Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Scotts Valley, California
Median Scotts Valley, California effective property tax rate: 1.20%, higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the California state median of 1.21%.
Median Scotts Valley, California home value: $643,272
Median annual Scotts Valley, California tax bill: $7,770, $5,370 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Santa Cruz calculated?
Property taxes in Scotts Valley, 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 Scotts Valley's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Scotts Valley, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.2%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$7,719
$7,163
How Does the Scotts Valley Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Scotts Valley property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Scotts Valley's median effective tax rate of 1.20% — based on actual property records in Santa Cruz County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment system uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Scotts Valley's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Scotts Valley's rate is slightly below the California median tax rate of 1.21%, but the estimated bill of $7,770 is far above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Scotts Valley: rates range from 95066 to 95066, with the highest and lowest median tax bill both at $7,769.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Scotts Valley.
About Scotts Valley Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, California
Scotts Valley’s median effective property tax rate of 1.20% is lower than the California state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Santa Cruz County base levy combined with local school district levies and Mello-Roos Community Facility Districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Scotts Valley. Homeowners in ZIP code 95066 carry a median effective rate of 1.20%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 1.20%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Santa Cruz County. Understanding where you live in Scotts Valley can still make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Scotts Valley homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Santa Cruz County Tax Assessor before November 30, 2026.
If your estimated bill above 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 Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz 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 Scotts Valley's effective property tax rate to other cities in California and the median property tax rates in California and the U.S.
Property Tax Rates Across Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
1.16%
1.51%
1.86%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Scotts Valley Tax Rate
1.20%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Santa Cruz County Tax Rate
1.23%
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95066 | 1.11% | 1.16% | 1.20% | 1.26% | 1.41% |
| 95060 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California
When examining property taxes in Scotts Valley, 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. Santa Cruz 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:
In Santa Cruz County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Scotts Valley.
For example, the median home price in Scotts Valley is $643,272, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 95066 has the highest median home price at $641,188.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$76,183
$445,766
$815,349
Median Scotts Valley Market Value
$643,272
Median Santa Cruz County Market Value
$500,310
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95066 | $107,685 | $339,724 | $641,188 | $963,305 | $1,304,446 |
| 95060 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California
Property tax bills in Scotts Valley are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Santa Cruz County. When a property’s market value rises, the assessed value can increase too, which may lead to a higher tax bill. For homeowners, this means the amount owed each year is tied closely to how the home is valued and the taxes applied to that value.
With a median home price of $643,272, property taxes can be a significant part of ownership costs. The median tax bill in Scotts Valley is $7,769, which is well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills also vary widely across the city, with the 25th percentile at $4,403, the 75th percentile at $11,335, and the 90th percentile at $15,112. That spread shows how much property taxes can differ from one homeowner to another depending on assessed value and location within the area.
Property Tax Bills Across Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California
Source: Ownwell
$1,420
$5,722
$10,024
Median Scotts Valley Tax Bill
$7,770
Median Santa Cruz County Tax Bill
$6,340
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95066 | $1,600 | $4,400 | $7,769 | $11,335 | $15,105 |
| 95060 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Property Valuation Date | January 1 |
| Appeal Deadline | November 30 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | October 1 |
| Due Date #1 | December 10 |
| Due Date #2 | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Tax Assessor | |
| Website | sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us |