California Seniors Could Be Exempt From Property Taxes? Here’s What We Know.
Could California homeowners over 60 really stop paying property taxes on their primary residence?
A new 2026 ballot initiative is proposing exactly that — and if it qualifies and passes, it would mark the most significant property tax shift since Proposition 13. The measure would exempt eligible seniors from base property taxes on their primary home, potentially reshaping retirement decisions, housing inventory, and local government funding across the state.
For South Bay communities like Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach — where many longtime owners are equity-rich but income-conscious — the implications could be substantial.
This isn’t law yet. But it’s one of the most important proposals California homeowners should be watching right now.
2026 Real Estate Legal Alert
At a recent legal briefing with Neil Kalin, Assistant General Counsel for the California Association of REALTORS®, the message was clear: 2026 will reshape how we market property, manage rentals, close condo transactions, and handle all-cash purchases. From mandatory “Digitally Altered” labels on listing photos to new federal reporting requirements for entity buyers, the rules are tightening — and enforcement is real.