What is the sales tax rate in Santa Cruz County, CA?

The average sales tax rate in Santa Cruz County (CA) is 9.44%, with jurisdictions ranging between 7.25% and 9.75%.

Santa Cruz County • California (CA)

21 ZIP Code

Santa Cruz County, CA Sales Tax Rates 2026

2026 sales tax rate guide for Santa Cruz County, CA. Average combined tax rate is 9.44% with local jurisdictions ranging up to 9.75%.

Average Combined Rate

9.44%

Estimated Tax Range: 7.25% - 9.75%

⚡ Direct Tax Answer & Key Takeaway

As of 2026, the local county sales tax rate in Santa Cruz County (California) is 0.00%. Combined sales tax rates across cities in this county range from 7.25% to 9.75% (averaging 9.44%).

County Tax

0.00%

Average Combined Rate

9.44%

Max Local Rate

9.75%

Indexed Cities

Cities & Towns in Santa Cruz County

City	Combined Sales Tax Rate	Action
Santa Cruz	9.75%	View Tax Rates →
Watsonville	9.75%	View Tax Rates →
Live Oak	7.25%	View Tax Rates →
Soquel	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Capitola	9.25%	View Tax Rates →
Aptos	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Twin Lakes	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Boulder Creek	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Freedom	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Brookdale	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Mount Hermon	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Paradise Park	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Davenport	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Zayante	9.50%	View Tax Rates →
Pajaro Dunes	9.50%	View Tax Rates →

📋 State Tax Rules & Compliance Guide

Sourcing Rule: Hybrid (Origin for city/county, Destination for district taxes)

Groceries & Food: Exempt (0%)

Clothing & Apparel: Taxable (standard rates)

SaaS & Digital Goods: Non-Taxable (Custom & off-the-shelf cloud software is exempt)

Economic Nexus Threshold: $500,000 in cumulative California sales

Official Tax Authority: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) ↗

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Address-Specific Rates Rates current for 2026

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ZIP Codes in Santa Cruz County

95001 9.50% 95003 9.50% 95005 9.50% 95006 9.50% 95007 9.50% 95010 9.25% 95017 9.50% 95018 9.50% 95019 9.50% 95041 9.50% 95060 9.50% 95061 9.75% 95062 9.50% 95063 9.75% 95064 9.75% 95065 7.25% 95066 9.50% 95067 9.75% 95073 9.50% 95076 9.50% 95077 9.75%

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Key questions and answers regarding sales tax rates, exemptions, and compliance.

The county tax rate for Santa Cruz County is 0.00%. When combined with California state taxes and local municipal/district taxes, the overall sales tax rate varies between 7.25% and 9.75%.

In California, grocery items are currently Exempt (0%). SaaS and digital automated goods are Non-Taxable (Custom & off-the-shelf cloud software is exempt).