Sales & Use Tax

Effective January 1, 2017, the overall sales tax rate in the City of Arcata is 8.50%. It is comprised of three separate tax rates: 7.25% is the basic Bradley Burns state’s sales tax, 0.75% is the City’s additional transactions and use tax, and 0.50% is the County’s additional transactions and use tax. In order to determine if an address is located in the City of Arcata limits and is subject to the City's transactions and use tax, please check the City of Arcata Street Address List.

Measure G Update

The voters of the City of Arcata approved a 3-quarter percent retail transactions and use tax in the November 2008 General Election ("Measure G”). As a result, the overall sales tax rate in the City of Arcata increased by 0.75% over the regular State sales tax rate beginning April 1, 2009. The increased tax is estimated to generate approximately $1.5 million per year, and will be used to fund City Council identified needs, including:

• Improvements to City facilities and services
• Infrastructure improvements
• Public safety
• Transportation projects

Measure G contains fiscal accountability provisions, which include the creation by the City Council of a citizens’ oversight committee, The Transactions and Use Tax Oversight Committee, to annually review the City’s expenditure of revenues generated by the tax.

Measure I: Excessive Electricity Use Tax

In November 2012 the City of Arcata citizens passed Measure I, electing to levy a tax on excessive electricity use in residential households. Passing with a vote of 68% to 32%, the measure will assess a 45% tax on residential household meters that use more than 600% of baseline electricity or more than an average of 3 residential households from 1 meter.