Los Angeles County Sales Tax Increase Takes Effect Oct 1; Santa Monica Rate is Now 11.25%

A half-cent countywide sales tax approved by Los Angeles County voters in June took effect Wednesday, Oct. 1, raising the county base rate from 9.75% to 10.25% and lifting combined rates in many cities above 11%.

Measure ER, formally the Essential Services Restoration Act, passed on June 2, 2026, by 50.64% (1,013,747 yes to 987,977 no). County officials project the five-year general sales tax will generate about $1 billion a year for health services, public health, and related programs under pressure from state and federal funding changes. The tax expires Oct. 1, 2031, unless voters extend it. It does not apply to groceries, prescription drugs, or certain medical equipment.

Because California sales taxes are stacked, the new 0.5% county levy is added to existing city and district taxes. Official California Department of Tax and Fee Administration rates effective Oct. 1 include:

The ER at UCLA Medical Center. File photo.

Palmdale and Lancaster: 11.75%

Santa Monica: 11.25%

Countywide floor (areas without extra city district taxes): 10.25%

Santa Monica's city website confirms the local combined rate moved from 10.75% to 11.25% on Oct. 1.

Santa Monica City Council candidate Derrick Townsend said a middle-income household spending about $20,000 a year on taxable goods could pay roughly $2,250 in sales tax annually - about $188 a month - on top of recent local increases in water, trash, and parking fees. Critics in higher-poverty parts of the county have also argued the tax adds to an already high cost of living. Supporters say the revenue is needed to keep county hospitals and clinics from deeper cuts.

A lawsuit filed by the Libertarian Party of Los Angeles County does not stop collection of the tax. County officials said the levy still applies to taxable transactions beginning Oct. 1, but the county cannot spend the proceeds on hospitals, clinics, or health departments until the case is resolved. County leaders have called the challenge meritless and said they will defend the measure as the will of the voters.

Shoppers will see the higher rate at the register on taxable purchases made in Santa Monica and throughout Los Angeles County starting today.