Winter Fires of 2025: real property tax: exemptions and reassessment.

Senators Allen, McNerney, and Pérez have introduced legislation extending property tax relief measures for California property owners affected by recent wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The bill modifies assessment procedures and timelines for properties damaged by eight specific fires that occurred between late 2024 and early 2025.

The legislation extends the period for transferring base year property values and filing reassessment claims. Property owners whose homes were damaged by the specified fires now have 24 months to apply for reassessment, double the standard 12-month window. The bill also allows property owners to retain their base year values for an additional three years when reconstructing damaged properties.

For disabled veterans and their surviving spouses, the bill preserves property tax exemptions even when their homes are completely destroyed by a declared disaster, provided they intend to rebuild and reoccupy the property. Properties that received tax exemptions in 2025 but can no longer be used for exempt purposes due to fire damage may maintain their exempt status through 2033 if owners demonstrate plans to reconstruct and resume the original exempt use.

The measure includes provisions affecting local government administration of property taxes while limiting state reimbursement for revenue losses. As an urgency statute, the bill would take effect immediately upon enactment to provide rapid relief to affected property owners.