Santa Barbara property tax: where it goes
A Santa Barbara house pays 1.051% of its taxable value in property tax. For a house at $1,570,800 of market value with the homeowners' exemption, that's about $16,432 a year.
Tax is levied on Taxable value.
Who taxes this house
| Taxing agency | Rate | On $1,570,800 |
|---|---|---|
| 1% general levy (countywide) | 1% | $15,638 |
| Santa Barbara Unified High School bond 2016-I (schools) | 0.0083% | $131 |
| Santa Barbara Unified SFID Elm bond 2016-J (schools) | 0.0094% | $147 |
| Santa Barbara Unified High School bond 2000-V (schools) | 0.0038% | $59 |
| Santa Barbara Unified High School bond 2010-Q (schools) | 0.0082% | $128 |
| Santa Barbara Unified Elementary bond 1998-I (schools) | 0.0003% | $5 |
| Santa Barbara Unified Elementary bond 2010-R (schools) | 0.0123% | $193 |
| Santa Barbara City College bond 2008-V (schools) | 0.006% | $94 |
| Santa Barbara City College bond 2024-P (schools) | 0.0024% | $38 |
| Total | 1.051% | $16,432 |
2026-27 tax year, Santa Barbara County (tax rate area 002-001). Exemptions applied: Homeowners' exemption ($7,000).
Ways to pay less
- Income-qualified: utility users tax exemption. If you are approved, you will receive assistance by having the utility user's taxes removed from your utility bills; approval for the City's programs is based solely on income. How: Apply with the City of Santa Barbara Finance Department, 735 Anacapa St, 805-897-2655.
Dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Sources
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.