El Dorado County Property Tax Appeal, California

Travis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

El Dorado County is located in Northern California's Sierra Nevada and Gold Country regions, with Placerville serving as the county seat. The county includes two incorporated cities, Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, along with popular unincorporated communities like El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, and Diamond Springs. With a 2020 census population of 191,185, El Dorado County has a median home value of approximately $597,600, significantly higher than both the California median of $384,200 and the national median. Property tax appeals are particularly important here given the high property values and effective tax rates that result in annual bills well above the national median of $2,400.

Notable cities: Placerville, South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Diamond Springs

Median Home

$597,600

Tax Rate

0.71%

Annual Tax

$4,223

On the typical El Dorado County home, valued near $597,600 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.71%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: July 2 through December 1, 2026 (extended since November 30 falls on a Sunday)

That is at most 97 days away. Your exact date is on your assessment notice, so do not wait on it.

Regular assessment appeals must be filed between July 2 and December 1, 2026. For supplemental assessments, you have 60 days from the date the notice was mailed. The deadline is extended to December 1, 2026 because November 30, 2026 falls on a Sunday.

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California residential street with palm trees at sunset. El Dorado County appeal guide.

How El Dorado County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: El Dorado County Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically by mid-May)

In California, all properties are assessed at 100% of their market value as established by Proposition 13. If your El Dorado County home has a market value of $597,600 (the county median), your assessed value would be $597,600. At the county's effective tax rate of 0.71%, this results in an annual property tax bill of approximately $4,243. Under Proposition 13, your assessed value can only increase by a maximum of 2% per year unless there is new construction or a change in ownership.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board. The Assessment Appeals Board holds formal hearings where you will present evidence and testimony supporting your claim that the assessed value exceeds fair market value. The assessor's office will also present their evidence, and the Board will make a decision based on the evidence presented by both parties.

Obtain the Assessment Appeal Application (BOE-305-AH) from the El Dorado County Assessor's Office at 360 Fair Lane, Placerville, or download it from the county website. You can also call (530) 621-5719 to request the form.

Complete the application form with your property information, assessment number from your tax bill, and your opinion of the property's market value. Include a detailed explanation of why you believe the assessed value is incorrect.

Gather supporting evidence including recent comparable sales of similar properties in your area, recent appraisal reports, photographs documenting property condition issues, and repair estimates for any defects that reduce value.

Submit your completed application with the $40 non-refundable filing fee to the El Dorado County Board of Equalization at 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667 by the applicable deadline. Payment must be made at the time of filing.

Attend the informal hearing before the Assessment Appeals Board at 330 Fair Lane, Building A. Present your evidence and testimony explaining why your property's assessed value should be reduced. The Board will review your case and make a determination.

If the Assessment Appeals Board denies your appeal or you disagree with their decision, you may file a lawsuit in El Dorado County Superior Court for judicial review within six months of the Board's decision.

Alternatively, for state-level issues involving base year value transfers, parent-child exclusions, or interpretation of state law, you may appeal to the California State Board of Equalization after exhausting local remedies.

Required form: Assessment Appeal Application (BOE-305-AH)

Filing Methods

mail:El Dorado County Board of Equalization, 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667

in-person:330 Fair Lane, Building A, Placerville, CA 95667 - Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM

phone:Call (530) 621-5390 for application assistance

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar propertiesRecent professional appraisalPhotographs documenting property conditionRepair estimates for defects or damageMarket analysis showing declining valuesIncome and expense statements for income-producing properties

El Dorado County Assessor Contact

El Dorado County Assessor's Office

Phone: (530) 621-5719

Address: 360 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667

Website: https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/County-Government/County-Departments/Assessor

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Tax Exemptions in El Dorado County

Homeowners' Exemption

$7,000 reduction in assessed value

Reduces the assessed value of an owner-occupied primary residence for property tax purposes.

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your principal place of residence. Only one homeowner's exemption is allowed per household statewide.Deadline: February 15 for full exemption; partial exemption (80% or $5,600) if filed between February 16 and December 10

Disabled Veterans' Exemption - Basic

$180,671 reduction in assessed value (2026)

Provides property tax relief for disabled veterans who own and occupy their home as their principal residence.

Eligibility: Must be 100% disabled due to service-connected injury or disease as determined by the VA, or have lost the use of two or more limbs, or be rated 100% due to unemployability (TDIU). Must own and occupy the property as principal residence.Deadline: File BOE-261-G with the County Assessor by February 15

Disabled Veterans' Exemption - Low Income

$271,009 reduction in assessed value (2026)

Enhanced property tax relief for low-income disabled veterans meeting the disability requirements.

Eligibility: Must meet all requirements for the basic disabled veterans' exemption AND have total household income of $81,131 or less. Requires annual income recertification.Deadline: Initial application by February 15; annual recertification by February 15 each year

Veterans' Exemption

$4,000 exemption

Small property tax exemption available to qualified veterans with limited property holdings.

Eligibility: Available to honorably discharged veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses. Total property owned (real and personal) cannot exceed $5,000 for single claimants or $10,000 for married claimants.Deadline: File with County Assessor by February 15

El Dorado County Appeal Statistics

Avg Reduction

$1,520

El Dorado County Appeal Packet · $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in El Dorado County for 2026?

The deadline to file a property tax appeal in El Dorado County is December 1, 2026 for regular assessments. The standard filing period runs from July 2 through November 30, but since November 30, 2026 falls on a Sunday, the deadline is extended to December 1. For supplemental assessments issued after a purchase or new construction, you have 60 days from the date the supplemental notice was mailed. Missing the deadline means you must wait until the following year to appeal, so it's critical to file on time.

How much does it cost to file a property tax appeal in El Dorado County?

Filing a property tax appeal in El Dorado County requires a $40 non-refundable processing fee that must be paid at the time you submit your application. This fee applies to each parcel you appeal, so if you own multiple properties, you'll need to pay $40 for each separate appeal. The filing fee covers the administrative costs of processing your application and scheduling your hearing before the Assessment Appeals Board. This fee is not refunded even if your appeal is unsuccessful.

How do I file a property tax appeal in El Dorado County?

To file a property tax appeal, complete the Assessment Appeal Application form (BOE-305-AH) available from the Assessor's Office at 360 Fair Lane, Placerville, or download it from the county website. Submit your completed application with the $40 filing fee and supporting evidence to the El Dorado County Board of Equalization at 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667. You can file by mail or in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM). Include documentation such as comparable sales, appraisals, or photos showing why your assessed value is too high.

What evidence do I need for a successful El Dorado County property tax appeal?

The strongest evidence for an El Dorado County property tax appeal includes recent sales of comparable properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value, typically within the past 6-12 months. A recent professional appraisal conducted by a licensed appraiser carries significant weight with the Assessment Appeals Board. Other helpful evidence includes photographs documenting property defects or damage, contractor estimates for needed repairs, and documentation of factors that reduce your home's value compared to the assessor's assumptions. The key is proving that your property's market value on January 1 of the tax year was less than the assessed value.

What happens at an El Dorado County Assessment Appeals Board hearing?

At your hearing before the El Dorado County Assessment Appeals Board at 330 Fair Lane, Building A in Placerville, you will present your evidence and explain why your property's assessed value should be reduced. The hearing is a formal proceeding that is electronically recorded. The county assessor's office will also present their evidence supporting the current assessment. Board members will ask questions of both parties and review all submitted documentation. After hearing both sides, the Board can increase, decrease, or maintain your current assessment. You should be prepared to present your case clearly and have all your evidence organized and ready to submit.

What is the homestead exemption worth in El Dorado County?

The California Homeowners' Exemption reduces your assessed value by $7,000 in El Dorado County, which saves approximately $50 per year in property taxes at the county's 0.71% effective tax rate. You must file your claim by February 15 to receive the full exemption for that fiscal year. If you file between February 16 and December 10, you'll receive 80% of the exemption ($5,600). Once granted, the exemption automatically renews each year until your eligibility changes, so you don't need to reapply annually. This exemption is available only for your primary residence where you live as of January 1 of the tax year.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in El Dorado County?

Successful property tax appeals in El Dorado County save homeowners an average of $1,520 per year according to recent data. Your actual savings depend on how much your assessed value is reduced and your property's tax rate. For example, if you successfully reduce your assessed value by $100,000, you would save approximately $710 annually at the county's 0.71% effective tax rate. These savings recur every year going forward until your next reassessment, so the long-term benefit can be substantial. Given that many properties in El Dorado County are valued above $500,000, even a modest percentage reduction can result in significant tax savings.

Can I appeal my El Dorado County property taxes if I just purchased my home?

Yes, you can appeal your property taxes even if you recently purchased your home in El Dorado County. If you believe the county's assessed value following your purchase exceeds the actual fair market value, you have grounds for an appeal. This often happens when the market declines shortly after purchase, or when the assessor's value doesn't account for property defects or needed repairs. For a new purchase, you'll receive a supplemental assessment notice, and you have 60 days from the date that notice was mailed to file an appeal. Bring evidence such as your purchase agreement, any inspection reports revealing defects, and comparable sales showing declining values in your area.

Official Resources

El Dorado County Assessor's Office →

Official county assessor website with property information, forms, and assessment details.

El Dorado County Assessment Appeals Resources →

Official assessment appeals information including application forms and local rules.

El Dorado County Online Property Search →

Search and view property information, assessed values, and parcel details online.

California State Board of Equalization - Property Tax Information →

State-level property tax resources, exemption information, and appeal guidance for California taxpayers.

For state-wide appeal information including California's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our California Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More California Counties

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← All California property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/County-Government/County-Departments/Assessor | https://www.abodemoney.com/insights/property-tax/california/el-dorado-county | https://www.appealdesk.com/appeals/california | https://honestcasa.com/taxes/california/el-dorado-property-tax-guide | https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/files/assets/county/v/1/documents/government/assessor/homeowner-exemption-info-sheet.pdf | https://valoannetwork.com/property-tax-exemptions/california/

Last verified: 2026-07-24