Wichita Assessment Limitation Ordinance Caps Property Tax Growth for Local Households

The Wichita City Council passed the Assessment Limitation Ordinance on July 7, 2026. The measure applies to owner-occupied homes assessed by the Sedgwick County Appraiser's Office and directly affects annual property tax calculations mailed to residents each November.

Why the Change Arrives in Mid-2026

Property assessments in Wichita rose an average of 7 percent between 2024 and 2025, according to Sedgwick County records released in March 2026. City budget documents for fiscal year 2026 show that property taxes supply 42 percent of general fund revenue used for police, fire and street maintenance. Local officials cited sustained increases in home values across the Delano and College Hill neighborhoods as the immediate trigger for the cap.

Residents in ZIP code 67203 will see the new limit applied first. A homeowner whose property was assessed at $195,000 last year faces a maximum new assessment of $198,900 rather than a full market-driven figure. The difference translates into roughly $180 less on the tax bill due in December 2027, based on the current mill levy of 32.4 mills.

Household Budget Calculations

The cap covers only primary residences. Rental properties and commercial parcels remain subject to full reassessment. Wichita Public Schools continues to receive its separate levy, so the ordinance does not alter school district revenue. City staff estimate 78,000 parcels will qualify for the limit once the ordinance takes effect.

Implementation begins with the 2027 assessment notices sent in March 2027. Homeowners must file a one-time affidavit with the Sedgwick County Appraiser's Office confirming primary residence status by February 1, 2027. The city finance department will adjust its revenue projections in the 2028 budget cycle to account for the slower growth in taxable value.