Houma Property Tax Lookup
Houma property tax records are managed by the Terrebonne Parish Assessor and collected by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff. Houma is the parish seat, so the main offices that handle property tax assessments and payments are right in town. Whether you want to search tax records, check an assessed value, or find out how much you owe, the parish assessor office and its online tools are the place to start for Houma property tax data.
Houma Quick Facts
Terrebonne Parish Assessor and Houma Records
The Terrebonne Parish Assessor sets the assessed value of every property in Houma. The assessor office is located in Houma since it serves as the parish seat. Staff appraise land and buildings using fair market value as defined under La. R.S. 47:2321. For homes in Houma, the assessed value is 10% of market value. Commercial property gets assessed at 15%.
The assessor website has a search tool where you can look up Houma property tax records by owner name, address, or parcel number. Each listing shows the assessed value, lot size, building details, and the millage rates that apply. This is the fastest way to check your Houma property tax records without going to the office in person. The site also has forms for exemptions and other requests.
The Terrebonne Parish Assessor website offers online access to Houma property tax records and assessment details.
From this portal, Houma residents can view their full property record, including prior year assessed values and current tax amounts owed to the parish.
How Houma Property Taxes Work
Houma has a city government, but the parish collects property taxes on its behalf. This means Houma property owners get one tax bill from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff that covers both parish and city obligations. The bill includes millage for schools, roads, drainage, fire protection, law enforcement, and city services. Each of these has its own rate, and the total depends on which districts overlap with your Houma property.
The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff sends out tax bills in the fall. You can pay online, by mail, or at the sheriff's office in Houma. The oil and gas industry plays a big role in the local economy, and property values in Houma can shift with that industry. When values change, your assessment may go up or down at the next reassessment.
Note: Houma property taxes fund both city and parish services through a single consolidated bill.
Homestead Exemption in Houma
Houma homeowners can claim the Louisiana homestead exemption. Under La. R.S. 47:1703, the exemption removes $7,500 from your assessed value, which equals $75,000 in market value. You must own the home and use it as your primary residence. Rental and investment properties do not qualify.
Apply at the Terrebonne Parish Assessor office in Houma. Bring your closing documents and a photo ID. You file once and the exemption stays active as long as you live there. If you buy a new home in Houma, you need to reapply. The homestead exemption applies to most but not all millages on your Houma property tax bill, so check with the assessor for the exact savings.
Seniors aged 65 and older may also qualify for a special assessment freeze under La. R.S. 47:1703.1. This locks in your assessed value so it does not rise with future reassessments. Income limits apply, and the freeze does not cap your tax bill if millage rates go up. Both the exemption and the freeze can be combined for maximum savings on Houma property taxes.
Appealing Property Taxes in Houma
If you believe your Houma property was assessed too high, you can appeal. Start at the Terrebonne Parish Assessor office. Talk to staff about your concerns. They may be able to correct errors right there. If not, the formal appeal process begins with the parish Board of Review under La. R.S. 47:1992. You have 15 days after the rolls open to file.
The Board of Review meets and hears your case. Bring evidence like recent sales of similar Houma homes, an independent appraisal, or photos showing issues with the property. If you disagree with the Board's decision, you can take the appeal to the Louisiana Tax Commission within 10 business days. After the Commission rules, judicial review is available within 30 days. Most disputes in Houma get resolved at the local level.
Houma Property Reassessment Cycle
All property in Houma gets reassessed every four years under the quadrennial schedule required by Article VII, Section 18 of the Louisiana Constitution. The Louisiana Tax Commission determines the exact cycle. Between reassessment years, your value generally stays the same unless you make major changes to the property or the assessor finds an error to correct.
During a reassessment year, Houma property owners may see their values go up or down based on current market conditions. The assessor looks at sales data, replacement costs, and income potential for commercial parcels. If the market in Houma has been strong, expect higher values. If it has slowed, values might hold steady or drop. You will get a notice of your new assessment, and that is when the 15-day appeal window begins.
State Property Tax Resources for Houma
Houma property owners have access to several state-level resources. The Louisiana Assessors' Association has general information about how property tax works across the state. The Louisiana Legislature website lets you look up the actual statutes that govern property taxation, including La. R.S. 47:1951 which lays out what property is subject to tax. The City of Houma website also has links to local services and community resources.
For historical tax records, the State Land Office database covers adjudicated properties from 1880 to 1973. Records after 1974 are at the parish level.
Terrebonne Parish Property Tax Records
Houma is the seat of Terrebonne Parish, and all property tax assessments and collections run through parish offices. For more on parish-wide millage rates, tax sales, exemption details, and other Terrebonne Parish resources, visit the full parish page.