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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Ventura County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Ventura 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
1.0% to 1.3% of assessed value (1% base rate plus voter-approved bonds)
1st Due
Nov 1
2nd Due
Feb 1
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Ventura County's property tax system operates under California's Proposition 13 framework, which establishes a base rate of approximately 1% of assessed value plus voter-approved debt service. Property taxes in Ventura County fund essential local services including schools, fire protection, law enforcement, libraries, and county operations. The 2025 assessment roll shows a total local assessed value of $187 billion across 290,815 parcels, reflecting a 4.37% increase from the previous year.

Effective tax rates in Ventura County typically range from 1.0% to 1.3% of assessed value, depending on your specific location and the local bonds or special assessments that apply to your property. The variation occurs because different areas have different voter-approved school bonds, city bonds, and community facility districts (CFDs) that add to the base 1% rate. Your actual tax rate depends on which tax rate area (TRA) your property falls within, as each area has its own combination of overlapping taxing jurisdictions.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate RangeDescription
Base Levy~1.00%Proposition 13 base rate for general county, school, and city services
School Bonds0.05% - 0.15%Voter-approved bonds for school construction and improvements
City/Municipal Bonds0.02% - 0.08%Local city bonds for infrastructure and public improvements
Community Facilities Districts0.03% - 0.12%Special assessments for specific neighborhood improvements
Other Special Assessments0.01% - 0.05%Water districts, fire districts, library districts
Total Effective Rate1.0% - 1.3%Combined rate varies by Tax Rate Area (TRA)

Note: Your specific tax rate depends on your property's Tax Rate Area. The Ventura County Assessor's office assigns each parcel to a TRA based on which taxing jurisdictions serve that location.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Ventura 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 triggered by two main events: change in ownership or completion of new construction. When either occurs, the property is reassessed at current market value, and you owe the difference between the old and new tax amounts for the remaining portion of the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). This supplemental assessment mechanism ensures that Proposition 13 reappraisals are implemented immediately rather than waiting for the next regular tax bill.

The supplemental tax is calculated by taking the difference between your new assessed value and the previous assessed value, multiplying by your area's tax rate, then prorating for the remaining months in the fiscal year. For example, if you purchase a $800,000 home in January that was previously assessed at $600,000, and your tax rate is 1.2%, you would owe approximately $1,200 in supplemental taxes (($800,000 - $600,000) × 1.2% × 6 months ÷ 12 months). Supplemental tax bills are issued separately from regular property tax bills and have their own due dates, typically 30 days from the bill date.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less Homeowner's Exemption: -$7,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $293,000
  • Tax Rate (assumes 1.15%): 1.15%
  • Annual Property Tax: $3,370
  • Monthly Escrow Payment: $281

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less Homeowner's Exemption: -$7,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $593,000
  • Tax Rate (assumes 1.20%): 1.20%
  • Annual Property Tax: $7,116
  • Monthly Escrow Payment: $593

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less Homeowner's Exemption: -$7,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $993,000
  • Tax Rate (assumes 1.25%): 1.25%
  • Annual Property Tax: $12,413
  • Monthly Escrow Payment: $1,034

Note: Tax rates vary by location within Ventura County. These examples use estimated rates for illustration purposes.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Ventura County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property taxes and insurance. Your lender collects monthly payments equal to 1/12 of your estimated annual property tax bill, holds these funds in escrow, and pays your property taxes directly to Ventura County when due. Lenders typically collect an initial escrow deposit at closing equal to 2-3 months of property taxes to ensure adequate funds are available.

Property taxes in Ventura County are paid in two installments: the first installment covers July through December and is due November 1st, while the second installment covers January through June and is due December 10th of the same calendar year. Your lender will pay these bills directly from your escrow account. Each year, your lender conducts an escrow analysis to ensure your monthly payments align with actual tax bills, and may adjust your monthly payment up or down based on changes in your property tax assessment or tax rates. You can verify payments were made by checking the Ventura County Tax Collector's website or contacting your lender for escrow account statements.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Ventura County? A: Property taxes are due in two installments. The first installment is due November 1st, and the second installment is due December 10th of the same calendar year.

Q: How do I apply for the homeowner's exemption? A: File an application with the Ventura County Assessor's office if you own and occupy your home as your principal residence. The exemption reduces your assessed value by $7,000, saving approximately $70-$80 annually.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Late payments incur a 10% penalty on the first installment if paid after December 10th, and a 10% penalty plus 1.5% monthly interest on the second installment if paid after April 10th.

Q: How is my property's assessed value determined? A: Under Proposition 13, your property is assessed at purchase price, then can increase by a maximum of 2% annually. Reassessment occurs upon change of ownership or completion of new construction.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Ventura County accepts online payments through their official website. You can pay by electronic check or credit card, though credit card payments may incur processing fees.

Q: How do I appeal my property tax assessment? A: File an assessment appeal application with the Ventura County Assessment Appeals Board between July 2nd and November 30th. You must demonstrate that your property's assessed value exceeds its fair market value.

Q: What is a supplemental tax bill? A: A supplemental tax bill covers the tax difference when your property is reassessed due to ownership change or new construction, prorated for the remaining portion of the fiscal year.

Q: Are there property tax exemptions for seniors or veterans? A: Yes, qualifying disabled veterans may receive partial or complete exemptions. Seniors may qualify for property tax postponement programs or transfer of Proposition 13 base year values under certain circumstances.

Q: Where can I find my property's tax rate area? A: Your tax rate area (TRA) is listed on your property tax bill and determines your specific tax rate based on which local bonds and assessments apply to your property location.

Q: What services do my property taxes fund? A: Property taxes fund schools (largest portion), county services, cities, fire protection, libraries, parks, and voter-approved bonds for infrastructure improvements.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
ANNUAL REPORTassessor.venturacounty.gov
02
County
COUNTYWIDE TAX BASEvcportal.venturacounty.gov
03
County
Ventura County Assessorassessor.venturacounty.gov
04
Tax Doc
Important Dates – Treasurer-Tax Collectorventuracounty.gov
05
County
Important Dates – Treasurer-Tax Collector - County of Venturastaging.venturacounty.gov
06
County
2020 Ventura County Secured Property Taxesnews.venturacounty.gov
07
Homeowners Exemptionassessor.venturacounty.gov
08
Exemptionsassessor.venturacounty.gov
09
County
Property Tax In Ventura County Canacdashboard.nara.gov
10
Supplemental Assessmentsassessor.venturacounty.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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