Santa Clara property tax: where it goes

A Santa Clara house pays 1.183% of its taxable value in property tax, plus flat charges on the same bill. For a house at $1,582,600 of market value with the homeowners' exemption, that's about $18,823 a year.

Tax is levied on assessed value, less exemptions such as the homeowners' exemption; the rate is the 1% maximum levy plus the other rates listed for the tax rate area.

Santa Clara County publishes its tax rate book by tax rate area each fall (the 2025-26 book was posted in November 2025); the 2026-27 book was not yet posted when we checked on October 21, 2026, so the rates are the latest published, from the 2025-26 book.

Who taxes this house

Taxing agency	Rate	On $1,582,600
Countywide 1% general levy (Prop 13)	1%	$15,756
County retirement levy	0.0388%	$611
County hospital (VMC) bond 2008	0.0052%	$82
County housing bond 2016	0.0056%	$88
Santa Clara Unified School District bonds (schools)	0.0811%	$1,278
City of Santa Clara bond 2024	0.0287%	$452
West Valley-Mission Community College District bonds (schools)	0.0192%	$303
Valley Water State Water Project	0.0039%	$61
Valley Water Safe, Clean Water special tax (maximum rate, as recommended for adoption)	flat	$82
Mosquito & vector control assessments (1996, 2005, 2026)	flat	$31
SF Bay Restoration Authority Measure AA	flat	$12
Open Space Authority District 1 assessment	flat	$12
Open Space Authority Measure T parcel tax	flat	$24
Open Space Authority Measure D parcel tax (by building size, 1,500 sq ft home)	flat	$30
Total	1.183%	$18,823

2025-26 tax year, Santa Clara County (tax rate area 007-014); flat charges 2026-27. Exemptions applied: Homeowners' exemption ($7,000).

Ways to pay less

Low-income seniors (born before June 30, 1962): Valley Water tax exemption. Owners born before June 30, 1962 who own and live in the home, with 2025 total household income below $75,112, can be exempt from Valley Water's Safe, Clean Water special tax, a saving of approximately $80. Homes in an irrevocable trust and mobile homes in parks are not eligible. The 2026 application period was April 15 to June 30, 2026. How: See valleywater.org/senior-parcel-tax-exemption; the 2026 application period was April 15 to June 30, 2026.
Extra recycling or yard trimming carts at no charge. Residents may request additional recycling or yard trimming capacity at no additional charge. How: Call Municipal Utilities Customer Service at 408-615-2300.
Set out bulky items during the Annual Cleanup Campaign. The Cleanup Campaign is the residents' opportunity to set out bulky items not routinely collected by weekly garbage, yard trimming and recycling service, such as old furniture, mattresses and appliances. Not all developments participate. How: Look up your service week on MapSantaClara, or call the Department of Public Works at 408-615-3080.

Dates

When	What
Dec 10 (in 48 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.

Pay or manage it

Sources

Checked October 21, 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.