Thursday, April 30, 2026

Fire Survivors Face Property Tax Deadline Thursday as Altadena Rebuilds

County says those who can’t pay by today may apply for penalty relief through 2030

Sixteen months after the Eaton Fire leveled more than 9,400 structures across Altadena and parts of Pasadena, property owners in the burn zone face a different kind of reckoning: a property tax bill — and a deadline that expires today.

The Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector is reminding fire-impacted property owners that Thursday, April 30, 2026, is the deadline to make property tax payments, according to a notice posted by the department. Those who cannot pay on time because of wildfire impacts may submit a Penalty Cancellation Request beginning May 1 to avoid penalties and interest. Approved requests could extend the payment window through June 30, 2030, the department said in a press release.

The deadline applies countywide to properties affected by both the Eaton and Palisades fires, but its weight falls heavily on Altadena and Pasadena. Zip codes 91001, 91104, 91106, and 91107 — covering Altadena and fire-affected areas of Pasadena — are among those designated under Governor Gavin Newsom’s January 2025 executive order that suspended property tax penalties through April 10, 2026. That automatic suspension has now expired, shifting the burden to individual property owners to seek relief.

Under state law, the Treasurer and Tax Collector has limited authority to cancel penalties and interest on late payments when a property has been impacted by a wildfire. The department will review each request individually and notify property owners within 30 to 45 days, according to the press release.

The office also accepts partial payments. Property owners who can make a partial or full payment on fire-impacted properties should contact the Treasurer and Tax Collector directly to ensure payments are applied correctly and without penalties, the department said.

Property owners may still see penalties displayed online or receive delinquent notices for the FY 2024–25 second installment, FY 2025–26 installments, or related supplemental bills. The department cautioned that receiving such notices does not mean a penalty cancellation request has been denied. Automated notices will continue until all wildfire-related tax matters are resolved, which could extend through June 30, 2030.

The Eaton Fire began on the evening of January 7, 2025, driven by powerful Santa Ana winds into the foothill communities of Altadena and Pasadena. It destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged more than 1,070 others, according to Cal Fire. At least 19 people died. The fire burned roughly 14,000 acres over 24 days before it was fully contained on January 31, 2025.

To file a Penalty Cancellation Request, property owners should visit ttc.lacounty.gov/public-inquiries and select the penalty cancellation form. They will need their Assessor’s Identification Number, which appears on property tax bills or can be located by address at portal.assessor.lacounty.gov. In the comment field, applicants should write “Fire-Impacted Property.” After submitting, they will receive an automated confirmation. A separate request must be submitted for each property tax bill that cannot be paid on time. Those unable to file online may call (213) 974-2111. Additional information is available at ttc.lacounty.gov/wildfires-and-other-emergencies-frequently-asked-questions.

The bills keep arriving at addresses where, in many cases, no homes remain. For Altadena, the deadline is one more line on a long list of things the fire left behind to sort through.