While living near a transportation hub—like an airport, major highway, or rail line—may offer convenience, the downsides can significantly affect property value. Excessive noise, traffic, air pollution, and safety concerns may reduce your home's appeal and ultimately its fair market value (FMV). If your Georgia property is negatively impacted by such a "Transportation Hub Hazard," appealing your property tax assessment might be necessary to ensure you're not overpaying.
Living close to a transportation hub can come with serious trade-offs:
Noise Pollution: Aircraft, trains, and heavy traffic can cause constant disruption.
Traffic Congestion: Local roads often experience increased congestion and longer commute times.
Air Quality Issues: Vehicle and jet emissions can affect health and quality of life.
Safety Risks: Increased pedestrian and vehicular activity raises safety concerns.
Lower Market Value: These factors often reduce buyer interest and prolong time on the market.
Under Georgia law, your property must be assessed at fair market value as of January 1st of the tax year (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-2). FMV reflects what a knowledgeable buyer would pay in an open market.
If negative environmental or location-based factors like proximity to a highway or airport reduce your property’s desirability—but your tax assessment doesn't reflect that—you may be over-assessed and paying too much in taxes.
To support your appeal, you'll need to document how the transportation hub directly affects your property's value:
📊 Document the Impacts
Keep a log of noise events (dates/times), video evidence, or data from decibel meter apps.
Record traffic patterns, congestion levels, or accidents nearby.
Capture evidence of air quality or visible pollution if relevant.
📢 Gather Community Input
Ask neighbors for written statements about the negative impact.
Compile any formal complaints filed with the local airport, DOT, or city officials.
🏘️ Real Estate Market Evidence
Get a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) from a local realtor showing similar homes farther from the hub that are valued or sold for less.
If possible, obtain an independent appraisal that accounts for these externalities.
📑 Local Planning Documents
Research local development plans, zoning records, or environmental studies (including noise contour maps or transportation impact studies).
These often include acknowledgments of impact on surrounding residential properties.
🔇 Note Any Mitigation Measures (or Lack Thereof)
Have noise barriers, traffic controls, or soundproofing programs been implemented?
If not, highlight the absence of such efforts in your appeal.
You may appeal your property assessment if you believe the value is inaccurate due to location-based detriments. Here’s how it works:
When: Within 45 days of the date on your Annual Notice of Assessment (typically mailed by the county assessor in late May or early June).
Where: File with your County Board of Tax Assessors (BOA).
How: Use Form PT-311A (the uniform property tax appeal form), available from the Georgia Department of Revenue or your county tax assessor’s office.
You’ll choose one of the following appeal paths:
Board of Equalization (BOE)
Hearing Officer (non-homestead properties over $500,000 in value)
Non-Binding Arbitration
Superior Court
📌 Note: Most residential appeals go to the BOE, a panel of trained local citizens.
If your Georgia home is near a transportation hub that significantly lowers its desirability or value, you may have a valid reason to appeal your assessment. By presenting objective evidence, market comparisons, and community data, you can argue that the county should adjust your valuation to reflect the true fair market value of your property.
🏛️ Georgia Department of Revenue – Property Tax Division
https://dor.georgia.gov/property-tax
📄 PT-311A – Georgia Property Tax Appeal Form
https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/property-tax-appeal-pt311a
🗂️ County Tax Assessor’s Office
Visit your county’s official website (e.g., DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb) to access your property record, file appeals, and view assessment details.