Question 1: What is meant by new construction or change of ownership?
Typically, new construction is any substantial addition to real property, including original construction, adding a new room, pool, or garage; or any substantial alteration which restores a building, room, or other improvements to the equivalent of new.
Most changes in ownership caused by the sale of property result in reassessment. However, interspousal transfers, the transfer, sale, or inheritance of property between parents and their children, and the addition of joint tenants do not result in the reappraisal of property values. Parent/child transfers require exemption filings within a limited period.
Homeowners over the age of 55 years who sell their principal residence and purchase a replacement dwelling within two years that is of equal or lesser market value and is located in the same county, are eligible to transfer the pre-sale assessed value of their original property to the replacement dwelling. Pre-sale assessed values may be transferred to counties where local ordinance permits. Not all counties within the State of California accept such transfers.
Information or claim forms regarding assessment issues should be referred to the Assessor's Office, 805‑568‑2550.