Skip to content
Free check
Free check

Independent. Not affiliated with any government agency.

California · County guide

Santa Cruz County, California property tax appeals

A Santa Cruz County property tax appeal starts with the Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors). The next deadline is Nov 30, 2026 for the Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors). The filing fee is $50 per application.

This season

Next deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Open now
Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)

Opens Jul 2, 2026Closes Nov 30, 2026

Source: Letter To Assessors No. 2026/023: County Assessment Appeals Filing Period for 2026 (BOE, June 2, 2026)Last checked

Check a Santa Cruz County home for free

Here the check uses your own figures: you enter the assessed value from your notice or tax bill and the year you bought. We compare how much it has grown with the house price index for your area and show the numbers as your figures. You decide and file yourself.

Excellent5.0 out of 5 · Based on reviewsRead reviews →

Reduced my assessment by $112,000!

I couldn’t believe the difference. My property assessment was reduced by $112,000. I’m extremely happy with the outcome!

Spencer CaldwellHomeowner

A $106,300 reduction

We had no idea there was this much room between our original assessment and the final number. Very happy with the outcome.

Megan HollisHomeowner
Filing fee
$50 per application
Where to file first
Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
Office address
(831) 454-2323
Our coverage
Free check available
  • Independent guide — not affiliated with Santa Cruz County or any government agency.
Last updated
October 1, 2026
Sources last checked
October 1, 2026
Status
Verified guide

How we verify facts

When and where do I file a Santa Cruz County property tax appeal?

Who hears a Santa Cruz County appeal?

One stage. We are not affiliated with this office.

Who hears it: Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)

Filing: appeal

Open now

Where is the Santa Cruz County office?

Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)[4]

Fax
(831) 454-2327
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Assessor[9]

Santa Cruz County Assessor's Office

Address
County Government Center, 701 Ocean Street, Rm. 130, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

We are not affiliated with this office. Hours can change, so call before you visit.

Which Santa Cruz County filing windows are coming up?

Santa Cruz County filing windows
ClosesAreaWho hears itStatus
Nov 30, 2026CountywideSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors) · Official source · Last checked Sep 29, 2026Open now

When were past Santa Cruz County deadlines?

Past Santa Cruz County filing windows
Tax yearWindowOffice
2025Closed December 1, 2025Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
2024Closed December 2, 2024Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
2023Closed November 30, 2023Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)

When is the deadline to appeal a property tax assessment in Santa Cruz County?

The soonest deadline we list: Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors) — Closes November 30, 2026.

When a filing counts as on timeSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
Santa Cruz County appeal applications count as on time if postmarked, received, or e-filed by the deadline; for 2026 regular appeals that is a postmark or in-person receipt by 5:00 PM on December 1, 2026.[1]
Deadline detailSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors) · Filing period
Santa Cruz County's 2026 regular appeal filing period is July 2 to November 30, 2026, with mailed or delivered applications accepted through December 1, 2026.[1]

Who decides a property tax appeal in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors): The Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board's decision is final and not reheard; the owner or the Santa Cruz County Assessor may seek review in superior court. Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors): In Santa Cruz County you file an Assessment Appeal Application (Application for Changed Assessment); it is scheduled for a hearing before the Assessment Appeals Board.

Appeal stepsSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
The Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board's decision is final and not reheard; the owner or the Santa Cruz County Assessor may seek review in superior court.[2]
What the appeal is calledSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
In Santa Cruz County you file an Assessment Appeal Application (Application for Changed Assessment); it is scheduled for a hearing before the Assessment Appeals Board.[3]

How do I file a property tax appeal in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors): Santa Cruz County takes appeals through its eFile portal or at the Clerk of the Board, Attn: Assessment Appeals Board, 701 Ocean Street, Room 520, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors) · Online portal: Santa Cruz County takes appeal applications online through its Assessment Appeals e-File Portal after a one-time registration, with the fee paid by card or e-check.

How to fileSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
Santa Cruz County takes appeals through its eFile portal or at the Clerk of the Board, Attn: Assessment Appeals Board, 701 Ocean Street, Room 520, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.[4]
How to fileSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors) · Online portal
Santa Cruz County takes appeal applications online through its Assessment Appeals e-File Portal after a one-time registration, with the fee paid by card or e-check.[5]
FormsSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
Santa Cruz County offers an eFile portal and PDF forms: the Assessment Appeal Application, withdrawal and postponement requests, and an Authorized Agent/Attorney form.[6]
Filing feeSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
Santa Cruz County charges a $50 non-refundable filing fee for each appeal application; a fee waiver form is available for low-income applicants.[5]
Filing feeSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors) · Findings of fact
Written findings of fact from the Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board require a $650 deposit per parcel plus $325 an hour as needed.[2]
Who may fileSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
On the Santa Cruz County application, an agent must be authorized in writing unless the agent is a California attorney or the owner's spouse, child, parent or registered domestic partner.[2]
Informal review
Santa Cruz County owners can file a free decline-in-value review application with the Assessor from July 2 through December 31, in person, by mail or by email.[7]
HearingsSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
Santa Cruz County sends hearing notices at least 45 days ahead; one postponement is a matter of right if requested 21 days before the hearing.[3]

Upcoming appeal deadlines in every county we track

What evidence counts in Santa Cruz County, and can the value go up?

What evidence can I use in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors): Santa Cruz County's appeal instructions ask for comparable sales, cost and income data, where relevant, to support the owner's opinion of value. Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors) · Exhibits: Santa Cruz County's board does not consider documents attached to the application; evidence must be presented as exhibits at the hearing, with 7 copies each.

Evidence acceptedSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
Santa Cruz County's appeal instructions ask for comparable sales, cost and income data, where relevant, to support the owner's opinion of value.[2]
Evidence ruleSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors) · Exhibits
Santa Cruz County's board does not consider documents attached to the application; evidence must be presented as exhibits at the hearing, with 7 copies each.[3]

Can my assessment go up if I appeal in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors): Santa Cruz County's appeal instructions say the Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board can raise, lower or keep the assessment, depending on the hearing evidence.

Can the value go up?Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
Santa Cruz County's appeal instructions say the Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board can raise, lower or keep the assessment, depending on the hearing evidence.[2]

Which exemptions can lower my bill without an appeal?

Santa Cruz County homeowners can exclude up to $7,000 of assessed value (about $70 a year); claims filed by 5:00 PM on February 15 get the full exemption for the next fiscal year.

Homeowner exemption
Santa Cruz County homeowners can exclude up to $7,000 of assessed value (about $70 a year); claims filed by 5:00 PM on February 15 get the full exemption for the next fiscal year.[8]

What do Santa Cruz County property taxes and assessments look like?

Figures from public records and the Census, each with its source. They describe the county's homes as a group, not the value of any one home.

How much could a lower assessment save on Santa Cruz County property taxes?

Tax rate used: 1.097% of assessed value (county average, fiscal 2024-25).

How much could a lower assessment save on Santa Cruz County property taxes?
ExampleTax saved
$10,000 less assessed value$110 a year
10% less on a home assessed at $1,027,500 (the Census median home value)$1,127 a year

These are examples: the tax rate times a lower assessed value. Exemptions, credits, caps and phase-ins can make the real change smaller. This is not a prediction for any home. Rate source: BOE Annual Report 2024-25, Table 14: average tax rate by county (Property Tax Allocations, BOE Open Data Portal).

What do homeowners in Santa Cruz County pay in property tax?

The median owner-occupied home in Santa Cruz County was worth $1,027,500, and the median property tax its owners paid was $6,538 a year, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Median home value
$1,027,500
Margin of error ±$15,133.
Median property tax paid per year
$6,538
Margin of error ±$166.
Median tax as a share of median value
0.64%
A ratio of two medians, not a tax rate. Your own bill depends on your assessment and local levies.
Owner-occupied homes
58,079
Margin of error ±1,134.

These are survey estimates of what owners reported about their own homes. They are not assessed values, not tax rates, and not an opinion of what any home is worth.

They cannot tell you whether your own assessment is fair. That takes a comparison with similar homes, which we offer only in counties we have researched.

Median home value: Santa Cruz County compared

  1. Santa Cruz County$1,027,500
  2. Typical California county$481,100
  3. Typical US county$185,300

Santa Cruz County $1,027,500; Typical California county $481,100; Typical US county $185,300

Census survey medians for owner-occupied homes. "Typical" is the middle county of the 58 in California and of all US counties.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25077.

Median property tax paid: Santa Cruz County compared

  1. Santa Cruz County$6,538
  2. Typical California county$3,294
  3. Typical US county$1,619

Santa Cruz County $6,538 a year; Typical California county $3,294 a year; Typical US county $1,619 a year

Census survey medians for owner-occupied homes. "Typical" is the middle county of the 58 in California and of all US counties.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25103.

Santa Cruz County filing windows on a calendar

  1. Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)Nov 30, 2026 · Open now

The dashed line marks today.

Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors): Nov 30, 2026

Each bar is a filing window from its opening day to its last day. Forecasts show the expected closing range and are not official dates.Source: the official calendars and rules cited in the sources list below.

How often is property reassessed in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County reappraises a property when it changes ownership or new construction is completed, billing the difference through a supplemental assessment. Santa Cruz County's lien date, the date values are set for, is January 1 for all properties.

Reassessment cycle
Santa Cruz County reappraises a property when it changes ownership or new construction is completed, billing the difference through a supplemental assessment.[9]
Valuation date
Santa Cruz County's lien date, the date values are set for, is January 1 for all properties.[10]
Level of assessmentDecline in value
The Santa Cruz County Assessor temporarily lowers a value when January 1 market value falls below the factored base year (Prop 13) value, and reviews it every year until the Prop 13 value is restored.[7]

Homes in Santa Cruz County

From the Census Bureau's American Community Survey: how old the homes are, what kind they are, what owners say they are worth and the property taxes they pay. These figures describe all homes together, not any one home.

Median year built
1974
All housing units, owned and rented
Single-family houses, detached or attached
72%
of 106,977 housing units
Owned homes with a mortgage or similar loan
63%
of 58,079 owner-occupied homes

Home values reported by owners

  1. Less than $50,0001%
  2. $50,000 to $99,9991%
  3. $100,000 to $199,9992%
  4. $200,000 to $299,9992%
  5. $300,000 to $399,9993%
  6. $400,000 to $499,9994%
  7. $500,000 to $749,99914%
  8. $750,000 to $999,99920%
  9. $1,000,000 to $1,999,99942%
  10. $2,000,000 or more10%

Home values reported by owners in Santa Cruz County: Less than $50,000 1%; $50,000 to $99,999 1%; $100,000 to $199,999 2%; $200,000 to $299,999 2%; $300,000 to $399,999 3%; $400,000 to $499,999 4%; $500,000 to $749,999 14%; $750,000 to $999,999 20%; $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 42%; $2,000,000 or more 10%.

Share of owner-occupied homes in each value range. Owners give this value in the survey; it is not the assessed value.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates, table B25075.

Property taxes owners pay a year

  1. No real estate taxes4%
  2. Less than $8004%
  3. $800 to $1,4995%
  4. $1,500 to $1,9994%
  5. $2,000 to $2,9998%
  6. $3,000 or more76%

Property taxes owners pay a year in Santa Cruz County: No real estate taxes 4%; Less than $800 4%; $800 to $1,499 5%; $1,500 to $1,999 4%; $2,000 to $2,999 8%; $3,000 or more 76%.

Share of owner-occupied homes by the real estate taxes paid in a year, with or without a mortgage.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates, table B25102.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25075, B25102, B25035, B25024 and B25081), retrieved Oct 1, 2026. Survey estimates have a margin of error.

More questions about Santa Cruz County property tax appeals

When is the Santa Cruz County property tax appeal deadline?

The Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors) window closes November 30, 2026.[11][12]

Is there a fee to file a property tax appeal in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County charges a $50 non-refundable filing fee for each appeal application; a fee waiver form is available for low-income applicants.[5]

Where do I file an assessment appeal in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County takes appeals through its eFile portal or at the Clerk of the Board, Attn: Assessment Appeals Board, 701 Ocean Street, Room 520, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.[4]

Can my assessed value go up if I appeal in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County's appeal instructions say the Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board can raise, lower or keep the assessment, depending on the hearing evidence.[2]

What other rules apply in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors): Santa Cruz County appellants must keep paying property taxes on time to avoid penalties, whatever the status of the appeal.

Paying the tax while you appealSanta Cruz County appeals board (Clerk of the Board of Supervisors)
Santa Cruz County appellants must keep paying property taxes on time to avoid penalties, whatever the status of the appeal.[1]

Property tax guides for Santa Cruz County homeowners

Counties next to Santa Cruz County

California property tax appeals: all counties

Check a Santa Cruz County home free

Check my property

You decide and file yourself.

Where do these facts come from?

  1. [1]Assessment Appeals Board - County of Santa Cruz Clerk of the BoardOfficial guide or FAQ · last checked Sep 30, 2026
  2. [2]Assessment Appeal Application (BOE-305-AH), Santa Cruz County Clerk of the Board (PDF)Official notice, form, calendar or rules · last checked Sep 30, 2026
  3. [3]Preparing for a Hearing | Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board (Wayback capture)Official guide or FAQ · last checked Sep 29, 2026
  4. [4]Contact Us | Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board (Wayback capture)Official guide or FAQ · last checked Sep 29, 2026
  5. [5]Assessment Appeals e-File Portal - Santa Cruz CountyOfficial guide or FAQ · last checked Sep 30, 2026
  6. [6]Forms | Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals Board (Wayback capture)Official guide or FAQ · last checked Sep 29, 2026
  7. [7]Declines in Value - Santa Cruz County AssessorOfficial guide or FAQ · last checked Sep 30, 2026
  8. [8]Homeowners' Exemption | Santa Cruz County Assessor (Wayback capture)Official guide or FAQ · last checked Sep 29, 2026
  9. [9]What Does the Assessor Do? - Santa Cruz County AssessorOfficial guide or FAQ · last checked Oct 1, 2026
  10. [10]Important Property Tax Dates - Santa Cruz County AssessorOfficial guide or FAQ · last checked Sep 30, 2026
  11. [11]Letter To Assessors No. 2026/023: County Assessment Appeals Filing Period for 2026 (BOE, June 2, 2026)Official notice, form, calendar or rules · last checked Sep 25, 2026
  12. [12]Publication 30: Residential Property Assessment Appeals (California State Board of Equalization, February 2020)Official guide or FAQ · last checked Sep 25, 2026
  13. [13]Letter To Assessors No. 2025/020: County Assessment Appeals Filing Period for 2025 (BOE, July 7, 2025)Official notice, form, calendar or rules · last checked Oct 1, 2026
  14. [14]Letter To Assessors No. 2024/022: County Assessment Appeals Filing Period for 2024 (BOE, June 25, 2024)Official notice, form, calendar or rules · last checked Oct 1, 2026
  15. [15]Letter To Assessors No. 2023/023: County Assessment Appeals Filing Period for 2023 (BOE, June 22, 2023)Official notice, form, calendar or rules · last checked Oct 1, 2026
  16. 16.U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates, table B25077: Median value (dollars), owner-occupied housing units — Santa Cruz County, California
  17. 17.U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates, table B25103: Median real estate taxes paid, owner-occupied housing units — Santa Cruz County, California
  18. 18.U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates, table B25003: Tenure (owner- and renter-occupied housing units) — Santa Cruz County, California

Data credits: Census ACS (public domain) · Census county adjacency (public domain)

Not affiliated with Santa Cruz County or any government agency. Not legal advice. Not an appraisal.

Check my home free