Santa Clara County Property Tax Appeal — California

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Santa Clara County is one of California's wealthiest regions, with a median home value of $1,555,600, significantly higher than the national median. While the effective property tax rate is relatively low at 0.64%, the median annual property tax bill of $10,000 is tied with San Francisco County for highest in the state. The county seat is San Jose, and the county includes major tech industry centers like Mountain View, Cupertino, and Palo Alto. The county's effective tax rate of 1.31% is higher than the national median of 1.02%, making property tax appeals especially important for homeowners seeking to reduce their substantial tax burden.

Notable cities: San Jose, Mountain View, Cupertino, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale

Median Home

$1,555,600

Tax Rate

0.64%

Annual Tax

$10,000

Population

1.9 million

2026 Appeal Deadline: September 15

The regular filing period for assessment appeals runs from July 2 to September 15 each year. For supplemental assessments due to new construction or change in ownership, appeals must be filed within 60 days of receiving the notice.

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

How Santa Clara County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Office of the Assessor

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: end of June

In Santa Clara County, market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open market, while assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws. If your home's market value is $1,555,600, at California's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $1,555,600, resulting in approximately $9,956 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.64%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board. Hearings are scheduled before Assessment Appeals hearing officers or the Appeals Board. Property tax assessment appeals may be heard by a value hearing officer or a three-member Appeals Board, which has more formal courtroom atmosphere hearings.

Step 1: Request an informal review with the Assessor's Office by August 1 if you disagree with your assessment notice

Step 2: File an Assessment Appeals Application with the Clerk of the Board between July 2 and September 15

Step 3: Your appeal will be scheduled for a hearing before a Value Hearing Officer or the Assessment Appeals Board

Step 4: Gather supporting evidence such as comparative sales data, photos, and repair estimates

Step 5: Present your case at the hearing with all supporting documentation

Step 6: Receive written notice of the Appeals Board's or Hearing Officer's decision

Step 7: If unsatisfied, you may contest the decision in Superior Court

Required form: Assessment Appeals Application

Filing Methods

mail:Mail application to Assessment Appeals Division, Clerk of the Board

in-person:File at the Clerk of the Board office

online:Online access available through https://eservices.sccgov.org/aapublicdocsonline/

Evidence to Bring

comparable sales datagood clear color photosrepair estimatesdocuments and disclosures

Santa Clara County Assessor Contact

Office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Assessment Appeals Division

Phone: (408) 299-5088

Address: County of Santa Clara, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110

Website: https://www.sccassessor.org/

Online Portal: https://eservices.sccgov.org/aapublicdocsonline/

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tax Exemptions in Santa Clara County

Homeowners' Exemption

$7,000 (approximately $70-$80 annual savings)

Provides a $7,000 reduction in the taxable value for a qualifying owner-occupied home

Eligibility: Must be principal place of residence of the owner on January 1st, must be property owner, co-owner or purchaser named in contract of saleDeadline: February 15 for full exemption

Disabled Veteran Exemption

$100,000 basic exemption, up to $150,000 if qualify for low-income exemption

Provides for a reduction of up to $100,000 off the assessed value of the principal place of residence

Eligibility: Veteran must be totally disabled as a result of service-connected injury with 100% rating from VADeadline: December 10

Parcel Tax Exemptions

Varies by school district

School Districts may offer Special Assessment tax exemptions to eligible taxpayers

Eligibility: Seniors or persons receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, income restrictions may applyDeadline: Varies by district

Official Resources

Santa Clara County Assessor's Office →

The Office of the Assessor is responsible for annually determining the assessed value of all real and business property in Santa Clara County.

Santa Clara County Assessment Appeals Online Portal →

Access the online system to search public assessment appeal documents and track appeal status.

Clerk of the Board Assessment Appeals Division →

The Clerk of the Board accepts Assessment Appeals Applications and schedules hearings before Assessment Appeals hearing officers or the Appeals Board.

California State Board of Equalization Property Tax Resources →

Access Publication 30, Residential Property Assessment Appeals manual to assist in completing appeal applications.

Check Your Santa Clara County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Santa Clara County?

The deadline to appeal your property taxes in Santa Clara County is September 15 for regular assessments. The filing period runs from July 2 to September 15 each year. Appeals cannot be considered past the September 15 deadline, and if you've been overtaxed in previous years but didn't file an appeal, you cannot retroactively appeal those years. For supplemental assessments due to new construction or change in ownership, you have 60 days from receiving the notice to file an appeal.

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

You can access the online Assessment Appeals system through the Clerk of the Board's public documents search at https://eservices.sccgov.org/aapublicdocsonline/. You can also contact the Clerk of the Board at(408) 299-5088 to receive a simple, one-page appeal application. As of November 16, 2015, Santa Clara County does not charge a fee to file an Assessment Appeal Application. When filing, bring six copies of all documents and photos - one for each of the three board members, one for the assessor, one for the clerk, and one for the attorney.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Santa Clara County?

The homeowners' exemption in Santa Clara County provides a $7,000 reduction in your property's assessed value, resulting in annual tax savings of approximately $70 to $80. You must occupy the home as your principal place of residence as of January 1 each year, and it cannot be rented, vacant, or a vacation home. The full exemption is available if you file by February 15; if you file between February 16 and December 10, you receive a reduced exemption of $5,600. Note that this is different from the homestead exemption, which is a legal protection that shields home equity from creditors, not a property tax reduction.

What happens at a Board of Equalization hearing in Santa Clara County?

Your appeal will be heard before a Value Hearing Officer or the local Assessment Appeals Board, which consists of three members who are independent of the Assessor and include property tax professionals, CPAs, attorneys, and appraisers. The burden of proof is on you to show that the assessment is incorrect, except in cases involving owner-occupied single-family dwellings where you've provided all required information to the Assessor. The Assessor may present comparable sales data, income capitalization, or replacement cost data, and comparable sales must be within 90 days of the lien date. You'll receive written notice of the decision approximately two weeks after the hearing.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Santa Clara County?

With Santa Clara County's median home value of $1,555,600 and median annual property tax bill of $10,000, even a small percentage reduction in assessed value can result in significant savings. For example, a 10% reduction in assessed value on a median-priced home would save approximately $1,000 per year. If your appeal is successful, you'll receive a refund for any overpaid taxes plus interest on the overpaid amount for the years you appealed. As of January, property owners have contested $81.9 billion worth of total assessments in Santa Clara County, showing that many homeowners believe their properties are overassessed.

What evidence do I need for a Santa Clara County property tax appeal?

You need to bring clear documentation including all property documents, disclosures, and good clear color photos. If your appeal is based on property problems, provide evidence such as repair estimates. Bring six copies of all documents and photos. The most common evidence includes comparable sales data from properties that are sufficiently similar in building size, lot size, location, view, use, and other amenities. Comparable sales must be dated within 90 days after the January 1 lien date. You can also present any pertinent factual information important to determining your property's market value as of January 1.

Can I still pay my property taxes while my appeal is pending in Santa Clara County?

Yes, filing an assessment appeal application does not relieve you from the obligation to pay the taxes on the subject property by the deadline shown on your tax bill. If your appeal is successful, you will receive a refund for any overpaid taxes plus interest on the overpaid amount for the years you appealed. Refunds are processed by the Tax Collector's Office at(408) 808-7979. The first installment deadline is December 10, and you should pay on time to avoid penalties regardless of your pending appeal status.

What if I disagree with the Assessment Appeals Board decision in Santa Clara County?

The decision by the Appeals Board or Hearing Officer is final, and they may not rehear or reconsider any appeal. However, you have the right to contest their decision in Superior Court. If you checked 'YES' on Box 8 of your application, you designated it as a claim for refund and can file action in Superior Court. If you didn't designate it as a claim for refund, you must file a claim with the Board of Supervisors within one year after the Appeals Board decision. You can also request Written Findings of Facts, which is a legal document explaining the Board's decision, by submitting a $400 deposit prior to the hearing.

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 →

More California Counties

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← All California property tax appeal info

Sources: https://cob.santaclaracounty.gov/appeal-your-property-taxes | https://www.sccassessor.org/ | https://smartasset.com/taxes/santa-clara-county-california-property-tax-calculator | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/california/santa-clara-county

Last verified: 2026-02-15