Santa Barbara County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Santa Barbara County, California
Median Santa Barbara County effective property tax rate: 1.13%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Santa Barbara County home value: $419,527
Median annual Santa Barbara County tax bill: $5,164, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Barbara County calculated?
Property taxes in Santa Barbara County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Santa Barbara or another part of Santa Barbara County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Santa Barbara County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.13%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$4,741
$4,399
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
How Does the Santa Barbara County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Santa Barbara County property tax calculator to estimate your annual tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Santa Barbara County's median effective tax rate of 1.13% — drawn from real transactions across the county — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the value the appraisal district assigns to your property, typically lower than market value after exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate (actual bills divided by market value), which accounts for typical exemptions and is more accurate than applying the statutory millage rate directly.
Note: your assessed value reflects any exemptions you currently have. Rates vary across Santa Barbara County — scroll down to explore city-level trends and find the rate specific to your area.
Santa Barbara County's median property tax rate is higher than California's 1.21% state median tax rate, and the county's median property tax bill is $5,164, which is $2,764 higher than the state median bill. If your estimate is higher than expected, Ownwell can protest your Santa Barbara County assessment.
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Barbara County, California
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Santa Barbara County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Santa Barbara County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.
Below, compare Santa Barbara County's effective property tax rate to other counties in California or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Santa Barbara County's median effective rate stands at 1.13%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Santa Barbara County, the highest rate is found in Summerland at 1.23%, while Orcutt has the lowest at 1.06%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, Mello-Roos Community Facility Districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Santa Barbara County Tax Rate
1.13%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Santa Barbara County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buellton | 1.08% | 1.09% | 1.11% | 1.11% | 1.13% |
| Carpinteria | 1.07% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.35% | 1.79% |
| Casmalia | 1.00% | 1.07% | 1.11% | 1.11% | 1.14% |
| Cuyama | 1.10% | 1.11% | 1.20% | 1.33% | 1.63% |
| Goleta | 1.11% | 1.13% | 1.17% | 1.27% | 1.53% |
| Guadalupe | 1.16% | 1.21% | 1.23% | 1.27% | 1.30% |
| Lompoc | 1.09% | 1.11% | 1.14% | 1.19% | 1.27% |
| Los Alamos | 1.10% | 1.11% | 1.13% | 1.13% | 1.14% |
| Los Olivos | 1.09% | 1.13% | 1.19% | 1.27% | 1.52% |
| Maricopa | 1.09% | 1.09% | 1.10% | 1.33% | 2.14% |
| New Cuyama | 1.09% | 1.09% | 1.14% | 1.23% | 1.60% |
| Orcutt | 0.75% | 0.85% | 1.06% | 1.13% | 1.90% |
| Santa Barbara | 1.07% | 1.08% | 1.09% | 1.14% | 1.27% |
| Santa Maria | 1.09% | 1.13% | 1.19% | 1.38% | 1.61% |
| Santa Ynez | 1.08% | 1.09% | 1.11% | 1.29% | 1.47% |
| Solvang | 1.06% | 1.08% | 1.10% | 1.11% | 1.21% |
| Summerland | 1.09% | 1.15% | 1.23% | 1.45% | 2.20% |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Barbara County, California
When examining property taxes in Santa Barbara County, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Santa Barbara County assessor estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Santa Barbara County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of October.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. The median tax bill in Santa Barbara County is $5,164, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills range significantly across the county, with Summerland at $12,058 and Orcutt at $318. Summerland also has the highest median home price at $963,822.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Barbara County, California
Source: Ownwell
$33,414
$1,096,558
$2,159,701
Median Santa Barbara County Market Value
$419,527
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Santa Barbara County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buellton | $186,651 | $325,431 | $520,200 | $684,450 | $849,830 |
| Carpinteria | $95,622 | $251,565 | $526,051 | $897,857 | $1,498,219 |
| Casmalia | $30,014 | $49,075 | $111,951 | $196,895 | $347,547 |
| Cuyama | $23,973 | $32,834 | $43,293 | $189,064 | $241,000 |
| Goleta | $118,873 | $266,608 | $530,331 | $857,759 | $1,142,686 |
| Guadalupe | $90,350 | $132,806 | $246,705 | $404,636 | $490,150 |
| Lompoc | $84,495 | $180,878 | $283,966 | $409,959 | $546,723 |
| Los Alamos | $103,300 | $296,000 | $493,093 | $662,964 | $794,643 |
| Los Olivos | $207,112 | $414,417 | $750,025 | $1,262,343 | $1,792,600 |
| Maricopa | $33,737 | $77,597 | $106,057 | $157,138 | $440,060 |
| New Cuyama | $35,753 | $70,998 | $113,305 | $153,000 | $186,034 |
| Orcutt | $16,082 | $21,978 | $33,414 | $70,764 | $188,289 |
| Santa Barbara | $140,655 | $362,632 | $765,868 | $1,367,055 | $2,526,474 |
| Santa Maria | $86,842 | $200,942 | $322,524 | $455,157 | $583,131 |
| Santa Ynez | $279,405 | $504,178 | $841,266 | $1,443,625 | $2,477,104 |
| Solvang | $169,960 | $387,843 | $672,585 | $991,856 | $1,513,529 |
| Summerland | $106,887 | $367,425 | $963,822 | $1,707,712 | $2,571,524 |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Barbara County, California
Property tax bills in Santa Barbara County are based on the assessed value of a home, and local tax rates are applied to that value to determine what homeowners owe. When market value rises, assessed value can also increase, which may lead to a higher tax bill. For a county with a median home price of $419,527, property taxes can vary widely depending on the home and location. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,864, while the 75th percentile is $9,008 and the 90th percentile reaches $16,140. That means many homeowners pay more than the national median property tax bill of $2,400, making it especially important to review your assessment carefully.
Ownwell helps homeowners save by identifying overassessments and filing property tax appeals on their behalf. If your assessed value is too high, you may be paying more than necessary. Ownwell also helps homeowners find and claim eligible exemptions, which can reduce their property tax bills and improve long-term savings.
Median Santa Barbara County Tax Bill
$5,164
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Santa Barbara County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buellton | $2,058 | $3,604 | $5,840 | $7,732 | $9,678 |
| Carpinteria | $1,741 | $3,629 | $6,635 | $10,721 | $17,422 |
| Casmalia | $356 | $593 | $1,250 | $2,193 | $3,870 |
| Cuyama | $264 | $404 | $618 | $2,580 | $2,896 |
| Goleta | $1,821 | $3,458 | $6,370 | $9,821 | $13,125 |
| Guadalupe | $1,121 | $1,624 | $3,111 | $5,247 | $6,354 |
| Lompoc | $997 | $2,089 | $3,328 | $4,825 | $6,458 |
| Los Alamos | $1,115 | $3,225 | $5,569 | $7,500 | $9,403 |
| Los Olivos | $2,757 | $5,295 | $9,043 | $15,320 | $21,982 |
| Maricopa | $529 | $1,037 | $1,157 | $1,732 | $5,122 |
| New Cuyama | $485 | $850 | $1,412 | $1,903 | $2,635 |
| Orcutt | $146 | $188 | $318 | $1,174 | $3,119 |
| Santa Barbara | $1,768 | $4,198 | $8,699 | $15,489 | $28,511 |
| Santa Maria | $1,305 | $2,539 | $4,151 | $5,849 | $7,620 |
| Santa Ynez | $3,849 | $6,318 | $10,176 | $16,746 | $28,222 |
| Solvang | $1,841 | $4,341 | $7,626 | $11,517 | $17,239 |
| Summerland | $2,380 | $6,001 | $12,058 | $19,759 | $30,066 |
Source: Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
Want to lower your Santa Barbara County property taxes?
How Can I Lower My Property Taxes in Santa Barbara County?
Looking to reduce your Santa Barbara County property taxes? Ownwell is the leading property tax appeal company serving Santa Barbara County. We specialize in helping property owners in the Santa Barbara area and beyond lower their tax bills by working directly with the Santa Barbara County Assessor.
Through our tax monitoring service, we collect all necessary information to maximize your tax reductions. We navigate the complexities of the Santa Barbara County property tax appeal process and identify all available exemptions, so you don't have to.
Whether you are a homeowner, a real estate investor, or an asset manager, our local team at Ownwell has the expertise to assess your current property tax situation and find strategic opportunities for reducing your tax burden.
Property Tax Appeals in California
Homeowners in Santa Barbara County can appeal a property tax assessment if they believe the assessed value is too high. The process begins by reviewing the notice from the Tax Assessor and gathering evidence that supports a lower market value, such as recent comparable sales, photos, or records showing issues that affect the property’s value. If the assessment still seems inaccurate, the homeowner can file a formal protest before the appeal deadline of December 1, 2026.
The appeal is heard by the board that listens to property tax disputes, where the homeowner can present the case for a reduced assessment. This review focuses on whether the property was assessed correctly, not on what the homeowner wishes the tax bill to be. The board may agree with the homeowner and lower the assessed value, keep the assessment unchanged, or, in some cases, adjust it in a different direction based on the evidence presented.
Ownwell helps homeowners navigate this process by identifying appeal opportunities, preparing the supporting evidence, and managing the filing from start to finish. That can save time and reduce the stress of dealing with property tax paperwork and deadlines. With professional guidance, homeowners can better understand how the appeal works, what the board will consider, and how to build a stronger case for a fairer assessment.
Exemptions in California
What property tax exemptions are available in Santa Barbara County?
Santa Barbara County homeowners may qualify for several property tax exemption programs, with the most important being the homeowner’s exemption for a primary residence. This exemption is designed for owners who live in the home as their main residence, and it can help reduce the assessed value used for property taxes. Other exemptions may be available for eligible seniors, veterans, disabled homeowners, and certain nonprofit or public-purpose properties, depending on the property and the owner’s circumstances.
Who is eligible for these exemptions?
Eligibility depends on the exemption type. The primary residence exemption is generally for homeowners who occupy the home as their principal place of living. Senior, veteran, and disability-related exemptions are usually tied to specific qualifications, while nonprofit exemptions apply to qualifying organizations and uses. Each exemption must be supported by the proper ownership and occupancy information.
How do homeowners apply for property tax exemptions?
Homeowners typically apply through the county assessor’s office by submitting the required exemption claim form and any supporting documents. For the primary residence exemption, the application should show that the home is the owner’s main residence. Once approved, the exemption can help lower the property tax burden.
How can Ownwell help?
Ownwell helps homeowners identify every exemption they may qualify for, file the paperwork correctly, and avoid missing savings opportunities.
Available Exemptions
Disabled
Home Stead
Solar/Wind
Non-Profit
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Property Valuation Date | January 1 |
| Appeal Deadline | December 1 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Santa Barbara Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.sbcvote.com |