What are San Francisco County vehicle property taxes?
San Francisco County charges vehicles a Vehicle License Fee (VLF) of 0.65% of the vehicle's current market value. This acts as the main "property tax" on cars. Many owners also pay unsecured property tax at 1.17143563% of assessed value for Fiscal Year 2025-26. A typical $40,000 car owes about $260 yearly in VLF alone.
Key Fees for Most Vehicles
Here's what you need to know in a simple table:
| Fee Type | Rate | Example on $40,000 Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle License Fee (VLF) | 0.65% of value | $260 per year |
| Unsecured Property Tax | 1.17% of assessed value | $468 per year (if applies) |
| Registration Fee | $76 base + extras | $100-$200 total |
VLF pays for city and county needs. California DMV collects it at registration or renewal. Sidekick owner data shows most drivers pay $300 to $1,000 total yearly on these fees for typical cars valued $20,000 to $80,000.
How California Handles Vehicle Taxes
California caps real estate property taxes under Prop 13. Vehicles work differently. The state sets VLF at 0.65% based on your car's depreciated value. DMV looks up the value from purchase price or market data. You pay this instead of a traditional property tax in most cases.
Unsecured property tax applies to items like boats or business vehicles not on secured rolls. For personal cars in San Francisco County, the Treasurer & Tax Collector bills this at 1.18268325% for secured rates, but vehicles often fall under unsecured. As of February 2026, expect bills mailed in October. Pay in full or split into installments.
Sidekick tracks these for 12,000+ verified Bay Area owners. Our data shows SF drivers pay 15-20% more than state averages due to local add-ons.
Real Cost Examples
- Low-value car ($10,000): VLF = $65. Total with fees: under $200/year.
- Mid-range car ($50,000): VLF = $325. Add unsecured tax: $800+.
- High-value car ($100,000): VLF = $650. Total often tops $2,000.
Values drop each year, so fees go down over time. New cars hit hardest in year one.
Tips to Lower Your Bill
- Register on time to skip penalties.
- Check for exemptions like zero-emission vehicle road fee swaps.
- Use Sidekick to forecast costs before you buy. We pull DMV data and show your full ownership score.
- Appeal assessed value if too high. Contact SF Assessor.
- Deduct VLF on federal taxes if you itemize.
When Do Payments Hit?
DMV bills VLF with registration renewal. Unsecured taxes come separately from the county. Renewals happen every 1-2 years. Late fees add 10% quick. Set reminders.
Sidekick helps by calculating your exact fees based on ZIP 94188 data. Enter your vehicle details for a free breakdown. Stay ahead of SF's high costs.