San Diego Property Tax Due Feb 1: $7K Exemption Deadline Feb 15

Second Installment Due February 1, Late After April 10

The second installment of your 2025-2026 property tax bill is due February 1, 2026, according to the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector's office. While technically due today, property owners have until April 10, 2026 to pay without penalties. After April 10, late payments incur a 10% penalty plus a $10 administrative fee.

San Diego County mailed 975,199 secured property tax bills this fiscal year, expecting to collect a record-breaking $9,832,921,020. For the typical San Diego homeowner with a median home value of $914,700, the annual tax bill averages $5,948, split into two equal installments of approximately $2,974 each.

Property owners can pay online at sdttc.com free with an e-check. The San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector's office recommends online payment as the easiest, quickest, and most secure method. For cash buyers evaluating recent acquisitions across neighborhoods like Pacific Beach, La Jolla, or North Park, understanding these payment obligations is essential for accurate cash flow planning.

February 15 Homeowner Exemption Deadline Saves $70 Annually

San Diego County homeowners who occupy their property as their primary residence can reduce their assessed value by $7,000 through the homeowner's exemption, saving approximately $70 on annual property taxes. The regular filing deadline is February 15, 2026 to receive the full exemption benefit.

Late filers who submit applications between February 16 and December 10 receive only 80% of the exemption (approximately $56 in savings). This is a one-time filing that remains valid as long as you occupy the property as your primary residence. The service is free, and applications can be emailed to ARCCHOX@sdcounty.ca.gov or submitted in person at San Diego County Assessor's Office locations.

For cash buyers purchasing distressed properties in areas like Mission Beach, Point Loma, or Clairemont, understanding whether sellers have claimed this exemption affects property valuations and helps identify homeowners who may need quick cash to cover unexpected tax obligations. From coastal neighborhoods like Pacific Beach and La Jolla to central communities like North Park and City Heights, property tax deadlines affect all San Diego County homeowners equally. The February 15 deadline creates urgency for new homeowners who purchased in recent months but haven't yet filed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't Let Deadlines Drive Your Decisions

With property tax payments due today and the homeowner exemption deadline approaching February 15, San Diego County property owners across all neighborhoods—from Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Point Loma along the coast to North Park, South Park, Hillcrest, University Heights, Normal Heights, Bay Park, Clairemont, Linda Vista, Kearny Mesa, Serra Mesa, and Mission Valley in central areas, plus Downtown San Diego, East Village, Little Italy, Banker's Hill, Golden Hill, City Heights, El Cerrito, Rolando, College Area, Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, and San Carlos—should act quickly to avoid penalties and maximize tax savings. For homeowners facing financial pressure from the $9.8 billion countywide tax burden, a cash sale can provide immediate relief without waiting until the April 10 late deadline.

Understanding these deadlines helps both homeowners and investors navigate San Diego's competitive real estate market with better financial clarity. Whether you're managing property tax obligations or evaluating investment opportunities, staying informed about San Diego County's tax calendar is essential for making sound real estate decisions in 2026.