Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce

SCV Water

New Water Main Installation on Calgrove Blvd. and Ebelden Ave.

05 Feb 2026 by SCV Water

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County of Los Angeles

Small Business Mobility Fund

04 Feb 2026 by County of Los Angeles

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Metro Updates

Long-Term Southbound Hasley Canyon Roundabout On-Ramp Full Closure

04 Feb 2026 by Metro Updates

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SchlickArt

Marketing in 2026: What to Hold Onto When Everything’s Changing

26 Jan 2026 by SchlickArt

SchlickArt Blog Marketing in 2026: What to Hold Onto When Everything’s Changing

Marketing has been a bumpy ride lately.

New tools appear overnight.
Goalposts keep moving.
AI is evolving faster than most of us can process—let alone integrate.

It’s like trying to get somewhere while the terrain keeps changing under your tires.

Yet still… growth is expected.

That’s the pressure of marketing in 2026.

No wonder we're all exhausted.

Here's the reframe that helped us:
You don’t have to choose between keeping up and building something steady.

You can adapt and stay centered.
It’s not either/or. It’s both/and.

When new technology is guided by human insight and clear strategy, marketing doesn’t just keep pace—it creates connection.

In our latest article, we break down what actually holds up through change, including:

The marketing fundamentals that still matter in 2026
Where businesses tend to overcorrect or overcomplicate
How to implement the latest trends and innovations without losing your brand
Why clarity and consistency are more powerful than constant reinvention

Most people know SchlickArt for our photo and video work, but that creative execution starts with deeper conversations around strategy, positioning and long-term planning. Before anything is created, we help clients decide what’s worth holding onto—and what isn’t.

If you’re planning for the year ahead and feeling the tension between change and consistency, this perspective may be helpful.

👉 Read the full article: 2026 Marketing Trends: What to Hold Onto When Everything’s Evolving

Originally published by SchlickArt, a Santa Clarita–based fractional marketing team serving professional service organizations and growing businesses.

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Koegle Law Group, APC

PAGA Cure Timelines Are Tight—and Waiting Can Be Costly

26 Jan 2026 by Koegle Law Group, APC

By Associate Ransom D. Boynton

Do not refresh your screens. No, the algorithm on your favorite music streaming service’s “shuffle” function is not broken. The fact that the same songs keep coming up in every one of my articles is deliberate. I will continue to play “the greatest hits” of the Labor and Employment Litigation playlist until we are all singing the songs by heart at the top of our lungs.

Whatever you do, don't turn off the music now.

Even though the California Legislature has authorized the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (“LWDA”) to “help” California businesses avoid PAGA penalties by “curing” violations, the medicine tastes terrible. As many employers are finding out, it doesn’t cure violations any better than the “Green Death”-flavored cold medicine knocks out the common cold.

If you’re counting on the PAGA cure process to save you after a notice arrives, this article explains why that plan is far riskier—and more expensive—than it sounds. Here's what we'll cover:

Why the PAGA cure process is still largely untested and unpredictable
How unforgiving timelines can limit even well-intentioned employers
The difference between pre-notice preparation and post-notice panic
Why early audits often cost less than late “cures”
How readiness can mean the difference between manageable exposure and runaway litigation

Skip the “Green Death.” Learn why preparation is the only cure that goes down easy.

👉 Read the full blog here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

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Family Promise Of Santa Clarita Valley

Join Us In Celebrating 1 Year - Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley

23 Jan 2026 by Family Promise Of Santa Clarita Valley

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Elevate Business Solutions

Scale Your Business with These Sustainable Strategies for Growth

21 Jan 2026 by Elevate Business Solutions

As businesses plan for 2026, many leaders are focused on growth, but growth without the right operational foundation can quickly become unsustainable.

At Elevate Business Solutions, we help business owners implement strategies for growth that increase revenue without increasing chaos. Scaling a business requires intentional systems, clear delegation, and a strong understanding of operational and financial data.

Sustainable scaling directly impacts profitability, team capacity, and leadership effectiveness. Business owners should use this planning season to evaluate whether their current operations can support the next stage of growth.

Assess whether your business is ready to scale
Streamline and optimize core systems and processes
Strengthen delegation to remove leadership bottlenecks
Use accurate financial data to guide strategic decisions

Start 2026 with a growth plan built to last.

Read the full article on our website

This article was originally published by Elevate Business Solutions, proudly supporting business owners and leadership teams nationwide.

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County of Los Angeles

LA County Introduces the New Phase of the Small Business Mobility Fund to Support the Launch of Small Businesses

08 Jan 2026 by County of Los Angeles

Nearly $500,000 in grant awards available to support 100 entrepreneurs and small businesses

Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has launched two new grants under the Small Business Mobility Fund: Entrepreneurship Academy Grants and Launch Grants to provide seed funding to entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to launch their business and commercial spaces in the County.

The Launch Grants offers grants ranging from $5,000 for businesses launching in non-retail commercial spaces—such as offices and warehouses—to $10,000 for businesses launching in retail commercial spaces with a storefront. Awards for these grants will be exclusively made to help businesses launch their brick-and-mortar business in the unincorporated areas of the County. While not a requirement, priority is provided to businesses dislocated by recent wildfires or opening a business in the unincorporated areas of the County in close proximity to the fires, among other factors such as number of employees and locations with higher unemployment rates of LA County based on the County’s Equity Explorer Map. Eligible uses include tenant or facade improvements, signage, and related building permits.

In addition, the Entrepreneurship Academy Grants provide up to $2,000 to entrepreneurs and small business owners that graduated from DEO’s Entrepreneurship Academies to help them launch their business or take their business to the next level. Entrepreneurship Academies are 8 to 10-week cohort-based educational programs launched in 2024 with four partners in the region. Academy participants graduated with a business, marketing, and financial plan as well as foundational business strategies, knowledge, and resources to grow. To date the Academies have graduated 819 participants across all five Supervisorial Districts.

“At the Department of Economic Opportunity, we’re focused on breaking down barriers for our small and micro businesses to grow, thrive, and serve their communities. This next phase of the Small Business Mobility Fund is about fueling ideas and removing the cost burdens that can prevent talented entrepreneurs from opening their doors. Whether it’s a graduate from our Entrepreneurship Academy or a small business bringing new life to a storefront in an unincorporated community, we’re investing in the people and places that are the foundation of LA County’s economic future,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the LA County DEO.

Both the Launch Grants and Entrepreneurship Academy Grants are made possible through $501,000 of Care First Community Investment (CFCI) funds and are administered in partnership with the Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (ICON CDC). The Small Business Mobility Fund is a key part of DEO’s Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) and its broader mission to reduce barriers to business success by expanding access to education, training and technical assistance, and capital to small businesses across all five Supervisorial Districts. Please visit emi.lacounty.gov to learn more about the initiative and to enroll in an Entrepreneurship Academy— space is still available for a limited time.

"ICON CDC is proud to be working with the Department of Economic Opportunity to implement this impactful county-wide program,” commented ICON CDC's Executive Director, Roberto Barragan. " We look forward to providing support to hundreds of new small businesses to create jobs and boost the local economy."

The grant applications are now available in multiple languages until February 13 at 11:00 PM. To qualify, businesses must meet eligibility and documentation requirements, including location and business status. Applicants are also required to provide a business plan detailing how the capital will support their business’s launch. To provide application support, ICON CDC will host virtual informational webinars and application clinics. For application, application guidelines, registration to informational webinars, in-person application clinics, and more details, including eligibility criteria, please visit opportunity.lacounty.gov/sbmf/ Materials and support are available in multiple languages.

For any general questions, interested applicants can also contact DEO’s Office of Small Business by calling (844)-432-4900 or emailing osb@opportunity.lacounty.gov.

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About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has a vision for a more equitable economy with thriving communities, inclusive and sustainable growth, and opportunity and mobility for all. The department, with its America’s Job Centers of California, Office of Small Business, and hundreds of programs and partners, creates quality jobs, helps small businesses and high-road employers start and grow, and builds vibrant communities and spaces. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.

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Thunderstruck Sports Performance LLC

Thunderstruck Sports Performance Grand Opening Benefiting The New Way

08 Jan 2026 by Thunderstruck Sports Performance LLC

Thunderstruck Sports Performance is excited to officially open its doors in Santa Clarita with a community Grand Opening on Sunday, January 18 from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM.

The open-house event will include facility tours, one-time founding member specials, food and drinks by Eat Real Café, and a charitable raffle. One hundred percent of raffle proceeds will benefit The New Way, a local nonprofit supporting unhoused students in the William S. Hart School District.

The event is open to the community, and we’d love to welcome fellow Chamber members and local residents to stop by, connect, and celebrate.

Location:
27833 Avenue Hopkins, Ste 4
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Questions: office@thunderstrucksp.com

RSVP: https://rsvp.app/p/yr3OzICbd1

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Brian Koegle

Effective Now: IRS Mileage Rate Increases in 2026

02 Jan 2026 by Brian Koegle

As of January 1, 2026, the IRS has increased the standard mileage reimbursement rate for business travel to 72.5 cents per mile. This update has immediate implications for employers who reimburse employees for work‑related driving.

At Koegle Law Group, we help business owners stay aligned with evolving labor and tax requirements through proactive policy review and compliance‑focused planning.

Mileage reimbursement rates directly affect payroll accuracy, expense reporting, and wage‑and‑hour compliance. Employers should take this opportunity to review internal reimbursement policies, confirm proper documentation practices, and ensure managers understand current requirements.

✅ Apply the updated 2026 IRS mileage rate
✅ Review and update reimbursement policies
✅ Reinforce documentation and recordkeeping practices
✅ Reduce compliance and audit risk

Start 2026 with clarity and confidence.
👉 Read the full blog here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

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Koegle Law Group, APC

Assess Your Risk: Download Our Social Media Policy Evaluation Tool

16 Dec 2025 by Koegle Law Group, APC

In today’s digital workplace, employee social media activity can affect your brand, workplace culture, and legal exposure. At Koegle Law Group, we help business owners, HR professionals, and managers develop clear, enforceable social media policies that protect their companies and align teams around shared expectations.

To support local businesses in remaining compliant, Koegle Law Group has created a Social Media Policy Assessment Tool—a downloadable questionnaire designed to help employers identify policy gaps, clarify roles and responsibilities, and highlight high-risk areas.

✅ Understand what employees can and cannot post
✅ Identify outdated or unclear policy language
✅ Learn to train managers to enforce policies consistently
✅ Reduce legal and reputational risk before issues arise

Proactive policy design starts here.
👉 Download the assessment tool

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

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Elevate Business Solutions

Elevate Selected as CO-100 Best Small Businesses in America: How to Achieve Small Business Success

12 Dec 2025 by Elevate Business Solutions

Elevate Business Solutions was honored to be named one of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Top 100 Small Businesses in America in 2025.

We received the CO-100 recognition in the category of Culture Champions, a designation that is especially meaningful because of the time, care, and intention we put into building a culture where women can build a sustainable, important career.

Today, we’re sharing some behind-the-scenes from our trip to Washington, D.C., to celebrate with other honorees and pulling back the curtain on how we earned this monumental honor.

What is the CO-100 list?

Each year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognizes the top 100 small businesses in America.

According to the U.S. Chamber website:

“This exclusive list recognizes 100 of the best and brightest small and mid-sized businesses across America, celebrated for their remarkable contributions in driving innovation, growth, and ingenuity both locally and globally. These businesses shine through their inspiring ideas and the ways they overcome challenges, enrich community impact, foster vibrant company cultures, and engage customers.”

Elevate was specifically honored as a Culture Champion, a category reserved for small businesses that intentionally create a culture where people thrive, and success is achieved because of a shared commitment to goals and purpose.

We are so proud to be recognized and honored as one of the best and brightest small businesses in the U.S. in 2025.

Celebrating our small business success

Our team sets big goals, maps out the specific action steps we need to take, and celebrates when we reach our goals.

When we were invited to Washington, D.C., to celebrate with the other CO-100 list honorees, it was an immediate yes!

Our CEO and founder, Ashley Carlson, attended the Small Business Forum alongside Amanda Godwin, one of Elevate’s first team members, who has been an integral part of our success every step of the way.

We toured our nation’s Capitol, met some incredible business owners, and heard powerful stories from founders who’ve built businesses rooted in purpose, resilience, and service.

This experience reinforced the why behind everything we do at Elevate.

Ashley started this business to:

Help entrepreneurs achieve their vision without burnout.
Create a place where women could find meaningful, flexible careers.
Build a culture that wasn’t just a buzzword, but the foundation of everything we do.

Being named to the CO-100 affirms and celebrates our commitment to our vision.

How to achieve small business success

Here at Elevate, we support small business owners with executive assistant services, full-service bookkeeping, and strategic consulting designed to simplify operations and free up time.

We have a highly successful internal team, and we help our clients strengthen their operations and improve their own systems and processes, so we know what makes a small business successful and what keeps small businesses from scaling.

If you want to grow your own small business, here are the three things we have done ourselves and continue to help our clients do:

Focus on culture.
Success is always a team effort. When you intentionally create an environment where people feel seen, appreciated, and supported, you will get better results. Culture isn’t an afterthought. It should be the foundation of every choice you make and every action you take within your business.
Delegate like a pro.
Too many small business leaders think delegating is just giving other people their work to do. In reality, delegation is a complex skill that directly impacts the level of your success and growth.
Take time to reflect.
If you’re always looking forward, you’re missing out on serious opportunities for improvement and growth. We have built reflection and feedback into our internal and client-facing systems because they are powerful drivers of success.

Building a successful small business doesn’t happen overnight. Long-term success comes from showing up consistently and putting in the work when no one is watching.

Years of working hard to build a positive culture, learning to delegate, and always making time to reflect on your wins and opportunities for growth can all add up to being named one of the best 100 small businesses in the U.S.!

Want help achieving your own small business success?

Elevate is here to support you every step of the way!

Click to learn more about how we can specifically help you in one of these key areas:

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P&F Development Group LLC

HOTWORX SCV GOLDEN VALLEY HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

11 Dec 2025 by P&F Development Group LLC

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SCV Water

Plan Ahead and Use Water Wisely Now; SCV Water Customers Asked to Pause All Outdoor Water Use Starting December 14; Scheduled Maintenance at Castaic Lake December 14-22

09 Dec 2025 by SCV Water

SCV Water is asking customers to pause all outdoor water use from December 14-22, 2025, while scheduled maintenance at Castaic Lake temporarily limits the Agency’s imported water supply. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be repairing a pipeline at Castaic Lake, which requires closing SCV Water’s connection. SCV Water does not have any maintenance or repair work planned during this shutdown.

CALL FOR CONSERVATION

SCV Water is taking steps to prepare for scheduled maintenance and is asking customers to work together and do their part to save water from December 14-22, 2025. During that time, outdoor water use should be completely turned off so available supplies can be reserved for indoor needs, health and safety, and emergencies. The shut-off request extends to all outdoor water uses including, but not limited to:

Irrigating personal landscapes or common areas in business parks or HOAs
Washing vehicles by hand
Filling or refilling pools
Using water for grading in new developments
Any other major uses of water that can be postponed until the following week

This conservation effort will help ensure reliable water service for everyone during the repair period.

OUTDOOR WATER USE PRIOR TO THE SHUTDOWN

Prior to the shutdown customers can do a few things to prepare:

Irrigate your landscape before December 14. SCV soils are mostly clay, which absorbs water slowly and can cause runoff if overwatered. To prevent runoff, run your irrigation in several short cycles (usually 5 minutes or less), allowing about an hour between cycles for the water to soak in before repeating the cycle one to two more times.

Most landscapes can go longer without water than you might expect. At this time of year, it’s common to water only one to two days per week during hot weather, and one day or less with normal winter conditions.

And before you go to bed on Saturday, December 13, take a moment to shut off your outdoor irrigation system.
Check for and repair any noticeable leaks in and around your home or business.
1. How to do a home leak investigation: https://youtu.be/W_xCndTSDbs
2. How to fix a toilet leak: https://youtu.be/VQ66-n3GoKQ

Everyone plays an important role in using water wisely and saving it when they can, where they can.

Outdoor water use can resume after 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, December 22, 2025.

***

SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT CASTAIC LAKE
A few things customers should know about the project:

Water Supplies
During the shutdown, SCV Water will rely on local groundwater and stored imported water, with storage facilities filled to capacity in advance.

About half of the Santa Clarita Valley’s water supply is local, while the other half comes from imported sources like the State Water Project. Water in Castaic Lake will remain, but it won’t be available during maintenance.

This conservation effort addresses a temporary delivery interruption—not a shortage—and normal water service will resume once maintenance is complete.

Why Maintenance Matters

Routine maintenance is essential for keeping SCV Water’s system safe, efficient, and reliable. Skipping or delaying maintenance can reduce system performance and increase the risk of infrastructure failure, leading to costly emergency repairs and widespread service disruptions.

Municipal water systems operate 24/7, so annual maintenance helps extend infrastructure life, improve performance, and lower future repair costs.

This work is scheduled in two phases – December 2025 and February 2026 – to complete repairs smoothly without straining the system or significantly impacting customers’ water supply. A second outdoor water use pause notice will be issued prior to the February shutdown.

To learn more, visit: yourSCVwater.com/castaic-lake-maintenance

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About SCV Water:
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to more than 75,000 business and residential customers. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. More information can be found at www.yourSCVwater.com

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Office of Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo

Holiday Party - Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo

05 Dec 2025 by Office of Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo

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Northeast Valley Health Corporation

NEVHC's 28th Annual Holiday Toy Drive

03 Dec 2025 by Northeast Valley Health Corporation

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Koegle Law Group, APC

The Critical Carve-Out Your Arbitration Agreement May Be Missing

24 Nov 2025 by Koegle Law Group, APC

Imagine a trusted employee walks out the door with confidential client data and starts contacting your accounts. You urgently need a court order to stop the damage—but your arbitration agreement sends the dispute to arbitration, where immediate relief isn’t available.

In this article by Zachary Cavanagh, Of Counsel at Koegle Law Group, California employers learn why arbitration agreements must be carefully drafted—especially when it comes to carve-outs for injunctive relief. Without them, you may lose access to swift court intervention when it matters most.

Key Takeaways:

Why arbitration agreements remain essential to business risk management
How injunctive relief carve-outs can preserve your right to urgent court action
Legal pitfalls of poorly worded carve-outs—especially in California
Practical steps to ensure enforceability and alignment with recent case law

A well-drafted agreement isn’t just a formality—it’s your first line of defense.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

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Three Two Three Dentistry

Invisalign Day at Three Two Three Dentistry

21 Nov 2025 by Three Two Three Dentistry

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City of Santa Clarita

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING COMING AVAILABLE

07 Nov 2025 by City of Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita Non-Profits Invited to Apply for 2026-2027 Funding Cycle

The City of Santa Clarita (City) is pleased to announce the release of the 2026-2027 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and has scheduled informational meetings for organizations interested in applying for 2026-2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The City invites non-profit organizations that serve low and moderate-income residents to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the program and to receive a funding application for the 2026-2027 program year.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides the City with CDBG funding, which is primarily intended to benefit low and moderate-income residents. The City awards a portion of this allocation through grants to eligible non-profit organizations to provide services and resources for some of the City’s most vulnerable residents. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

The City requires interested applicants to attend one of two scheduled Zoom informational meetings to learn more about applying for and receiving funding. Following the meeting, the City will provide interested applicants with a funding application. Meetings are scheduled as follows:

Monday, November 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 12 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

For more information, including the Zoom meeting link, passcode and where to RSVP, please visit SantaClarita.gov/Community-Preservation/Affordable-Housing.

Every five years, the City develops a CDBG strategic planning document called the Consolidated Plan (Con Plan). The Con Plan sets priorities for how CDBG funds will be used. In addition, each year the City conducts a community needs assessment and develops a CDBG Annual Action Plan (AAP). The AAP outlines how the annual allocation of CDBG funds are spent and establishes goals for the number of individuals served.

This NOFA allows community-based organizations the opportunity to apply for funds to serve low and moderate-income residents as part of the AAP during the Program Year of July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. All proposals must address a Con Plan Priority and meet a variety of other cross-cutting federal regulations, including compliance with reporting and record-keeping requirements. Only residents of the City of Santa Clarita may be served by any CDBG funding awarded.

For more information about the City of Santa Clarita’s CDBG program or the funding application process, please contact Administrative Analyst, Julia Rodriguez by email at ejrodriguez@santaclarita.gov or by phone at (661) 286-4174.

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LA County Assessor

New Technology Minimizes Revenue Loss

07 Nov 2025 by LA County Assessor

The devastating wildfires this past January damaged or destroyed nearly 20,000 properties across Los Angeles County. In addition to the personal hardships experienced by affected residents, the loss of taxable property was enormous and will have long-lasting effects on the revenues that fund our schools, cities, and essential local services.

Of the more than 23,000 properties flagged for review, approximately 18,000 have already had their assessed values reduced, along with the associated property taxes. That represents approximately $10 billion in assessed value reductions to date. In terms of property tax revenue, this means more than $100 million less for vital local public services that we all rely on.

At first glance, that kind of shortfall seems impossible to overcome. But here’s where the story takes a hopeful turn.

For the past decade, the Assessor’s Office has invested in a complete technological overhaul, digitizing 2.4 million property files and building a new cloud-based assessment system. That platform, known internally as the Assessor’s Modernization Project (or AMP), went live in August 2024 without the usual glitches or delays that often come with government technology projects. In fact, this year was the first time the new system was used to complete the annual “Assessment Roll” – and with great success. (The Assessment Roll is the annual inventory of all taxable property)

And it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Due to the flexibility of the AMP platform, the Assessor’s Office was able to quickly develop and launch a program designed to largely automate the processes needed to deliver tax relief through assessment reductions. That program saved staff more than 45,000 work hours that would have been needed to review and process the disaster relief delivered thus far. With the time saved, staff was able to work through long-standing backlogs and enroll an estimated $13 billion in assessed value that otherwise would have been delayed. Those gains effectively offset the revenue losses caused by the wildfires, bringing us back to almost exactly where we projected revenues would be before the fires, allowing us to maintain a positive Assessment Roll for the 15^th consecutive year.

These modernization efforts have also sped up processing times for property tax relief claims for homeowners impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Typically, processing this level of relief would require 100 appraisers working nearly a full year. But thanks to the modernization of the technology platform, tools were developed that allowed the Office to complete most of this work in just 90 days. That efficiency meant faster property tax refunds to fire victims when they needed them the most.

With new online services, property owners now have the option of filing their Misfortune & Calamity property tax relief claims online. They can also check on the status of their claims using the property search tool.

The timing is nothing short of miraculous. While the wildfires drew new attention to the vulnerability of our communities, AMP technology has proven the value of planning, investment, and innovation. Together, they highlight an important truth: when government modernizes and prepares for the future, it can turn potential crisis into recovery.

Current property tax law provides several programs to help disaster-impacted property owners secure relief before, during, and after the rebuilding process. But given the unprecedented scope of damage from the January wildfires, the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office sponsored new legislation to make these programs more accessible, flexible and effective.

Here is a snapshot of the three sponsored bills that have been signed into law:

Senate Bill 663 (authored by Senators Ben Allen, Jerry McInerney, and Sasha Perez) – Extends the deadline to file a Misfortune & Calamity claim from 12 to 24 months, lengthens the time to rebuild and keep a property’s pre-fire tax base from 5 to 8 years, and allows property tax exemptions to continue for eligible properties.

Assembly Bill 245 (authored by Assemblymember Mike Gipson) – Also extends the rebuilding window from 5 to 8 years and allows the Assessor’s Office to factor in wildfire-related damage or Decline in Value – such as destruction, depreciation, or removal – when determining 2025 property assessments for properties impacted by the 2025 Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Sunset, or Woodley fires as of the 2025 lien date.

Senate Bill 293 (authored by Senator Sasha Perez) – Extends the deadline to resolve ownership documentation issues - as a result of the fire - from 6 months to 3 years after receiving a reassessment notice from the Assessor. This is important as it was discovered that numerous homeowners in the disaster area had inherited property from parents but never recorded a change in ownership by filing an updated deed. SB 293 allows the Assessor to update records without penalties.

The Assessor also sponsored Assembly Bill 1253, authored by Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank), which proposed to allow an assessor to treat a replacement structure as “substantially equivalent” to a damaged or destroyed one for assessment purposes if its size qualified it for expedited permit review under State or local orders related to the Palisades or Eaton fires. Unfortunately, the bill was held in the Assembly’s Appropriation Committee and did not proceed through the legislative process.

Losing a loved one is never easy, and the responsibilities that follow can sometimes feel overwhelming. One important step, if the person owned real estate, is to notify the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office. State law requires that a Change in Ownership Statement – Death of Real Property Owner be filed within 150 days of the date of death. This reporting requirement applies even if title to a property was held by a trust.

Why is this important? In California, the death of a property owner is considered a change in ownership, with some exceptions. That means the property may be reassessed as of the date of death, the assessed value could change, and the property taxes could increase. These changes can occur even if a property is held in trust and title has not been changed following the owner’s death.

Filing the Change in Ownership Statement in a timely manner helps avoid potential problems down the road. For example, the property’s mailing address will remain the same until the Assessor’s Office is notified, which can cause delays or missed notices. If the form isn’t filed on time, there may be penalties. In addition, if a reassessment is required, the property will be appraised at its market value as of the date of death, and corrected tax bills could be issued for each year thereafter. In cases where a property owner’s death is not reported and discovered years later, up to eight years of back tax bills can be issued and often become due all at once.

To make this process easier, the Assessor’s Office has created a special packet, “Assessor’s Informational Packet - Death of a Property Owner”, which explains the steps you need to take and includes all the necessary forms. For more information, please visit: assessor.lacounty.gov/homeowners/death-of-an-owner

Again, it is important to note that the filing of a Change in Ownership Statement Death of Real Property Owner form with the Assessor’s Office only serves to notify our office that a change in ownership of the property has occurred – it does not prevent a reassessment of the property based on that change. To request that a transfer be excluded from reassessment, additional reassessment exclusion claim forms may be required. Please stay tuned for our next newsletter where we will explore the Proposition 19 Parent-Child and Grandparent-Grandchild Transfer Reassessment Exclusion. For more information, please visit: https://assessor.lacounty.gov/homeowners/proposition-19

Homeowner Alert Service – Guard Against Title Fraud

You can now sign up to a free service to receive a "Homeowner Alert" by email anytime a document, such as a grant deed, loan or lien is recorded on your property. When you sign up for an Assessor E-Service account and register your email address with your property, we will notify you within 48 hours of any activity recorded on your property, which can be an important tool to address fraudulent deeds and other recordings.

Newsletter

The Assessor’s Office issues an informative monthly email newsletter with helpful tips and information that will benefit anyone who owns property in Los Angeles County. Subscribe to the Newsletter today.

Visit our website

THE LA COUNTY ASSESSOR'S OFFICE

Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang leads the largest local public property assessment agency in the nation. With a team of about 1,400 appraisers and support staff, his Office is dedicated to creating an accurate and timely property Assessment Roll. This year alone, the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office conducted more than 2.5 million real estate and business assessments valued at more than $2 trillion. Assessor Prang is currently serving as the President of the California Assessors Association.

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`Member News`

What is the CO-100 list?

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