Will City Place Parcel Tax on Fall Ballot?

Last week, the Citizens United Ordinance to Preserve City Funding of the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) was submitted to the city clerk for approval. The measure would create a $540 parcel tax, with all of the funding going to maintain funding levels for SMMUSD.

Should the city deem its language in compliance with existing state, county, and federal law, proponents could seek signatures of registered Santa Monica voters or a ⅔ of the City Council for it to be added to the November election.

It’s unlikely the item would be added to the Council. On the same day the measure was submitted, a related item was announced for next week’s City Council meeting (Agenda, Item 11b) meeting asking councilmembers to consider placing a $540 parcel tax before voters. The proposed tax would generate roughly $12 million annually to maintain the city’s funding commitment to the school district and support other city services.

Passage by voters for either measure would also require a 66.7 percent supermajority.

Santa Monica city staff surveyed voters to see whether a new parcel tax could pass if placed on the November 2026 ballot. The tax is being considered because the city is facing ongoing financial strain following the pandemic, declining tourism and sales tax revenue, rising public safety and homelessness costs, and a projected General Fund shortfall.

The poll, conducted in October 2025 with about 500 registered voters, tested two versions of a parcel tax: a flat $540 per parcel, or a tax based on square footage. Because parcel taxes must be approved by a two-thirds majority, the results were mixed. Initial support for both versions was in the mid-40 percent range, well short of what would be needed to pass. However, support rose to the mid-50s after voters were told how the money would be used and that the funds could not be taken by the state or federal government.

Voters responded more favorably to the flat tax than the square-footage version, particularly homeowners. The survey also found that most voters were unaware of the city’s agreement to subsidize the local school district, and while they support schools, that issue alone did not strongly motivate support.

You can view the presentation on the polling results, here.

About The Author

Damien Newton

Damien is the executive director of the Southern California Streets Initiative which publishes Santa Monica Next, Streetsblog Los Angeles, Streetsblog San Francisco, Streetsblog California and Longbeachize.

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