San Diego property taxes are due in two installments each fiscal year

San Diego County property taxes split into two payments: the first installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent December 10, and the second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent April 10. You do not have to wait for a bill to arrive—the due dates are fixed every year. If you pay after the delinquent date, you owe a penalty plus interest.

The county assessor's office sends bills in October for the first installment and in December for the second, but these are reminders, not important date. Many property owners set up automatic payments through their bank or the county to avoid missing a date. If you own property in San Diego County, these four dates—November 1, December 10, February 1, and April 10—are the ones that matter.

Key Takeaways

  • First installment property taxes are due November 1 and delinquent after December 10; second installment is due February 1 and delinquent after April 10.
  • The San Diego County Tax Collector accepts payments by mail, online through their website, by phone, or in person at their office.
  • Penalties start at 10 percent of the unpaid amount if you pay after the delinquent date, plus interest that accrues monthly.
  • You can set up automatic bank payments or enroll in a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount by the due date.
  • The property tax bill arrives in the mail before each installment, but the bill is informational—the due date does not change if the bill is late or lost.

How to pay San Diego property taxes

The San Diego County Tax Collector's office operates the payment system. You can pay online at sandi.net/tax (the county's official tax payment portal), by mail to the address on your bill, by phone at (619) 531-5700, or in person at the Tax Collector's office in downtown San Diego. Online and phone payments process when ready, though a small convenience fee applies to both.

Mail payments should arrive by the delinquent date to count as on-time. If you mail a check, send it early—the post office delivery date is not the same as the postmark date, and late arrival means a penalty even if you mailed it on time. Many property owners use automatic bank bill pay or set up recurring payments through the county website to remove the timing risk entirely.

What happens if you miss the delinquent date

A penalty of 10 percent of the unpaid tax amount is added when ready after the delinquent date passes. Interest then accrues at 1.5 percent per month (18 percent per year) on the unpaid balance, including the penalty. These charges compound, so a small missed payment grows quickly.

If property taxes remain unpaid for five years, San Diego County can place a lien on your property or sell it at a tax sale. The county does not typically pursue this route for a single missed installment, but repeated non-payment or a large debt can trigger it. Contacting the Tax Collector's office as soon as you realize you will miss a date is the fastest way to discuss a payment plan or other options.

Payment plans and hardship options

If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, the Tax Collector's office can set up an installment agreement. These are not automatic—you must contact the office and request one. The office evaluates your situation and may allow you to split the payment into smaller amounts over several months, though interest and penalties continue to accrue during the plan.

Hardship deferrals and exemptions exist for certain property owners, such as seniors, disabled persons, or those experiencing financial hardship, but these require separate applications through the Assessor's office, not the Tax Collector. These programs reduce or postpone your tax bill itself, not just the payment important date. If you think you may may have access to, contact the San Diego County Assessor's office at (619) 531-5600 to learn what programs may be available to you.

Understanding your property tax bill

Your bill shows the assessed value of your property, the tax rate, and the amount due for each installment. The assessed value is set by the county assessor and typically increases no more than 2 percent per year under California law, even if your home's market value rises faster. Your tax rate depends on your location and which local agencies (schools, fire districts, water agencies) serve your property.

If you believe your assessed value is wrong, you can file an appeal with the Assessor's office. Appeals must be filed by the lien date (usually August 1) to affect the current year's bill. If you miss that important date, you can still appeal for the following year. The bill itself is not the place to dispute the amount—contact the Assessor's office directly to start an appeal.

Automatic payments and reminders

Setting up automatic payments through your bank's bill pay service or through the county website removes the risk of forgetting a due date. Many banks offer this at no extra cost. The county website also allows you to sign up for email reminders before each installment is due, though these are optional and do not change the actual important date.

If you have a mortgage, your lender may handle property tax payments as part of your escrow account. Check your loan documents or contact your lender to confirm. If your lender pays the taxes, you still need to know the due dates in case there is a problem with the escrow account—you remain responsible if the payment fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I pay one installment but not the other?

Each installment is treated separately. If you pay the first installment on time but miss the second, only the second installment incurs a penalty and interest. However, if you continue to miss payments, the county may eventually take action against the entire property.

Can I pay my property taxes online without a fee?

The county website sandi.net/tax charges a small convenience fee for online payments (typically 1 to 2 percent of the amount paid). Paying by mail or in person at the Tax Collector's office does not include a fee, but mail carries the risk of late delivery.

Do I have to pay property taxes if I am renting out my property?

Yes. The property owner is responsible for property taxes regardless of whether the property is rented out or owner-occupied. Tenants do not pay property taxes directly—that is the owner's obligation. Some owners pass the cost to tenants through rent, but the legal responsibility remains with the owner.

What if my property tax bill is wrong?

Contact the San Diego County Assessor's office to dispute the assessed value. You can file a formal appeal, but it must be filed by the lien date (usually August 1) to affect the current year. Even if you dispute the amount, you still owe the taxes shown on the bill unless the appeal is approved.

Can I get a property tax refund if I overpay?

Yes. If you overpay your property taxes, the county will issue a refund or credit the overpayment to your next bill. Contact the Tax Collector's office to request a refund, or the amount will automatically appear as a credit on your next bill.