Plumas County Assessor Property Search, APN Lookup & Tax Records
Plumas County includes mountain homes, lake communities, timber and agricultural land, vacant parcels, private roads, and properties that may not have a reliable street address. This guide helps you locate the correct parcel by APN or address, understand assessed values, open the tax account, use county-linked maps safely, research deeds and liens, review exemptions, prepare for wildfire or calamity reassessment, and protect assessment-appeal deadlines.
Quick Answer: How to Search Plumas County Property Records
Start with the official Plumas County Parcel Search page and continue to the county-linked ParcelQuest Lite service. The public search supports an Assessor Parcel Number or street address. For vacant land or remote parcels without a street address, use the APN.
The parcel detail can show the APN, property status, situs address, abbreviated legal description, land value, improvement value, exemption amount, and total assessed value. Use the Tax Collector portal separately for bills, payments, delinquency, and receipts.
Four Details to Correct Before Using an Older Plumas County Guide
The current Assessor office is listed at 1 Crescent Street, Quincy, CA 95971, not 520 Main Street.
The Assessor’s main phone is (530) 283-6380. Do not rely on an unverified telephone number containing 555.
The county’s public parcel tool lists APN and street address. It should not be presented as an official owner-name search.
Plumas County lists the regular assessment appeal period as July 2 through November 30, not September 15.
Plumas County Property Planning Tools
These independent tools help you choose the correct county record, build a rural-property verification checklist, and estimate possible supplemental tax exposure. They do not access county databases and do not create an official assessment, tax bill, survey, permit, exemption approval, deed, or appeal decision.
Property Record Route Planner
Select the result you need and the information you currently have.
Your record route will appear here
Select your goal and available information to see which Plumas County office or portal normally handles the task.
Important: Planning help only. Not an official assessment, tax bill, title opinion, legal survey, permit, or government approval.
Rural Parcel Due-Diligence Builder
Create a practical checklist for mountain, lake, agricultural, forest, or undeveloped property.
Your rural parcel checklist will appear here
The result will identify records to verify before relying on a listing description, parcel map, road, fence, or online value.
Important: Planning help only. Not a legal survey, title opinion, zoning approval, permit, engineering result, or environmental determination.
Supplemental Property Tax Planning Estimator
Use this rough estimate after a purchase, ownership change, or qualifying new construction.
Estimated result
Enter the new value, prior assessed value, estimated rate, and number of months.
Important: Estimate only. Not an official Plumas County tax bill, assessment, legal survey, or government approval. Escrow may not include every supplemental bill.
Who This Plumas County Property Guide Helps
Find the parcel, compare land and improvement values, confirm the Homeowners’ Exemption, and prepare questions before contacting the Assessor.
Confirm the APN, legal access, recorded documents, zoning, fire responsibility, flood information, snow load, utilities, septic, and survey needs.
Compare the parcel, shoreline or access claims, improvements, tax history, permits, easements, fire risk, and supplemental assessment exposure.
Review deeds, death-related statements, trusts, probate records, Prop 19 requirements, exemption claims, and possible reassessment.
Williamson Act property can use special annual valuation rules. Confirm contract status, land use, improvements, and current taxable value.
Write down the APN, notice date, tax year, question, and callback number. Keep the tax bill or assessment notice nearby.
Plumas County Assessor Quick Facts
| Detail | Current Information | Official Action |
|---|---|---|
| Official office | Plumas County Assessor | Open official Assessor page |
| Current Assessor | Cynthia L. Froggatt | Confirm the current officeholder before formal correspondence. |
| Office address | 1 Crescent Street, Quincy, CA 95971 | Call before visiting for a deadline-sensitive filing. |
| Main phone | (530) 283-6380 | Call the Assessor |
| Fax | (530) 283-6195 | Confirm whether the form may be submitted by fax before sending it. |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Verify holiday closures before visiting. |
| Parcel search | APN or street address | Open official parcel-search guidance |
| Assessment search | Fee parcel, assessment number, or street address | Open county-linked assessment search |
| Tax bills and payments | Plumas County Treasurer-Tax Collector | Open tax inquiry and payment portal |
| GIS and parcel maps | County GIS Maps and Data / Map Portal | Open GIS resources |
| Deeds and liens | Plumas County Clerk-Recorder | Open Recorder information |
How to Use the Official Plumas County Property Search
The county’s Parcel Search page links to ParcelQuest Lite, an outside service that receives data from the Plumas County Assessor. Parcel detail can be viewed without a fee within the service’s usage limits. Optional reports or document products may cost extra.
Read the county disclaimer and use the county link to reach the correct ParcelQuest service.
The APN is the most dependable identifier for vacant, forest, agricultural, lake-area, and remote parcels.
If the complete address fails, try the house number and core street name without extra punctuation or unit information.
Save the APN, status, situs address, abbreviated legal description, land value, improvement value, exemption, and total assessed value.
The first parts of the APN identify the Assessor map book and page. Use the map as a research aid, not as a legal survey.
Use the Tax Collector for bills, GIS or Planning for land information, and the Recorder for deeds, liens, easements, and official documents.
Plumas County APN Format and Assessor Map Books
Plumas County explains that its APN contains four grouped sections and follows a book-page-parcel structure. ParcelQuest and the county may display the complete APN with dashes, while the GIS Map Portal may require the digits without dashes.
In the county’s example, the parcel is found in Map Book 36, Page 11, Parcel 15.
The county-linked GIS map may require the parcel number as continuous digits, such as 036011015.
Where to find a Plumas County APN
What a Plumas County Parcel Record Can—and Cannot—Confirm
| Your Question | Best Source | Important Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| What is the assessed value? | Plumas County Assessor | Assessed value is not automatically the current market price or a private appraisal. |
| How much property tax is due? | Treasurer-Tax Collector | The Assessor establishes value but does not bill or collect taxes. |
| Who legally owns the parcel? | Recorded deed and qualified title research | Assessor ownership information is not a legal title opinion. |
| Where is the exact boundary? | Recorded maps and licensed surveyor | GIS and Assessor lines are graphical representations, not legal surveys. |
| Can I build on the parcel? | Planning, Building, Environmental Health, fire, road, and utility authorities | An Assessor use description or GIS zoning layer is not a permit approval. |
| Is the property inside Portola or county jurisdiction? | County Map Portal and responsible planning office | Confirm jurisdiction before submitting a permit or land-use application. |
Search Tips for Quincy, Chester, Portola, Lake Almanor, Graeagle, and Remote Parcels
Homes in established communities
Start with the physical street address. After locating the parcel, save the APN because the tax, map, Recorder, and appeal systems may use a different address format.
Lake Almanor and recreation property
Confirm the unit or lot-specific APN, legal access, easements, recorded maps, improvements, permit history, fire responsibility, insurance concerns, shoreline claims, and supplemental tax exposure.
Vacant, timber, or remote land
Do not expect a street-address search to work. Use the APN, legal description, recorded deed, map-book reference, coordinates, or the GIS Parcel Query.
Property near Portola
Use the Map Portal to identify whether the property is inside the City of Portola or under county jurisdiction. The responsible planning and building office can change depending on that answer.
Plumas County Property Tax Search, Bills, and Online Payment
The Treasurer-Tax Collector handles property tax billing, collection, accounting, payment posting, delinquency, and receipts. Use the official tax portal rather than the Assessor parcel page when you need the amount due.
Search by fee parcel, assessment number, or street address. Select the current roll year shown by the portal for current payment information.
Use the county page for due dates, penalties, mailing address, office payment hours, and Tax Collector contact information.
Fee parcel search versus assessment-number search
| Search Method | Best Use | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Fee parcel | Summary of current or delinquent fiscal-year assessments that are paid or outstanding | Use this when you need a broader view of the property tax account. |
| Assessment number | One specific assessment | It may not display every outstanding assessment connected to the parcel. |
| Street address | Finding the tax account when parcel identifiers are unknown | Remove Street, Road, Drive, Lane, and spell directions as N, E, S, or W if needed. |
Regular secured property tax due dates
| Installment | Due | Delinquent After | County-Published Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| First installment | November 1 | 5:00 PM on December 10 | 10% |
| Second installment | February 1 | 5:00 PM on April 10 | 10% plus a $20 cost |
When a delinquency date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the county states that the deadline moves to 5:00 PM on the next business day. Supplemental, escape, corrected, and other bills can have different dates, so follow the date printed on the actual bill.
Supplemental Assessments After a Purchase or New Construction
A change in ownership or qualifying new construction can create a supplemental assessment in addition to the regular annual assessment. The result is based on the change in taxable value and is prorated for the applicable ownership period.
Why a buyer may receive another bill after closing
The regular bill can still reflect the prior owner’s value. A later supplemental bill adjusts the taxable value for the buyer’s ownership period. Mortgage escrow may not automatically pay every supplemental bill.
What to compare before requesting a correction
Plumas County GIS, Parcel Query, Zoning, Fire, Flood, and Snow-Load Research
Plumas County’s GIS resources include a Map Portal, Parcel Query, printable maps, downloadable data, tax-assessment links, flood-zone information, community searches, and other geographic layers.
Use the official county page to access the Map Portal, GIS downloads, printable maps, and Assessor tax query.
The county-linked map supports parcel-number, address, and coordinate searches and can highlight a parcel on the map.
The Building Department identifies the Map Portal as a starting point for zoning, snow load, fire responsibility, districts, and Portola jurisdiction.
Questions the county map tools can help answer
Rural Plumas County Parcels Require More Than an APN Search
A parcel appearing in the Assessor or GIS system does not prove legal access, year-round road conditions, buildability, water availability, septic feasibility, wildfire insurability, utility service, or exact boundaries.
Legal and practical access
A road shown near a parcel does not prove a recorded easement or legal right of access. Review the deed, title report, easement documents, recorded maps, private-road agreements, and actual road conditions.
Water, septic, power, and communication service
Confirm well rights, water-system availability, septic requirements, soils, electrical service, propane access, internet coverage, and emergency access directly with the responsible agencies and providers.
Wildfire and insurance concerns
Check the State Responsibility Area, fire district, access, vegetation, defensible-space needs, water supply, evacuation routes, and insurance availability before closing.
Snow load and seasonal access
Mountain construction and year-round use can be affected by snow-load design, road maintenance, plowing, steep grades, drainage, and seasonal closures. Online mapping is only the first step.
Buyer Checklist for Plumas County Homes, Cabins, and Land
Plumas County Deeds, Liens, Easements, and Recorded Maps
The Plumas County Clerk-Recorder records and preserves land-title documents, liens, mining claims, maps, and other public records. The Assessor parcel result is not a substitute for recorded-document or title research.
Save the APN, address, legal description, likely owner names, and approximate recording date.
The office is located at 520 Main Street, Room 102, in Quincy. Ask how to search and request the relevant document.
Record the document number, recording date, document type, names, and book-page or map reference.
Do not rely only on an index description when the deed, easement, lien, or legal description affects a decision.
A public-record search does not replace a title report, title insurance policy, legal opinion, probate review, or licensed survey.
Mailing Address Changes, Exemptions, Prop 19, Disaster Relief, and Business Forms
Plumas County’s Assessor forms page currently includes a 2026–2027 decline-in-value review request, assessment appeal forms, a builder’s exemption, calamity reassessment application, new-construction statement, and mailing-address authorization.
| Situation | Form or Process | What to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Tax-mailing address changed | Mailing Address Change Authorization | APN, old address, new address, owner information, signature, contact details. |
| Property damaged by wildfire or calamity | Application for Reassessment of Damaged or Destroyed Property | Damage date, photos, estimates, insurance information, APN, property address. |
| New construction completed | Property Owner’s Statement of New Construction | Completion date, project description, permits, costs, APN. |
| Builder holding new construction for sale | Builder’s Exemption claim | Construction start date, ownership, sale intent, parcel information, timely claim. |
| Principal-residence exemption | Homeowners’ Exemption claim | Ownership, occupancy date, principal-residence information, APN. |
| Death, trust, deed, or ownership transfer | Change-in-ownership statement and applicable exclusion claim | Deed, death certificate, trust or probate papers, relationship and occupancy evidence. |
| Business equipment or taxable personal property | Business Property Statement or county e-filing | Account details, equipment, machinery, fixtures, acquisition cost, business information. |
Open current Plumas County Assessor forms
Homeowners’ Exemption
An eligible owner who occupies the property as a principal residence may claim up to a $7,000 reduction in assessed value. New owners may receive a claim form from the Assessor. Filing directly with the government is free.
Disabled Veterans’ Exemption
Qualifying disabled veterans and certain unmarried surviving spouses may be eligible for a basic or low-income exemption. Exemption levels and income limits change, so use the current state-approved form.
Proposition 19 transfers
Proposition 19 changed rules for eligible age-55, disability, disaster, parent-child, and grandparent-grandchild transfers. Do not rely on older county wording that predates current statewide rules.
Review current California Proposition 19 guidance
Williamson Act agricultural land
Qualifying agricultural property under a Williamson Act contract can be valued annually under restricted-income rules. Confirm the contract, allowed use, improvement treatment, and current enrolled value before buying or transferring the land.
Plumas County Assessment Review and Appeal Deadlines
Begin with an Assessor review when the taxable value or property characteristics appear wrong. A review can examine the original assessment data and any additional information supplied by the owner.
| Filing Type | County-Published Period | Where to Start |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment review request | January 1–December 31 for the current or next tax year | Plumas County Assessor |
| Supplemental assessment or roll revision | 60 days from the mailing date of the notice | Review the notice and contact the Assessor immediately |
| Regular assessment appeal | July 2–November 30 | County Clerk of the Board of Equalization |
Evidence that can strengthen a value review
Open official assessment review and appeal guidance
Decision Table: Which Plumas County Office Should Handle the Task?
| If You Need… | Correct Office or Tool | Official Action |
|---|---|---|
| APN, assessed value, parcel details, exemption, mailing-address change | Plumas County Assessor | Open Assessor page |
| Search parcel by APN or street address | County Parcel Search / ParcelQuest Lite | Open parcel-search guidance |
| Tax bill, amount due, payment, delinquency, or receipt | Treasurer-Tax Collector | Open tax inquiry |
| Parcel location, zoning context, flood, fire district, or snow-load information | GIS Map Portal / Planning / Building | Open GIS resources |
| Deed, lien, easement, mining claim, recorded map, or certified copy | Plumas County Clerk-Recorder | Open Recorder information |
| Mailing, calamity, new-construction, builder, or decline-in-value form | Assessor Forms and Resources | Open current forms |
| Formal assessment appeal | County Clerk of the Board of Equalization | Review appeal instructions |
| Exact boundary, ownership priority, or legal access | Recorded documents, title professional, surveyor, or attorney | Do not rely only on the online parcel map. |
Plumas County Assessor Contact Information and Map
Assessor: Cynthia L. Froggatt
Address: 1 Crescent Street, Quincy, CA 95971
Phone: (530) 283-6380
Fax: (530) 283-6195
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Verify holiday closures before visiting.
- Have the APN or physical address ready.
- Know the assessment year or tax year involved.
- Keep the tax bill, value notice, deed, or claim form nearby.
- Write down the ownership-change or construction date.
- Ask which office controls the next action.
- Record the employee’s name and contact date.
Common Mistakes That Delay Plumas County Property Research
Many undeveloped parcels have no street address. Use the APN, deed, map book, or GIS location.
The county’s public parcel instructions list APN and street address. Use the Assessor or Recorder when only a name is known.
The Treasurer-Tax Collector handles bills, payments, penalties, delinquency, and receipts.
The county states that GIS parcel lines are informational graphical representations.
An Assessor record does not prove zoning approval, legal access, septic feasibility, water, utilities, or permit eligibility.
The regular Plumas County appeal period is July 2 through November 30, while supplemental notices generally use a 60-day period.
Property Search and Tax Record Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Reason | What to Try |
|---|---|---|
| Address search returns no parcel | Vacant land, private road, alternate address, abbreviation, or recent parcel change | Use the APN, core street name, GIS location, deed, or map-book reference. |
| APN is rejected by GIS | Map portal requires digits without dashes | Enter the complete parcel number as continuous digits. |
| Tax search shows only one assessment | Assessment-number search displays a specific assessment | Use fee-parcel search for a broader summary of current or delinquent assessments. |
| Street-address tax search fails | Recorded abbreviations or directional wording | Remove Street, Road, Drive, or Lane and use N, E, S, or W. |
| Assessor and deed information differ | Recent recording, processing delay, trust, estate, or wrong parcel match | Confirm the document number, recording date, APN, and underlying deed. |
| GIS line conflicts with a fence or road | Map displacement, approximate parcel geometry, or physical occupation outside the legal boundary | Review recorded maps, deeds, title information, monuments, and a licensed survey. |
| Exemption or value reduction is missing | Claim not filed, incomplete documents, ownership issue, occupancy issue, or processing delay | Provide the claim copy, filing proof, notice, APN, and eligibility documents to the Assessor. |
What to Save After a Search, Payment, Filing, or Appeal
Property Lookup, Map, and Payment Safety
Search results may include paid property reports, reverse-owner databases, deed-copy vendors, unofficial tax-payment pages, and mapping services that appear governmental. Some private services may be lawful, but they are not the Plumas County Assessor, Tax Collector, GIS Division, Planning Department, or Clerk-Recorder.
Plumas County Property Records: Direct Answer Summary
| Current Assessor | Cynthia L. Froggatt. |
| Assessor office | 1 Crescent Street, Quincy, CA 95971. |
| Main phone | 530-283-6380. |
| Official parcel search | Search by APN or street address through the county’s Parcel Search and county-linked ParcelQuest Lite. |
| Vacant land search | Use the APN because many undeveloped parcels do not have a street address. |
| Tax bill and payment | Use the Plumas County Treasurer-Tax Collector tax inquiry portal. |
| GIS parcel boundary | Use for general reference only; it is not a legal survey. |
| Regular assessment appeal | File between July 2 and November 30 under the current county guidance. |
| Supplemental appeal | Generally file within 60 days from the notice mailing date. |
Official Plumas County and California Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Plumas County Assessor property records?
Open the official Plumas County Parcel Search page and continue to the county-linked ParcelQuest Lite service. Search by Assessor Parcel Number or street address.
Can I search Plumas County property by owner name online?
The county’s public parcel instructions list APN and street-address searches, not an official owner-name search. Contact the Assessor or Clerk-Recorder when only a person or business name is known.
How do I find a Plumas County APN?
Check the property tax bill, Assessor search, annual value notice, deed, title report, escrow documents, map book, or county GIS Parcel Query.
Why does my vacant land parcel not appear by address?
Many vacant and remote parcels do not have a street address. Search by APN, legal description, map location, coordinates, deed, or Assessor map-book reference.
Who is the current Plumas County Assessor?
Cynthia L. Froggatt is listed as the current Plumas County Assessor.
What is the Plumas County Assessor phone number?
The current main Assessor office phone number is 530-283-6380.
Who handles Plumas County property tax payments?
The Plumas County Treasurer-Tax Collector handles tax bills, online payments, payment posting, delinquency, penalties, and receipts.
Are the tools on this page official county tools?
No. They are independent planning helpers only. They do not create an official assessment, tax bill, legal survey, permit, exemption approval, deed, title opinion, or appeal decision.
Is a Plumas County GIS parcel line a legal boundary?
No. Plumas County states that GIS parcel lines are graphical representations with inherent spatial inaccuracies and are not legal surveys or engineering documents.
How do I find a deed or lien in Plumas County?
Contact or visit the Plumas County Clerk-Recorder with the APN, property address, names, document type, and approximate recording date.
How much is the Plumas County Homeowners’ Exemption?
An eligible owner-occupied principal residence may receive up to a $7,000 reduction in assessed value. Verify eligibility and filing instructions with the Assessor.
When can I file a regular Plumas County assessment appeal?
Plumas County lists the regular assessment appeal filing period as July 2 through November 30.
How long do I have to appeal a supplemental assessment?
Plumas County generally requires a supplemental assessment appeal within 60 days from the mailing date of the notice.
Why did I receive a supplemental property tax bill after buying?
A purchase or qualifying new construction can create a supplemental assessment based on the difference between the prior assessed value and the new assessed value for part of the fiscal year.
What should I verify before buying rural land in Plumas County?
Verify the APN, deed, legal access, boundaries, zoning, fire responsibility, flood information, snow load, well, septic, power, road maintenance, insurance, permits, and tax status.
Your Best Next Step
Start with the official parcel search and save the complete APN. Use the Assessor for value and exemption questions, the Tax Collector for bills and payments, GIS for general location and district research, and the Clerk-Recorder for deeds and liens. For rural property, independently verify legal access, zoning, boundaries, fire risk, water, septic, utilities, snow load, and buildability before relying on an online map or listing.