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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Santa Cruz County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Santa Cruz County, CA. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
1.22% to 1.35% effective rate (1% base + special assessments vary by district)
1st Due
Nov 1
2nd Due
Feb 1
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Santa Cruz County's property tax system operates under California's Proposition 13 framework, with a base tax rate of 1% of assessed value plus additional voter-approved assessments for local services. Property taxes fund essential county services including schools, fire protection, libraries, parks, and general government operations. The effective tax rate in Santa Cruz County typically ranges from 1.22% to 1.35% of assessed value, depending on your specific location within the county.

Your actual property tax rate varies significantly based on the special taxing districts where your property is located. These districts may include school bonds, city bonds, community services districts, and Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts (CFDs). Properties in areas with multiple special assessments will have higher effective rates than those in areas with fewer district taxes. The county's diverse geography means coastal properties, mountain areas, and incorporated cities each have different combinations of these special district taxes.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Unitary Tax1.000000Base county tax rate (FY 2025-2026)
Unitary Debt Service0.222478County debt obligations
Total Base Rate1.222478Combined county-wide rate
School District BondsVariesAdditional assessments by school district
City/Municipal BondsVariesCity-specific voter-approved debt
Special DistrictsVariesFire, water, parks, lighting districts
Mello-Roos CFDsVariesCommunity Facilities Districts

Note: The rates shown are for FY 2025-2026 and represent the county-wide base. Your actual total rate will be higher due to special district taxes that vary by location. Properties may have total effective rates ranging from 1.22% to 1.35% or higher depending on local assessments. Consult the official county tax rate book for your specific tax rate area (TRA) to determine your exact rate.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Santa Cruz County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Nov 1
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Feb 1
Delinquent after Apr 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes are additional property tax bills issued when your property's assessed value changes mid-year due to ownership transfers, new construction, or improvements. When you purchase property or complete construction, the county assessor determines the new assessed value and issues a supplemental tax bill for the difference between the old and new assessments, prorated for the remaining months in the fiscal year.

For example, if you purchase a home in January with an assessed value increase from $400,000 to $600,000, you'll receive a supplemental bill for taxes on the additional $200,000 assessment for the remaining 5 months of the fiscal year (January through June). The calculation would be: ($200,000 × your tax rate × 5/12 months). Supplemental tax bills have their own due dates separate from regular property tax installments, so check your bill carefully for the specific payment deadline to avoid penalties.

Example Calculation

Property Value: $300,000

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Homeowner's Exemption: -$7,000 (if applied for and qualified)
  • Net Taxable Value: $293,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.222478% (base rate example)
  • Annual Tax: $3,582
  • Monthly Escrow: $299

Property Value: $600,000

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Homeowner's Exemption: -$7,000 (if applied for and qualified)
  • Net Taxable Value: $593,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.222478% (base rate example)
  • Annual Tax: $7,247
  • Monthly Escrow: $604

Property Value: $1,000,000

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Homeowner's Exemption: -$7,000 (if applied for and qualified)
  • Net Taxable Value: $993,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.222478% (base rate example)
  • Annual Tax: $12,137
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,011

Note: These examples use the base county rate only. Your actual tax will likely be higher due to special district assessments. The Homeowner's Exemption requires a separate application and only applies to your primary residence.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders require property tax escrow accounts, where you pay 1/12 of your annual property tax with each monthly mortgage payment. Your lender collects these funds in a separate escrow account and pays your property tax bills directly to Santa Cruz County when they're due on November 1st and February 1st. Lenders typically analyze your escrow account annually and may adjust your monthly payment if your property taxes increase due to reassessment or new special district taxes.

You can verify that your lender paid your taxes correctly by checking your account online at the Santa Cruz County Tax Collector's website or calling (831) 454-2002. If you pay your own taxes without escrow, remember that the first installment covers July through December and is due November 1st (delinquent December 10th), while the second installment covers January through June and is due February 1st (delinquent April 10th). Even with escrow, review your annual tax bill to understand any changes in assessed value or tax rates.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due for FY 2025-2026? A: First installment due November 1, 2025 (delinquent December 10th). Second installment due February 1, 2026 (delinquent April 10th). Unsecured taxes are due August 1st with penalties after August 31st.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The main credit is the Homeowner's Exemption, which reduces assessed value by $7,000 (saving about $70-85 annually). This requires a separate application and only applies to your primary residence as of January 1st. Veterans, seniors, and disabled persons may qualify for additional credits, all requiring applications.

Q: How does the Homestead exemption work? A: California doesn't have a traditional "homestead exemption" for property taxes. The Homeowner's Exemption reduces your assessed value by $7,000. Proposition 13 limits assessment increases to 2% annually, which effectively caps your tax growth regardless of market value increases.

Q: When are properties reassessed? A: Properties are reassessed upon ownership change or completion of new construction. Otherwise, assessed values can only increase by a maximum of 2% per year under Proposition 13. The county assessor reviews all properties annually but cannot exceed the 2% cap without a triggering event.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: A 10% penalty is added to the first installment after December 10th, and to the second installment after April 10th. Additional penalties and costs accrue monthly, and properties may eventually face tax sale for extended non-payment.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Yes, Santa Cruz County offers online payment options through their official website. You can pay by electronic check or credit card, though credit card payments may include processing fees.

Q: How do I appeal my assessment? A: File an application with the Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board between July 2nd and September 15th (or within 60 days of receiving a notice of changed assessment). You must demonstrate that your property's assessed value exceeds its fair market value.

Q: What are Mello-Roos taxes? A: These are special taxes levied by Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) to fund infrastructure and services in specific areas. They appear as separate line items on your tax bill and are in addition to the base property tax rate. Mello-Roos taxes vary significantly by location within Santa Cruz County.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
County
County of Santa Cruz 2025-2026 Property Tax Ratessantacruzcountyca.gov
02
2025-26 Assessment Rollsantacruzcountyca.gov
03
County
County of Santa Cruz 2024-2025 Property Tax Ratessantacruzcountyca.gov
04
Tax Doc
Tax Calendarsantacruzcountyca.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Taxes The Simple Storysantacruzcountyca.gov
06
County
County Assessment Appeals Filing Period for 2024boe.ca.gov
07
County
Santa Cruz County Government Homeowner's Exemptionsantacruzcountyca.gov
08
Exemptionssantacruzcountyca.gov
09
County
Santa Cruz County Tax Cycle Formssantacruzcountyca.gov
10
Tax Doc
NOTICE OF CURRENT PROPERTY TAXES DUEsantacruzcountyca.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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