Pittsburghers get free parking for reassessment appeals

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The city of Pittsburgh is offering free parking downtown to homeowners who appeal their court-mandated property tax reassessments.

Pittsburgh residents received their new taxable property values in December as part of a reassessment ordered by an Allegheny County judge, who found the previous system was unfair.

But some homeowners say the taxable value of their homes as much as quadrupled, though anti-windfall laws should keep property tax increases to about 5 percent.

Still, the reassessment has caused a public outcry and the city is offering free legal counseling and subsidized appraisals for the elderly and people with homes assessed at less than $150,000 in an effort to help them appeal the reassessments.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says the free parking is just another “tool” people can use to fight the reassessments.