By Lookout Staff
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that an a voter initiative requires a simple majority for approval.
July 8, 2026 -- The City Council is expected to place a parcel tax measure on the November ballot to fund local schools after Santa Monica voters approved seven tax measures in the past two elections.
The measure -- which requires a simple majority for approval --would establish an annual parcel tax of $495 per taxable parcel within the city, with the amount adjusted annually for inflation.
The tax revenue would go to the School District "for educational purposes," such as retaining teachers and assisting disadvantaged students, the measure states.
The money generated cannot be used "for administrator salaries, land acquisition, or capital improvements," according to the Ballot Title and Summary prepared by the City Attorney.
The measure exempts seniors who live on their property as a primary residence, non-profit organizations and affordable housing projects, as well as religious organizations or schools that are exempt from property taxes.
The measure would replace funding currently provided by the City to the School District under a Master Facilities Use Agreement that expires on June 30, 2027.
"The parcel tax would be collected beginning on July 1 of the year after being approved by the voters," according to the measure.
Unlike other ballot measures that can be adopted by the Council, tax measures are required to be placed on the ballot if they have received the required number of signatures, which is 10 percent of the voters or 7,038.
The LA County Registrar found that 9,083 signatures were filed, with 7,711 found to be sufficient, according to the report from City staff to the Council.
Proponents of the parcel tax measure notified the City Clerk’s Office on January 9 that they intended to circulate an initiative petition.
The initiative was submitted hours after an upcoming Council agenda included an item to consider a $540 parcel tax to maintain the $12 million annual funding to the School District and to enhance City services.
Staff pulled the item, which included a random poll of Santa Monica voters that found underwhelming support for the potential measure.
Santa Monica voters have approved a total of seven tax measures in the 2022 and 2024 General Elections.
In November 2022, Santa Monica voters approved three new taxes that were expected to generate nearly $60 million a year and approved a $375 million bond for Santa Monica College.
Measure GS, which has generated some $80 million, raised the real estate transfer tax by $56 for every $1,000 on property sales of more than $8 million to fund local public schools, affordable housing and homelessness prevention with no expiration date.
Meanwhile, Measure CS -- which raised the bed tax on hotels, motels and home shares -- is expected to raise an estimated $4.1 million a year to address homelessness and public safety.
Voters also approved Measure HMP, which established a 10 percent business tax on every licensed cannabis business and is expected to generate $3 to $5 million a year for the cash-strapped city.
In addition to the City measures, the the Santa Monica College (SMC) Board of Trustees placed a $375 million bond measure on the November 2022 ballot that, among other things, would finance new high-tech hybrid classrooms and help build housing for homeless and low-income students.
In November 2024, local voters approved Measure F, which restructured the City's business taxes to fund essential City services, and Measure K, which imposed a tax hike on private parking lots to enhance public safety and create safe routes to school.
Voters also approved Measure QS, a $495 million Bond Measure to upgrade facilities at local District schools.