Costa Mesa property tax: where it goes
A Costa Mesa house pays 1.051% of its taxable value in property tax, plus flat charges on the same bill. For a house at $1,115,100 of market value with the homeowners' exemption, that's about $12,299 a year.
Tax is levied on the assessed value (Prop 13).
Who taxes this house
| Taxing agency | Rate | On $1,115,100 |
|---|---|---|
| 1% general levy (countywide) | 1% | $11,081 |
| Newport-Mesa Unified School District bonds (schools) | 0.0175% | $194 |
| Coast Community College District bonds (schools) | 0.0252% | $280 |
| Metropolitan Water District (MWDOC) | 0.0085% | $94 |
| OC San regional sewer service fee | flat | $397 |
| Mesa Water District Capital Charge (5/8-inch meter) | flat | $231 |
| Metropolitan Water District water standby charge | flat | $10 |
| OC Mosquito and Vector Control District: mosquito, fire ant and disease control assessment (District No. 2) | flat | $9 |
| OC Mosquito and Vector Control District: vector surveillance and control assessment (District No. 1) | flat | $2 |
| Total | 1.051% | $12,299 |
2026-27 tax year, Orange County (tax rate area 15-002). Exemptions applied: Homeowners' exemption ($7,000).
Dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Nov 30, 2026 (in 39 days) | Last day to file a 2026 regular assessment appeal in Orange County (filing runs July 2 to November 30 at 5:00 p.m.). |
| Dec 10 (in 49 days) | First property tax installment (due Nov 1) is delinquent after Dec 10: 10% penalty. |
| Feb 15 | Last day for a first-time homeowners' exemption claim to get the full exemption for the year. |
| Apr 10 | Second property tax installment (due Feb 1) is delinquent after Apr 10: 10% penalty plus $23 per bill. |
Pay or manage it
Sources
- Orange County Auditor-Controller 2026-27 tax rate book
- Orange County Auditor-Controller property tax report
- OC Treasurer-Tax Collector: general FAQ
- OC Treasurer-Tax Collector: property tax guide for new homeowners
- California BOE: homeowners' exemption
- OC Treasurer-Tax Collector: payment of secured property taxes
- OC Clerk of the Board: assessment appeal FAQs
Checked October 22, 2026. Every number here comes from the public sources listed, matched by our checker.
Rates change every year; this page shows when it was last checked. Nothing here is legal, tax or insurance advice.