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San Diego County · Property taxes

Property taxes in San Diego County

Property tax in San Diego County: the range of tax rates from the county's table and the state rules, with a link to every source.

Key points

Tax rates in this area — county data The state rules underneath — state law

San Diego County property tax: total rates 1.019% to 2.0224% across 2589 tax rate areas (FY 2025-26), the levies behind it and the Prop 13 rules, with the county source. The county sets and collects the tax.

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

San Diego County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in San Diego County have their own codes and their own pages.

Tax rates in this area

County rate table The county lists 2589 tax rate areas in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County for fiscal year 2025-26. Their total rate runs from 1.019% to 2.0224% of assessed value.

The total is the 1% general tax (Proposition 13) plus the rates voters approved for school, city and other bonds. It does not include fixed charges such as Mello-Roos special taxes, parcel taxes or assessments, which come on the same bill.

Your exact rate depends on your address. Look up the rate for an address → Source: San Diego County rate table, fiscal year 2025-26.

Across the whole county (5,165 tax rate areas, cities included) the total rate runs from 1.019% to 2.0224%.

Total rates by city (fiscal year 2025-26)
CityRangeRate areas
Carlsbad1.0683% – 1.1425%140
Del Mar1.0384% – 1.0638%15
El Cajon1.1711% – 1.181%161
Encinitas1.0314% – 1.0753%423
Escondido1.0732% – 1.1586%247
Imperial Beach1.2038%6
La Mesa1.196% – 1.2866%56
Lemon Grove1.2716%46
National City1.1738% – 1.2488%55
Oceanside1.0457% – 1.1295%73
Poway1.05% – 1.1281%229
San Diego1.031% – 1.2821%215
San Marcos1.0674% – 1.1425%230
Santee1.0971% – 1.1902%85

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 →

Who this affects

HomeownersBuyersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the property tax rate in San Diego County?

The county lists 2589 tax rate areas in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County for fiscal year 2025-26. Their total rate runs from 1.019% to 2.0224% of assessed value. The exact rate depends on the address.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific San Diego County property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

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