San Francisco Property Tax Records: Search Block/Lot, Pay Bills, Check Due Dates & Find Recorded Documents
San Francisco property tax records work differently from many counties because the key identifier is usually the Assessor’s Block and Lot, not a simple parcel number. This guide shows how to find a tax bill, print past payment history, use the Property Information Map, avoid December and April penalties, and know when to use the Assessor-Recorder instead of the Treasurer & Tax Collector.
Fastest Way to Search San Francisco Property Tax Records
San Francisco Property Tax Records Are Split Across Offices
Start with the task, not the website. This prevents paying from the wrong record or treating a tax bill as legal ownership proof.
| Your Question | Use This Office / Tool | What It Helps You Do | What to Prepare |
|---|---|---|---|
| What do I owe? | Treasurer & Tax Collector | View current statements, print tax bills, check past payment history, pay online. | Block/Lot, bill details, property address, payment method. |
| What is my Block/Lot? | San Francisco Property Information / SF PIM | Search by address, block/lot, or street intersection and review property context. | Street address, intersection, neighborhood, or Block/Lot. |
| Where is the deed or lien? | Assessor-Recorder | Search recorded documents and buy official/certified copies. | Names, document type, recording date, Block/Lot, or document reference. |
| Why did value change? | Assessor-Recorder | Handle property assessment, supplemental assessments, decline-in-value requests, address changes and property forms. | APN/Block/Lot, address, purchase price, assessment notice, evidence. |
How to View, Print, or Pay San Francisco Property Tax Records Online
Use the Treasurer & Tax Collector payment portal when you need a current property tax statement, payment status, receipt, or past payment history.
No service fee
Online property tax payment by electronic check is listed with no service fee.
2.25%
Credit card property tax payments carry a 2.25% fee with a $2.00 minimum.
2.25%
Debit card property tax payments also carry a 2.25% fee with a $2.00 minimum.
Processing matters
Taxes are not considered paid until payment is received and processed.
1
Collect Block/Lot and tax year firstA wrong Block/Lot can send you to the wrong bill.
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Before opening the portal, have the Assessor’s Block and Lot, property address, owner/bill details, installment year, and payment method ready. If you do not know the Block/Lot, use the property information section below first.
2
Open the official property tax payment routeUse the city-linked portal before entering bank or card details.
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Open the official payment page, choose the Property Tax Payment Portal, search the property, confirm Block/Lot and tax year, review the statement, then continue only if the property and installment match. Official action link: View or pay San Francisco property taxes.
3
Pick eCheck when you want to avoid card feesCard and debit fees are non-refundable.
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Choose eCheck if you want the no-service-fee route. If you use a credit or debit card, review the non-refundable service fee before submitting.
4
Save proof after paymentUseful for escrow, refinance, sale and duplicate-payment issues.
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Save the confirmation number, payment date, installment year, Block/Lot, amount paid and receipt. If the portal does not show payment yet, check with your financial institution and allow processing time.
How to Find a San Francisco Block and Lot Number
In San Francisco, the Block and Lot is the key that connects tax bills, property maps, assessor information, and many recorded-document clues. If you do not have it, start here before paying or searching deeds.
Best for most users
Use the street address first. If a unit does not appear, remove the unit and verify results manually.
Best for accuracy
Use this when you already have a bill, deed, assessment notice or recorded document reference.
Good for map context
Use street intersection when you are locating a property visually before drilling into parcel details.
1
Start with San Francisco Property InformationIt accepts address, Block/Lot, or street intersection.
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Open the San Francisco property information page, choose the search method, enter address or Block/Lot, select the correct result, then note the Block/Lot before moving to tax or recorded-document search. Official action link: Search San Francisco property information.
2
Use the Property Information Map for deeper contextHelpful for parcel history, maps, permits and planning clues.
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Open SF Planning’s Property Information Map, search the address or parcel, then review map layers, parcel history, zoning, permits, complaints and notices. Official action link: Open SF Property Information Map.
3
Copy the Block/Lot exactlyUse it on tax payments, mailed checks and document research.
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Write down the Block/Lot, property address, owner-related clues, map context, and any document references. This saves time when using the tax portal, Recorder index, mailed payment, or Assessor-Recorder forms.
San Francisco Secured Property Tax Due Dates and Penalty Rules
For regular secured property taxes, San Francisco uses two major installment deadlines. Missing either deadline can add penalties quickly.
| Tax Event | Deadline / Rule | Penalty Detail | What to Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st installment | Delinquent after 5:00 PM on December 10 | 10% penalty | Pay or get USPS postmark before the deadline. |
| 2nd installment | Delinquent after 5:00 PM on April 10 | 10% plus applicable fees | Do not wait until the final evening if paying online or by mail. |
| Tax-defaulted date | June 30 if still unpaid | Additional 1.5% per month plus redemption fee | Contact the Tax Collector quickly if already delinquent. |
| Mail close to deadline | Postmark must be timely | Late if received after due date with no acceptable postmark | Use a USPS counter and request a manual postmark. |
How to Pay San Francisco Property Taxes by Mail or at City Hall
Payable to SF Tax Collector
Include the Block and Lot number on the memo line. Do not send cash.
P.O. Box 7426
Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, P.O. Box 7426, San Francisco, CA 94120-7426.
Room 140
Office is open Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM. Walk-in assistance until 4 PM; cashier payments until 5 PM.
1
Write the payment correctlyWrong memo details can delay posting.
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Make the check or money order payable to “SF Tax Collector.” Write the Block and Lot number on the memo line. Keep the canceled check or money order stub as your receipt.
2
Use the correct mailing addressMail early if close to the deadline.
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Mail to Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, P.O. Box 7426, San Francisco, CA 94120-7426. If mailing close to the due date, ask USPS for a manual postmark.
3
Use City Hall if you need in-person helpRoom 140 is the public tax office location.
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Visit City Hall Room 140 during public hours. For assistance, arrive before 4 PM; cashier window payments are accepted until 5 PM.
Why You May Receive an Extra San Francisco Property Tax Bill
A regular tax bill is not the only property tax record you may see. After a change in ownership or new construction, the Assessor-Recorder may reappraise the property, which can create supplemental or escape tax bills.
| Bill Type | Why It Happens | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Regular secured bill | Annual property tax bill for real property. | First installment, second installment, Block/Lot, bill year. |
| Supplemental bill | Change in ownership or new construction creates a reassessment above prior value. | Date of sale/construction, prior value, new assessed value, prorated period. |
| Escape bill | A delayed assessment for a prior fiscal year after value is later determined. | Prior year, due date printed on bill, payment plan eligibility if applicable. |
When Property Tax Records Are Not Enough: Deeds, Liens and Recorded Copies
A tax bill can show payment status, but it is not a deed and it does not prove title. Use the Assessor-Recorder when you need recorded documents, official copies, certified copies, notices, liens, deeds or maps.
Free preview / viewing
Recorded documents can be previewed or viewed online when you do not need an official purchased copy.
$1.81 per document
Online copy purchase is listed at $1.81 per document.
$9.70 first page
In-person, mail, drop box and mail-order copies list $9.70 for the first page.
1
Collect names, dates and Block/Lot firstRecorded documents are often indexed by party and recording data.
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Before searching, collect grantor/grantee names, property address, Block/Lot, recording date, document type, lender name, trust name, LLC name or document reference.
2
Use the Assessor-Recorder copy route
Use this for deeds, liens, notices and certified records.
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Search the recorded document index, preview the record when available, then buy a copy only if you need one. Official action link: Get copies of San Francisco recorded documents.
3
Search forward for releases and cancellationsA lien or deed of trust may not still be active.
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If you find a deed of trust, lien, notice or restriction, search later dates for release, satisfaction, reconveyance, cancellation, amendment or corrective document before making conclusions.
What to Do If the San Francisco Assessed Value Looks Too High
If you believe your market value has declined below the assessed value, San Francisco offers a decline-in-value / informal assessment review route for eligible years. Always check the current filing window before preparing documents.
1
Find your property in the Assessor-Recorder portalSearch by Assessor Parcel Number or address.
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Open the community portal, navigate to real property, and search with address or Assessor Parcel Number / Block-Lot details. Official action link: Use the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder community portal.
2
Prepare evidence before filingA strong review request is factual, not emotional.
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Gather comparable sales, appraisal details, photos, repair facts, condition issues, purchase price, assessment notice, and property data corrections.
3
Submit through the official review routeUse the active year’s instructions and deadline.
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Follow the current San Francisco decline-in-value instructions, confirm the review year, and submit before the deadline. Official action link: Apply for a decline-in-value review.
San Francisco City Hall Tax Office Map
Use this map for planning an in-person visit. Confirm current office hours, service windows, appointment rules and payment method requirements before going.
Treasurer & Tax Collector
City Hall Room 140. Office hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM. Walk-in assistance accepted until 4 PM. Cashier payments accepted until 5 PM.
Assessor-Recorder
Use the Assessor-Recorder for property value, owner forms, recorded documents, copies and document recording support.
Bring this
Block/Lot, property address, tax bill, photo ID, payment details, document reference and any notice you received.
If Your San Francisco Property Tax Search Fails
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No tax bill appears | Wrong Block/Lot, wrong year, or address entered differently. | Find Block/Lot using SF Property Information, then search the payment portal again. |
| Payment not showing | Payment not received/processed yet or bank transaction issue. | Check with your financial institution and save confirmation until account credits. |
| Penalty added | Missed 5 PM deadline, no accepted postmark, or late processing. | Use eCheck early or request a USPS manual postmark if mailing near deadline. |
| Need ownership proof | Tax records are not title records. | Search Assessor-Recorder recorded documents and verify deeds, liens and releases. |
| New bill after purchase | Supplemental or escape assessment after ownership change or construction. | Review supplemental bill dates and contact the Tax Collector or Assessor-Recorder if unclear. |
San Francisco Property Tax Tips That Save Time and Prevent Penalties
Use these before paying a bill, refinancing, buying a condo, checking a lien, or responding to a supplemental tax notice.
Block/Lot first
Do not begin with only an address if money is involved. Find the exact Block/Lot before paying or mailing a check.
Use eCheck for no fee
San Francisco lists no service fee for eCheck. Card payments add a non-refundable percentage fee.
Do not mail from a blue box on deadline day
Use a USPS counter and request a manual postmark if mailing close to December 10 or April 10.
Watch for supplemental bills after closing
A purchase or new construction can create a supplemental bill separate from the regular secured bill.
Use PIM for property context
SF PIM helps connect parcels, permits, zoning, notices, complaints and map context before deeper research.
Tax record is not title proof
For deeds, liens, restrictions and releases, use recorded documents through the Assessor-Recorder.
San Francisco Property Tax Records FAQs
QHow do I search San Francisco property tax records?▾
Use the Treasurer & Tax Collector property tax payment portal to view current property tax statements, print bills or review past payment history. Use Block/Lot when possible for the cleanest search.
QWhat is a San Francisco Block and Lot number?▾
Block and Lot is San Francisco’s parcel-style property identifier. It helps connect tax bills, property maps, Assessor information and recorded document research.
QWhere can I find my Block and Lot?▾
Use San Francisco Property Information or SF Planning’s Property Information Map. Search by property address, Block/Lot or street intersection, then copy the Block/Lot before using tax or Recorder tools.
QWhen are San Francisco property taxes due?▾
The first installment becomes delinquent after 5:00 PM on December 10. The second installment becomes delinquent after 5:00 PM on April 10. Check the bill for current-year specifics.
QWhat are San Francisco property tax penalties?▾
The first installment has a 10% penalty if late. The second installment has a 10% penalty plus applicable fees if late. If unpaid by June 30, the property becomes tax-defaulted and additional monthly charges may apply.
QIs there a fee to pay San Francisco property taxes online?▾
eCheck is listed with no service fee. Credit card and debit card property tax payments are listed with a 2.25% service fee and $2.00 minimum.
QWhere do I mail a San Francisco property tax payment?▾
Mail checks or money orders payable to SF Tax Collector to Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, P.O. Box 7426, San Francisco, CA 94120-7426. Include Block and Lot on the memo line and do not send cash.
QWhere do I get San Francisco deed or lien records?▾
Use the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder recorded documents route. Tax payment records are not the same as deeds, liens, notices, maps or certified recorded copies.
QWhy did I get a supplemental property tax bill?▾
A supplemental bill can be created after a change in ownership or new construction when the Assessor-Recorder reappraises the property and calculates the difference between old and new value.
QIs Property-Recordss.org the official San Francisco property tax website?▾
No. Property-Recordss.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify tax bills, payments, due dates, recorded documents, assessments, Block/Lot details and legal records directly with official San Francisco sources.
Final Takeaway
For San Francisco property tax records, use the Treasurer & Tax Collector for bills, balances and payment history; use San Francisco Property Information or SF PIM to find Block/Lot and map context; and use the Assessor-Recorder for deeds, liens, notices and recorded document copies. The most important practical rule is simple: confirm the Block/Lot first, pay before the 5 PM deadline, and use eCheck when you want to avoid online card service fees.
Independent guide notice: Property-Recordss.org is not affiliated with the City and County of San Francisco, the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, the Office of the Assessor-Recorder, SF Planning, any court, title company, lender or surveyor. This page is for educational help only. Always verify property tax balances, payment status, due dates, service fees, recorded documents, assessments, legal descriptions, liens and ownership status directly with official sources before making legal, financial, tax, title or real estate decisions.