California’s Sales Tax Nightmare: 11.25% Is Now Reality in Multiple Cities — And Sacramento Just Made It Easier

While Shasta County residents still enjoy one of the lowest combined sales tax rates in California at 7.25%, parts of the Golden State have quietly crossed into double-digit territory that would make even high-tax East Coast states blush.

Lancaster and Palmdale — two Antelope Valley cities in Los Angeles County — now charge a combined sales tax of 11.25%. Santa Fe Springs sits at 11.00%. Dozens of other Los Angeles County cities and several Bay Area jurisdictions hover between 10.25% and 10.75%.

Sunset view of downtown Lancaster, California, home of 11.25% sales tax rate - Credit california.com

Palmdale, California — matching Lancaster at a punishing 11.25% combined sales tax rate. - Credit worldatlas.com

These rates aren’t temporary emergency measures. They are the result of repeated local voter-approved district taxes layered on top of California’s already highest-in-the-nation 7.25% statewide base rate.

How Did We Get Here?

California’s state sales tax is 7.25%. Local cities and counties can add “transactions and use” (district) taxes, normally capped at a combined 2%. But the Legislature has repeatedly carved out exemptions, and voters in high-cost areas keep approving more.

In November 2024 and 2025 elections, voters in Lancaster and Palmdale approved additional city taxes that, combined with a new Los Angeles County Measure A, pushed their rates to the current record of 11.25%.

Then, in June 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1768, which authorizes Los Angeles County (up to an extra 0.5%) and Contra Costa County (up to an extra 0.625%) to exceed the normal 2% local cap — again, with voter approval. Critics say this opens the door for even higher rates in the areas already suffering the most.

Governor Gavin Newsom signs legislation. In June 2026 he signed AB 1768, making it easier for Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties to push local sales taxes even higher. - credit mercurynews.com

Watch: Carl DeMaio Breaks Down the Latest Tax Hike Authorization

Shasta County’s Contrast — For Now

Here in Shasta County, Redding and the unincorporated areas remain at the pure statewide rate of 7.25%. Voters wisely rejected Redding’s Measure A (a proposed 1% city sales tax) in November 2025.

That difference is real money. On a $100 grocery cart (taxable items), a family in Lancaster pays $11.25. The same cart in Redding costs $7.25 in sales tax. Over a year of household spending, the gap easily reaches hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

The Bigger Picture

California already has the highest state sales tax rate in America. When local add-ons are included, the statewide average combined rate is nearly 9%, and the extremes have now reached 11.25%.

Tax Foundation data consistently ranks California near the top for overall sales tax burden. And because sales taxes are regressive, they hit working families and seniors hardest.

As Sacramento continues to spend and local governments keep asking for more, the question for North State residents is simple: Will we stay vigilant and reject the same tax-and-spend path that has made Southern California and the Bay Area so expensive? Or will we eventually follow them into double-digit sales tax territory?

Shasta Unfiltered will keep watching — and reporting.

Sources

• California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) rate tables effective July 1, 2026

• AB 1768 (Bryan) chaptered June 2026

• Tax Foundation and local election results