In california it is 1% of the assessed value plus any special taxes voted in by certain municipalities. This is from the Tax Assessor of Los Angeles' site at
http://assessor.lacounty.gov/extranet/guides/realprop.aspx
In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 13, which substantially reduced property tax rates. As a result, the maximum levy cannot exceed 1% of a property’s assessed value (plus bonded indebtedness and direct assessment taxes). Increases in assessed value are limited to 2% annually. Only four events can cause a reappraisal:
1. A change in ownership;
2. Completed new construction;
3. New construction partially completed on the lien date (January 1); or
4. A decline-in-value (see Market Value Decline - Prop. 8).
- Sun Jun 28 2009, 17:48