AppealDesk

Cochise County Property Tax Appeal — Arizona

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated March 5, 2026

Cochise County is located in the southeastern corner of Arizona with a population of approximately 125,000 residents. The county seat is Bisbee, while Sierra Vista is the most populous city and the commercial hub of the region. Major cities include Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Douglas, and Willcox. With a median home value of approximately $155,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.63%, Cochise County offers relatively affordable property taxes compared to both state and national averages. Property tax appeals are particularly important here because homeowners pay a median annual tax bill of $977, which is significantly below the national median of $2,400, providing substantial savings opportunities when assessments are incorrect.

Notable cities: Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Douglas, Willcox, Benson

Median Home

$155,000

Tax Rate

0.63%

Annual Tax

$977

Population

125,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: 60 days from the mailing date of the Notice of Valuation

Property owners must file their appeal within 60 days of the date the Notice of Valuation is mailed. Notices are mailed by March 1 each year. A U.S. Postal Service postmark is accepted as the filing date. Appeals filed after the 60-day period cannot be accepted for that tax year.

Property in Cochise County, Arizona — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Cochise County Assesses Property

10%of market value

Assessed by: Cochise County Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: By March 1

In Cochise County, the Assessor determines your property's Full Cash Value (market value) annually using sales data from the previous 18 months. Arizona law then requires your property to be assessed at 10% of this value for owner-occupied residential properties (legal class 3). For example, if your home's market value is $155,000, at Arizona's 10% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $15,500. At the county's effective rate of 0.63%, this would result in approximately $977 in annual property taxes.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the County Board of Equalization / Arizona State Tax Court. After filing your appeal with the Assessor, they will review your documentation and issue a decision. If you appeal to the County Board of Equalization, they will schedule a hearing where both you and the Assessor present evidence regarding the property assessment.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Valuation received by March 1 and verify the Full Cash Value, Limited Property Value, and Legal Classification are accurate for your property.

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Step 2: Gather supporting documentation within 60 days of the notice mailing date, including comparable sales data from similar properties in your area, photographs showing property condition, repair estimates for any defects, and recent appraisals.

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Step 3: Complete Form 82130R (for residential properties) or Form 82130 (for other real property) with your proposed valuation and supporting evidence. All documentation must be submitted with your appeal form.

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Step 4: File your signed appeal via email to assessorappeal@cochise.az.gov, by mail to P.O. Box 168, Bisbee, AZ 85603, or in person at 1415 Melody Lane, Building B, Bisbee. Keep copies of all submitted materials for your records.

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Step 5: The Assessor's Office will review your appeal and documentation, then issue a decision. If you disagree with the Assessor's decision, you may appeal to the County Board of Equalization within 25 days.

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Step 6: If still dissatisfied after the County Board of Equalization hearing, you may file a third-level appeal to the Arizona State Tax Court, which is a formal judicial process through the Maricopa County Court system.

Required form: Form 82130R (Residential Petition for Review of Valuation) or Form 82130 (Petition for Review of Real Property Valuation)

Filing Methods

online:Email signed appeal forms to assessorappeal@cochise.az.gov
mail:Mail to Cochise County Assessor, P.O. Box 168, Bisbee, AZ 85603
in-person:Deliver to Cochise County Assessor's Office, 1415 Melody Lane, Building B, Bisbee, AZ 85603

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data from similar propertiesPhotographs of property conditionRepair estimates for defects or damageRecent professional appraisalsDocumentation of property characteristics

Cochise County Assessor Contact

Cochise County Assessor's Office

Phone: (520) 432-8650

Address: 1415 Melody Lane, Building B, Bisbee, AZ 85603

Website: https://www.cochise.az.gov/178/Assessor

Online Portal: assessorappeal@cochise.az.gov

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST

Tax Exemptions in Cochise County

Individual Property Tax Exemption (Widow/Widower/Disabled)

Variable based on income and assessed value limits - assessed value cannot exceed $36,865 (2026)

Exempts a portion of property value from taxation for qualifying widows, widowers, and individuals who are 100% totally and permanently disabled, or veterans with service- or non-service-connected disabilities

Eligibility: Must be an Arizona resident who qualifies as widow, widower, 100% totally and permanently disabled, or veteran with disability. Household income cannot exceed $39,865 for 2026 ($47,826 with dependents under 18). Total assessed value of all property cannot exceed $36,865.Deadline: January 2 to March 1 annually (Form 82514 must be filed each year)

Senior Property Valuation Freeze Option

Freezes property valuation at current level for three-year renewable periods

Allows property owners 65 years or older to freeze their property value for a three-year period, which can be renewed every three years resulting in a permanent freeze

Eligibility: Property owner must be 65 years of age or olderDeadline: September 1 of each year

Property Tax Exemption for Organizations

Full exemption of net assessed value

Exempts property used by qualifying charitable, religious, educational, and other non-profit organizations from property taxation

Eligibility: Property must be used for qualifying purposes including schools, libraries, hospitals, churches, cemeteries, charitable institutions, and other organizations with 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) status. Property must not be used or held for profit.Deadline: January 1 to March 1 annually (Form 82514A - Affidavit for Organizational Tax Exemption)

Official Resources

Cochise County Assessor's Office - Official Website →

Official county assessor website with property valuation information, appeal forms, and contact details.

Cochise County Annual Notice of Value and Appeal Process →

Detailed information about the appeal process, deadlines, and downloadable appeal forms for Cochise County property owners.

Cochise County Property Tax Exemptions →

Complete information on individual and organizational property tax exemptions including eligibility requirements and application forms.

Arizona Department of Revenue - Property Tax Information →

State-level property tax resources, manuals, and guidance on Arizona's property tax system.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Cochise County for 2026?
You must file your property tax appeal within 60 days from the mailing date of your Notice of Valuation, which is sent by March 1 each year. For the 2026 tax year, if your notice was mailed on March 1, your appeal deadline would be approximately April 30, 2026. A U.S. Postal Service postmark is accepted as a valid filing date. Missing this deadline means you cannot appeal your 2026 assessment and must wait until the following year. It's critical to act quickly after receiving your notice to gather evidence and file your appeal on time.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Cochise County?
To file an appeal, complete Form 82130R (for residential properties) or Form 82130 (for other real property) and submit it with all supporting documentation within 60 days of your Notice of Valuation mailing date. You can file by emailing signed forms to assessorappeal@cochise.az.gov, mailing them to P.O. Box 168, Bisbee, AZ 85603, or delivering them in person to 1415 Melody Lane, Building B, Bisbee. Be sure to include evidence such as comparable sales data, photographs, and repair estimates. Keep copies of everything you submit for your records, as you cannot add documentation later.
What evidence do I need to win my property tax appeal in Cochise County?
To successfully appeal your property tax assessment in Cochise County, you need strong documentation proving your property is overvalued. The most effective evidence includes recent sales data from at least three comparable properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value, current photographs showing property condition or defects, professional repair estimates for any needed work, and a recent independent appraisal if available. The Assessor values property at market levels, so you must demonstrate with concrete documentation that the assessment exceeds your property's actual market value as of January 1 of the valuation year.
What happens after I file my appeal with the Cochise County Assessor?
Once you file your appeal, the Assessor's Office will review your petition and all supporting documentation you provided. They will evaluate whether your evidence justifies a reduction in your property's assessed value. The Assessor must provide a decision on your appeal. If you are satisfied with the outcome, the changes will be reflected in your tax bill. If you disagree with the Assessor's decision, you have the right to appeal to the County Board of Equalization within 25 days of receiving the Assessor's decision. The Board will then schedule a hearing where both you and the Assessor present evidence.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Cochise County?
Savings from a successful property tax appeal in Cochise County vary based on how much your property was overvalued and the county's effective tax rate of 0.63%. For example, if you successfully reduce your property's assessed market value from $200,000 to $175,000, that's a $25,000 reduction. At the 10% assessment ratio, your assessed value drops by $2,500. At 0.63%, you would save approximately $158 annually in property taxes. Over several years, these savings compound significantly. Given that Cochise County homeowners pay a median of $977 annually, even a modest successful appeal can result in savings of 10-20% or more of your total tax bill.
What is the difference between Full Cash Value and Limited Property Value in Cochise County?
In Cochise County, your property's Full Cash Value (FCV) is the Assessor's estimate of your property's market value based on recent comparable sales and market conditions. Your Limited Property Value (LPV) is a calculated value that can only increase by a maximum of 5% per year under Proposition 117, unless there has been new construction or a change in property use. Your property taxes are levied against the Limited Property Value, not the Full Cash Value. The LPV can never exceed the FCV. This system protects homeowners from dramatic tax increases when property values rise rapidly, providing stability in your annual tax obligations.
Can I appeal to the State Board of Equalization if I disagree with the Cochise County Assessor's decision?
Yes, if you are dissatisfied with the Cochise County Assessor's decision on your appeal, you have the right to file a second-level appeal with the County Board of Equalization within 25 days of receiving the Assessor's decision. The Board will schedule a hearing to hear evidence from both you and the Assessor regarding your property assessment. If you remain dissatisfied after the County Board of Equalization hearing, you have a third level of appeal available through the Arizona State Tax Court, which is a formal judicial process conducted through the Maricopa County Court system. Each level provides additional review of your assessment dispute.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Cochise County?
Cochise County does not have a traditional homestead exemption like some other states. However, Arizona offers several property tax relief programs. The Individual Property Tax Exemption is available to qualifying widows, widowers, individuals who are 100% totally and permanently disabled, and veterans with disabilities. For 2026, eligibility requires household income below $39,865 (or $47,826 with dependents under 18) and total assessed value not exceeding $36,865. The exemption amount varies but can significantly reduce or eliminate property tax liability. Additionally, the Senior Property Valuation Freeze Option allows homeowners 65 and older to freeze their property value for renewable three-year periods, preventing value increases from raising their taxes. Application deadlines are March 1 for the Individual Exemption and September 1 for the Senior Freeze.

For state-wide appeal information including Arizona's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Arizona Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Arizona Counties

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← All Arizona property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.cochise.az.gov/178/Assessor | https://www.cochise.az.gov/769/Annual-Notice-of-Value-Appeal-Process | https://www.cochise.az.gov/743/Individual-Organization-Exemptions | https://cochise.az.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=82 | http://www.tax-rates.org/arizona/cochise_county_property_tax | https://smartasset.com/taxes/arizona-property-tax-calculator | https://www.propertytax101.org/arizona/cochisecounty

Last verified: 2026-03-05