Santa Monica property tax: where it goes
A Santa Monica house pays 1.197% of its taxable value in property tax, plus flat charges on the same bill. For a house at $1,755,500 of market value with the homeowners' exemption, that's about $21,471 a year.
Tax is levied on the full value of taxable property.
LA County's 2026-27 tax rate resolution was not found online yet, so the 2025-26 rates (latest published) are used.
Pay or manage it
Who taxes this house
| Taxing agency | Rate | On $1,755,500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1% general levy (countywide) | 1% | $17,485 |
| Santa Monica-Malibu Unified bonds (schools) | 0.1181% | $2,066 |
| Santa Monica College bonds (schools) | 0.0786% | $1,375 |
| SMMUSD Measure R parcel tax | flat | $546 |
| Total | 1.197% | $21,471 |
2025-26 tax year, Los Angeles County. Exemptions applied: Homeowners' exemption ($7,000).
Ways to pay less
- Low income: water discount. Households that qualify for the City's utility users tax exemption or for SCE or SoCalGas low-income help pay less for the first tier of water. How: Ask the City Water Resources Division, (310) 458-8531 or water.resources@santamonica.gov.
- Seniors 65+: Measure R parcel tax exemption. Owners 65 or older by June 30 who own and live in the home can be exempted from the school district's Measure R parcel tax. Parcels exempted in 2025-26 that still qualify are exempted automatically for 2026-27. How: Mail the SMMUSD Measure R senior exemption application with proof of age, ownership and residency by June 30 to SMMUSD Measure R Office, 1717 4th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401.
- Low-income seniors 62+ and people with disabilities: utility users tax exemption. The City exempts low-income seniors over 62 and low-income people with disabilities from its utility users tax. How: Contact WISE & Healthy Aging, 1527 Fourth St, 2nd Floor, Santa Monica (info@wiseandhealthyaging.org).
Dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Nov 30, 2026 (in 37 days) | Last day to file a 2026 regular assessment appeal in LA County (filing runs July 2 to November 30). |
| Dec 10 (in 47 days) | First property tax installment (due Nov 1) is late 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 late after Apr 10: 10% penalty plus $10. |
| Jun 30 | SMMUSD Measure R senior exemption: new applications must be received or postmarked by June 30 for the next tax year. |
Sources
- LA County FY 2025-26 tax rate resolution
- California BOE: homeowners' exemption
- LA County Treasurer and Tax Collector: secured property tax FAQ
- LA County Assessment Appeals Board
- SMMUSD Measure R senior exemption
- SMMUSD Measure R senior exemption application 2025-26
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.