Alameda County Assessor's Office Newsletter - Assessment Appeal Guide & Boardwalk Spotlight

Dear Alameda County Resident,

I'm proud to announce the completion of the 2025 Assessment Roll! This milestone wouldn't be possible without the dedication and hard work of my incredible staff. Their commitment ensures that Alameda County continues to thrive.

The total for the 2025–2026 Assessment Roll reached $435.04 billion, marking a 3.66% increase from the previous year. This revenue funds the vital services our community relies on daily—such as public hospitals, schools, libraries, roads, and public safety. Significantly, 42% of this revenue is dedicated to public education.

Our office also administers property tax exemptions for institutions which provide the services that enrich our county every day—such as affordable housing providers, churches, schools, homeowners, disabled veterans, and museums. In total, exemptions resulted in over $16.63 billion in property assessment savings for these vital groups.

Notifications of this year's individual assessments were mailed to all Alameda County property owners.

This month, we celebrated the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I hope your Fourth of July was filled with joy, rest, and time with loved ones. As we reflect on this historic day, let's continue to honor the values of liberty, equity, and justice that define our nation.

I had the pleasure participating in Alameda's 4th of July Parade. It was a wonderful celebration of community spirit and patriotism! Thank you to the City of Alameda for organizing such a wonderful event.

As always, we remain committed to serving the residents of Alameda County.

Sincerely,

Phong La

Alameda County Assessor

Assessment Appeals

Every year, at the Alameda County Assessor's Office, we make every effort to consider declines in value and to assess all property at the lessor of market value (as of January 1) or factored base value each year on a proactive basis.

You will receive an Assessment Notice by mail by the end of July each year. You can also look up your assessed value, parcel map, and property taxes anytime using the link HERE.

Disagree with the Assessment? Start with a Free Informal Review

If you disagree with your property's assessed value, you have two options to try to lower the assessment.

✅ Option 1: Request an Informal Review (Free)

Fill out the Informal Request for Reassessment Form
It's free of charge

Please keep in mind that you are not required to accept the results of the Informal Review.

If you still disagree, you can file a formal Assessment Appeal Application with the Clerk, Assessments Appeal Board.

✅ Option 2: File a Formal Appeal

For information on how to obtain and complete an application, call (510) 272-6352 or visit the Clerk's website
Filing Period: July 2 – September 15
Fee: $50

Please note that a formal appeal can take up to two years to get resolved.

What Happens After You File?

Once a timely appeal is filed, here's what happens next.

The Clerk of the Board sends the application to the Assessor's Office, where the Assessor's Office will assign an appraiser
The appraiser will request supporting documents from the applicant (this is called a 441D request)
After receiving and reviewing the information, the appraiser will make their valuation.
The appraiser may reach out to try to resolve the appeal without a formal hearing

If no agreement is reached, a hearing will be scheduled. You'll get at least 45 days' notice before your hearing date.

What to Expect at the Hearing

The Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) is a three-member panel that reviews all evidence presented by the property owner and the Assessor's Office at the formal hearing. The AAB acts in a quasi-judicial capacity and renders its decision only based on proper evidence presented at the hearing.

After the hearing, the board will determine the full value.

Need Help Preparing for the hearing?

For specific guidance on the assessment appeals process and how to prepare, check out these resources:

Board of Equalization Video Guide – Walks you through the appeal process
AAB Instruction Booklet – Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese

For more information on filing a formal appeal, see the Board of Equalization's Appeal Guide and visit their website here.

Alameda County Historic Spotlight

Neptune Beach: Alameda's Forgotten Amusement Paradise

From 1917 to 1939, Neptune Beach was Alameda's vibrant waterfront amusement park—dubbed the "Coney Island of the West." Located at what's now Crab Cove, it featured roller coasters, Olympic-size swimming pools, a Ferris wheel, and a hand-carved carousel made by the world-famous Dentzel Carousel Company. The park hosted legendary swimmers like Johnny Weissmuller and Jack LaLanne and introduced the world to the snow cone and the popsicle in 1923.

Owned by the Strehlow family, Neptune Beach was a popular escape with dancing, beach cottages, and family picnics—all for just a dime. But by 1939, the Great Depression, the new Bay Bridge, and shifting travel habits led to its closure. Most of the park's attractions were auctioned off, and during WWII the site became a government office area known as Neptune Pointe. Today, only traces of this seaside icon remain.