El Dorado County Property Tax Appeal — California

Rob Hartley·Updated February 26, 2026

El Dorado County is located in the Sierra Nevada region of east-central California, with Placerville serving as the county seat. With a population of approximately 192,000 residents, the county includes the incorporated cities of Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, along with major unincorporated communities like El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, and Shingle Springs. Property tax appeals matter significantly in El Dorado County because homeowners face a median annual tax bill of $4,236, which is $1,836 higher than the national median of $2,400. The county's effective tax rate of 1.07% exceeds the national median of 1.02%, and with a median home value around $445,700, property owners may be overpaying due to assessment errors or market value declines, making appeals a critical tool for tax relief.

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

Median Home

$445,700

Tax Rate

1.07%

Annual Tax

$4,236

Population

192,000

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

In California, the regular assessment appeal filing period runs from July 2 through either September 15 or November 30, depending on whether the County Assessor mails assessment notices to all secured roll taxpayers by August 1. El Dorado County uses the extended December 1, 2026 deadline. For supplemental assessments, the deadline is 60 days from the notice date.

Property in El Dorado County, California — local tax assessment and 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 mid-April)

California uses Proposition 13, which means properties are assessed at 100% of their market value at the time of purchase, with annual increases capped at 2% or inflation (whichever is lower) unless a triggering event like a sale occurs. If your home's market value is $445,700 (the county median), your assessed value would be $445,700 at California's 100% assessment ratio. At El Dorado County's effective rate of 1.07%, this would result in approximately $4,769 in annual property taxes. However, Proposition 8 allows temporary reductions when market value falls below assessed value.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board. Hearings are conducted in a quasi-judicial setting where you and the county assessor will each present evidence supporting your opinion of the property's value. A three-member panel or hearing officer will listen to testimony, review documents, ask questions, and ultimately determine the fair market value of your property.

Step 1: Contact the El Dorado County Assessor's Office at (530) 621-5719 for an informal review. Many assessors will review your concerns and may adjust your assessment without a formal appeal.

Step 2: Obtain form BOE-305-AH (Assessment Appeal Application) from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors or download it from the county website. File the completed application between July 2 and December 1, 2026.

Step 3: Gather supporting evidence including recent comparable sales (within the last 6-12 months), a professional appraisal, photographs showing property condition, repair estimates for any defects, and income/expense data if it's income-producing property.

Step 4: Submit your completed application with all supporting documentation to the Clerk of the Board at 330 Fair Lane, Placerville. Note that some counties charge a filing fee, so check with the Clerk's office.

Step 5: Attend your hearing before the El Dorado County Assessment Appeals Board. Hearings are typically held at 330 Fair Lane in the Board of Supervisors' Hearing Room starting at 9:00 a.m. Present your evidence and be prepared to answer questions.

Step 6: Receive the Board's decision, which may take several months depending on the hearing schedule and case complexity. The Board can increase, decrease, or maintain your assessed value.

Step 7: If you disagree with the Assessment Appeals Board's decision, you have six months to appeal to the California Superior Court for El Dorado County.

Step 8: As a final option, if the superior court appeal is unsuccessful, you may petition the California State Board of Equalization or pursue litigation through the court system.

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

Filing Methods

mail:Mail completed application to: Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667

in-person:Submit application in person at 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667 during business hours

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable property salesProfessional appraisal reportPhotographs of property conditionRepair estimates or inspection reportsIncome and expense statements (for commercial properties)Previous property tax bills and assessment notices

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/Government/Assessor

Online Portal: https://parcel.edcgov.us

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: Available to homeowners who occupy the property as their principal place of residence on the January 1 lien date. Must be a California resident. One-time filing required.Deadline: File by February 15 to receive the full exemption for that fiscal year. Late filing between February 16 and December 10 receives 80% ($5,600). Form BOE-266 available from the County Assessor.

Disabled Veterans' Exemption (Basic)

$180,671 reduction in assessed value (2026 amount, adjusted annually for inflation)

Property tax exemption for disabled veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA or receiving 100% compensation due to unemployability.

Eligibility: Veteran must be rated 100% disabled due to service-connected injury or disease, or be blind in both eyes, or have lost use of two or more limbs. Must be principal place of residence. Unmarried surviving spouses may also qualify.Deadline: File form BOE-261-G within 90 days of disability rating or by the next January 1 lien date (whichever is later) to receive full exemption. One-time filing for basic exemption.

Disabled Veterans' Exemption (Low-Income)

$271,009 reduction in assessed value (2026 amount, with household income limit of $81,131)

Enhanced exemption for disabled veterans whose total household income falls below the state threshold.

Eligibility: Same disability requirements as basic exemption, but total household income from prior year must be below $81,131 (2026 limit). Income includes all household members' income from all sources.Deadline: Annual filing required between January 1 and February 15 each year using form BOE-261-G to verify continued income eligibility.

Official Resources

El Dorado County Assessor's Office →

Official website for property assessments, exemption applications, and assessment information in El Dorado County.

El Dorado County Online Property Information Search →

Search and view property assessment information, parcel maps, and tax details for properties in El Dorado County.

El Dorado County Assessment Appeals Board →

Information about the formal assessment appeals process, local rules, and appeal application forms for El Dorado County.

California State Board of Equalization - Assessment Appeals →

State-level guidance on the property tax assessment appeals process, including FAQs, forms, and publications for California homeowners.

Check Your El Dorado County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The regular assessment appeal filing period for El Dorado County runs from July 2, 2026 through December 1, 2026 (extended because November 30 falls on a Sunday). This deadline applies to appeals of the regular annual assessment for the 2026-2027 tax year. If you receive a supplemental assessment notice due to new construction or a change in ownership, you have 60 days from the date printed on the supplemental notice or tax bill to file your appeal. Missing these deadlines means you cannot appeal your assessment for that tax year, so it's critical to file on time.

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

To file a property tax appeal in El Dorado County, you must complete form BOE-305-AH (Assessment Appeal Application), which is available from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors or the county website. Submit the completed application with supporting evidence to the Clerk of the Board at 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667, either by mail or in person. Before filing a formal appeal, consider requesting an informal review with the Assessor's Office by calling (530) 621-5719, as many assessment issues can be resolved without going through the full appeals process. Make sure to include comparable sales data, photos, appraisals, or other documentation supporting your opinion of value.

What is the homestead exemption worth in El Dorado County?

The Homeowners' Exemption in El Dorado County reduces your property's assessed value by $7,000, which typically saves homeowners between $70 and $100 annually depending on their specific tax rate. To qualify, you must own and occupy the property as your principal residence on the January 1 lien date. This is a one-time filing using form BOE-266, available from the El Dorado County Assessor's Office. Once granted, the exemption automatically renews each year as long as you continue to occupy the home as your primary residence. If you file after February 15 but before December 10, you'll receive only 80% of the exemption ($5,600) for that year.

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

Assessment Appeals Board hearings in El Dorado County are held at 330 Fair Lane in Placerville, typically starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors' Hearing Room. The hearing is conducted in a quasi-judicial format where you and the county assessor will each present evidence supporting your respective opinions of your property's fair market value. A three-member panel will listen to testimony, review your documentation (comparable sales, appraisals, photos, etc.), and ask questions. The hearing is electronically recorded, and you may represent yourself or hire an attorney or property tax agent. After considering all evidence, the Board will determine the property's value, which may be higher, lower, or the same as the assessor's valuation.

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

The potential savings from a successful property tax appeal in El Dorado County depends on how much the Assessment Appeals Board reduces your assessed value and the county's effective tax rate of approximately 1.07%. For example, if the Board reduces your assessed value by $50,000, you would save approximately $535 per year in property taxes. If you achieve a $100,000 reduction, that equals roughly $1,070 in annual savings. Given that the median home value in El Dorado County is $445,700 and statistics show that about 25% of homes nationwide are overassessed by an average of $1,346 annually, many El Dorado County homeowners could benefit from filing an appeal, especially if market values have declined since their last assessment.

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

To succeed in your El Dorado County property tax appeal, you should gather recent comparable sales (ideally from the last 6-12 months) of similar properties in your neighborhood, focusing on those with similar size, age, condition, and features. A professional appraisal report dated as of the January 1 lien date is highly persuasive evidence. Include photographs showing any property damage, deferred maintenance, or functional obsolescence that affects value. For properties needing repairs, obtain written estimates from licensed contractors. If your property is income-producing, prepare income and expense statements showing actual rental income and operating costs. The Assessment Appeals Board will weigh all evidence presented, so the more comprehensive and well-documented your case, the better your chances of success.

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

Yes, you can appeal your El Dorado County property taxes even if you recently purchased your home, though it may be more challenging. Under California's Proposition 13, properties are typically reassessed to market value when sold, so your new assessed value should closely match your purchase price. However, you can still appeal if you believe there are errors in how the assessor valued your property, if there are property defects that were not reflected in the assessment, or if the market has declined since your purchase. You might also appeal if the assessor incorrectly included personal property or made calculation errors. For the best chance of success in a recent purchase scenario, you'll need strong evidence such as a post-purchase appraisal showing a lower value, documentation of defects discovered after closing, or comparable sales demonstrating the assessor's value is too high.

What is Proposition 8 and how does it affect my El Dorado County property tax appeal?

Proposition 8 is a California constitutional provision that allows your assessed value to be temporarily reduced below your Proposition 13 base year value when the current market value of your property falls below your assessed value. This is particularly important in El Dorado County when property values decline due to market downturns or property-specific issues. Unlike the Proposition 13 base value which remains until a change of ownership or new construction occurs, a Proposition 8 reduction is temporary and applies only for the current tax year. You must file an appeal each year to receive a Proposition 8 reduction. When the market recovers, the assessor will gradually increase your assessed value back up to your Proposition 13 factored base year value (plus the 2% annual adjustment). This makes Proposition 8 appeals a valuable tool during periods of declining property values in El Dorado County.

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 →

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← All California property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Government/Assessor | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/california/el-dorado-county | https://www.tax-rates.org/california/el_dorado_county_property_tax | https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/faqs/assessappeals.htm | https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/homeowners_exemption.htm | https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/dv_exemption.htm

Last verified: 2026-02-26