Mountain Fire

Our office is actively working to identify properties that may have sustained damage from the recent Mountain Fire disaster, to ensure that all eligible property owners receive property tax relief.

There are two areas we are focusing on immediately:

Identifying your property if it was damaged
Determine if you are eligible for deferring payment of your tax bill

To let us know your property was damaged you can:

Call our public service counter at 805-654-2181, and make a verbal request for the Calamity claim. Unfortunately to request a deferral of taxes we need you to complete a form which can’t be done over the phone. We are also here to help answer your other questions.
Come to our office - let us know in person, we can take your information regarding the calamity and provide you with the tax deferral request form at our counter
Complete form available online - Application for Reassessment of Property Damaged by Misfortune or Calamity and Application for Property Tax Installment Deferral. You may return the form via email to Assessor.Disaster@venturacounty.gov, by fax to (805) 645-1305, or by mail to 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009-1570.

Some forms will ask you for your parcel number. Your parcel number can be found by searching for your address on our property search page.

Under California state law, properties affected by misfortunes or calamities, such as this disaster, may qualify for property tax reductions under certain conditions. This property tax relief is available for a wide range of assessable properties, including homes, commercial and industrial buildings, agricultural properties, manufactured homes, business personal property, boats, and other property types.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the disaster relief affect my property tax bill?

The current property taxes will be reduced for that portion of the property that was damaged or destroyed. This reduction will be effective from the date of the damage and will remain in effect until the property is rebuilt or repaired.

When my property is rebuilt or repaired following the damage, will my property taxes be increased over what they were before?

No. Property owners will retain their previous factored base year value if the property is rebuilt in a like or similar manner, regardless of the actual cost of construction. However, any new square footage or extras, such as additional baths, will be added to the base year value at its full market value.

How do I know the amount of property taxes to be refunded if my house was partially destroyed by a fire?

The Assessor’s Office will determine the market value of your house before and after the damage. The percentage of the loss will be applied to the assessed value of your house, and a refund will be issued.

What if I disagree with the value as determined by my county assessor’s office?

If you disagree with the value established by the County Assessor’s Office, you may file an appeal within six months of the notification of proposed values.