Owners of historic properties in Long Beach could receive financial incentives for the up-keep of their homes with the Mills Act application period for tax relief now open.
This economic incentive program established in 1993 is for properties in the city’s designated historic districts and historic landmark buildings, the city explained. A guide will be available to the public on the Department’s Mills Act webpage beginning Jan. 3, 2025.
“In exchange for agreeing to maintain these architectural treasures and historical gems that we have here in this city, property owners can qualify for significant property tax savings,” Elise Roberts with the Long Beach Community Development Department told KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian this weekend.
In addition to the guide, those interested must attend a workshop that will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 25 in the Jenny Oropeza Community Center at Cesar E. Chavez Park, 401 Golden Ave., in order to determine eligibility and learn about the process for preparing an application and calculating individual property tax savings. An RSVP is required.
Eligible homeowners can then RSVP for a Feb. 22 workshop from 10 a.m. to noon for their applications to be considered.
“Interpretation services and translated materials will be available in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog at both workshops, upon request,” said the city.
Additionally, there is a non-refundable processing fee of $545 that must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Friday, March 14 to be considered for the 2025 program. Staff anticipate that the applications will be reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Commission by July 1 and then go to the Long Beach City Council for action before Oct. 1, with final property tax contracts expected to be sent to the County Recorder on or before Dec. 31 of next year.
“For questions about the Mills Act, please contact the Historic Preservation Division at 562.570.6194 or MillsAct@longbeach.gov,” said the city.