What is Mello-Roos?

Mello-Roos is a special tax paid by property owners within a district area that goes toward public facilities & services.

When did Mello-Roos start? Where did it come from?

Finding funding for local public facilities & services is a big task. Senator Henry Mello and Assemblyman Mike Roos proposed the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982, which gave California local governments access to community funding. Today, we abbreviate the name to “Mello-Roos.” 

Why is Mello-Roos on my Placer County tax bill?

If you own real property in a Community Facilities District, your Mello-Roos tax is included on your property tax bill. 

How does Mello-Roos work? 

Some Mello-Roos are tied to public improvements and may be financed with bond proceeds. Mello-Roos gives districts timely access to financing through the sale of bonds. The Mello-Roos tax pays back the principle and interest on those bonds. Other Mello-Roos are tied to a particular service provided to property owners within the district. The Mello-Roos pays for the service provided (i.e. fire suppression & ambulance services).

What does Mello-Roos pay for?

Mello-Roos taxes pay for public improvements and services. For example, Mello-Roos funds local:

• Police
• Fire
• Library
• Schools
• Recreation
• Maintenance of Parks, Parkways & Open Space

Some Mello-Roos taxes are tied to public improvements and may be financed with bond proceeds. Other Mello-Roos taxes are tied to a particular service provided to property owners within the district. The Mello-Roos funds pay for the service provided (i.e., fire suppression & ambulance services).

Will the Mello-Roos tax increase?

Depending on the Community Facilities District, the Mello-Roos tax may increase. The maximum tax increase is 2-4% per year. Property owners will never be charged more than the maximum tax per year, even if the district’s expenses are higher than the maximum.

Will the Mello-Roos tax decrease?

Occasionally, property owners may be charged less than the maximum tax per year, depending upon the revenue needs of a district.

When does my Mello-Roos expire?

Not all Mello-Roos taxes have an expiration date.

Some Mello-Roos taxes fund ongoing maintenance, fire and/or ambulance services, etc. These do not expire unless an expiration date was approved when the district was formed.

Some Mello-Roos taxes are used to pay for improvements like roads, sanitary sewage systems, etc. If the improvements are financed with bond proceeds, the bonds will have a specific maturity date. This is typically referred to as the “expiration” date.

You can find out if/when your Mello-Roos special taxes expire by comparing the line items on your Placer County tax bill with the appropriate Community Facilities District listed on our website and note any expiration date. 

Can my special taxes/assessments be pre-paid?

If your special taxes or assessments are tied to repayment of bonds, you may be able to pre-pay them. For information regarding pre-payment opportunities, contact Muni Financial at 1.866.807.6864.

I want to buy property in the City of Rocklin. How much will the special taxes/assessments be? 

For information on the special districts and current taxes/assessments for a specific parcel within the City of Rocklin (as well as any applicable maximum tax for the current period), contact Muni Financial at 1.866.807.6864.

What about the Rocklin Unified School District Community Facility Districts 1 and 2 listed on my Placer County Property Tax bill?

Contact the Rocklin Unified School District at 916.624.2428.