Finger Lakes
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, in New York's Finger Lakes region, home to about 211,000 people as of the 2020 census.
Like the rest of upstate New York, an assessed value here usually isn't the market value; the state's equalization rate reconciles the two. The local rate is below, and the STAR program can lower the school-tax part of the bill.
- Type
- City
- County
- Monroe
- Region
- Finger Lakes
- Population (2020)
- 211,328
Local Almanac
Notes in and around Rochester
Short, sourced notes tied to this place, its county, or nearby communities.
This place · Home & Property
Rochester Permits Depend on the Work and the District
Rochester owners should check permit rules before roof, porch, plumbing, electrical, historic-district, or other home work starts.
Read this note ->This place · Money & Taxes
Rochester's Property Map Is Not the Closing Number
Rochester's property information map is useful for taxes and water, but real-estate closings still need direct checks for unbilled charges.
Read this note ->This place · Cars & Driving
Rochester Snow Parking Starts With the Plow Plan
Rochester winter parking is easier when you separate regular alternate-side rules from plowing days, snow emergencies, and special street announcements.
Read this note ->This place · Money & Taxes
Rochester Tax Agreements Need a Real Packet
Rochester owners asking for a delinquent-tax agreement should gather proof of income, ownership authority, code status, and current balances before applying.
Read this note ->This place · The Outdoors
A 97-foot waterfall right in downtown Rochester
High Falls drops 97 feet on the Genesee River in the middle of downtown Rochester — and the restored Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge gives you a front-row view.
Read this note ->This place · Cars & Driving
Rochester Parking Tickets Have a Hearing Clock
Rochester parking tickets should be checked through the city bureau before paying, requesting a hearing, or letting fines grow.
Read this note ->This place · History & Culture
The Garbage Plate and George Eastman: two Rochester icons
Rochester gave the world the Garbage Plate, a beloved late-night pile of comfort food, and George Eastman, whose Kodak made photography something anyone could do.
Read this note ->This place · Rules & Licenses
Rochester business permits run through city licensing and zoning checks
A Rochester storefront or small business should start with the city permit, license, zoning, and right office pages before opening.
Read this note ->This place · Money & Taxes
Rochester water bills start with the city finance page
Rochester water customers can use the city finance and payment-option pages as the official starting point for bills and account questions.
Read this note ->Property tax snapshot
Roughly $22–$22 per $1,000
Combined full-value rate — county + town/city + school district, per $1,000 of market value (FY2025). On a $300,000 home that's about $6,693–$6,693 a year before the STAR break.
A planning estimate, not a bill. Your exact rate depends on your school district and any village. Confirm with the assessor.
Statewide links
Statewide starting points.
Good to know
- • Your assessed value usually isn't your market value — ask for the equalization rate.
- • Register for STAR; new applicants generally receive a credit instead of an automatic exemption on the bill.
- • Outside the cities, check the well, the septic, and the FEMA flood map before you buy.
Nearby
Nearby places
Tax rates: NYS Dept of Taxation & Finance (ORPTS), Real Property Tax Rates and Levy Data by Municipality, data.ny.gov dataset iq85-sdzs. (FY2025). Population: U.S. Census 2020. Reviewed June 2026. Source data ->
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