San Diego property tax: where it goes

A San Diego house pays 1.251% of its taxable value in property tax, plus flat charges on the same bill. For a house at $980,700 of market value with the homeowners' exemption, that's about $12,195 a year.

Tax is levied on assessed value; in addition to the one percent (1%) rate set by Proposition 13, a typical annual secured tax bill includes tax rates for voter approved debt of school districts and special districts.

The County Auditor has not yet published its 2026-27 tax rate book (checked October 20, 2026), so the ad valorem rates are 2025-26. The vector control assessment is the 2026-27 rate.

Who taxes this house

Taxing agency	Rate	On $980,700
1% general levy (Prop 13)	1%	$9,737
San Diego Unified bonds (schools)	0.1853%	$1,804
San Diego Community College bonds (schools)	0.0538%	$524
Metropolitan Water District	0.007%	$68
City of San Diego zoo levy	0.005%	$49
County vector control assessment	flat	$13
Total	1.251%	$12,195

2025-26 tax year, San Diego County (tax rate area 08001). Exemptions applied: Homeowners' exemption ($7,000).

Dates

When	What
Nov 30 (in 39 days)	Last day to file an appeal of your assessed value with the Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Boards (filing period July 2nd through November 30th).
Dec 10 (in 49 days)	First property tax installment delinquent after close of business; 10% penalty after that.
Feb 15	Homeowners' exemption deadline for the full exemption (about $70); late filings through December 10 get 80%.
Apr 10	Second property tax installment delinquent after close of business; 10% penalty plus $10 cost.

Pay or manage it

Pay San Diego County property taxes ↗

Sources

Checked October 20, 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.