Assessor-Recorder Fact Sheets

Learn about property valuation, assessed value vs. market value, and ways to reduce your property tax.

Information about how your property tax may increase due to “New Construction” activity. New Construction refers to any improvements other than normal maintenance or repair.

Information about what to do if you disagree with the assessed value of your property, including filing an information review for residential properties and filing a formal appeal for all properties. Important filing deadlines included. 

Understand what to expect after buying a new home, including how to check your deed, how your property assessed value is set, and how much to set aside for property taxes.

Learn how to apply for a homeowner's exemption and how the exemption can reduce your property taxes by deducting up to $7,000 from your assessed value before applying the tax rate. 

This fact sheet focuses on the tax savings for persons 55 or older, severely disabled, or victims of wildfire or other natural disasters. Also includes examples and how the Prop 19 family transfer calculation works. 

On November 3, 2020, California voters approved Proposition 19, changing tax savings programs for families and seniors. This fact sheet has information about eligibility, Prop 19 value limit, example, calculation, and steps to apply for the Prop 19 exclusion. 

Information about Business Personal Property (BPP), what's common BPP, what's not considered as BPP, and requirement to file form 571-L.

Information about commonly recorded documents when transferring property, types of deeds, how to search records online, transfer tax and how it's calculated.

Learn about Tenancy-In-Common (TIC), how it's value, and TICs vs. condos. Fact sheet includes FAQs.

Understand property tax basics and what to expect after buying a Below Market Rate (BMR) home.