Marin Real Estate in California

It is interesting to look at the organization of the Marin County government, located in San Rafael, CA

Residents of Marin County

Elected County Officials

Assessor-Recorder
Joan C. Thayer, Assessor-Recorder

Auditor-Controller
Richard Arrow, Auditor Controller

Coroner
Kenneth Holmes, Coroner

County Clerk
Michael Smith, County Clerk

District Attorney
Edward S. Berberian, District Attorney

Registrar of Voters
Elaine Ginnold, Registrar of Voters

Sheriff's Office
Robert T. Doyle, Sheriff

Emergency Services
Chris Godley, Emergency Services Manager

Treasurer-Tax Collector
Michael Smith,
Treasurer-Tax Collector ,
Public Administrator

Board of Supervisors

Administrator's Office
Matthew H. Hymel, County Administrator

Agricultural Weights and Measures
Stacy K. Carlsen, Ag. Commissioner

Child Support Services
Keith Pepper, Director

Community Development Agency
Alex Hinds, Director

County Counsel
Patrick Faulkner, County Counsel

Cultural Services
James Farley

Farm Advisor/U.C. Coop Extension
Ellie Rilla, Director

Fire Department
Ken Massucco, Fire Chief

Health and Human Services
Larry Meredith Ph.D., Director

Human Resources
Laura S. Armor, Director

Information Services and Technology
Dave Hill, Director

Marin County Free Library
Carol Starr, County Librarian

Parks and Open Space
Sharon McNamee, Director and General Manager

Probation Department
William Burke, Chief Probation Officer

Public Defender
Joseph Spaeth, Public Defender

Public Works
Farhad Mansourian, Director

Retirement
Charnel Benner, Retirement Administrator

Judges
Marin County Superior Court

Marin County Superior Court
Kim Turner, Court Executive Officer

Other Marin Agencies

Civil Grand Jury
Roberta Robinson , Foreperson

Housing Authority
Barbara Collins, Exec. Director

Humane Society

Local Agency Formation Commission
Peter Banning, Executive Officer

Schools
Mary Jane Burke, Chief Administrator

Real Estate in Marin tax base is managed by the Assessor’s office, which is responsible for building the real estate tax rolls on an annual basis. These real estate property taxes are governed by Proposition 60, which sets a tax base on properties and allows for annual increases not to exceed 2%.

When a change in ownership occurs, the Assessor’s office receives a copy of the recorded deed and determines if a reassessment is required under State law. A change in ownership occurs when there is a transfer of a present interest in the property, including the transfer of the right to beneficial use, the value of which is substantially equal to the value of fee interest. If a reassessment is required, an appraisal is made to determine the full cash value of the property as of the change in ownership date and the property owner is notified of the new assessment. Some ownership transfers are excluded from reassessment, such as, a transfer between husband and wife. Refinancing the property and recording a new trust deed will not cause a reassessment provided the ownership has not changed as a result of the refinance.

Many homes in Marin are assessed at very low amounts, compared to the market value of those homes. When you purchase a home in Marin the new owners pay property taxes based upon the purchase price, which is assumed to be current market value. Many homeowners who have been in there homes for 10, 20 or 30 years have property taxes that are a fraction of what a neighbor might pay who purchased the home recently.

It is important when buying real estate in Marin that you look into the taxes assessed in Marin as well as local taxes in cities that might have school bonds, sewer taxes, etc.