Los Altos property tax: where it goes
A Los Altos house at the typical market value ($2,000,001) pays about $25,040 a year on the property tax bill, including flat charges on the same bill. Estimated from public rates, not anyone's actual bill.
A Los Altos house pays 1.153% of its taxable value in property tax, plus flat charges on the same bill. For a house at $2,000,001 of market value with the homeowners' exemption, that's about $23,996 a year.
Tax is levied on valuation.
Santa Clara County's 2026-27 tax rate book is not published yet; 2025-26 rates are the latest.
Pay or manage it
Who taxes this house
| Taxing agency | Rate | On $2,000,001 |
|---|---|---|
| Countywide 1% maximum levy (Prop 13) | 1% | $19,930 |
| County retirement levy and library | 0.0412% | $821 |
| County bonds (VMC 2008, 2016 housing bond) | 0.0108% | $215 |
| Los Altos Elementary bonds (2014, 2024) (schools) | 0.0326% | $650 |
| El Camino Hospital 2003 bond | 0.002% | $40 |
| Mountain View-Los Altos High bonds (2010, 2018) (schools) | 0.03% | $598 |
| Foothill-De Anza community college bonds (schools) | 0.0311% | $620 |
| Mid Peninsula Open Space 2014 bond | 0.0014% | $28 |
| Valley Water state water project | 0.0039% | $78 |
| Los Altos School District parcel tax ($597 per parcel, no sunset) | flat | $597 |
| Los Altos School District Measure A parcel tax ($295 per parcel in 2024-25; the district says it increases 4% annually) | flat | $295 |
| Valley Water Safe, Clean Water special tax (2026-27) | flat | $82 |
| Mosquito & vector control assessments | flat | $31 |
| Los Altos School District Measure A parcel tax ($295 per parcel in 2024-25; the district says it increases 4% annually) | flat | $12 |
| Total | 1.153% | $23,996 |
2025-26 tax year, Santa Clara County (tax rate area 011-001); flat charges 2026-27 where stated. Exemptions applied: Homeowners' exemption ($7,000).
How Los Altos compares with nearby cities
Property tax rate
- Menlo Park · 8 mi1.10%
- East Palo Alto · 7 mi1.12%
- Saratoga · 8 mi1.15%
- Los Altos1.15%
- Santa Clara · 7 mi1.18%
- Palo Alto · 3 mi1.20%
The combined rate of every agency on the bill, before exemptions.
Ways to pay less
- Seniors 65+: Los Altos School District parcel tax exemption. To qualify for a senior exemption from the parcel tax, you must be the owner-occupant of the property in question and at least 65 years old. How: Apply through the Los Altos School District.
Dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Dec 10 (in 35 days) | Last day to pay the first installment of secured property taxes without penalties. |
| Feb 15 | Deadline to file the homeowners' exemption for the full exemption (filed by Dec 10 after that, 80% of it). |
| Apr 10 | Last day to pay the second installment of secured property taxes without penalties. |
| Jul 2 – Sep 15 | Window to file an assessment appeal with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. |
Checked October 28, 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.
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