Salinas · Property taxes

Property taxes in Salinas

Property tax in Salinas: the Mello-Roos districts the city formed and the state rules, with a link to every source.

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Key points

Mello-Roos districts — local data The state rules underneath — state law Mills Act contracts for historic homes — Salinas rule Utility users tax — Salinas rule

Salinas property tax: the 1 Mello-Roos district the city formed, the levies and the Prop 13 rules, with each source. The county sets and collects the tax.

Each block below is marked county or state data, Salinas code or CA state law, and links to its source (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Mello-Roos districts

State data Salinas has formed 1 Mello-Roos community facilities district. A home inside one pays a special tax on its property tax bill, in addition to the rate above.

Salinas CFD No 2016-1 (bonds run to 2050)

The state data gives no tax amounts. Your tax bill shows them; the address lookup lists the districts named for the city. School, water and other districts may have formed districts here too. Source: California State Treasurer, DebtWatch (reporting year 2025).

The state rules underneath

CA state law California law sets this statewide. 1% property tax limit (Prop 13): The general property tax on real property may not exceed 1% of its full cash value; voter-approved bond debt is levied on top (Cal. Const. art. XIII A, § 1(a), (b)). 2% annual cap on assessed value: The base year value rises each year by the California CPI change, but never more than 2% (Rev. & Tax. Code § 51(a)(1)(D)). California property tax rules — the full state rule →

Mills Act contracts for historic homes

Salinas code What Salinas's code adds
Mills Act tax incentive	The city council may establish a Mills Act Program allowing a property-tax reduction Applies: Owner of a historic property designated by the city council or listed on an official federal, state or county register § 3-02.14 · code text The terms of the Mills Act Agreement allow the owner to receive a reduction in property taxes in exchange for the property owner's commitment to specific repair, rehabilitation improvements and satisfactory maintenance of the historic property.

Utility users tax

Salinas code What Salinas's code adds
Tax on electricity	6% of electricity charges. Applies: At most $2,000 per year for each individual service. § 32-50 · code text The tax imposed by this section shall be at the rate of six percent of the charges made for such electricity, and for any supplemental services or other associated activities directly related to and/or necessary for the provision of electricity to the service user, which are provided by a service supplier or non-utility service supplier to a service user.
Tax on gas	6% of gas charges. Applies: At most $2,000 per year for each individual service. § 32-51 · code text The tax imposed by this section shall be at the rate of six percent of the charges made for such gas, including all services related to the storage, transportation and delivery of such gas.
Tax on water, phone or cable	5% of telecommunication service charges. Applies: Telecommunication services; at most $2,000 per year for each individual service. § 32-49 · code text The tax imposed by this section shall be at the rate of five percent of the charges made for such services and shall be collected from the service user by the telecommunication services supplier or its billing agent, or as otherwise provided by law.

Who this affects

HomeownersBuyersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

Does Salinas have Mello-Roos districts?

Yes. Salinas has formed 1 Mello-Roos community facilities district (State Treasurer data). Only homes inside a district pay its special tax.

Does Salinas offer Mills Act property tax contracts?

Salinas's code: The city council may establish a Mills Act Program allowing a property-tax reduction (Owner of a historic property designated by the city council or listed on an official federal, state or county register) (§ 3-02.14).

Does Salinas charge a utility users tax?

Salinas's code: 6% of electricity charges. (At most $2,000 per year for each individual service.) (§ 32-50); 6% of gas charges. (At most $2,000 per year for each individual service.) (§ 32-51).

General information, not legal advice.

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