How to pay Santa Cruz County, CA property tax

✓ Verified — Last verified October 24, 2026

Payment details from the official sources for Santa Cruz County. Check the tax year and parcel on your bill before submitting a payment.

Pay on the official site

Not tax or legal advice; confirm with your county.

Payment methods and fees

Sources. Checked .

Official payment portal

Officially published

Accepted methods

Online e-check, Discover credit card

Officially published

Published fees

E-check is free; a service fee applies to Discover card payments.

Officially published

Published installment dates

Sources. Checked .

Tax year 2026. Dates retain the year published by the source.

First secured installment

November 1, 2026

Officially published

Second secured installment

February 1, 2027

Set by law

Published late-payment rule

10% penalty on each delinquent installment; additional costs may apply when the second installment is delinquent.

Officially published

Official offices

Sources. Checked .

Laura Bowers, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector

Office website

Officially published

Phone

(831) 454-2510

Officially published

All Santa Cruz County dates, offices and sources

Sources for these instructions

Sources. Checked .

Read the source quotations (10)
https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Departments/TaxCollector/TaxCollectionDivision/PayPropertyTax.aspx
Online (recommended): e-check (free, immediate confirmation) Credit Card: Discover accepted (service fee applies)

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https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Default.aspx?TabID=4490
First installment due November 1, 2026. Pay by December 10, 2026, to avoid penalties.

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https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
§ 2606 Rev. & Tax. Code February 1 Property owners Second installment real property taxes due and payable.

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https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
§§ 2618 and 2705 Rev. & Tax. Code April 10 Property owners Second installment of taxes on the secured roll, if unpaid, is delinquent at 5:00 p.m., or close of business day, whichever is later.

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https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/calendar.htm
If the specified date falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, the action may be done on the next business day. (Government Code §§ 6706, 6707)

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https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Departments/TaxCollector/TaxCollectionDivision/PayPropertyTax.aspx
A 10% penalty is added to any unpaid installment after the delinquency date. If the second installment becomes delinquent, additional costs may also apply.

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https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Default.aspx?TabID=4490
2026–2027 Secured Annual Property Tax Bills are now available online and are being mailed.

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https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Default.aspx?TabID=4490
Laura Bowers, CPA, CPFO Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector

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Continue with your property

Common questions

Where can I pay Santa Cruz County property tax?

Official payment portal: https://ttc.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/TaxBills/. Online e-check, Discover credit card

What's next for you

Santa Cruz County, CA

Due date:

Official source

Officially published. Verified October 24, 2026.

First installment due November 1, 2026. Pay by December 10, 2026, to avoid penalties.

Check the official source

Updated , from cited verification dates. Individual sources may have earlier checks.