Humboldt County Property Tax Guide for Homeowners and Sellers

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. Dates, penalties and fees come from the Humboldt County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s property tax page; sources are listed at the end.

Humboldt County charges a 10 percent penalty on a late installment, plus a $12.00 notice fee, and the second installment adds a $20.00 cost. Installments are due November 1 and February 1 and become delinquent after December 10 and April 10. Taxes still unpaid after June 30 default, collecting 1.5 percent a month and a $15.00 redemption fee. A house with back taxes can still be sold, because the balance is paid from the proceeds at closing.

Humboldt County property tax at a glance

How much is property tax in Humboldt County?

The state base rate under Proposition 13 is 1 percent of assessed value, with local bonds and direct charges added on top.

Assessed value can grow by only 2 percent a year until the property is sold or improved, so an owner in Fortuna or McKinleyville who bought decades ago may pay much less than a recent buyer in Eureka.

Humboldt’s page does not publish a countywide bill figure, so use your own bill and the estimator below.

When are Humboldt County property taxes due?

The first half is due November 1 and the second February 1. They are late only after December 10 and April 10, and if either date falls on a weekend or holiday the taxes become delinquent after the next business day.

• Humboldt also bills unsecured property, like boats and business equipment, with a due date of August 31. Penalties for unpaid unsecured tax begin in September and the county lists later lien fees through February.
• Penalty cancellation requests must be mailed or brought in. The county does not accept them by email.
• Property tax research requests cost $138.00 and are mailed to HCTC, 825 5th St, Room 125, Eureka.

Humboldt County property tax calculators

Estimate a yearly bill, test the cost of paying late and work out the transfer tax on a sale. The numbers on your own bill give the closest answer.

The late-cost calculator does not include Humboldt’s $12.00 notice fee or the $20.00 charge on a late second installment, so add them to get a payoff.

How do I pay my Humboldt County property tax bill?

The county’s page links to an online View or Pay Property Taxes service and gives a street address for the Treasurer-Tax Collector in Eureka.

It does not list a phone number or the accepted payment methods on that page, so use the staff directory on the county site for a direct contact. If you plan to mail a check, give it enough time to be postmarked before the December 10 or April 10 cutoff.

What happens if I don’t pay property taxes in Humboldt County?

A missed installment has two costs, the 10 percent penalty and a $12.00 notice fee. A missed second installment adds the $20.00 cost. At the close of June 30, anything still owed defaults: a $15.00 redemption fee is added and 1.5 percent interest runs every month, which is 18 percent a year. On $3,500 of unpaid tax, that is about $52.50 a month.

After five years in default, the county records a notice of power to sell and the property goes to auction. The page does not describe a payment plan, so ask the office if one is offered. Waiting rarely helps, because the balance grows monthly. See our page on selling a house in Humboldt County if you are weighing options before the next deadline.

What is a supplemental tax bill in Humboldt County?

A supplemental bill is due upon receipt and becomes delinquent on the last day of the month after the month it was mailed. The second installment is delinquent four months after the first.

The county’s example is a bill mailed March 12: the first installment is delinquent after April 30 and the second after August 30. Bills mailed from July through October follow the regular December 10 and April 10 dates.

Supplemental bills are not sent to lenders, so an owner with an impound account has to arrange payment with the lender.

How to sell a house in Humboldt County when you owe property taxes

A sale can go ahead with taxes owing. Escrow pays the Treasurer-Tax Collector from your proceeds, so the buyer gets the house without the lien.

1. Request the amount due. Contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector in Eureka for the balance as of your closing date, including any defaulted years.
2. Check for supplemental bills. A recent purchase or new construction can leave a separate bill with its own dates.
3. Budget for transfer tax. California charges $0.55 per $500, so a $350,000 sale is $385. The contract decides who pays.
4. Close before the next date. A closing before December 10, April 10 or June 30 avoids the next penalty on that installment.

Cash closings skip the loan approval, which is why they work when a deadline is near. See how we buy houses in Humboldt County, or read the transfer tax report.

Behind on Humboldt County property taxes? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. It is free and there is no obligation.

Humboldt County property tax FAQ

When are Humboldt County property taxes delinquent?

The first installment is delinquent after December 10 and the second after April 10, with the deadline moving to the next business day when either falls on a weekend or holiday.

What is the late fee on Humboldt County property tax?

A late installment has a 10 percent penalty and a $12.00 notice fee, and a late second installment adds a $20.00 cost. After June 30, taxes default with 1.5 percent a month and a $15.00 redemption fee.

How long before Humboldt County can auction a house for unpaid taxes?

A notice of power to sell is recorded after five years in default, and the property then goes to auction.

Does Humboldt County mail supplemental bills to my lender?

No. Supplemental bills are not mailed to lenders, so owners must arrange with their lender to pay before the delinquent date.

Can I sell my Humboldt County house if I owe property taxes?

Yes. Escrow pays the amount owed from your sale proceeds at closing.

Sources

• Humboldt County: Property Taxes

This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. Dates and fees can change; confirm the amount on your own bill with the Humboldt County Treasurer-Tax Collector.