Santa Ana Shifts 2026-27 Property Tax Burden Between Homeowners and Businesses

The Santa Ana City Council approved the fiscal year 2026-27 budget on June 16, incorporating revised property assessment guidelines issued by the Orange County Assessor. These changes recalculate values for both residential parcels and commercial sites, producing different tax obligations starting with the January 2027 billing cycle.

The adjustments follow the county's 2025 reassessment cycle, which recorded a 9 percent average rise in commercial property values across Orange County while residential values increased by 4 percent in Santa Ana zip codes 92701 and 92703. City finance staff incorporated these figures into revenue forecasts to cover increased costs for street maintenance and emergency response.

Effects on Local Property Owners

Under the new rules, owners of single-family homes assessed below $650,000 will receive a reduced taxable value adjustment of 2 percent, while owners of retail and office buildings valued above $2 million will see an increase of 3.5 percent. A household on West 17th Street with a current bill of $4,800 would pay $4,704 after the change. A property owner of a 12,000-square-foot retail space on Main Street currently paying $48,000 would owe $49,680.

The budget document projects an additional $1.8 million in annual revenue from the commercial sector and a $620,000 reduction in collections from residential parcels. These figures appear in the revenue section of the adopted 2026-27 operating budget released by the city finance department.

Implementation Timeline

County assessors will mail updated notices to affected owners by October 2026. Property owners may file appeals through the Orange County Assessment Appeals Board by December 15. The first bills reflecting the new rates will arrive in January 2027, with payments due by April 10 and December 10.