The Solano County tax rate depends on which tax you mean. Property is taxed at California’s base rate of 1% of assessed value, with voter-approved bonds and special assessments added on top that vary by parcel. Sales tax runs from 7.375% in unincorporated parts of the county up to 9.625% in Benicia, with each incorporated city setting its own rate.
Property Tax: The 1% Base and What Gets Added
Every property in Solano County starts at the same baseline: 1% of assessed value. That cap comes from Article XIII A of the California Constitution, adopted as Proposition 13 in 1978, which bars the general property tax levy from exceeding one percent of a property’s full cash value.1Justia. California Constitution Article XIII A Section 1 – Tax Limitation A home assessed at $500,000 carries a base tax of $5,000 before anything else is added.
Your total bill is almost always higher. The 1% figure caps only the general levy. Voter-approved debt and special assessments stack on top, and because they’re tied to geographic boundaries, two homes a few blocks apart can carry noticeably different totals.
The most common add-ons:
- School and community college bonds, approved by local voters to fund facility construction and upgrades, charged as a rate per $100 of assessed value.
- Mello-Roos special taxes in Community Facilities Districts formed under the Mello-Roos Act of 1982, which fund infrastructure like roads, sewers, and parks and are often a fixed dollar amount per parcel rather than a percentage of value.2California Legislative Information. California Code GOV 53321 – Proceedings to Create a Community Facilities District
- Parcel taxes, flat charges approved by at least two-thirds of voters in a district. Because Proposition 13 bars additional taxes based on value, these are typically a set dollar amount per parcel.
- Landscape and lighting assessments in specific neighborhoods, covering streetlight maintenance and public green space upkeep.
Each parcel sits in a specific Tax Rate Area, and that area determines which bonds and assessments apply. The Solano County Auditor-Controller’s office maintains the list, and looking up your Tax Rate Area is the only reliable way to see the exact total rate for your property.
Sales and Use Tax Rates by City
California’s statewide base sales tax rate is 7.25%. Solano County and its cities add district taxes on top, with each incorporated city setting its own rate through local ballot measures.3California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. California City and County Sales and Use Tax Rate Information
As of 2026, the rates across Solano County are:
- Unincorporated Solano County: 7.375%
- Vacaville: 8.125%
- Dixon: 8.375%
- Fairfield: 8.375%
- Rio Vista: 9.125%
- Suisun City: 9.125%
- Vallejo: 9.250%
- Benicia: 9.625%
Benicia’s rate rose from 9.125% to 9.625% effective April 1, 2025, making it the highest in the county.5California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. New Sales and Use Tax Rates Effective April 1, 2025 The spread between the lowest and highest rates in the county is more than two percentage points, which matters on larger purchases. A $30,000 vehicle bought in Benicia carries roughly $675 more sales tax than the same purchase in unincorporated Solano County. Rates can change whenever voters approve new local measures, so checking the CDTFA website before a major purchase is worthwhile.
Transient Occupancy Tax
Hotel stays and short-term rentals carry a separate tax. In the unincorporated county, the transient occupancy tax is 5% of the rent charged and applies to stays of 30 days or less.6Solano County. Transient Occupancy Tax Each incorporated city sets its own rate, so the percentage depends on where the property sits. Operators are responsible for collecting the tax from guests and remitting it to the correct authority.
Exemptions That Lower Your Property Tax Bill
Homeowner’s Exemption
If you own and occupy your home as a primary residence, you qualify for a $7,000 reduction in assessed value.7California State Board of Equalization. Homeowners’ Exemption At the 1% base rate alone, that’s $70 off your annual bill, slightly more once voter-approved rates are included. It’s not huge, but it’s free if you file.
To claim it, submit form BOE-266 to the Solano County Assessor. You must occupy the home as your principal residence on January 1 of the tax year. If you buy after January 1 and the prior owner didn’t have the exemption, you can still get it on the supplemental assessment as long as you move in within 90 days.8Solano County. Homeowner’s Property Tax Exemption Once filed, the exemption stays in place as long as you continue to live there; no annual renewal.
Disabled Veterans Exemption
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating, or those rated individually unemployable, may qualify for a far larger reduction. California offers two tiers: a basic exemption with no income limit, and a low-income exemption with a bigger reduction for households below a set threshold. Unmarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans can also claim it.
The exemption applies only to a primary residence. File form BOE-261-G with the Assessor along with your VA rating decision and proof of residency. The basic exemption is generally a one-time filing; the low-income tier requires annual renewal by February 15 to verify you still meet the income limits.
Decline-in-Value Reassessment
When the market drops and your home’s current value falls below its Proposition 13 assessed value, you can request a temporary reduction. Known as a Proposition 8 review, it’s a written request to the Assessor, who reviews market value as of the January 1 lien date. If market value is lower, that figure becomes your assessed value for the year. The Assessor reviews it annually and can raise it by more than 2% as the market recovers, but never above the original Proposition 13 trajectory.
Formal Assessment Appeal
For disputes beyond a market decline, file with the Solano County Assessment Appeals Board. The filing window runs July 2 through November 30 each year, and the fee is $35 per parcel.9Solano County. Assessment Appeals If November 30 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Property Tax Payment Schedule and Penalties
Solano County property taxes come in two installments on a fixed calendar:
- First installment: due November 1, delinquent after December 10 at 5:00 p.m. A 10% penalty applies to any unpaid amount.10Solano County. Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Secured Annual Property Tax Bills
- Second installment: due February 1, delinquent after April 10 at 5:00 p.m. A 10% penalty applies, plus an additional administrative cost.11Taxes. Property Tax Function Important Dates
These deadlines are firm. If December 10 or April 10 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day; that’s the only built-in flexibility. Property still delinquent after June 30 of the fiscal year becomes tax-defaulted, starting a redemption period during which penalties and interest continue to accumulate.