AppealDesk

Monterey County Property Tax Appeal — California

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 26, 2026

Monterey County is located on California's Central Coast with Salinas serving as the county seat. Major population centers include Salinas, Monterey, Seaside, Marina, and the affluent communities of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach. Property tax appeals are particularly important in Monterey County due to the area's high median home values and effective tax rates. The median home value in Monterey County is approximately $795,000, significantly above the national median, while the effective property tax rate of 1.11% is slightly higher than the national median of 1.02%. With a median annual property tax bill of approximately $4,500, homeowners pay roughly $2,100 more per year than the national median of $2,400.

Notable cities: Salinas, Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove, Soledad, King City

Median Home

$795,000

Tax Rate

1.11%

Annual Tax

$4,500

Population

440,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: July 2, 2026 through December 1, 2026

For regular assessment appeals based on the January 1, 2026 lien date, applications must be filed between July 2, 2026 and December 1, 2026 (since November 30, 2026 falls on a Monday). For supplemental or escaped assessments, appeals must be filed within 60 days from the date shown on the supplemental or escaped notice. Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2026 or received by the Clerk of the Board by 5:00 PM PST on December 1, 2026.

Property in Monterey County, California — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Monterey County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Monterey County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically mid-April)

California law requires properties to be assessed at 100% of their market value at the time of purchase or new construction. Under Proposition 13, this becomes your base year value, which can only increase by a maximum of 2% annually unless a reassessment event occurs. For example, if your home's market value is $795,000 at purchase, your assessed value in Monterey County would be $795,000 (100% assessment ratio), resulting in approximately $8,825 in annual property taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.11%. This base value is adjusted annually by the inflation rate or 2%, whichever is lower, until the property changes ownership or undergoes substantial new construction.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board. The Assessment Appeals Board consists of three members appointed by the Board of Supervisors. During your hearing, both you and the Assessor's Office will present evidence and testimony. The Board will consider only comparable sales from properties sold no later than 90 days after the January 1 valuation date. You may request a pre-hearing Exchange of Information to review the evidence both sides plan to present.

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Step 1: Request an informal review with the Monterey County Assessor's Office by calling (831) 755-5035 if you believe your property's assessed value is too high. This is a free, informal process where you can discuss your concerns directly with the assessor's staff.

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Step 2: If the informal review does not resolve your dispute, obtain the Application for Changed Assessment (BOE-305-AH) from the Clerk of the Board or download it from the county website. Complete the form with your property information, parcel number, and proposed value.

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Step 3: Gather supporting evidence including comparable sales from properties sold within 90 days after January 1 (through approximately March 31), photographs documenting property condition, contractor estimates for needed repairs, and any other documentation supporting your claim that the assessed value exceeds fair market value.

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Step 4: File your completed application with the Clerk of the Board between July 2 and December 1, 2026, along with the $40 processing fee (or fee waiver request if you qualify based on financial hardship under California Government Code section 68632). Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered by the deadline.

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Step 5: Attend your scheduled hearing before the three-member Assessment Appeals Board appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Present your evidence, including comparable sales, photographs, and any other supporting documentation. The Assessor's Office will also present their evidence.

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Step 6: Await the Board's decision, which will either uphold the Assessor's value, reduce it to your proposed value, or set it at a different amount. If you disagree with the Board's decision, you may appeal to the California State Board of Equalization or, in some cases, to Superior Court.

Required form: Application for Changed Assessment (BOE-305-AH)

Filing Methods

mail:Monterey County Clerk of the Board, P.O. Box 1369, Salinas, CA 93902 (payment by check or money order payable to County of Monterey)
in-person:168 West Alisal Street, First Floor, Salinas, CA 93901 during regular business hours 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday (closed for lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM)

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales from similar properties sold within 90 days after January 1Photographs showing property condition, defects, or needed repairsContractor bids or estimates for repairsProperty inspection reports or appraisalsDocumentation of functional obsolescence or property damage

Monterey County Assessor Contact

Monterey County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder

Phone: (831) 755-5035

Address: 168 West Alisal Street, 1st Floor, Salinas, CA 93901

Website: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/assessor

Online Portal: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/assessor/assessor/property-inquiry/property-value-notice

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM), excluding holidays

Tax Exemptions in Monterey County

Homeowners' Exemption

$7,000 reduction in assessed value (saves approximately $70 per year)

A reduction in the assessed value for owner-occupied primary residences

Eligibility: Property owners who own and occupy the home as their principal place of residence as of January 1stDeadline: February 15 for full exemption that year (one-time filing, remains in effect while you continue to qualify)

Disabled Veterans' Exemption

Up to $150,000 of assessed value for veterans rated 100% disabled

Exemption for qualifying disabled veterans or their surviving spouses

Eligibility: Veterans who are rated 100% disabled, blind, or paraplegic due to a service-connected disability, or their surviving spousesDeadline: February 15 to receive full exemption for that year

Proposition 8 Temporary Reduction

Reduction to current market value (varies by property)

Temporary assessment reduction when market value falls below assessed value

Eligibility: Any property where the current market value is lower than the Proposition 13 factored base year valueDeadline: July 2 - December 1 for regular assessment roll; contact Assessor for informal review

Disaster Relief

Removal of destroyed improvements from assessment; varies by damage

Property tax relief for properties damaged by fire, flood, or other natural disasters

Eligibility: Properties with at least $10,000 in damage from a major calamityDeadline: Within 12 months after the property damage occurs

Official Resources

Monterey County Assessor Website →

Official website of the Monterey County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder with information on property assessments, exemptions, and contact details.

Monterey County Property Value Lookup →

Online tool to search property values, assessment notices, and parcel information by parcel number or address.

Assessment Appeals Forms and Applications →

Download the Application for Changed Assessment (BOE-305-AH) and other required forms for filing a property tax appeal in Monterey County.

California State Board of Equalization - Property Tax Information →

Statewide resource for California property tax laws, publications, assessment appeal guidelines, and homeowner information from the State Board of Equalization.

Check Your Monterey County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Monterey County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Monterey County for 2026?
For regular assessment appeals based on the January 1, 2026 lien date, you must file your Application for Changed Assessment between July 2, 2026 and December 1, 2026. Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2026 or hand-delivered to the Clerk of the Board at 168 West Alisal Street, Salinas by 5:00 PM PST on December 1. For supplemental or escaped assessments, you have only 60 days from the date shown on your notice to file an appeal, so don't miss this critical deadline.
How much does it cost to file a property tax appeal in Monterey County?
Monterey County charges a $40 non-refundable processing fee for each Application for Changed Assessment filed (one application is required for each parcel). However, if you qualify for a waiver of court fees and costs under California Government Code section 68632 due to financial hardship, you may request a fee waiver by submitting the Fee Waiver Request Form concurrently with your appeal application. Payment can be made by check or money order payable to County of Monterey for mailed applications, or by cash, check, or money order for hand-delivered applications.
Should I request an informal review before filing a formal appeal in Monterey County?
Yes, requesting an informal review with the Monterey County Assessor's Office is highly recommended before filing a formal appeal. Contact the Assessor at (831) 755-5035 to request an informal Proposition 8 review if you believe your property's January 1 value is below the assessed value shown on your notice. This informal process is free, faster, and often resolves valuation disputes without the need for a formal hearing. If the informal review does not resolve your concern, you can then file a formal appeal with the Assessment Appeals Board by the December 1 deadline.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Monterey County?
The Homeowners' Exemption in Monterey County provides a $7,000 reduction in your property's assessed value, which translates to approximately $70 per year in property tax savings. To qualify, you must own and occupy the home as your principal place of residence as of January 1st. New property owners automatically receive an exemption application form in the mail. This is a one-time filing that remains in effect as long as you continue to qualify, but you must file by February 15 to receive the full exemption for that year.
What evidence do I need to win a property tax appeal in Monterey County?
To successfully appeal your property taxes in Monterey County, you need strong comparable sales evidence from properties sold within 90 days after the January 1 valuation date (typically through March 31). Select 3 to 5 comparable properties that are similar in size, age, condition, and location to your property. Include photographs documenting your property's condition, any defects, or needed repairs. Contractor bids or estimates for repairs, property inspection reports, and documentation of functional obsolescence strengthen your case. Create a one-page summary showing your value conclusion with adjustments for differences between your property and the comparables.
Can my property taxes go up if I appeal in Monterey County?
Yes, under California law, the Assessment Appeals Board has the authority to increase, decrease, or maintain your property's assessed value based on the evidence presented at the hearing. While the Board typically does not increase values during decline-in-value appeals, they must determine the fair market value from all evidence presented. This means there is a risk your assessment could be raised if the evidence shows your property is worth more than the current assessed value. However, most property owners appeal because they believe their assessment is too high, and the Board's decision is based on factual evidence rather than arbitrary increases.
How long does the property tax appeal process take in Monterey County?
The property tax appeal process in Monterey County typically takes several months from filing to final decision. After you file your Application for Changed Assessment between July 2 and December 1, the Clerk of the Board will schedule your hearing with the Assessment Appeals Board. Hearings are typically held in the following calendar year, often between January and June. The three-member Assessment Appeals Board will review evidence from both you and the Assessor's Office during the hearing. The Board may issue a decision immediately after the hearing or take the matter under submission and issue a written decision later, usually within 30 to 60 days.
What happens if I miss the December 1 appeal deadline in Monterey County?
If you miss the December 1 deadline for regular assessment appeals in Monterey County, you generally lose your right to challenge that year's assessment and will have to wait until the next filing period to appeal the following year's value. The only exception is for supplemental or escaped assessments, which have their own 60-day deadline from the notice date. There are no extensions available for the regular filing period. To avoid missing the deadline, mark your calendar and consider filing well before December 1. If you receive a supplemental or escaped assessment notice at any time during the year, act immediately as you have only 60 days from the notice date to file an appeal.

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.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/assessor | https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-i-z/treasurer-tax-collector/tax-collection/secured-property-tax/assessment-appeals | https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/clerk-of-the-board/assessment-appeals-forms-applications-documents | https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/pdf/lta25020.pdf | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/california/monterey-county | https://www.zillow.com/home-values/2444/monterey-county-ca/

Last verified: 2026-02-26