Look Up and Pay Santa Barbara County Property Taxes

This page helps you look up, understand, and pay property tax bills in Santa Barbara County, California. It explains how to use the SBC-TTC Property Tax system, review payment options, and contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector when needed.

The Santa Barbara County Treasurer-Tax Collector handles property tax billing and collection, including secured, supplemental, unsecured, and delinquent tax matters.

SBC-TTC Property Tax

Use the SBC-TTC Property Tax system to search property tax bills, view unpaid bills, and access paid bill history. The system provides all unpaid property tax bills for online payment and ten years of paid property tax bills for viewing.

Have one of these search details ready before starting:

• Parcel number
• Street number and street name, or just the street name
• First nine digits of the bill number from the top-left corner of the bill
• Name, entered as first name then last name
• Phone number entered without dashes, area code first

Select the correct search type before entering search criteria. The system displays a search error if a search type is not selected first.

• Open the property tax system.
• Choose the property search type from the drop-down menu.
• Enter the matching search information.
• Review the bill results and use the bills menu when you need a payment stub.
• Log in when you are ready to process an online payment.

Online bill viewing and payment limits

The online system is available for research by individual taxpayers and tax service agencies. Tax amounts, late penalties, and fees are calculated under the California State Revenue and Taxation Code.

A login account is required to pay property tax bills online. The login information is used for transaction processing, and the county states that it does not store credit card numbers or bank account information.

Payment reference numbers are not final confirmation. If bank information is entered incorrectly, the account lacks funds, or the account cannot make electronic payments, the transaction may fail and be treated as though no payment was attempted.

Property tax payment options

Santa Barbara County offers online, phone, mail, and in-person payment options. Review the county’s property tax payment options when choosing how to pay.

Secured property tax dates and penalties

Secured property taxes are assessed against real property, such as land or structures. Annual secured bills may be paid in two installments, or the full bill may be paid with the first installment.

If December 10 or April 10 falls on a weekend or holiday, secured taxes are not delinquent until 5 pm on the next business day.

Supplemental, unsecured, and delinquent taxes

Supplemental taxes are additional secured taxes assessed when property changes ownership or new construction occurs. The bill reflects tax due on the difference between the old and new values.

Unsecured property taxes apply to property, possessory interests, or goods not secured by a lien on real property. Examples listed by the county include airplanes, certain boats, business property, some fixtures, mining rights, and most possessory interests.

Delinquent secured taxes may lead to added penalties, monthly charges, redemption fees, and possible default handling. For unpaid regular current taxes, the Treasurer-Tax Collector mails delinquent notices in June.

Refunds, exemptions, and bill questions

For property tax refund research, the Auditor-Controller asks taxpayers to start by emailing AuditorPropertyTax@CountyofSB.org and to include details such as name, phone number, property owner name if different, parcel number or property ID, situs address, tax year or bill number, and a brief description of the issue.

Parcel tax exemptions may apply to taxpayers who qualify under Government Code Section 50079. Property tax exemptions such as homeowners’ exemptions, nonprofit exemptions, family ownership transfer issues, veterans’ exemptions, disaster tax relief, and builder’s exclusions are handled by the County Assessor’s office as part of the assessment process.

Santa Barbara County property tax contacts

Use these contacts for property tax payment help, office service, and related property tax questions.

• Santa Barbara Treasurer-Tax Collector Office, 105 E Anapamu St. Rm. 109, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  Phone: (805) 568-2490
  Email: sbtaxes@countyofsb.org
  Mailing address: P.O. Box 579, Santa Barbara, CA 93102
  Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm, excluding holidays
• Treasurer-Tax Collector-Public Administrator, County Administration Building, 105 E Anapamu Street, Room 109, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  Phone: (805) 568-2920
• Treasurer-Tax Collector-Public Administrator, Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside Pkwy, Santa Maria, CA 93455
  Phone: (805) 346-8330
• Auditor Controller, 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara 93101
  Phone: (805) 568-2100
  Fax: (805) 568-2016
• Auditor Controller, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria 93454
  Phone: (805) 346-8364
  Fax: (805) 346-8278