one online at https://www.fbcad.org/informal/. You can also submit your notice of protest though our online appeals portal. When you do so and appraiser reviews your protest, and this counts as your informal hearing. You can do so at https://www.fbcad.org/appeals/ and then clicking on File Now next to Option 1.
- An informal conference gives the opportunity to discuss your property value with a registered FBCAD appraiser. There is the potential during a meeting to reach a settlement. You should provide documentation regarding your value to the appraiser. It should be sent prior to or during the meeting. The information could include date-stamped photos, estimates of repairs, closing statements, and independent appraisal reports.
- Verify the property description and measurements are correct for your home. If not, mention it at the informal conference with the appraiser.
- Ensure to request an evidence packet, the earlier the better. It will be mailed sent to you At least 14 days before your formal ARB hearing. You can request your ARB evidence packet at https://www.fbcad.org/arb-protest-evidence-packet-request/. You must file a Notice of Protest before you can request an evidence packet.
- Failure to appear by you or your agent, may lose you the right to be heard by the ARB on the appeal and loss of the right to appeal may occur. If you file with the ARB a written statement showing good cause for failing to appear and requesting a new hearing, it may be granted.
- Consult with FBCAD about your property’s value before your hearing. Ask questions about things you don’t understand, browse our website for information.
- Be on time and prepared for your hearing. The ARB typically place time limits on hearings.
- Stick the facts and avoid emotional pleas. The ARB does not have control over FBCAD’s operations or budget, tax rates, inflation, or local politics. Talking about these types of topics during your hearing will not help you win your case.
- Review the ARB hearing procedures. Become familiar with them and be prepared to follow them. Find them at https://www.fbcad.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-Property-Owner-Information-Packet.pdf
- Bring evidence that will help you make your case to the informal conference and/or formal hearing. Gather all information about your property that may be relevant such as: photographs of your properties and comparables (properties that can be compared to yours); receipt or estimates of repairs; sales price documentation such as listings, closing statements, and other information; calculation of median level of appraisal, if equal and uniform appraisal is being protested; affidavits; newspaper articles; architectural drawings or blueprints, engineering report, property surveys, deed records, etc.
- Present your information in a simple and well-organized way. You and the FBCAD staff are required to exchange evidence before or at the hearing. Photos and other documents are useful. You should take enough copies so that each ARB member and the appraisal district representative can each have one.
- We value property based on January 1st, so you should make sure that any improvements that make up your property or damage that occurred to your property before or on January 1st are included in the appraisal of your property.
- If you are protesting the value of business property or other appraisal matters, you should bring evidence to support your opinion of the value. Sales data may not be available, and it may not be relevant, but income and expense information may be helpful.