Under California property tax law, “new construction” is defined in four general categories:

• Any substantial addition to land or improvements, including fixtures.

• Any physical alteration of any improvement, or a portion thereof, to a “like-new” condition, or to extend its economic life, or to change the way in which the improvement, or portion thereof, is used.

• Any substantial physical alteration of land which constitutes a major rehabilitation of the land or changes the manner in which it is used.

• Any substantial physical rehabilitation, renovation or modernization of any fixture that converts it to the substantial equivalent of a new fixture or any substitution of a new fixture.

Any projects that consist of erecting a new building, increasing the square footage of a property, or adding improvements to a home that didn’t previously exist are all considered assessable.
Examples of such projects are:

• Horizontal addition

• Vertical addition

• Converting an unfinished basement or attic into living space

• Adding a new bathroom

• Adding a garage

• Adding an elevator

Often times what is and isn’t considered assessable for remodeling projects can be confusing to taxpayers. If the projects are part of normal maintenance and repair, such as dry rot repairs or roof replacements, then they are not considered assessable. This also extends to projects that are primarily cosmetic like replacing bathroom or kitchen fixtures of similar quality.

Any projects that raise the quality class or extend the useable life of the property are considered assessable. These “like new” or substantially equivalent to new renovations involve more substantial structural changes. They include projects that change the layout of the kitchen or bathroom, alter the usage of current property, or upgrade the capacity of the plumbing or electrical systems. Here are some examples but it is important to keep in mind that the scope of each project varies, so our office reviews each permit individually.

Assessable Examples:

• Bathroom remodel - the addition of one, or structural changes, upgrading of plumbing and/or electrical systems, changing the floor plan, increasing the size, replacing cabinets, countertops, flooring or fixtures with upgraded material and finishes

• Kitchen - structural changes, upgrading of plumbing and/or electrical systems, changing the floor plan, increasing the size, replacing cabinets, countertops, flooring or built-in appliances with upgraded material and finishes

• Completely renovating a property or portion thereof, i.e. down to studs

• Change of use, i.e. converting from industrial to residential use

• Upgrading electrical capacity from 110v to 220v

Not Assessable Examples:

• Bath/Kitchen remodel - Replacement of cabinets, countertops, flooring, fixtures or built-in appliances with items of similar quality

• Dry rot or termite repairs

• Reroofing

• Replacing or repairing doors, windows, fences or decks

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  Exclusions

Some construction and remodeling may be eligible for exclusion from reassessment such as fire damage or seismic retrofitting.