Coastal San Diego · Guides · Property taxes

Mello-Roos in San Diego: special taxes in plain words

Short answer: Mello-Roos is a special tax some homes pay in addition to the usual property tax. It is set up through a local district to pay for things like roads or parks. You can see it on the tax bill. Sellers are asked to try to get the official notice for buyers.

Buyers often hear the word Mello-Roos and get nervous. It is simply another line on the tax bill for some homes. It is worth knowing about before you buy.

This guide explains where it comes from, how to look it up and what the law asks sellers to share. It is for buyers and sellers in La Jolla and around coastal San Diego.

I’m Weston Clark, Founding Member of the Dickinson-Clark Team at Compass. I help buyers and sellers in coastal San Diego read the tax and seller papers before they sign. You can talk about fees with Weston directly. This form does not give a commission quote.

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Where the name comes from

Mello-Roos is the short name of a state law. California Government Code section 53311 says:

“This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982”.”

Under that law, a local agency can form a district and charge a special tax on homes inside it.

How to spot it on a tax bill

San Diego County puts it plainly: “Your property tax bill will identify Mello-Roos fees as a Community Facilities District (CFD) followed by a telephone number and a tax amount.”

So look for the letters CFD, short for Community Facilities District, on the bill. The County says to call the phone number next to it with questions.

How to look it up

Ask the seller for the latest tax bill.
Use the County’s special assessments lookup by parcel number.
For a district run by the City of San Diego, read the City’s district FAQ.
Ask the agency on the bill how long the tax lasts and how it may change.

What the law asks of sellers

California Civil Code section 1102.6b(b) says, in part, that “the seller of any real property subject to this section shall make a good faith effort to obtain a disclosure notice concerning the special tax as provided for in Section 53340.2 of the Government Code”

In plain words, the seller should try to get the official notice from each agency that charges the tax, and give it to the buyer. My disclosures guide covers other seller forms.

Keeping it in context

A special tax is one more cost to plan for, like the regular property tax. My property taxes guide explains the basics.

Newer areas are more likely to have one. My new construction guide covers newer homes.

General information only

This guide explains where to look. It is not tax or legal advice. Ask the agency on the bill or your CPA (a licensed tax accountant) about your own home.

FAQ

What is Mello-Roos in San Diego?

It is a special tax some homes pay in addition to the usual property tax. It comes from a local district formed under a state law.

How do I know if a home has Mello-Roos?

Look at the tax bill. San Diego County says the bill lists it as a Community Facilities District, with a phone number and an amount.

Where can I look up a special tax district?

Use the County's special assessments lookup, or the City of San Diego's district FAQ for City districts.

Do sellers have to tell buyers about Mello-Roos?

Civil Code section 1102.6b asks the seller to make a good faith effort to get the official notice from each agency and give it to the buyer.

Who do I ask about how long the tax lasts?

Call the agency listed next to the tax on the bill.

Is this Mello-Roos guide tax advice?

No. It's general information about where to look. It's not tax or legal advice.

Talk with Weston about a home’s tax bill

Tell me which home you’re looking at. I’ll help you find the bill and the right agency to call.

Or call (858) 997-8998 · weston@sandiego.homes · Search on Compass

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Sources

Weston Clark · Founding Member of the Dickinson-Clark Team at Compass · (858) 997-8998 · weston@sandiego.homes

Weston Clark, DRE #02122466 · Compass, DRE #01527365

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, compiled from sources deemed reliable but not verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. All measurements and square footage are approximate.

⌂ Equal Housing Opportunity. This page is general information about places and process — not legal, tax, title, insurance, lending, or financial advice. Special taxes vary by district and can change. Confirm with the agency listed on the tax bill. Brokerage compensation is discussed directly with Weston for the specific transaction.