Novato, Marin County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Novato, California
Median Novato, California effective property tax rate: 1.35%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Novato, California home value: $662,378
Median annual Novato, California tax bill: $8,823, $6,423 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Marin calculated?
Property taxes in Novato, California are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Novato's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Novato, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Novato, Marin County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.35%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$8,942
$8,298
How Does the Novato Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Novato property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Novato's median effective tax rate of 1.35% — based on actual property records in Marin County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Novato's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Novato: rates range from $7,835 in 94947 to $10,617 in 94949, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Novato.
About Novato Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Novato, Marin, California
Novato’s median effective property tax rate of 1.35% is higher than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Marin County levy and local assessments that can vary by neighborhood.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Novato. Homeowners in the 94949 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.40%, while those in 94945 pay 1.32%. This spread of 0.08 percentage points across the same city reflects how local tax districts are drawn within Marin County.
Novato homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the December 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Novato, Marin County, California
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Novato's effective property tax rate to other cities in California and the median property tax rates in California and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Novato Tax Rate
1.35%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Marin County Tax Rate
1.39%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Novato, Marin County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94945 | 1.21% | 1.26% | 1.32% | 1.45% | 1.74% |
| 94947 | 1.22% | 1.27% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.87% |
| 94949 | 1.23% | 1.30% | 1.40% | 1.53% | 1.77% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Novato, Marin County, California
When examining property taxes in Novato, California, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. Marin County estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices are sent in the spring each year and typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month. Each property owner receives a notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill.
For example, the median home price in Novato is $662,378, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. ZIP code 94949 has the highest median home price at $756,376. Novato’s median tax bill is $8,823, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Novato, Marin County, California
Source: Ownwell
$430,892
$1,472,162
$2,513,431
Median Novato Market Value
$662,378
Median Marin County Market Value
$841,979
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Novato, Marin County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94945 | $207,132 | $397,429 | $694,188 | $995,202 | $1,350,915 |
| 94947 | $174,321 | $344,786 | $590,697 | $919,745 | $1,245,078 |
| 94949 | $248,107 | $448,480 | $756,376 | $1,088,309 | $1,467,849 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Novato, Marin County, California
Property tax bills in Novato are based on the assessed value of a home, which is tied to its market value and local tax rates. With a median home price of $662,378, homeowners can expect bills that reflect both the property’s value and the tax rate applied by Marin County and local taxing authorities.
The tax bill is determined by multiplying the assessed value by the applicable rate, then adding any voter-approved levies or special assessments. In Novato, the 25th percentile tax bill is $5,590, while the 75th percentile is $12,679 and the 90th percentile reaches $16,942. That means many homeowners pay well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
These bills can have a significant impact on household budgets, especially for owners whose assessments rise faster than expected. Even within the city, tax bills vary by location, with the highest median tax bill at $10,617 in ZIP code 94949 and the lowest at $7,835 in ZIP code 94947.
Median Novato Tax Bill
$8,823
Median Marin County Tax Bill
$11,574
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Novato, Marin County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94945 | $3,558 | $5,596 | $8,952 | $12,427 | $16,473 |
| 94947 | $3,228 | $5,073 | $7,835 | $11,524 | $15,136 |
| 94949 | $4,253 | $6,478 | $10,617 | $14,837 | $19,104 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Property Valuation Date | January 1 |
| Appeal Deadline | December 1 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Marin Tax Assessor | |
| Website | apps.marincounty.org |