San Diego property taxes are due in two installments each fiscal year: the first half is due November 1, and the second half is due February 1

San Diego County Assessor's Office bills property taxes on a fiscal year that runs July 1 through June 30. The county splits the annual bill into two payments. The first installment covers July through December taxes and is due by November 1. The second installment covers January through June taxes and is due by February 1. Both dates are firm important date — penalties and interest begin accruing the day after.

You receive a single bill in the mail that shows both installments. The bill arrives in late August or early September. If you do not receive it by mid-September, contact the San Diego County Tax Collector's Office directly rather than waiting; a missing bill does not extend your important date.

Key Takeaways

  • First installment property taxes are due November 1 each year; second installment is due February 1.
  • A 10 percent penalty applies to any payment made after the due date, plus interest that accrues daily.
  • You can pay online through the San Diego County Tax Collector website, by mail, or in person at their office.
  • If you own property in San Diego but live elsewhere, set a calendar reminder in September to watch for your bill.

What happens if you miss the important date

A 10 percent penalty is added to any installment paid after its due date. This penalty applies whether you are one day late or one month late. Interest also accrues daily on the unpaid balance at a rate set by the state, currently around 0.5 percent per month, though this rate changes annually.

If property taxes remain unpaid for five years, the county can foreclose on the property and sell it at a tax sale. This process is separate from a mortgage foreclosure and can happen even if you are current on your mortgage payments. The county sends notices before this step, but the timeline moves faster than a standard foreclosure.

How to pay your San Diego property taxes

The San Diego County Tax Collector accepts payments through three main routes. Online payment through their website (sdcounty.ca.gov/taxcollector) is the fastest and most common method — you can pay with a debit card or bank account. Payments made online typically post within one business day.

You can also mail a check to the Tax Collector's Office with your bill stub. Mail payments should be sent at least one week before the due date to arrive on time; the postmark date does not count as the payment date. In-person payments are accepted at the Tax Collector's Office located at 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101, during business hours Monday through Friday.

Installment payment plans if you cannot pay in full

If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact the Tax Collector's Office before the important date to discuss options. The county does not automatically offer a formal payment plan, but staff can explain what happens if you pay late and may discuss your specific situation.

Paying part of what you owe before the important date reduces the penalty — it applies only to the unpaid portion. For example, if your bill is $2,000 and you pay $1,500 by November 1, the 10 percent penalty applies only to the remaining $500. This is often better than paying nothing and facing the penalty on the full amount.

Property tax exemptions and reductions in San Diego County

San Diego County offers several exemptions that can lower your property tax bill, though they do not change the payment important date. Homeowners over 65 with limited income may may have access to for a property tax postponement, which delays payment until the property is sold or transferred. Veterans with service-connected disabilities may may have access to for an exemption on a portion of their home's value. Churches, nonprofits, and government agencies may be exempt from property taxes entirely.

To explore whether you may have access to for any exemption, contact the San Diego County Assessor's Office. The process process varies by exemption type and typically takes several weeks. Even if you are pursuing an exemption, you should still pay by the important date unless you have already received approval for a postponement.

Understanding your property tax bill

Your bill shows the assessed value of your property, the tax rate applied by the county and any local districts, and the total amount due split between the two installments. The assessed value is set by the Assessor's Office and is usually lower than the market value of your home. If you believe the assessed value is incorrect, you can file an appeal with the Assessor's Office, though this does not delay your tax payment.

Your bill also lists any special assessments — charges for local improvements like street repairs or flood control — that are added to your property tax. These are separate line items but are included in the same payment. If you have questions about any charge on your bill, the Tax Collector's Office can explain what each one covers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I pay one installment but not the other?

The 10 percent penalty applies only to the installment you did not pay by its due date. If you pay the first installment on time but miss the February 1 important date for the second installment, you owe the penalty only on the second half. Each installment is treated separately for penalty purposes.

Can I set up automatic payments from my bank?

The Tax Collector's Office does not offer automatic recurring payments through their website. You can pay online each installment, or you can mail a check. Some banks allow you to set up bill pay through your own banking app, which sends a check on the date you choose.

Do I still owe property taxes if I am selling my home?

Yes. Property taxes are prorated at closing based on the number of days you owned the property during the fiscal year. Your title company or escrow officer handles this calculation and deducts your share from your sale proceeds. You are responsible for taxes only through the closing date.

Where do I find my property tax bill if I did not receive it in the mail?

You can view your bill online through the San Diego County Tax Collector's website using your parcel number or address. You can also call the Tax Collector's Office at (619) 531-5700 to request a copy. Do not wait for a replacement bill to arrive — contact them as soon as you realize yours is missing.