Kern County Property Appraiser & Tax Assessor
Real property appraisal records, parcel search lookup, property tax rates, and assessment protest deadlines for Kern County, California.
Kern County Assessor's Office Information
Kern County Appraisal & Assessment Office, Bakersfield, CA 06001
Get Driving Directions ↗Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Local Time)
Closed on state & federal holidays.
(213) 493-9899
County Assessor Portal / OpenData
Kern County Property Tax Calculator
Estimated using Kern County's effective tax rate of 0.79% (Assessment ratio: 100%)
Appealing Your Kern County Assessment
July 2 through November 30 (or September 15 in counties where assessor sends assessment notices by August 1).
Under California property tax law, property owners in Kern County have the legal right to challenge an assessed valuation that exceeds fair market value, is unequally appraised compared to neighboring properties, or contains clerical errors.
Contact the Kern County Assessor's Office to review your property record card, verify square footage, and present recent comparable sales (comps).
If informal review does not resolve the valuation, file a written notice of appeal with the County Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) before the statutory deadline.
Was Your Kern County Home Over-Assessed This Year?
Studies show up to 30% to 60% of US residential properties are overvalued by automated municipal algorithms. Protesting your assessment before the statutory deadline can lower your tax bill by an average of $1,100/year.
Kern County Homestead Exemptions & Tax Relief
Homeowners in Kern County who occupy their home as their permanent primary residence may qualify for property tax reductions under state and local homestead programs:
Proposition 13 limits general property tax to 1% of assessed value and limits annual assessed value inflation to a maximum of 2%. Standard $7,000 homeowners exemption.
Proposition 19 allows homeowners 55+ or severely disabled to transfer taxable base-year value anywhere in California. Disabled Veterans Exemption up to $161,083 (basic) or $241,627 (low income).
Need Deed, Lien, or Title Records for Kern County?
While the Property Appraiser values real estate for taxation, official legal property transfers, warranty deeds, mortgages, and marriage records in Kern County are maintained by the County Clerk & Recorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Kern County Property Appraiser office located?
The official Kern County property appraisal and tax assessment office is located at Kern County Appraisal & Assessment Office, Bakersfield, CA 06001. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Local Time). You can reach the customer service staff by phone at (213) 493-9899.
What is the property tax rate in Kern County, CA?
The average effective property tax rate in Kern County is approximately 0.79%. For a home with the median county market value of $811.000, the estimated annual property tax is about $6407 per year.
How do I search for a property or parcel in Kern County?
You can look up property record cards, assessed valuations, ownership history, and parcel boundary maps online through the official Kern County parcel search portal: https://bakersfield.gov/assessor/parcel-search.
When is the deadline to appeal my property assessment in Kern County?
Property valuation protests and appeals in Kern County must be submitted by: July 2 through November 30 (or September 15 in counties where assessor sends assessment notices by August 1). Appeals are formally reviewed and heard by the County Assessment Appeals Board (AAB).
How does the Homestead Exemption work in Kern County?
Proposition 13 limits general property tax to 1% of assessed value and limits annual assessed value inflation to a maximum of 2%. Standard $7,000 homeowners exemption. Additional exemptions are available for senior citizens (65+) and disabled military veterans (Proposition 19 allows homeowners 55+ or severely disabled to transfer taxable base-year value anywhere in California. Disabled Veterans Exemption up to $161,083 (basic) or $241,627 (low income).).
Adjacent & Neighboring County Appraisers
County Overview
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