Contra Costa County Real Estate Appraisers
Appraiser scout's nationwide database of Contra Costa Real Estate Appraisers
will be able to answer any questions regarding Contra Costa appraisal work. For
more questions regarding tax rules, see below or contact the Contra Costa Real
Estate Appraisal County Office.
For any questions about valuation please ask of one of the many qualified
Appraisers on Appraiser Scout. A list of Contra Costa Real Estate Appraisal
services are available for each appraiser on our nationwide directory. Contra
Costa Appraisal products can also be used for financing, PMI removal and family
law cases.
Builder's Exclusion
A Builders Exclusion, under the Taxation Code, many taxpayers in the
construction industry are unaware that they can be exempted from payment of tax
bills resulting from the completion of new construction just by asking.
For developers of single-family subdivisions an exclusion for builders is
received upon recording the subdivision map of five lots or more. For a
Builder's Exclusion on fewer than five single-family lots or on other types of
property, you must submit a letter requesting the exclusion within 30 days of
the start of new construction or prior to the start of land development and/or
improvements. This means that as soon as they buy raw land intended for
development, the builder should submit a request for exclusion.
Apply for the tax exclusion as soon as the land is purchased for development.
Apply for the whole tract or parcel to be developed. There is no need to reapply
if builder's exclusion is granted on the parent parcel and the parcel splits.
Builders should be aware that once the exclusion is granted for taxes they are
still responsible for payment of any supplemental tax bills based upon the
purchase of land they purchased for development.
January 1 of each year, secured tax bills based on the value of land and new
construction when completed or incomplete, are due and payable. Builders with
parcels protected by exclusion are also cautioned that should they begin using
parcels for a purpose other than resale they are required to notify the Contra
Costa Appraiser of this fact within 45 days after any non-resale's.
The Williamson Act
Williamson Act otherwise known as The California Land Conservation Act of
1965 is known as a tax relief measure for landowners. The act allows any land
owners to sign a contract with the government guaranteeing that the land will be
preserved for at least 10 years. Instead of using market value, the Contra Costa
Real Estate Appraiser uses income to determine the value of the land. The owner
will then be taxed based on the lower of the values given by the market, or
income approach. Generally, farmer taxes are greatly reduced. To place your farm
into the AG Preserve one must apply to the County Planning Department by October
15 to receive benefits under the Williamson Act. The Contra Costa Real Estate
Appraiser may require a reporting of agricultural products produced in the tax
year in question.
