(Cochrane, AB) – This week the Town of Cochrane will send over 18,000 property assessment notices to property owners. These notices show each property’s assessment value based on market conditions as of July 1, 2025, and its physical condition as of December 31, 2025.
Property assessments are a key part of the property tax process. They determine how the municipal tax levy is distributed among property owners. Changes in assessed values reflect assessment amounts only and do not directly result in changes to property taxes. Once budget and tax rates are approved by Council, each property’s share of the tax base is used to calculate property taxes, including requisitions collected on behalf of the Province and regional partners.
“Property assessments are prepared in accordance with the Municipal Government Act (MGA) using standard assessment methods,” said Kevin Blanchette, Interim Executive Director of Corporate Services. “Because assessments help determine a property owner’s share of property taxes, it’s important to review your notice and ensure the details are accurate.”
Assessments are prepared annually by analyzing groups of similar properties to estimate typical market values, reflecting overall market trends rather than the sale price of an individual home. As a result, a change in assessed value does not automatically mean property taxes will increase or decrease by the same amount, as each property’s share depends on how its value changed compared to similar properties.
This year, the median assessed value of a residential single-family property in Cochrane is $674,800, an increase of 3.21% from $653,800 in 2025. This increase reflects changes in assessed values for typical homes, driven by a stable housing market and continued demand to live in the Cochrane community. In addition, non-residential assessments experienced an increase of 1% this year.
When you receive your property assessment notice, you should:
- Check the details on your notice (address, size and property information).
- Compare your property’s assessed value with similar properties in your neighbourhood using the online tools at cochrane.ca/assessment. The estimator provides a preliminary estimate and will change once tax rates and requisitions are finalized.
- Estimate your 2026 property taxes using the online calculator at cochrane.ca/estimator
- Contact an assessment advisor during the 67-day customer review period (January 22 to March 31) if you have any questions or concerns.
Go Paperless
If you signed up for Cochrane’s Go Paperless program, your assessment is available to review now in your email inbox and on cochrane.ca/eservices. Property owners are encouraged to sign up and receive their 2026 property tax bill via email.
Sign up for the Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP)
TIPP isa great way to simplify property tax payments. This plan allows residents to pay in manageable monthly installments instead of a single lump sum in June. Information and registration for TIPP are available at cochrane.ca/tipp.
Important Dates to Remember
| Date | Event |
| July 1, 2025 | Valuation date for 2025 assessment based on market conditions |
| December 31, 2025 | Valuation date for property physical condition |
| January 22, 2026 | Assessment notices mailed |
| January 22–March 31, 2026 | 67-day assessment review period |
| March 31, 2026 | Final date to file an assessment complaint |
| April/May 2026 | Provincial budget released, requisitions determined, Council approves Property Tax Bylaw |
| June 30, 2026 | Property taxes due |
If you have any questions after reviewing your assessment notice and online tools or have not received your notice by the end of January, talk to an assessor at assessment@cochrane.ca or 403-851-2950.
Visit cochrane.ca/assessment for a step-by-step guide on reviewing your assessment.
— 30 —