With a potentially record-breaking El Niño looming, Los Angeles County renewed a program offering a break on property taxes for Pasadena homeowners facing storm or flood losses of $10,000 or more.
The program offers a disaster reassessment process that lowers a property's taxable value during major repairs or a rebuild. Owners also can qualify for a refund of taxes already paid.
Here's what to know
In mid-October, the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office Property issued updated guidance for the program, Pasadena Now reported.
After experiencing damage due to a storm or flood, property owners have 12 months to request a Misfortune & Calamity reassessment. Once a request has been made, county appraisers determine the value of loss.
If the damage reduces current market value by at least $10,000, the appraisers can institute a temporary lower assessment, which cuts the tax bills while the property is being repaired or rebuilt.
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More background
The program's property-tax relief is not limited to single-family homes. Commercial buildings, business equipment and fixtures, agricultural groves, aircraft, boats, and certain manufactured homes can also qualify, as long as the damage represents at least $10,000 in lost current market value.
The amount of the property-tax reduction is based on the value of the property and the extent of the damage. Even when a disaster destroys a building, the land underneath it still retains valuable and remains taxable.
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As a result, any reduction in the property's assessed value is attributed to the property's structures and other improvements. Lesser damage can lead to a smaller adjustment, and household furnishings and manufactured homes not subject to property tax are excluded.
How to apply
To begin the process, owners who think they qualify can file Form ADS-820, known as the "Application for Reassessment of Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity." The county also accepts claims online.
The standard 12-month filing period has one exception that may apply to some owners. Senate Bill 663, enacted in 2025, gives qualifying Altadena property owners recovering from the Eaton Fire up to 24 months to seek reassessment. Storm losses generally still follow the regular 12-month window.
In the release, assessor Jeff Prang said his office will work to identify properties that may be eligible after disasters. That way, property owners would not need to proactively seek out assistance.
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Where can I learn more?
Across California, property owners have faced mounting challenges, from higher property taxes to more severe natural disasters.
• In Palo Alto, assessed property values rose as homeowners filed more tax appeals.
• In Sonoma County, millions in storm damage followed November flooding and infrastructure hits.
• Eaton Fire survivors pressed for insurance fixes and housing advances after losses.
• In Los Angeles County, families feared 50% rent hikes as postfire protections expired.
• In Los Angeles, rebuilt homes have saved $7,000 to $10,000 by going electric.
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