Sonoma County Assessor Deva Marie Proto Completes 2020/2021 Assessment Roll

Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor Deva Marie Proto has delivered the assessment roll to the Sonoma County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector. The net assessment roll for 2020-21 is $98,573,706,364 with an increase of 4.67 percent over 2019-20. The assessment roll reflects the value of all real and business property as of Jan. 1, 2020.

Property tax revenue benefits public schools, community colleges, counties and cities, and funds many public benefits and services. Approximately 50 percent of local property tax revenue goes to public education.

“Sonoma County experienced another strong market during 2019 with new construction and property values. Combined with the 2 percent consumer price index increase, we saw another year of increased assessment roll,” Assessor Proto stated.

Some properties are still in a reduced assessed value of their Proposition 13 base value. Approximately 5,970 properties are still seeing reductions under Proposition 8, which instructs the Assessor to use the lower of either the current market value or the factored base year value under Proposition 13 when assessing property. Property owners who feel their assessed value is higher than the market value as of Jan. 1, 2020 are encouraged to file an Application of Change Assessment with the Clerk of the Board by Nov. 30,2020.

“While the real estate market was increasing for the 2020 roll, we are expecting to see some market adjustments due to the shelter in place order of 2020 especially to commercial properties,” said Proto. “Although the full impact of COVID-19 to the real estate market in Sonoma County is unknown at this point, we are preparing for an increase in Proposition 8 reviews for the next lien date. It is important to remember that these values are for a date prior to the pandemic, and any reductions in value in the future will be based on values as of the lien date of Jan. 1, 2021.

Calamity assessments continue to be a focus for the Assessor’s Office. Due to the Kincade fire, there was another increase in workload related to disasters, already increased by continuing work related to the 2017 Complex Fires. Properties that suffered physical damage related to a calamity receive a reduced assessment in their Proposition 13 value. When construction repairs are completed, their Proposition 13 values are restored, subject to certain conditions. Property owners who suffered loss in the 2019 Kincade fire are encouraged to file a Calamity Damage Reassessment form within one year of the calamity event. Forms are available on the Assessor’s website or by calling the office at (707) 565-1888.

The 2020-21 assessed value notices are posted on the Assessor’s website. The Assessor’s office phone number is (707) 565-1888 for any questions regarding property tax assessments.