A homestead declaration protects your home's equity from both to forced and voluntary sales of the property. A homestead exemption protects home equity from a homeowner's creditors, up to a certain dollar amount.The following is a list of some documents that may be recorded if they meet all requirements, and a description or definition of each document. Welcome to the homestead estimated amount page for Single Family Detached homes for Contra Costa county. In this post, we break down all the details. Exemption forms are due June 30th each year. Once forms are filed exemption is automatically renewed each year. If you meet these criteria, you can apply for an exemption. Builders must submit this application to comply with local laws. 4. Architects often help clients fill out this form for new projects. 5.