Responsible for locating and identifying ownership and reappraisability on all taxable real property. In addition they monitor assessment appeal information for other divisions; process legal appeals; maintain and update assessment maps; manage the public service counter and oversee quality control; approve and enroll all legal property tax exemptions. Homeowner exemptions and other constitutional exemptions are compiled and applied to the secured supplemental, and unsecured assessment rolls.The Mission of Assessment Standards, Assessment Services and Exemptions Division is to support the production of the annual assessment roll by efficiently providing accurate and timely property ownership, reappraisability, and appeal information to the Real Property, and Business Divisions in accordance with legal mandates; and provide accurate, timely assessment information and explanations, in a courteous manner, to the general public and other public agencies; and timely exempt qualifying exempt properties/property owners. To accomplish this mission, the division will do the following:
- Provide general ownership information
- Maintain and update ownership database
- Identify geographically all property in Santa Clara County
- Determine reappraisability of all changes in ownership
- Maintenance of property and mailing addresses
- Assure adequate monitoring of assessment practices
- Provide courteous, professional and timely assistance to customers inquiries
- Assist eligible individuals and organizations in receiving exemptions
- Verify that exemptions are accurate in accordance with legal mandates
- Provide exemption information necessary for completion of the annual assessment roll
The Division consists of seven sections that maintain the most current ownership, parcel and address information. It also evaluates transfers of interest in property and whether or not an exclusion from re-assessment exists and manages exemptions.
- ADDRESS CONTROL UNIT
- MAPPING AND TITLE IDENTIFICATION UNIT
- PROPERTY TRANSFER UNIT
- PUBLIC SERVICE INFORMATION
- STANDARDS UNIT
- EXEMPTIONS UNIT
ADDRESS CONTROL UNIT
The policy of the Assessor is to have written verification for all changes of mailing addresses. To receive a 
Change of Address Form call or simply write a note or letter giving the parcel number, the old address and the new address. This must be signed by the owner of the property. You can fax the form to the number below.
MAPPING AND TITLE IDENTIFICATION UNIT
The Mapping section is responsible for creating and maintaining a set of maps that shows the delineation of every parcel in this county. These maps are produced for assessment purposes only and are not to be relied on in property boundary disputes. These maps may be viewed in the Public Service area on the 5th floor in the county building. They are also available for purchase.
For more information about purchasing maps
The Identification sections assigns and maintains the Assessor’s parcel numbering system. It determines and verifies whether or not the Assessor’s office can split or combines parcels, or adjust boundary lines, for assessment purposes based on various documents. Resolves property description discrepancies. Property location addresses (Situses) are maintained by the Mapping and Title Identification Unit.
PROPERTY TRANSFER UNIT
This unit determines whether or not a transfer of property interests is a reappraisable event. It also determines whether an exclusion, such as a transfer between spouses or a parent to child transfer, exists. The Property Transfer Unit represents the Assessor in presenting legal appeals to the Appeals Board hearing officer.
PUBLIC SERVICE INFORMATION
This unit provides the latest information within the Assessor’s Information Maintenance System to our customers. Information is available on-line by clicking here or can be requested by phone; fax, 408-298-9446; mail, Assessor 70 W. Hedding East Wing 5th Floor San Jose Ca 95110; in person on the 5th floor of the County building. Information is made available by microfiche and by computer. The information regarding a property can be obtained by asking by Assessee’s name, property address, or assessor’s parcel number. A range of items can also be purchased from the Assessor's Office such as maps and characteristics of property. For a complete list of fees see our fee schedule or for more general information:
STANDARDS UNIT
The activities that Assessment Standards Division performs for internal and external customers are to maintain the sales verification program, quality control of the deeds process, monitor appeals program for accuracy, process appeal applications, and examine assessment practices and information.
For More Information Please Contact:
Assessor Standards Division
West Tasman Campus
130 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
Fax: 408-298-9446
Phone: 408-299-5530
Assessor Address Control Unit
West Tasman Campus
130 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
Fax: 408-298-9446
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 408-299-5526
Assessor Exemptions
West Tasman Campus
130 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, California 95134
Phone: 408-299-6460
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fax: 408-271-8812
Assessor Public Service Counter
West Tasman Campus
130 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, California 95134
Phone: 408-299-5500
Fax: 408-298-9446
Assessor Property Transfer Unit
West Tasman Campus
130 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
Phone: 408-299-5540
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fax: 408-298-9446
