By Stephen Witt
Despite devastating wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes and scorched wide swaths of Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Malibu, property taxes across the county will increase again this year..
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang announced this week that the 2025 Assessment Roll increased by $82 billion, or 3.91%, over last year. This marks 15 years of continuous growth, with an estimated net local roll value of over $2 trillion.
This growth does not mean property owners will be subject to a corresponding increase on their annual property tax bills. However, most property owners will see the adjusted 2% adjustment maximum increase as prescribed by Proposition 13, meaning their property tax bill will increase corresponding to their new property’s assessed value.
“As I said when I presented the forecast to the Board of Supervisors in May, this has been a very challenging year, highlighted by the devastation of the January wildfires that laid to waste large sections of Altadena and the Pacific Palisades,” said Prang.
“The wildfires impacted more than 23,000 property parcels, including the total loss of over 10,000 homes, which significantly decreased property tax revenue. However, we are committed to ensuring property owners receive the assessment relief they are entitled in a timely manner,” he added.
While the housing market has shown signs of slowing, median home sales prices remained robust, reaching a high of $950,000. In fact, property transfers served as the single most significant factor contributing to this year’s Roll growth – adding $51 billion in additional value.
Pang said the 2025 Assessment Roll’s growth translates to $2.176 trillion in total net value that will put more than $20 billion in property tax dollars towards public services such as public education, first responders and healthcare workers, as well as other County, municipal and public education services.
Taxable property includes land, buildings, and business property, including furniture, machinery, and equipment. Assessments are based on property values as of January 1, 2025, and once determined, they are placed on an inventory list called the Assessment Roll.
Among the local municipalities that commented on the 2025 Assessment Roll was the City of La Mirada, which noted on its website that the City’s total assessed property value reached $9.9 billion in 2025, a 6.2% increase over the previous year.
“La Mirada’s increase aligns with trends in nearby cities, including Cerritos (+4.1%), Downey (+3.6%), Whittier (+5.8%), and Norwalk (+9%). Countywide, total assessed property values surpassed $2.1 trillion, generating more than $20 billion in property tax revenue to support schools, emergency services, and healthcare,” La Mirada wrote on its website.
To access the 2025 Assessment Roll, go to: https://assessor.lacounty.gov/news-information/annualroll
