Taxpayer Information - Classes of Property
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| Classes of Property |
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The first step in implementing the Classification Act is to assign
each property to the appropriate class. Assessors in Massachusetts
must assign all real property in the city or town according to its
use: residential, open space, commercial, or industrial. Personal
Property constitutes a separate class and is taxed under the commercial
rate.
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| Each parcel must always be assessed at full and
fair cash value. |
 Class
One - Residential
Includes all property containing one or more units for human habitation.
The class includes accessory land and buildings such as swimming pools,
tennis courts, garages and sheds. Single family homes are in this
class, as are large apartment buildings.
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Class
Two - Open Space
Includes land maintained in an open or natural condition, which contributes
significantly to the benefit and enjoyment of the public. Such land
cannot be held for the production of income and may be required to
meet additional qualifying factors established by the Board of Assessors.
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Class
Three - Commercial
Includes any property held for the purpose of conducting a business,
such as office buildings, retail stores, etc. Personal Property, also,
falls within the category of the Commercial class.
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Class
Four - Industrial
Includes any property involved in manufacturing or processing. It
also includes real property used for storage, transmission, and generation
of utilities regulated by the Department of Public Utilities.
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