San Diego is extending a helping hand to flood victims through a new tax relief initiative. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors, in a unanimous decision on Tuesday, approved a program that enables eligible property owners in areas affected by floods to request a deferral of their property taxes.
Chair Nora Vargas emphasized the importance of allowing residents to focus on rebuilding their lives rather than worrying about property tax payments in the aftermath of winter storms. The proposal, brought forward by Vargas, Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, and County Assessor Jordan Marks, targets homes with $10,000 or more in damages and businesses where 20% or more of the property’s value is impacted.
Property Tax Relief Initiative in San Diego
Marks highlighted the broad applicability of the program, covering multifamily units and various commercial properties, including agricultural and manufacturing. The initiative was made possible through the efforts of Shane Harris, president of the People’s Association of Justice Advocates, who advocated for the most impacted families facing poverty, homelessness, and the risk of eviction or losing their homes.
The relief program aims to ease the burden on affected homeowners and businesses throughout the entire County of San Diego. Marks outlined the timeline, stating that it extends the property tax payment deadline from April to the finalization of the reconstruction permit. Once reconstruction is complete, property owners have 30 days to fulfill their property tax obligations.
Interested individuals can file for property tax relief with the County Assessor’s office. Marks anticipates a substantial number of applications and emphasizes that they must be submitted within 12 months of the damage. The agenda item is scheduled for a second reading by the county board of supervisors on March 12, further solidifying the commitment to supporting the community in its recovery efforts.
Recent Floodings in San Diego Affect Thousands
San Diego city officials are diligently assessing their expenditures incurred in dealing with the January 22 storm and subsequent flooding. Their aim is to determine the eligibility for federal relief funds, which were made available after President Joe Biden declared the storm a major disaster on February 19. While this declaration unlocked federal funds for individuals who suffered personal losses, city government agencies are now seeking ways to secure similar declarations, with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency scheduled to brief the City Council on the process during a public hearing on either March 11 or March 12. Despite expressing confidence in eventual reimbursement, officials caution that the intricate and time-consuming nature of the process means it will take years.
The Jan. 22 storm and ensuing floods, which resulted in three fatalities and damaged or destroyed approximately 1,000 homes in San Diego County, particularly along Chollas Creek, prompted Mayor Todd Gloria to estimate $51.1 million in damage to the city’s infrastructure. The mayor anticipates this figure will grow as more impacts are assessed. The city has also proactively invested in recovery efforts, incurring additional expenses for overtime for city crews, engaging emergency contractors for supplies, and acquiring new resources such as sandbags.