Many local improvements are made by public officials, acting on the initiative of the property owners or their representatives. Such improvements include sewers, sidewalks, grading, curbing, and paving streets. Notice of intention to do the work is given, and notice of the assessment levied to pay the cost is also given. Property owners may object to the assessment upon their property and may carry their objections to the courts.

Assessors are often limited as to the amount of any assessment they may lay to a fixed percentage of the value of the property assessed. This rule acts as a safeguard to the owner and may prevent actual confiscation of the property. It may however, in some cases, retard the improvement of suburban districts by preventing the performance of necessary work.