Yolo County Tax Records and Payments

Property tax records for Yolo County are managed by the Tax Collector within the Financial Services Department. Property owners search tax bills, view assessed values, and make payments through online county systems. The County Assessor establishes all property values annually on January 1 following Proposition 13 rules. Tax bills arrive twice each year with payment deadlines in November and February. Most property tax information is public record available at no cost through county online portals. Search by parcel number, property address, or owner name to find current bills, payment history, and assessment data for properties throughout the county including Davis, Woodland, and West Sacramento.

Yolo County Tax Collector Services

The Yolo County Tax Collector operates within the Financial Services Department to handle property tax billing and collection countywide. Secured property tax bills are mailed twice per year. First installment bills go out in October and are due November 1. Payments become delinquent at 5:00 pm on December 10 with a ten percent penalty. Second installment bills are due February 1 and become delinquent April 10 with another ten percent penalty.

Reach the Tax Collector at 530-666-8190 for assistance with bills, payments, or account questions. Send email to taxinfo@yolocounty.gov for help with property tax matters. The office is located at 625 Court Street, Suite 102, Woodland, CA 95695. Staff can provide bill copies, payment receipts, and information about payment plans or delinquent accounts.

Yolo County maintains an online tax payment portal at common2.mptsweb.com/MBC/yolo/tax/search for convenient bill lookup and payment processing. Electronic checks have no charge. Credit and debit card payments incur a 2.34 percent service fee. Returned checks result in a $25 fee.

Search Property Tax Records Online

The Yolo County online portal provides free access to property tax information. Enter your Assessor's Parcel Number for the fastest search. You can also search by property address if you provide the complete street address with city or zip code. Owner name searches may work if you know the exact name on the tax rolls.

Search results show your current tax bill with both installments displayed. The portal indicates payment status, amounts due, and deadlines for each installment. View prior year bills and payment history. Download bills as PDF files to save or print. The system keeps records for multiple years so you can review past payments and amounts.

Special assessments and voter-approved bonds appear as separate line items on your bill. The portal shows descriptions for each charge. Total tax due includes the base one percent rate plus all applicable district charges and bonds for your property location.

Ways to Pay Property Taxes

Yolo County accepts online payments through the tax portal 24 hours a day. Electronic check payments are free with no service charge. Credit and debit card payments cost 2.34 percent of the payment amount. The portal processes payments immediately and provides instant confirmation and receipt.

Mail payments to Yolo County Tax Collector, 625 Court Street, Suite 102, Woodland, CA 95695. Include the payment stub from your tax bill. Write your parcel number on your check or money order. Allow time for mail delivery before the deadline. The postmark date determines timeliness for mailed payments.

Pay in person at the Tax Collector office in Woodland during regular business hours. Bring your tax bill. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and possibly credit or debit cards. Ask staff about current payment methods and any fees for in-person card payments. A drop box may be available for check payments outside business hours.

Note: Late payments automatically include the ten percent penalty which cannot be waived.

Property Tax Exemptions

Homeowners in Yolo County qualify for the Homeowners' Exemption if they own and occupy the property as their principal residence. This exemption reduces assessed value by $7,000, resulting in approximately $70 in annual tax savings. File the exemption claim by February 15 with the County Assessor. Once granted, the exemption continues automatically each year unless you move or sell the property.

Veterans with service-connected disabilities can apply for additional exemptions. The exemption amount varies based on disability percentage and household income limits. Disabled persons who are not veterans may also qualify for an exemption if they meet age and income requirements. Contact the Yolo County Assessor for information about disability exemptions and required documentation.

Senior citizens age 62 and older with limited income may qualify for the State Property Tax Postponement Program. This program allows you to defer current year property taxes if you meet income and home equity requirements. Interest accrues at five percent per year on postponed amounts. Contact the California State Controller's Office at 800-952-5661 for program details and applications.

Assessment Appeals Process

Property owners who believe their assessment is incorrect can file an appeal with the Yolo County Assessment Appeals Board. Regular assessment appeals must be filed between July 2 and September 15 each year. Some counties extend the deadline to November 30. Contact the Clerk of the Board to verify filing periods and requirements for your situation.

Get an appeal application from the County Assessor or the Assessment Appeals Board. Complete the form with your property information, your opinion of market value, and reasons for the appeal. Attach supporting evidence like recent sales of comparable properties, professional appraisals, or photographs showing property condition. The county may charge a filing fee to cover administrative costs of processing appeals.

After filing, the Board schedules a hearing and sends you notice at least 45 days in advance. At the hearing, you present your evidence first. The Assessor then presents their case. Board members ask questions and review all evidence before making a decision. The Board's decision applies to that tax year only. You must file a new appeal each year if you continue to disagree with the assessed value.

Understanding Proposition 13

Yolo County follows California's Proposition 13 for all property assessments. When you purchase property, the Assessor sets your initial value at the purchase price. This becomes your base year value. Each following year, the Assessor can increase your value by a maximum of two percent. If market values decline, the Assessor may lower your assessment below the two percent increase or even below the prior year value.

The base property tax rate is one percent of assessed value. Additional charges for school bonds, special districts, and other voter-approved measures can increase the total tax rate. These additional charges vary by property location within the county.

New construction triggers supplemental assessments. When you complete an addition, remodel, or new building, the Assessor adds the value of improvements to your base value. You receive a supplemental bill for the added value prorated from completion date to the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

Property Taxes Near UC Davis

Yolo County includes the city of Davis, home to the University of California, Davis campus. Properties in Davis and surrounding areas follow the same property tax rules as the rest of the county. However, some areas have Community Facilities Districts or special assessments that add charges to property tax bills.

Student rental properties are assessed at market value just like owner-occupied homes. The fact that a property is rented to students does not change the assessment method. Properties are valued based on comparable sales in the area.

The UC Davis campus itself is owned by the State of California and exempt from property taxes. However, properties owned by individuals or private entities near campus are fully taxable.

Yolo County Property Tax Information

Yolo County has no cities over 100,000 population. The largest city is Davis. Property taxes for all incorporated cities and unincorporated areas are collected by the County Tax Collector. Cities do not directly collect property taxes from residents.

Agricultural land in Yolo County may qualify for reduced assessment under the Williamson Act. This program values agricultural land based on its farming use rather than development potential. Property owners must sign contracts committing to agricultural use for ten years. Contact the County Assessor for information about agricultural preserve enrollment.

Nearby Counties

Yolo County borders several other California counties. Each manages its own property tax system with similar but not identical procedures.