California County Assessor Directory
Find contact information, office hours, and online services for all 58 California county assessors. Your county assessor handles property valuations, exemptions, assessment appeals, and maintains property records.
Online Services Available
Understanding Your County Assessor's Role
What Does the County Assessor Do?
The county assessor is an elected or appointed official responsible for determining the taxable value of all real and personal property in the county. In California, assessors operate under strict state laws, primarily Proposition 13 and the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
Primary Responsibilities
Valuation Functions:
- • Establish base year values for all properties
- • Calculate annual inflation factor (max 2%)
- • Assess new construction and improvements
- • Process change of ownership assessments
- • Value business personal property
- • Apply Proposition 8 temporary reductions
Administrative Functions:
- • Process exemption applications
- • Maintain property ownership records
- • Generate assessment roll by July 1st
- • Respond to taxpayer inquiries
- • Provide data for assessment appeals
- • Issue supplemental assessments
What the Assessor Does NOT Do
- • ❌ Collect property taxes (that's the Tax Collector's job)
- • ❌ Set tax rates (set by voters through bonds and special taxes)
- • ❌ Decide how tax revenue is spent (done by local government)
- • ❌ Conduct assessment appeals hearings (handled by Assessment Appeals Board)
- • ❌ Issue building permits (that's the Building Department)
When to Contact Your County Assessor
You SHOULD Contact the Assessor For:
- ✓Applying for exemptions: Homeowner's exemption, disabled veteran exemption, etc.
- ✓Questioning your assessed value: If you believe your property is overvalued
- ✓Correcting property information: Wrong square footage, incorrect features
- ✓Understanding supplemental bills: Getting explanation of mid-year assessments
- ✓Change of ownership questions: Understanding base year value reset
- ✓Prop 19 transfers: Filing for senior/disabled transfer of assessed value
- ✓Property records research: Getting ownership history, sales data
Contact Someone Else For:
- →Paying your tax bill: Contact County Tax Collector
- →Installment payment plans: County Tax Collector or Treasurer
- →Building permits: Contact County Building Department
- →Property boundaries/surveys: Contact licensed surveyor
- →Deed recording: Contact County Recorder's Office
- →Zoning questions: Contact County Planning Department
- →HOA issues: Contact your Homeowners Association
How to Effectively Work With Your Assessor's Office
Best Practices for Getting Help From Your Assessor
Before You Contact Them:
- Find your Assessor Parcel Number (APN): This unique identifier is on your property tax bill and is essential for all inquiries. Format varies by county (e.g., "123-456-789" or "1234-567-89-0").
- Check the website first: Most questions about assessed value, exemptions, and property characteristics can be answered through the county's online property search.
- Gather relevant documents: Have your tax bill, deed, recent sales data, or building permits ready depending on your question.
- Know what you're asking: Be specific. Instead of "Why are my taxes so high?" ask "Why did my assessed value increase 15% when Prop 13 limits increases to 2%?"
Sample Questions That Get Good Responses:
- ✓ "Can you verify that my homeowner's exemption is applied? My APN is XXX-XXX-XXX."
- ✓ "I purchased my home in June 2024 for $800,000. Why is my current assessed value $850,000?"
- ✓ "Your records show my home is 2,500 sq ft, but it's actually 2,200 sq ft. How do I correct this?"
- ✓ "What is my Proposition 13 base year value and when was it established?"
- ✓ "I'm 55+ and moving to a new home. How do I apply for a Prop 19 transfer?"
Tips for Phone or In-Person Visits:
- • Best times to call: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM - 3 PM (avoid Mondays and Fridays)
- • Expect wait times: 10-30 minutes on hold is common during busy periods
- • Be patient and polite: Assessor staff deal with angry taxpayers daily; kindness gets better results
- • Take notes: Write down the name of who you spoke with, date/time, and what was said
- • Ask for written confirmation: For important matters, request email confirmation or reference numbers
- • Schedule appointments: For complex issues, in-person appointments (if available) work better than phone calls
Common Assessor Office Scenarios and Solutions
Scenario 1: "I just bought a home - why did I get a supplemental tax bill?"
What happened: When you purchase property mid-year, your assessed value increases from the seller's Prop 13 protected value to your purchase price. The supplemental bill covers the difference for the remaining portion of the fiscal year.
What to do: This is normal! Review the bill to ensure your purchase price is correct. Contact the assessor if you believe there's an error in the calculation.
Assessor can help with: Explaining the calculation, correcting any errors in purchase price or dates, setting up payment plans (through Tax Collector).
Scenario 2: "My property value dropped but my assessment didn't"
What happened: Under Proposition 13, your assessed value only goes down if you successfully appeal OR if the assessor determines market value has fallen below your factored base year value (Proposition 8 reduction).
What to do: Research comparable sales in your area. If market value is genuinely below your assessed value, file an assessment appeal by November 30th.
Assessor can help with: Providing comparable sales data, explaining your current base year value, reviewing property characteristics, informal review before formal appeal.
Scenario 3: "I added solar panels - will my taxes increase?"
What happened: California has a solar energy system exclusion that prevents property tax increases from active solar energy systems through 2026.
What to do: File the solar exclusion claim with your assessor within 30 days of installation (or by Feb 15th of the next year).
Assessor can help with: Providing exclusion claim forms, verifying solar system qualifies, processing your exclusion application, confirming it's applied to your assessment.
Scenario 4: "I'm a disabled veteran - how do I get my exemption?"
What happened: You may qualify for the Disabled Veterans' Exemption ($150,585 for 100% disabled; $200,780 for low-income disabled vets in 2025).
What to do: File exemption claim (BOE-261-G) with assessor by February 15th. You need proof of VA disability rating and honorable discharge.
Assessor can help with: Providing exemption application forms, reviewing your documentation, processing your application, backdating exemption if you were previously eligible but didn't apply.
Major County Assessor Offices
Los Angeles CountyAssessor: Jeffrey Prang
- • Property search
- • Tax bills
- • Exemption applications
- • Assessment appeals
Note: Largest assessor office in the US. Offers multiple district offices throughout LA County.
Orange CountyAssessor: Claude Parrish
- • Property lookup
- • Tax calculator
- • Online exemption filing
- • Value notices
Note: Offers property tax estimator tool and mobile app for property information.
San Diego CountyAssessor: Jordan Z. Marks
- • Property details
- • Tax payments
- • Document recording
- • Maps
Note: Combined Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office. Extensive online services.
Santa Clara CountyAssessor: Lawrence E. Stone
- • Property search
- • Online payments
- • Prop 13 calculator
- • Appeals filing
Note: Silicon Valley assessor. Offers Prop 13 savings calculator on website.
Alameda CountyAssessor: Phong La
- • Property lookup
- • Tax estimator
- • Exemption forms
- • Assessment data
Note: Serves Oakland, Berkeley, and East Bay. Multilingual services available.
Riverside CountyAssessor: Peter Aldana
- • Property info
- • Tax bills
- • Ownership records
- • Maps
Note: Fast-growing county. Multiple office locations throughout the county.
San Bernardino CountyAssessor: Chris Wilhite
- • Property search
- • Document recording
- • Tax payments
- • GIS maps
Note: Largest county by area in US. Combined Assessor-Recorder-Clerk office.
Sacramento CountyAssessor: Christina Wynn
- • Property lookup
- • Online appeals
- • Tax calculator
- • Exemption filing
Note: State capital county. Offers comprehensive online services and resources.
Contra Costa CountyAssessor: Gus Kramer
- • Property search
- • Assessment roll
- • Forms download
- • Tax maps
Note: East Bay county. Offers property tax postponement program for seniors.
San Francisco CountyAssessor: Joaquín Torres
- • Property database
- • Online payments
- • Appeals system
- • Tax certificates
Note: Combined city-county. Unique rent control and property transfer tax rules.
Additional County Assessors
Fresno County
Ventura County
Kern County
San Mateo County
San Joaquin County
Stanislaus County
Sonoma County
Tulare County
Solano County
Monterey County
Placer County
Santa Barbara County
Marin County
San Luis Obispo County
Merced County
Butte County
Yolo County
Common Services Provided by County Assessors
Assessment Services
- • Annual property value assessments
- • New construction assessments
- • Change of ownership processing
- • Business personal property assessments
- • Property characteristic updates
- • Assessment appeal processing
Exemption Processing
- • Homeowner's exemption ($7,000)
- • Disabled veteran exemptions
- • Welfare exemptions (nonprofits)
- • Religious exemptions
- • Senior citizen assistance programs
- • Property tax postponement
Public Records
- • Property ownership records
- • Assessment roll data
- • Property maps and GIS data
- • Sales history information
- • Property characteristics
- • Tax rate area maps
Online Tools
- • Property search databases
- • Tax calculators
- • Online payment systems
- • Document downloads
- • Appeal filing systems
- • Mobile apps (select counties)
Important Deadlines & Office Hours
Standard Office Hours
Most County Offices:
- • Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- • Closed weekends and holidays
- • Some offices close for lunch (12-1 PM)
- • Extended hours during deadline periods
Key Annual Deadlines:
- • February 15: Exemption filing deadline
- • July 2: Assessment roll completed
- • September 15/November 30: Appeal deadlines
- • Year-round: Ownership changes
Tips for Contacting Your Assessor
- • Have your Assessor Parcel Number (APN) ready
- • Visit websites first - many questions can be answered online
- • Best times to call: Tuesday-Thursday, mid-morning
- • Avoid calling on Mondays and deadline days
- • Many offices offer appointment scheduling online
Need More Help?
If you can't find your county assessor or need additional assistance with property tax matters, the California State Board of Equalization provides statewide support and resources.
Disclaimer: Contact information is current as of 2025 but may change. Always verify contact details on official county websites. Office hours and services may vary by location. This directory is for informational purposes only.