DISASTER RELIEF

Revenue and Taxation Code section 170 provides that if a calamity such as fire, earthquake, or flooding damages or destroys your property, you may be eligible for property tax relief.  In such cases, the county assessor will reappraise the property to reflect its damaged condition. In addition, when it is rebuilt in a like or similar manner, the property will retain its prior value (Proposition 13) for tax purposes.

To qualify for property tax relief, you must file a claim with the county assessor within the time specified in your county ordinance, or 12 months from the date of damage or destruction, whichever is later. The loss estimate must be at least $10,000 of current market value to qualify the property for this relief. The property will be reassessed according to its damaged state and property taxes will be adjusted accordingly.

This property tax relief is available to owners of real property, business equipment and fixtures, orchards or other agricultural groves, and to owners of aircraft, boats, and certain manufactured homes – it is not available to property that is not assessable, such as state licensed manufactured homes or household furnishings.

Disaster Relief Forms


  1. Calamity Application
  2. Address Change Form

Claim for Intra-County Transfer of Base Year Value to Replacement Property Damaged Or Destroyed In A Governor-Declared Disaster

  1. 65p-rev04-06-11a, Governor Declared Disaster
  1. My home was damaged by a fire. What do I do? Where do I start?
  2. My property and/or home were damaged and the Governor declared a disaster in my area. What type of relief is available?
  3. After my property is rebuilt or repaired following the damage, will my property taxes be increased over what they were before?
  4. Our home was damaged from a forest fire and we had to move out while it is being repaired. Are we still allowed the homeowner's exemption even though we have not returned to our house?
  5. Our home was destroyed in a Governor-declared disaster, and we would like to move to another county. What counties accept a base year value transfer for Governor-declared disasters?
  6. After my property is rebuilt or repaired following the damage, will my property taxes be increased over what they were before if I do not increase the size of the improvements?
  7. What if I rebuild, but there are some variances or differences (i.e. different floor plan; add a full bath; it now meets current building codes; etc.)? Will my assessment go up or stay the same?
  8. If I do add on square footage, can you tell me what value you are going to add to my assessment, or in fact, do I get reassessed and lose my Proposition 13 basis? How do you determine the value?
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