Chester, Plumas County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Chester, California
Median Chester, California effective property tax rate: 1.15%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Chester, California home value: $262,196
Median annual Chester, California tax bill: $2,853, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Plumas calculated?
Property taxes in Chester, California are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Chester's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Chester, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Chester, Plumas County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.15%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,015
$2,798
How Does the Chester Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Chester property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Chester's median effective tax rate of 1.15% — based on actual property records in Plumas County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment system uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Chester's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Chester: rates are 1.15% in 96020, with the highest and lowest median tax bill both at $2,853 in 96020.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Chester.
About Chester Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Chester, Plumas, California
Chester’s median effective property tax rate of 1.15% is lower than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Plumas County base levy combined with local levies that affect assessed value across the area.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Chester. Homeowners in ZIP code 96020 carry a median effective rate of 1.15%, and the same ZIP code also reflects the city’s median tax bill of $2,853. Understanding how assessed values and local levies work can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Chester homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the November 30, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Chester, Plumas County, California
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Chester's effective property tax rate to other cities in California and the median property tax rates in California and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Chester Tax Rate
1.15%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Plumas County Tax Rate
1.10%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Chester, Plumas County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96020 | 0.96% | 1.13% | 1.15% | 1.18% | 1.23% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Chester, Plumas County, California
When examining property taxes in Chester, California, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Plumas County assessment office estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Plumas County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Chester.
For example, the median home price in Chester is $262,196, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 96020 has the highest median home price at $262,196.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Chester, Plumas County, California
Source: Ownwell
$80,140
$292,367
$504,594
Median Chester Market Value
$262,196
Median Plumas County Market Value
$250,988
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Chester, Plumas County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96020 | $65,104 | $134,949 | $262,196 | $451,890 | $786,613 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Chester, Plumas County, California
Property tax bills in Chester are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by Plumas County and other taxing authorities. When a property is valued, that assessed amount becomes the starting point for the tax bill, which is then adjusted by applicable rates and any local levies. For homeowners, this means that changes in market value can affect what they owe, even if the home itself has not changed.
The median home price in Chester is $262,196, and the median property tax bill is $2,853, which is above the $2,400 national median property tax bill. Bills can vary widely across homeowners, with the 25th percentile at $1,459, the 75th percentile at $5,060, and the 90th percentile at $8,509. That spread shows how much property taxes can differ based on a home’s assessed value and location within the city.
Median Chester Tax Bill
$2,853
Median Plumas County Tax Bill
$2,711
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Chester, Plumas County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96020 | $749 | $1,459 | $2,853 | $5,060 | $8,509 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | November 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Plumas Tax Assessor | |
| Website | common1.mptsweb.com |