How to Search for Long Beach Property Records

The coastal city and port of Long Beach, California, is a popular tourist area and a great place to invest in property. Before buying any real estate in California, be sure to research it thoroughly first. Using public records, you can find things like ownership history, property values, taxes, liens, amenities, house type, foreclosures, zoning, and more. Long Beach property records are public records and can be viewed by anyone. The trick to finding what you need is knowing where to look. Use the list of helpful resources below to search for Long Beach property records.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's Office

The first place to look for Long Beach property records is the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's Office. They have a website where you can search for records. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, or year of recording.

Through the website, you can also use the LexisNexis portal and access real estate records going back to 1850. You can also visit in person and view records from 1851 to 1957 in the lower levels of the building and records from 1958 to present on the 2nd floor at the Norwalk Headquarters. You need to make an appointment to visit, and you can book it two weeks in advance.

You can also request copies of records via fax using the number and criteria below:

Fax the following information to (562) 864-1250:

• Title of the document
• Names listed on the document
• Year the document was recorded
• The address where you would like the record mailed
• Whether you would like it sent by regular mail or Expedited Delivery (UPS)
• A daytime phone number including area code

Requests for copies cost a small fee. You can mail in your records request to:

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

Real Estate Records

P.O. Box 1130

Norwalk, CA 90651-1130

Los Angeles County Assessor's Office

The Los Angeles County Assessor's Office is the government office in charge of assessing all property each year for tax purposes. On their website, they have a Property Search Tool, where you can find records regarding ownership, assessments, property taxes, and more. You can search by AIN or property address using this tool. You can also try the Assessor Portal, Recent Sales by Area and Assessor Map, or the Property Tax Portal to find even more information.

Los Angeles County Superior Court

Visit the Los Angeles County Superior Court to find records related to property (foreclosures, judgments, liens, and property disputes). You can use their website, where you can search for case files by case number or the person's name. You will find probate, civil, criminal, and family cases on this website. You can also visit the courthouse in person at 275 Magnolia Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802.

Los Angeles County Property Tax Portal

The Los Angeles County Property Tax Portal is a website devoted to property taxes. You can use it to look up a property and find out its assessed value (plus previous values), property tax rates, property tax amounts, and any overdue taxes, along with liens and foreclosures.

Long Beach property taxes are a crucial source of revenue for the city. Property taxes pay for city expenses like education, healthcare, fire, police, EMTs, public parks, transportation, road maintenance, and many other city services. Long Beach properties are assessed every year by the tax assessor's office at a rate of 1% of the assessed value.

Once the tax has been determined, the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector sends out bills and collects payments from property owners. Taxes are paid in two installments. The first payment is due November 1st and becomes delinquent at 5:00 p.m. on December 10th. The second payment is due on February 1st and becomes delinquent at 5:00 p.m. on April 10th. If Long Beach property taxes go unpaid for too long, the county will place a lien on the property and foreclose, selling the house at auction to pay off the back taxes. You can pay Long Beach property taxes by monthly payment (which is a handy option), using an online eCheck system, pay with a credit or debit card, mail in your payment, pay by phone (by calling 1.888.473.0835), or in person at 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Assessments

The Long Beach County Tax Assessor's office is the government agency that handles annual property assessments to determine property taxes. Property taxes in Long Beach are taxed at 1% of the assessed value. Values are determined through one of four different methods. The actual assessed value may not match the fair market value (FMV) or the amount you could get if you sold the house. If you disagree with the assessed value of your property, you can appeal through the Assessor's office or the Assessment Appeals Board. Learn more about the appeals process here.

Appraisals

Long Beach assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

The median effective property tax rate in Long Beach, California, is 1.25%, which is significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. Long Beach's tax rate is slightly higher than California's median rate of 1.21%. The average property tax payment in Long Beach, CA is $4,866, which is $2,466 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

See how Long Beach's taxes stack up against other counties in California:

• Alpine County 0.76%
• Colusa County 0.65%
• Kern County 0.96%
• Kings County 0.78%
• Lake County 0.70%
• Madera County 0.70%
• Merced County 0.68%
• Napa County 0.70%
• Santa Clara County 0.70%
• Sutter County 0.81%
• Tulare County 0.73%
• Yuba County 0.78%

Exemptions

Long Beach property taxes are costly, and some residents need help to pay them. Thankfully, Los Angeles County offers some property tax exemptions to help specific individuals. Some of the available exemptions in Long Beach are:

• Homeowners Exemption - $7,000 reduction in the assessed value.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption
• Church & Religious Exemption
• Non-Profits
• Veteran's Exemption - $4,000 reduction in the assessed value.

You can apply for any of these exemptions by contacting the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office.

According to the Long Beach Community Development office, "most building residential, commercial, and industrial building and construction activities - including alterations, replacements, and repair work" require the proper permits and inspections from the City of Long Beach. The Long Beach Development Center issues building permits, and they have an online portal you can use to apply for permits, check the status of a permit, and schedule inspections. The website has all the forms you need to download to apply, and you can pay the fees online as well. You can apply in person or visit to obtain information, but there are long wait times for walk-in customers, so they strongly encourage you to make an appointment. The office is located at 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 2nd Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802.

The types of available permits in Long Beach include:

• APP-010 Moving Building Permit Application
• APP-011 Express Building Permit Application
• APP-012 Express Electrical Permit Application
• APP-013 Express Plumbing Permit Application
• APP-014 Express Mechanical Permit Application
• APP-015 Address Assignment Application
• APP-016 Temporary Utilities Release Application
• APP-017 Special Deputy Inspector Application
• APP-019 Temporary Certificate of Occupancy Application
• APP-020 Internet Permitting Request

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Long Beach is one of California's few major cities on the coast, and it is home to the world's busiest ports. The city boasts of thriving industries like aerospace and healthcare, and has a rich history with lots of character and unique neighborhoods.

Long Beach, California, has a population of 450,901 residents. The city has 143,895 housing units, which include both owner-occupied and renter-occupied units. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average household size is 3.24. The city has a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and other multi-family dwelling types. Some of the styles include Mediterranean Victorian and modern contemporary homes. The average price of a house in Long Beach, CA is $852,354, which represents a 1.0% increase from previous years. That median price is high when compared to other states.

However, house prices vary considerably based on where in Long Beach you live. Some examples include:

• West Long Beach (median listing price) $720,000
• North Long Beach (median listing price) $735,000
• Long Beach (median listing price) $789,000
• Long Beach (median sold price) $888,300
• Long Beach (average home value) $853,700
• Westside: Median listing price $732,500

The Long Beach, California, real estate market is considered relatively stable with increasing values and good potential for investment. The strong economy, coastal location, and progressive housing policies factor into its desirability. Long Beach has a strong rental market, and although the cost of living is higher, it's not as high as in other parts of California.