MILLS ACT GUIDE · 2026
Mills Act in North Park.
The property tax program that can save you 50-70% on your tax bill — and what the catch really is.
The Mills Act is California’s most powerful historic preservation incentive. For owners of historically designated homes, it can cut annual property taxes by 50-70%. North Park has hundreds of eligible properties — and Mills Act sales are some of the most sought-after in 92104.
How Mills Act actually works
Property taxes on a Mills Act home are recalculated using a special “income approach” formula instead of the standard market value. The result: for a North Park home assessed at $1.3M, annual property taxes drop from roughly $13,800 to around $4,500. That’s $9,000+ a year, every year, for as long as you own.
The catch
A Mills Act contract is a 10-year rolling agreement between the homeowner and the City of San Diego. You commit to:
- Maintaining the historic character-defining features (windows, siding, roof style, porch, etc.)
- Getting city approval for major exterior changes
- Allowing periodic inspections
- Continuing the contract upon sale (it transfers to the new owner)
What qualifies in North Park
To be eligible, a home must be listed on the City of San Diego’s historic register. Most pre-1940 Craftsman bungalows and Spanish Revival homes in North Park qualify, particularly those in Burlingame’s historic district and the Original Tract. The application process can take 6-12 months for new designations.
What Mills Act does to resale
Mills Act homes typically sell at a premium — the tax savings transfer to the next owner. We see Mills Act listings move faster and at higher prices than comparable non-Mills Act homes in the same pocket.
Want help finding a Mills Act home in North Park?
Take the Match Score quiz to see which pockets have active Mills Act inventory in your price range.