Homeowners who pay special assessment charges on their Oakland property tax bill—for things like wildfire prevention, violence reduction, and library services—may be able to get those charges dropped or refunded if their household income qualifies.
The city’s SPARE program (Special Assessment Refunds and Exemptions) covers several line items Oakland homeowners see on their Alameda County tax bills. The 2026–27 exemption application lists the covered charges: Measure Q, Wildfire Prevention, Violence Reduction/Emergency Response, and City Library Service, among others.
Who qualifies
There are three income tiers based on 2025 gross household income.
Very Low Income households qualify if 2025 income stayed under $55,950 for one person or $79,900 for a family of four—and they get the broadest exemptions, including landscaping and lighting charges that higher tiers don’t cover…