San Diego County Property Tax Records

San Diego County property tax records are available through the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office and the Treasurer-Tax Collector. Property owners can search assessed values, look up tax bills, and make payments online. The county maintains over 690,000 parcels with an annual tax roll exceeding $806 billion as of 2025. Between December 1 and April 30, you can request an informal review of your assessment directly with the Assessor. This review happens before filing a formal appeal. Most property information is free to access through online portals that operate around the clock.

Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Office

The San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk is a combined office handling property assessment and recording functions. They determine the value of all real property each January 1. The office administers exemption programs and processes ownership transfers. In 2025, the county delivered a record $322 million in property tax savings through various programs and exemptions.

Contact the Assessor at 619-236-3771 for questions about property values or exemptions. You can email ARCCHELP@sdcounty.ca.gov for general inquiries. The main office is at 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 103, San Diego, CA 92101. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The official website at sdarcc.gov has property search tools, forms, and detailed information about assessment procedures.

San Diego County offers an informal review process for property assessments. Between December 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026, you can submit a request asking the Assessor to review your property value. This informal process does not require filing an appeal with the Assessment Appeals Board. If you disagree with the informal review outcome, you can still file a formal appeal later. Many property owners resolve valuation issues through this informal process without needing a hearing.

To search property records, visit the online portal at sdarcc.gov. The database includes assessed value, property characteristics, exemptions, and recent sales data. You can search by address, parcel number, or owner name. All searches are free to use.

San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector

The San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector handles all property tax billing and collection. They mail secured property tax bills once a year in October. First installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent December 10 at 5:00 pm. A ten percent penalty applies to late payments. Second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent April 10 with another ten percent penalty plus a cost fee.

You can reach the Tax Collector by calling 1-855-829-3773. Email taxman@sdcounty.ca.gov with payment questions or billing issues. The office is at 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 162, San Diego, CA 92101. Office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The official website is sdttc.com where you can view bills, make payments, and access tax information.

Online payments are available through the county portal. Electronic checks have no fee. Credit and debit cards have service fees that vary by payment processor. The county uses a secure payment system that accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. You can also set up payment plans for delinquent taxes in some cases.

Property Tax Payment Options

San Diego County provides several ways to pay property taxes. Online payment is the most popular option. Go to sdttc.com and select the payment portal. Enter your parcel number or address to look up your bill. The system shows current amounts due, past payments, and any penalties.

You can pay by mail with a check or money order. Send payment to San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector at P.O. Box 889256, San Francisco, CA 94188-9256. Include your payment stub. Postmarks on the due date count as on-time payment. Keep your receipt as proof of mailing. In-person payments are accepted at the Tax Collector office at 1600 Pacific Highway during business hours. They take cash, check, money order, and debit cards at the counter.

Some taxpayers qualify for payment plans if taxes become delinquent. Contact the Tax Collector at 1-855-829-3773 to discuss options. The county also offers a supplemental tax bill for new construction or ownership changes. These bills arrive separately from the annual secured tax bill.

Note: Credit card payments have a convenience fee based on the amount paid.

Property Tax Exemptions

The Homeowners' Exemption reduces your assessed value by $7,000 if you own and occupy the property as your main home. File the exemption claim by February 15 to get the reduction for that tax year. Once filed and approved, the exemption renews automatically each year. You must notify the Assessor if you move or sell the property.

Veterans with disabilities can claim additional exemptions based on their disability rating. Basic exemption provides $4,000 off assessed value. Low-income veterans with 100 percent disability may qualify for up to $138,173 exemption. Disabled persons under age 62 also qualify for exemptions with income limits. All exemption forms are at sdarcc.gov or you can request them by calling 619-236-3771.

Religious, charitable, and nonprofit organizations can apply for welfare exemptions on property used for exempt purposes. These require detailed applications showing how the property serves charitable functions. Churches, schools, hospitals, and similar organizations often qualify. The exemption must be claimed by February 15 each year with supporting documentation.

Filing an Assessment Appeal

If you believe your property is assessed too high, you can appeal to the Assessment Appeals Board. File your appeal between July 2 and September 15. Some decline-in-value appeals have an extended deadline to November 30. Get the appeal form from the Clerk of the Board or download it from the county website at sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/aab.html.

The appeal form requires your property information, the value you think is correct, and reasons why the Assessor's value is wrong. You can attach supporting documents like recent appraisals, photos, or sales data from similar properties. Some counties charge a filing fee for appeals. Submit the completed form to the Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board before the deadline.

After filing, the Board will schedule a hearing. You get written notice at least 45 days before your hearing date. At the hearing, you present evidence supporting your value opinion. The Assessor presents their valuation evidence. Board members ask questions of both sides. The Board then issues a written decision. Most hearings take 15 to 30 minutes. You can represent yourself or hire an attorney or property tax consultant to represent you.

Major Cities in San Diego County

San Diego County includes several cities with populations over 100,000. Property taxes for all cities are handled by the County Assessor and Tax Collector. Some areas have special assessments or Community Facilities Districts.

Nearby Counties

San Diego County shares borders with Orange, Riverside, and Imperial counties. Each county operates its own property tax system.