Santa Clara County Property Tax Rates by City, Area, and Tax District 2026
Santa Clara County has a 2026 median property tax of about $4,694, with an estimated effective rate of 0.67% based on countywide property-value data. Actual bills vary because assessed values, tax-rate areas, voter-approved charges, and special assessments differ by parcel.
Effective Tax Rate
0.67%
Median Property Tax
$4,694
Tax per $100K
$670
Last Update
August 2026
Santa Clara County Property Tax 2026-27
Santa Clara County Property Tax Rate
Santa Clara County property tax rates vary by district in the provided data. Parcel bills can still include fixed charges, parcel taxes, CFD charges, or special assessments depending on the property.
Base rate
1.0000% general ad valorem tax.
District rates
Santa Clara County district rates vary from 1.0000% to 1.4835% in the provided data.
Direct charges
Special assessments and parcel charges are added separately.
Area
Representative Rate
Campbell (City) District
1.1550%
Countywide-Unitary Base Rate
1.0000%
Cupertino (City) District
1.1620%
Gilroy (City) District
1.1945%
Los Altos (City) District
1.1215%
Los Altos Hills (Town) District
1.1080%
Los Gatos (Town) District
1.1460%
Milpitas (City) District
1.1840%
Monte Sereno (City) District
1.1340%
Morgan Hill (City) District
1.1735%
Mountain View (City) District
1.1390%
Palo Alto (City) District
1.1810%
San Jose (City) District
1.2360%
Santa Clara (City) District
1.1695%
Saratoga (City) District
1.2254%
State Unitary Utility Allocation
1.0000%
Sunnyvale (City) District
1.1691%
Unincorporated Area Baseline
1.0000%
Other Santa Clara County Property Tools
Property tax research is easier when assessment, ownership, location, and tax information are considered together. California Property Checker provides related tools that can help users investigate a parcel, estimate potential taxes, and understand its geographic or zoning context.
Santa Clara County Property Search
Search property records using an owner name, street address, parcel number, city, ZIP code, or other available property filters.
Santa Clara Property Tax Calculator
Estimate potential property taxes by entering a property value and considering the applicable property tax rate.
Santa Clara Doc Stamp Calculator
Estimate applicable documentary transfer tax or related document charges when researching a property transaction.
Santa Clara County Zoning and Maps
Explore parcel locations, maps, zoning information, and other geographic details associated with properties in the area.
How Property Tax Rates Are Applied in Santa Clara County
The amount ultimately charged to a property depends on more than its current market price. Santa Clara County follows California’s assessment system, in which the Assessor establishes taxable values and the applicable tax rates and charges are then used to calculate the bill. Proposition 13 generally limits the basic property tax rate to 1% plus voter-approved bonded indebtedness and limits annual increases in a property’s factored base-year value to 2%, subject to exceptions.
Assessed Value Is the Starting Point
For most real property, the assessed value is based on a property’s base-year value under Proposition 13 rather than simply its current market price. The value generally changes when ownership changes or qualifying new construction is completed.
The Tax Rate Is Applied to Taxable Value
After the assessed value is established, applicable exemptions are considered before ad valorem property taxes are calculated. The resulting taxable amount is multiplied by the applicable rate, while separate charges may also appear on the bill.
Tax-Rate Areas Combine Local Charges
Santa Clara County parcels are assigned to tax rate areas that identify the combination of taxing jurisdictions affecting a property. Two homes with similar values can therefore receive different total bills when they are located in different areas.
Special Assessments Can Increase the Bill
A property tax bill may contain more than the basic ad valorem levy. Special assessments, direct levies, and voter-approved charges can be added for particular services, programs, or financing obligations affecting the parcel.
Ownership Changes Can Trigger Reassessment
Buying a property can create a new base-year value based generally on its market value at the time of the ownership change. That reassessment can produce a significant difference between the new owner’s tax liability and the prior owner’s bill.
Supplemental Bills May Follow a Reassessment
A change in ownership or completion of qualifying new construction can generate a supplemental assessment. Santa Clara County may then issue a supplemental tax bill covering the prorated difference for the remaining portion of the fiscal year.
Why Santa Clara County Has Different Tax Districts and Local Rates
Santa Clara County contains numerous cities, school districts, special districts, and other local jurisdictions. Because each parcel sits within a particular combination of these agencies and tax-rate areas, the total property tax burden can change from one neighborhood or community to another.
- Tax districts fund specific local services rather than applying identically across every parcel.
- Different tax-rate areas combine different taxing agencies based on a property's location.
- Neighboring properties can fall within separate jurisdictions and receive different total tax bills.
- Voter-approved bonds can add charges beyond California's basic property tax levy.
- Special assessments may apply only to properties benefiting from particular services or improvements.
- The parcel's precise location determines which local charges and taxing jurisdictions apply.
Check Property Tax Rates in Nearby California Counties
Comparing neighboring counties can help buyers, homeowners, investors, and researchers put local tax costs into perspective. California Property Checker provides county-specific property information that can support research across different markets and jurisdictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to property taxes when I buy a home?
A purchase can trigger a reassessment because California generally establishes a new base-year value following a change in ownership. The new assessed value may therefore differ substantially from the seller’s previous assessed value.
Can my Santa Clara County property taxes increase by more than 2%?
The 2% Proposition 13 limit generally applies to annual increases in a property’s factored base-year value. It does not mean every property tax bill can never rise by more than 2%, because ownership changes, new construction, voter-approved charges, and other factors can affect the total bill.
What is a supplemental property tax bill?
A supplemental bill reflects a prorated tax adjustment after a qualifying ownership change or completion of new construction. It is separate from the regular annual secured property tax bill and covers the applicable period after the supplemental event.
When are Santa Clara County property taxes due?
For regular secured property taxes, the first installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent after December 10. The second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent after April 10, subject to the county’s holiday and weekend rules.
What happens if I miss a property tax deadline?
A late secured-property-tax installment can result in penalties. Santa Clara County states that a 10% penalty and a $20 cost are added when the applicable installment becomes delinquent under its current payment rules.
How can I dispute my property's assessed value?
A property owner who disagrees with an assessment can first discuss the valuation with the County Assessor. If the issue cannot be resolved, California provides an assessment appeal process through the appropriate local appeals body.
Does a home's market value determine its property tax every year?
Not necessarily. Under Proposition 13, most real property is generally assessed using its base-year value with permitted annual adjustments rather than being reassessed to current market value every year. A qualifying ownership change or new construction can establish a new base-year value.
Can home improvements change my property taxes?
Qualifying new construction can result in a reassessment of the newly constructed portion. The effect depends on the nature and scope of the work and the applicable California assessment rules, so not every repair or improvement automatically creates a new assessment.
How do exemptions affect a property tax bill?
Eligible exemptions can reduce the taxable value used to calculate ad valorem property taxes. For example, California’s Homeowners’ Exemption can reduce the assessed value of an eligible principal residence by $7,000.
Where can I verify my actual Santa Clara County property tax bill?
The County’s Department of Tax and Collections provides official secured property tax information and payment services. Property owners can use the county’s tax resources to verify the actual bill rather than relying on a countywide effective-rate estimate.