Santa Barbara County, CA: Property Tax Appeal Guide (2025 to 2026)

Use this homeowner-friendly playbook to prep, file, and win a fair assessed value in Santa Barbara County.

Key facts at a glance

The 60-second primer

California property taxes are set on January 1 each year, also called the lien date. Proposition 13 limits normal increases in your taxable value to no more than 2% per year. Proposition 8 says if market value on January 1 is below your factored base-year value, the Assessor must enroll the lower number for that year. It is a temporary reduction that can rise more than 2% later if the market rebounds.

Property owners in other California counties can find their county-specific deadlines and procedures here.

New to property tax appeals? Start with the fundamentals in our Appeal 101 article, which covers the core concepts that apply across California.

Route A: Informal Review with the Assessor (Prop 8)

This is the quick, no-fee path to a correction. Most homeowners should start here before considering a formal appeal. See our comparison of informal and formal routes for guidance on choosing the right approach.

Check what the County has on file. Look up parcel details and your assessed value. Save screenshots for your file.

Build your case around January 1, 2025. Gather three to five comparable sales near your home that closed on or before March 31, 2025. Santa Barbara's form notes the Board cannot consider sales more than 90 days after January 1 for the 2025 lien date. For a detailed walkthrough on finding and adjusting comps, check out our guide to comparable sales. Understanding the evidence that carries weight helps you avoid spending hours on documents that don't matter.

Submit the Assessor's Prop 8 form by the due date. Finish the Real Property Request for Informal Assessment Review and email it with your evidence to [email protected], or mail it to the Assessor. Due November 17, 2025 for the 2025/26 roll.

Protect your rights. An informal request does not pause the formal appeal window. If you are near the deadline, file the formal appeal too.

When this route shines: you bought recently, your neighborhood cooled, or a condition issue was missed (deferred maintenance, location impacts, view loss).

Route B: Formal Assessment Appeal (Assessment Appeals Board)

This is your due-process route for an official, hearing-ready decision.

Confirm your timing and type. For the 2025/26 regular roll, file July 2 to December 1, 2025. If you received a Supplemental Assessment after a sale or remodel, you usually have 60 days from the date on the notice to appeal.

File the application. Use the County's e-filing portal or submit BOE-305-AH by mail/hand delivery to the Clerk of the Board. Pay the required filing fee during submission. Trusts and LLCs need proper signing authority—review our trustee and LLC filing guide to avoid dismissal for lack of standing.

Know the fees. Most homes: $65 per application/parcel. Properties over $30,000,000 or "complex" cases: $1,000.

Prep for the hearing. The Clerk will schedule you before the Assessment Appeals Board. The County's hearing guide explains what to bring, who participates, and how hearings flow.

Use the "Exchange of Information" tool. At least 30 days before the hearing, you can request a formal exchange under R&T §1606 so both sides share valuation data in advance. It reduces surprises.

Optionally request Findings of Fact. You can ask for written findings for a fee shown on the application instructions. Useful if you might seek further review.

DIY evidence checklist that actually works

Comparable sales: 3 to 5 arm's-length sales, same tract or nearby, similar bed/bath/lot, and no later than 90 days after January 1 for a Prop 8 decline-in-value case.

Photos: your home and each comp. Label dates and views.

Adjustments: time, size, condition, location. Keep it simple and consistent.

Support docs: inspection reports, contractor estimates for condition issues, appraisal excerpts where available.

One-page summary: your opinion of value on January 1 and the three strongest comps.

Understanding what assessors actually look for helps you focus your evidence on the most persuasive elements. Also review your property card to see whether land or improvement values are driving the assessment increase. Many homeowners also benefit from reading about common appeal myths that prevent valid appeals.

Quick answers (FAQ)

What is the regular filing window in Santa Barbara County for 2025/26?

July 2 to December 1, 2025. Dec 1 is the last day because Nov 30 is a Sunday this year.

What if I received a Supplemental Assessment Notice?

File a formal appeal within 60 days of the date printed on the notice or its postmark, whichever is later.

Does an informal Assessor review extend the formal deadline?

No. You must still file the formal appeal within the window if you want hearing rights.

Can my taxable value increase more than 2% after a Prop 8 reduction?

Yes. Prop 8 reductions are temporary. When market value rebounds, taxable value can rise faster than 2% until it reaches your factored base-year value again. This is a common concern we address in our property tax appeal myths article.

Do I have to attend a hearing in person?

Read the County's hearing guide to understand the process, options, and what to expect.

Local links, forms, and contacts

Assessor: Prop 8 "Decline in Value" overview and Informal Review form.

Parcel Details / Value Notice & Maps lookup.

Assessment Appeals e-Filing and Application (BOE-305-AH) + instructions.

Clerk of the Board, Assessment Appeals overview and case search.

State guidance: BOE Publication 30 and Prop 8 explainer.

Assessor 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 • (805) 568-2550 • [email protected]

Clerk of the Board (Assessment Appeals Board) 105 E. Anapamu St., Room 407, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 • (805) 568-2240 • [email protected]

How AppealArc helps Santa Barbara homeowners

Evidence, simplified. We pinpoint the best comps within the legal window so your file is persuasive, not bulky.

County-ready packets. We package your case to match what Santa Barbara's Assessor and Appeals Board expect.

Deadline defense. We track the Nov 17, 2025 informal cut-off and the Dec 1, 2025 appeal deadline so you never miss your shot.

AppealArc takes the guesswork out of preparing a winning property tax appeal.

Fine print you will be glad you read

The lien date is January 1. Build your valuation case around that date.

For Prop 8 decline-in-value, do not rely on sales more than 90 days after January 1. Santa Barbara says the Board cannot consider them.

If you want both sides' data up front, request an Exchange of Information under R&T §1606 at least 30 days before the hearing.

Rules are local. Always verify the current instructions with Santa Barbara County and county's official sites before filing.

Last updated: November 8, 2025.