AppealDesk

Placer County Property Tax Appeal, California

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Placer County sits at the crossroads of the Sacramento Valley and the Sierra Nevada, with a 2020 population of 404,739 that has grown to over 442,000 by 2025. The county seat is Auburn, a historic Gold Rush town, while the largest cities are Roseville (population 171,058), Rocklin (over 70,000), and Lincoln (approximately 49,000). With a median home value of $658,800 and an effective property tax rate of 0.85%, Placer County homeowners face property tax burdens significantly higher than both the California state average (0.71%) and the national median. Property tax appeals are particularly important here because the county's effective rate is 0.14% higher than the state average, meaning homeowners pay approximately $5,600 annually in property taxes, well above the national median of $2,400.

Notable cities: Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Auburn, Granite Bay, Tahoe City

Median Home

$658,800

Tax Rate

0.85%

Annual Tax

$5,600

On the typical Placer County home, valued near $658,800 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.85%, 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, 2026 through September 15, 2026 for regular assessments

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

The 2026 regular filing period for decline-in-value appeals runs from July 2, 2026 through September 15, 2026. For supplemental assessments (change in ownership or new construction), you must file within 60 days of the date printed on the Supplemental Notice or tax bill. For escape assessments or calamity reassessments, file by the deadline stated on the notice.

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

How Placer County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Placer County Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: July (annual value notices mailed to all property owners)

California uses a 100% assessment ratio under Proposition 13, meaning your assessed value equals your property's full market value at the time of purchase or new construction. For example, if your home's market value is $658,800 (Placer County's median), at California's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $658,800, resulting in approximately $5,600 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.85%. Your assessed value can increase by a maximum of 2% per year under Proposition 13, but can decrease to current market value if property values decline.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board. The Assessment Appeals Board is expected to hear and decide appeals within two years of filing. You will receive written notice at least 45 days prior to your hearing, and you must respond at least 30 days before the scheduled hearing date. During the hearing, both you and the Assessor present evidence supporting your opinions of value, and the Board determines the full value of the property.

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Step 1: Contact the Assessor's Office at 530-889-4300 before filing to discuss your assessment informally and potentially resolve the issue without a formal appeal.

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Step 2: Obtain your current assessed value from the Assessor's annual notification mailed in July or by visiting the Placer County Assessor website property lookup tool.

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Step 3: Gather evidence of your property's market value as of January 1st of the appeal year, including comparable sales within 90 days of the valuation date, appraisals, photographs showing property condition, and repair estimates for any defects.

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Step 4: Complete the Assessment Appeal Application form and submit it with the $40 non-refundable filing fee (check or money order payable to Placer County) to the Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board between July 2 and September 15, 2026.

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Step 5: Participate in the exchange of information process with the Assessor's Office, where both parties share comparable sales and opinions of value at least 30 days before the hearing.

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Step 6: Attend your hearing before the Assessment Appeals Board. You will receive written notice at least 45 days prior to the hearing. Both you and the Assessor will present evidence, and the Board will determine the full value of your property.

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Step 7: If you disagree with the Assessment Appeals Board decision and have exhausted all local remedies, you may appeal to superior court. The decision of the Assessment Appeals Board is otherwise final.

Required form: Assessment Appeal Application (available from Placer County Clerk of the Board)

Filing Methods

mail:Mail to Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board, 175 Fulweiler Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603. Must be postmarked on or before the deadline. Hand-cancel at post office counter to ensure proper postmark.
in-person:Deliver to Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board, 175 Fulweiler Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar properties near the January 1st lien date (within 90 days after valuation date)Professional appraisal reportsPhotographs documenting property condition or defectsRepair estimates or contractor bids for needed repairsDocumentation of property issues affecting value (e.g., environmental concerns, access problems)

Placer County Assessor Contact

Placer County Assessor's Office

Phone: 530-889-4300

Address: 2980 Richardson Drive, Auburn, CA 95603

Website: https://www.placer.ca.gov/assessor

Online Portal: https://www.placer.ca.gov/5892/Self-Service

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tax Exemptions in Placer County

Homeowners' Exemption

$7,000 reduction in assessed value (approximately $70 annual tax savings)

Reduces the assessed value of your primary residence if you own and occupy it as your principal place of residence on January 1st.

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the home as your principal residence on January 1st. Only one exemption per person, and only for your primary residence.Deadline: February 15 for full exemption; partial exemption (80%) available if filed between February 16 and December 10

Disabled Veterans' Exemption - Basic

$180,671 reduction in assessed value for 2026 (approximately $1,536 annual tax savings at 0.85% rate)

Reduces assessed value for veterans rated 100% disabled or 100% unemployable due to service-connected injury or disease, and unmarried surviving spouses of qualifying deceased veterans.

Eligibility: US military veterans rated 100% disabled or 100% unemployable due to service-connected injury or disease; unmarried surviving spouses of qualifying deceased veterans. No income limit. One-time filing required.Deadline: February 15 for full exemption; late filings accepted with reduced benefit (90% if filed after February 15)

Disabled Veterans' Exemption - Low-Income

$271,009 reduction in assessed value for 2026 (approximately $2,304 annual tax savings at 0.85% rate)

Enhanced exemption for qualifying disabled veterans whose total household income does not exceed the annual income limit.

Eligibility: Same disability requirements as basic exemption, but total household income must not exceed $81,131 for 2026. Requires annual filing each year by February 15 with income documentation.Deadline: February 15 annually (must refile each year with income worksheet)

Placer County Appeal Statistics

Avg Reduction

$650

Placer County Appeal Packet · $49

Comparable sales evidence, county-specific filing guide, and professional cover letter. Enter your address to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Placer County for 2026?
The 2026 regular filing period for property tax appeals in Placer County runs from July 2, 2026 through September 15, 2026. This deadline applies to decline-in-value appeals where you believe your property's January 1st market value is lower than the assessed value. For supplemental assessments resulting from a change in ownership or new construction, you have 60 days from the date printed on the Supplemental Notice or tax bill to file your appeal. Make sure to have your application postmarked on or before the deadline, hand-cancel your envelope at the post office counter to guarantee the postmark date.
How much does it cost to file a property tax appeal in Placer County?
Filing a formal property tax appeal with the Placer County Assessment Appeals Board requires a $40 non-refundable processing fee for each parcel appealed. This fee must be paid by check or money order made payable to Placer County; credit card payments are not accepted. Before filing a formal appeal, you can contact the Assessor's Office at 530-889-4300 to discuss your assessment informally at no cost, which may resolve your concerns without the need for a formal appeal and filing fee.
What evidence do I need to win my property tax appeal in Placer County?
To succeed in your Placer County property tax appeal, you need strong evidence that your property's market value as of January 1st is lower than the assessed value. The most persuasive evidence includes recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood, ideally within 90 days after the January 1st valuation date as specified by California State Board of Equalization guidance. You should also bring photographs documenting property condition or defects, repair estimates from licensed contractors for needed work, and any professional appraisals you have obtained. The Assessment Appeals Board expects clear, organized evidence showing that comparable properties sold for less than your assessed value when adjusted for differences in size, condition, and features.
How long does the property tax appeal process take in Placer County?
The Placer County Assessment Appeals Board is expected to hear and decide appeals within two years of filing, though many cases are resolved sooner. After you file your appeal, you will receive written notice at least 45 days prior to your scheduled hearing date, and you must respond at least 30 days before that hearing date. Some appeals are settled through the informal exchange of information process with the Assessor's Office before reaching a formal hearing. If you reach an agreement with the Assessor during this exchange, you can withdraw your appeal. However, if no agreement is reached, your case will proceed to a hearing where the Board will make a final determination.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Placer County?
The Homeowners' Exemption in Placer County reduces your property's assessed value by $7,000, which translates to approximately $70 in annual property tax savings at the county's rates. To qualify, you must own and occupy the home as your principal place of residence on January 1st of each year. The deadline to file for the full exemption is February 15, though a partial exemption (80% of the benefit) is available if you file between February 16 and December 10. Once you file for the Homeowners' Exemption, it automatically renews each year as long as you continue to own and occupy the same residence, so you don't need to reapply annually.
Can I appeal my Placer County property taxes if I just bought my home?
Yes, you can appeal your property taxes in Placer County even if you recently purchased your home. When you buy a property, the Assessor establishes a new base year value equal to the purchase price, and you may receive a supplemental tax bill for the difference between the old and new assessed values. If you believe the Assessor's valuation is incorrect or if the market has declined since your purchase, you can file an appeal within 60 days of receiving the Supplemental Notice. You can also file during the regular appeal period (July 2 to September 15) for the year your property's value is first placed on the regular assessment roll, or within the following three years. New homeowners often successfully appeal when they can demonstrate that comparable sales or market conditions support a lower value than the assessed amount.
What happens at my Placer County Assessment Appeals Board hearing?
At your Placer County Assessment Appeals Board hearing, you will be sworn in and given the opportunity to present your evidence first, followed by the Assessor's presentation. The hearing is a quasi-judicial proceeding where both you and the Assessor present evidence supporting your respective opinions of your property's fair market value as of January 1st of the assessment year. You should bring organized documentation including comparable sales data, photographs, appraisals, and any other evidence showing your property's market value. The Assessment Appeals Board, consisting of five members with professional experience in property valuation or related fields, will review all evidence and determine the full value of your property. After the hearing, you will receive the Board's decision in writing, and that decision is final unless you pursue further legal remedies in superior court.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Placer County?
The amount you can save through a successful property tax appeal in Placer County depends on how much your assessed value is reduced. With Placer County's effective tax rate of 0.85%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves you $85 per year in property taxes. According to available data, successful appeals in Placer County result in an average savings of $650 annually. For example, if your home is assessed at $700,000 but you successfully prove its market value is only $625,000, you would save approximately $638 per year (the difference of $75,000 multiplied by 0.85%). Given that Placer County has one of the highest median property taxes in the United States and the highest rate in the northern Sierra Nevada region, even modest assessment reductions can yield significant ongoing savings throughout your ownership.

Official Resources

Placer County Assessor's Office →

Official county assessor website with property information lookup, assessment details, and exemption applications.

Placer County Property Tax Assessment Appeals →

Official assessment appeals information including filing periods, forms, fees, and detailed appeal process instructions.

California State Board of Equalization - Assessment Appeals →

State-level guidance on the property tax assessment appeal process, rules, and taxpayer rights throughout California.

Placer County Property Lookup Tool →

Online tool to look up property characteristics, assessed values, ownership information, and parcel maps for properties in Placer 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 →

More California Counties

Alameda County (Oakland)Butte County (Chico)Contra Costa County (Martinez)El Dorado County (Placerville)Fresno County (Fresno)Imperial County (El Centro)
← All California property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.placer.ca.gov/2236/Property-Tax-Assessment-Appeals | https://www.placer.ca.gov/assessor | https://propertytaxrates.org/counties/california/placer-county/ | https://www.placer.ca.gov/5657/Homeowners-Exemption | https://www.placer.ca.gov/5947/Disabled-Veterans-Exemption | https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/pdf/lta25014.pdf | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placer_County,_California

Last verified: 2026-07-24