AppealDesk

Santa Barbara County Property Tax Appeal — California

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 27, 2026

Santa Barbara County is located along California's Central Coast with Santa Barbara serving as the county seat. The county includes eight incorporated cities including Santa Maria (the largest by population), Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, Guadalupe, Buellton, and Solvang, with a total population of approximately 449,000 residents as of 2020. Property tax appeals are particularly important in Santa Barbara County due to the significantly higher tax burden compared to national averages—the median annual tax bill of $4,701 is nearly double the national median of $2,400. With a median home value ranging from $420,000 to $576,500 depending on the data source, and tax bills that can reach over $14,000 for properties in the 90th percentile, homeowners in this county face substantial property tax obligations that make appealing overassessments financially worthwhile.

Notable cities: Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria

Median Home

$576,500

Tax Rate

1.12%

Annual Tax

$4,701

Population

449,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: July 2 through December 1, 2026 (since November 30 falls on Sunday)

Santa Barbara County has a December 1 filing deadline for regular assessment appeals. The regular filing period runs from July 2 through December 1 (extended from November 30 when it falls on a weekend). For supplemental assessments, appeals must be filed within 60 days of the mailing date on the supplemental tax bill. No extensions are available for filing assessment appeals.

Property in Santa Barbara County, California — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Santa Barbara County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Santa Barbara County Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically mid-May)

In Santa Barbara County, property is assessed annually as of January 1st, the lien date. Under California's Proposition 13, your assessed value is capped at your purchase price (base year value) plus a maximum of 2% per year for inflation, regardless of market value increases. The county assesses property at 100% of this Proposition 13 value. For example: if you purchased a home for $576,500, your initial assessed value would be $576,500. At Santa Barbara County's effective rate of approximately 1.12%, your annual property taxes would be approximately $6,457. The following year, your assessed value could increase by up to 2% to $588,030, resulting in approximately $6,586 in taxes, even if your home's actual market value increased much more.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board. The Assessment Appeals Board meets throughout the year at 9:00 AM. During the hearing, you will present evidence supporting your opinion of value while the Assessor's office defends their valuation. The Board members have experience in real estate, appraisal, accounting, or law and will render a decision that may decrease, increase, or maintain the assessed value.

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Step 1: Review your assessment notice received in spring (typically mid-May) and compare your assessed value to recent sales of comparable properties in your area.

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Step 2: Request an informal review with the Santa Barbara County Assessor's Office by contacting them at (805) 568-2550. Many disputes are resolved at this stage without a formal appeal.

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Step 3: If the informal review does not result in a satisfactory reduction, file a formal Application for Changed Assessment (BOE-305-AH) with the Clerk of the Board between July 2 and December 1. Include supporting evidence such as comparable sales data, an independent appraisal, photos showing property condition, or repair estimates.

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Step 4: After filing, you may continue negotiating with the Assessor's office to reach a stipulated agreement. If an agreement is reached, no hearing is necessary.

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Step 5: If no agreement is reached, attend your scheduled hearing before the Assessment Appeals Board. Present your evidence including comparable sales, appraisals, photos, and any documentation supporting your opinion of value. The Board will issue a written decision.

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Step 6: If you disagree with the Assessment Appeals Board decision, you may appeal to the California State Board of Equalization within specific timeframes.

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Step 7: As a final option, you may file a lawsuit in Superior Court to challenge the assessment, though this is typically reserved for high-value properties or complex cases.

Required form: Application for Changed Assessment (BOE-305-AH)

Filing Methods

online:https://cobappeals.countyofsb.org/
mail:Clerk of the Board, County of Santa Barbara, 105 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
phone:Call (805) 568-2247 for information and forms
in-person:105 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 or 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, CA 93455

Evidence to Bring

Recent sales of comparable properties (within 90 days of the January 1 valuation date)Independent professional appraisal reportPhotographs documenting property condition, deferred maintenance, or defectsRepair estimates or contractor bids for needed workDocumentation of property characteristics not reflected in the assessment

Santa Barbara County Assessor Contact

Santa Barbara County Assessor's Office

Phone: (805) 568-2550 (Santa Barbara); (805) 346-8310 (Santa Maria)

Address: 105 E. Anapamu Street, Room 204, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Mailing: P.O. Box 159, Santa Barbara, CA 93102-0159)

Website: https://www.countyofsb.org/236/Assessor

Online Portal: https://sbcassessor.com/assessor/search.aspx

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Tax Exemptions in Santa Barbara County

Homeowners' Exemption

$7,000 reduction in assessed value

Reduces the assessed value of an owner-occupied primary residence

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the home as principal place of residence on January 1st of the tax yearDeadline: File anytime after becoming eligible, but no later than February 15 to receive full exemption for that year (one-time filing using form BOE-266)

Disabled Veterans' Exemption (Basic)

$175,298 reduction in assessed value (2026 amount, adjusted annually for inflation)

Reduces assessed value for qualifying 100% disabled veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses

Eligibility: Veteran rated 100% disabled due to service-connected injury/disease or compensated at 100% due to unemployability; must be principal residenceDeadline: File by December 31 of tax year; retroactive filing allowed up to 8 years (one-time filing using form BOE-261-G)

Disabled Veterans' Exemption (Low-Income)

$262,950 reduction in assessed value (2026 amount, adjusted annually); household income must not exceed $78,718 annually

Higher exemption for qualifying disabled veterans with limited household income

Eligibility: Same as basic exemption plus annual household income requirement; requires annual re-filingDeadline: File annually by February 15 using form BOE-261-G with income documentation

Veterans' Exemption

$4,000 exemption

Exemption for qualifying veterans with limited property holdings

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran who served during wartime or eligible campaign; total property value cannot exceed $5,000 (single) or $10,000 (married)Deadline: File with County Assessor; must be California resident on January 1st

Official Resources

Santa Barbara County Assessor's Office →

Official county assessor website with property information, forms, exemptions, and contact details for assessment-related questions.

Santa Barbara County Assessment Appeals Portal →

Online portal for filing property tax assessment appeals and checking the status of current appeal cases.

Santa Barbara County Property Tax Search →

Search and view property assessments, parcel information, and assessment history for properties in Santa Barbara County.

California State Board of Equalization - Property Tax Information →

State-level property tax information including exemption programs, assessment appeal guidelines, and taxpayer rights in California.

Check Your Santa Barbara County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Santa Barbara County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Santa Barbara County for 2026?
The regular assessment appeal filing period in Santa Barbara County runs from July 2 through December 1, 2026 (extended from November 30 since it falls on a Sunday). This deadline applies to appeals challenging the assessed value as of January 1, 2026. For supplemental assessments resulting from new construction or a change in ownership, you have 60 days from the mailing date printed on the supplemental tax bill to file an appeal. No extensions are available for these deadlines, so it's critical to file on time to preserve your appeal rights.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Santa Barbara County online?
Santa Barbara County offers an online assessment appeals portal at https://cobappeals.countyofsb.org/ where you can file your Application for Changed Assessment electronically. You'll need your parcel number (found on your assessment notice or tax bill) and supporting documentation such as comparable sales data, appraisals, or photos. Alternatively, you can download the BOE-305-AH form, complete it, and submit it by mail to the Clerk of the Board at 105 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, or file in person at the Santa Barbara or Santa Maria office locations. Before filing a formal appeal, you may want to contact the Assessor's office at (805) 568-2550 to request an informal review.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Santa Barbara County?
The Homeowners' Exemption in Santa Barbara County provides a $7,000 reduction in your property's assessed value, which can save you approximately $70-$80 annually in property taxes depending on your exact tax rate. To qualify, you must own and occupy the property as your principal place of residence on January 1st of the tax year. This is a one-time filing using form BOE-266, which you submit to the County Assessor's office. To receive the full exemption for the current year, you must file by February 15, though you can file anytime after becoming eligible. Once approved, the exemption continues automatically each year as long as you remain eligible.
What happens at an Assessment Appeals Board hearing in Santa Barbara County?
At a Santa Barbara County Assessment Appeals Board hearing, you'll present evidence supporting your opinion of your property's value while the Assessor's office defends their valuation. Hearings are typically held at 9:00 AM on various dates throughout the year. You should bring comparable sales data from properties sold within 90 days of the January 1 valuation date, professional appraisals, photographs showing property condition, and any other documentation supporting your claim. The Board members have expertise in real estate, appraisal, accounting, or law and will ask questions of both parties. After considering all evidence, the Board will issue a written decision that may decrease, increase, or maintain your assessed value.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Santa Barbara County?
The savings from a successful property tax appeal in Santa Barbara County depends on how much your assessed value is reduced and your property's tax rate. With Santa Barbara County's effective tax rate of approximately 1.12%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves you about $112 annually. For example, if you successfully appeal and reduce your assessed value from $600,000 to $550,000, you would save approximately $560 per year. Given that median annual tax bills in the county are $4,701 and can exceed $14,000 in some areas, even a modest reduction can result in significant savings. The key is demonstrating that your assessed value exceeds the actual market value using comparable sales and other evidence.
What evidence do I need for a Santa Barbara County property tax appeal?
To succeed in a Santa Barbara County property tax appeal, you need strong evidence that your property's assessed value exceeds its fair market value as of January 1st. The most compelling evidence includes recent sales of comparable properties—ideally sold within 90 days of January 1st and similar in size, age, location, and condition to your property. A professional appraisal prepared by a licensed appraiser specifically for the January 1st valuation date carries significant weight. Additionally, photographs documenting property defects, deferred maintenance, or unique negative features, along with contractor estimates for needed repairs, can support your case. The Assessor's office and the Assessment Appeals Board will closely examine how your evidence compares to their valuation methodology.
Can I get an informal review before filing a formal appeal in Santa Barbara County?
Yes, Santa Barbara County strongly encourages property owners to request an informal assessment review with the Assessor's office before filing a formal appeal with the Assessment Appeals Board. You can contact the Assessor's office at (805) 568-2550 to schedule an informal review where you can discuss your concerns about your assessment and present evidence. Many assessment disputes are resolved at this informal stage without the need for a formal hearing, saving both time and effort. If you disagree with the outcome of the informal review or cannot reach an agreement, you can then proceed to file a formal Application for Changed Assessment with the Clerk of the Board during the July 2 through December 1 filing period.
What is the disabled veterans' property tax exemption worth in Santa Barbara County?
Disabled veterans in Santa Barbara County who are rated 100% disabled or compensated at the 100% rate due to unemployability can claim a basic exemption of $175,298 (2026 amount) in reduced assessed value, regardless of income. This translates to approximately $1,963 in annual property tax savings at the county's 1.12% effective rate. Qualifying veterans whose household income does not exceed $78,718 annually can claim the low-income exemption of $262,950, saving approximately $2,945 per year. The exemption applies only to your principal residence and requires filing form BOE-261-G with supporting documentation from the VA. The basic exemption is a one-time filing, while the low-income exemption requires annual re-filing by February 15th.

For state-wide appeal information including California's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our California Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

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← All California property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.countyofsb.org/1232/Assessment-Appeals | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/california/santa-barbara-county | https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/pdf/filingperiods.pdf | https://www.countyofsb.org/366/Homeowners-Exemption | https://boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/homeowners_exemption.htm | https://valoannetwork.com/property-tax-exemptions/california/

Last verified: 2026-02-27