CA Rev & Tax Code Section 1605.5

(a)

(1)The county board shall hear applications for a reduction in an assessment in cases in which the issue is whether or not property has been subject to a change in ownership, as defined in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 60) of Part 0.5, or has been newly constructed, as defined in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 70) of Part 0.5.

(2)

In any county that has established an assessment appeals board, the board of supervisors may, by ordinance, provide that it shall act as the county board of equalization for the purpose of hearing applications pursuant to this subdivision.

(3)

This subdivision shall not be construed to alter, modify, or eliminate the right of an applicant under existing law to have a trial de novo in superior court with regard to the legal issue of whether or not that property has undergone a change in ownership or has been newly constructed so as to require reassessment.

(b)

The county board shall hear and decide issues with respect to penalties assessed under Section 463, 482, or 504 where those issues arise in connection with an application timely filed under Section 1603 or 1605. The county board shall hear and decide penalty issues under this subdivision regardless of whether the taxpayer has filed an application for reduction disputing only penalty amounts or, during the appeal process, all nonpenalty issues are resolved.