Assessor

COVID-19 impact on assessed values – ​California law, in part, requires that the assessed value of all assessable property is to be determined annually as of a specified value date, January 1, also known as the “lien date”.  If the market value of a property on January 1 is less than the assessed value of the property on January 1, the assessor may temporarily reduce the assessed value to market value.  For accuracy, market value appraisals are based on real estate market data for time periods as close to the date of value (January 1) as possible.  

Since COVID-19 did not cause a disruption until March 2020, nearly three months past the January 1 value date, data reflecting possible impacts to real estate market conditions and property values, will not influence assessed values for January 1, 2020 and this year’s annual 2020/21 tax bill billed by the Tax Collector.  Declines in market value of property due to effects of COVID-19, if any, will be proactively addressed for the next lien date effective January 1, 2021 and be billed by the Tax Collector in next year’s annual 2021/22 tax bill. 

The 2020/2021 assessed values are available for review beginning July 1.  Please review your assessed value closely and contact us with questions or concerns.  The Assessor’s informal review filing period is July 1 – December 31.​

Assessed Value Look-up​

The temporary reduction discussed above is often referred to as a Prop 8 (RTC 51​).  Proposition 8 passed in November 1978, amending Proposition 13 to recognize declines in market value for property tax purposes.  Once a Prop 8 reduced value has been enrolled, that property’s value must be reviewed each year and its assessed value will go up or down in tandem with its market value as of the January 1 of each year.

My Property Value has Declined

The review period is open from July 1 - December 31, 2020.​

• Taxpayers may request an informal review​ from the Assessor's Office between July 1​ and December 31.*  There is no cost for this service. 
• During the filing period, you may file online​ for an informal review or print and​ mail​ the form​ to our office.​
  
• Review forms are not sent out by mail.
• If this is a commercial property, submit a Commercial ​Addenda​​​​​​​​ to expedite processing. 
  
• An appraiser will review your property, make a determination, and our office will notify you of the results.
  
• If the Assessor's Office determines a reduction is appropriate, a roll change will be processed.
  

• If you disagree with the outcome of the review and the assessment appeal filing period is still open you may file an Assessment Appeal. The appeal filing period is July 2 to November 30 each year.​​

Requests for a Prop 8 Review and/or an Assessment Appeal may only be filed during their respective filing periods.

For more background and information on decline-in-market-value (Prop 8) and informal Assessor reviews, please see the reference pages below:

• ​ Decline In Market Value (Prop 8) Process Overview 
• Prop 8 Decline In Value Frequently Asked Questions
  
• Chart - Prop 13 and Prop 8:  How Property Values Are Assessed

Recently Purchased Property:  Sales Price Lower than Assessed Value

• ​Property Purchased After January 1​​​​
  

*If December 31 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, mail postmarked on the next business day shall be deemed on time.