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FAQ

General FAQ

Assessment FAQ

  • Why does my property tax bill show an assessment from SAFCA?

    SAFCA provides the local share of the cost to construct and maintain major levee improvements in the Sacramento area. Since SAFCA does not receive general tax revenues, the local cost share required to fund flood control work is raised through property assessments. Property owners that benefit from flood risk reduction projects and programs are subject to an assessment. Additional information about SAFCA’s assessments can be found here.
  • Why are there multiple SAFCA assessments on my property tax bill?

    Depending on the location of the property, multiple SAFCA assessments may appear on a property tax bill. In general, property owners are assessed a portion of the local share required to support construction of a specific flood control project that provides a flood risk reduction benefit to their property. There is also a separate assessment for ongoing operation and maintenance of existing flood control facilities. In some areas, multiple flood risk reduction programs may exist that require a local cost share and a separate assessment for each program will appear on the property tax bill.
  • I received a delinquency notice for unpaid property taxes that includes a SAFCA assessment, who should I contact?

    The collection of property taxes, including direct levies that appear on a property tax bill, such as SAFCA assessments, is administered by the Sacramento County Tax Collector (website: https://finance.saccounty.net/Tax/Pages/default.aspx). Sacramento County Tax Collection Specialists are available for customer assistance via telephone at (916) 874-6622, Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm, or via email at TaxSecured@saccounty.net.
  • Don’t the Federal and State governments provide the majority of flood control funds?

    Yes, historically, for every dollar of local funds raised, the Sacramento Metropolitan area has received six dollars in Federal and State assistance to fund flood control projects. However, the local funds must be secured before Federal and State agencies will enter into cost-sharing agreements and contribute funds toward these projects. Typically, major flood control projects are constructed by the Federal government, via the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), however State and local matching funds are required to support construction and planning. SAFCA raises local matching funds through property assessments. The funds are used to complete major flood control system improvements, such as those at Folsom Dam, along the Lower American and Sacramento Rivers and their tributaries, and the Sacramento Weir/Bypass and Yolo Bypass.
  • How are assessments calculated?

    Like other government agencies, SAFCA funds the local share of the cost of projects by levying assessments on the properties that will directly benefit from the projects. The assessments must be proportionate to the direct benefit that each property will receive for construction of flood control projects. In this instance, the direct benefit is a reduction in expected flood damages based on the use of the property (residential, commercial or industrial), the depth of flooding that would occur on the property, and the square footage of any structure on the property. Property owners will only be assessed for projects that protect their property.
  • Can an assessment be deferred for any reason, such as hardship?

    To assist low-income property owners, SAFCA has established an Assessment Deferral Program that offers property owners the option of deferring their assessment. For qualified property owners, the assessment can be deferred and paid, with accrued interest, at the time the property is sold or refinanced. Property owners interested in applying for SAFCA’s Assessment Deferral Program should review, complete and submit the following application.

Development Impact Fee (DIF) FAQ

  • Why is a development fee necessary when properties are already being assessed on an annual basis?

    SAFCA’s flood control assessment districts generate revenues to share costs with the state and federal governments on the projects needed to achieve a minimum “200-year” urban standard flood protection for the region. However, new development within Sacramento’s floodplains increases the exposure to flood damages and the economic consequences of an uncontrolled flood. SAFCA’s Development Impact Fee mitigates this impact by funding flood risk reduction measures beyond those funded through existing property assessments in order to offset the additional property damage exposure by new development.
  • Are there any credits or exemptions to the fee?

    The program incorporates certain credits to pre-existing structures that may be used to reduce the amount of the fee, particularly in redevelopment areas, and exemptions for agricultural structures, additions or replacements for damaged structures, minor additions to single-family residential structures, structures raised above the 200-year floodplain, and structures located in historic Old Town Sacramento.
  • Which agency is responsible for collecting the development fee?

    The fee is collected by the agency that controls and permits development within a certain jurisdiction, such as the City or County of Sacramento. In general, the fee will be collected as a condition of obtaining a building permit. The agency responsible for issuing building permits makes an initial determination as to whether the development is subject to the fee based on the location of the project and will compute and collect the fee.

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