Photo above: A row of newer two-story homes behind a plowed field near Brentwood, California, with Mount Diablo behind, August 2013. Oleg Alexandrov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
If the home was built in Brentwood since about 2002, there’s a good chance it does. The City of Brentwood has formed four Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) since 2002 to collect a yearly special tax from new development, and in the 2024-25 tax year a single-family home in one of them paid between $271 and $955 on top of its regular property tax, depending on the district (City of Brentwood, Combined CFD Annual Report, fiscal year ended June 30, 2025).
The fastest way to know for one house is its Contra Costa County tax bill. Here’s what the districts are, what they pay for, and how to check before you offer.
What are Brentwood’s four Mello-Roos districts?
CFD No. 2, 3, 4 and 5. The City Council formed them one at a time as the city grew. Here’s what the city’s 2024-25 report shows for a single-family home (City of Brentwood, Combined CFD Annual Report, fiscal year ended June 30, 2025):
| District | Formed | Taxable single-family parcels | 2024-25 special tax per house | Lien in force until |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFD No. 2 | May 14, 2002 | 1,931 | $271 | June 30, 2053 |
| CFD No. 3 | June 24, 2003 | 1,635 | $909 | June 30, 2104 |
| CFD No. 4 | November 9, 2004 | 2,921 | $955 | June 30, 2105 |
| CFD No. 5 | June 26, 2007 | 2,512 | $909 | June 30, 2107 |
That’s 8,999 single-family parcels across the four districts, our math from the report’s counts. Condos, apartments, shops and industrial land pay different rates, listed in the same report.
Look at that last column. In three of the four districts, the lien runs into the 2100s unless the City Council cancels it sooner. Plan as if it stays.
What does the Brentwood special tax pay for?
Mostly police and other public safety service. The city’s report says the districts pay for public safety services required by new development, and some also cover debt service (same report).
Districts 3, 4 and 5 also carry a share of the city’s debt on the Civic Center bonds, which paid for a new City Hall and Community Center. The formation papers allow other uses too, like storm drainage, parks and open space, libraries and roads, but that year’s spending was public safety, debt and small collection and admin costs.
Will the Brentwood Mello-Roos go up every year?
The maximum can. The city’s report says maximum rates rise 2% a year, and some maximums rise with a Bay Area consumer price index, with a minimum of 2% a year (City of Brentwood, Combined CFD Annual Report, fiscal year ended June 30, 2025).
One wrinkle helps CFD No. 4 owners. In 2024-25 the maximum for a CFD No. 4 house was $1,480, and the city levied $955 (same report). The city could levy up to the maximum in a later year, so read the maximum, not just this year’s amount.
The rates above are for 2024-25, the city’s latest annual report. This year’s amounts can differ. Your current county tax bill shows this year’s number, so go by the bill.
How do I check one Brentwood address?
Four steps. Do them before you remove your contingencies.
- Pull the tax bill. Use the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Tax Lookup at taxcolp.cccttc.us/lookup/ with the parcel number. If you just bought, or can’t find the bill, the county says to call (925) 608-9500 for a duplicate (Contra Costa County, Tax Bills page, checked September 25, 2026). Look for a line naming a Brentwood CFD.
- Get the Notice of Special Tax. When a property carries a Mello-Roos lien, state law says the seller must make a good faith effort to get the special tax notice from the agency that levies it and deliver it to the buyer (California Civil Code 1102.6b, checked September 25, 2026). The notice should show the annual tax, the maximum tax and how fast the maximum can rise. Read it early, not at the signing table.
- Ask the city for the parcel list. The city’s report says each district’s special tax roll, and the Rate and Method of Apportionment that sets the rates, are available from the City Clerk.
- Read every line on the bill. A Brentwood bill can carry other city or district charges besides a CFD. Ask what each one is.
Why does a newer house pay more tax than the older one across the street?
Often because the newer house sits inside a CFD and the older one never joined. The city formed its districts to collect from new development, and its report says a parcel inside a district becomes taxable once a building permit has been issued for it. The base property tax can differ too, because it follows each home’s assessed value. The Contra Costa County Assessor, (925) 313-7600, can explain a specific parcel’s value.
So compare the total monthly cost, not the list price. A newer home with a special tax can still pencil out next to an older home that needs a roof. Put the tax next to insurance and any HOA dues, then decide.
Is Mello-Roos tax deductible?
That’s a question for a tax professional, and we won’t answer it for you. We explain what shows up on the bill. How any of it affects your own return depends on your situation. For the amount on a specific parcel, go to the county tax bill and the City of Brentwood, City Hall, 150 City Park Way.
Questions people also ask
How much is Mello-Roos in Brentwood, CA?
It depends on the district. In the 2024-25 tax year, the City of Brentwood’s CFD report shows a single-family home paid $271 in CFD No. 2, $909 in CFD No. 3, $955 in CFD No. 4 and $909 in CFD No. 5. Maximum rates rise each year, so check the current county tax bill for the home you want.
When does Mello-Roos end in Brentwood?
Later than most people expect. The city’s 2024-25 report says the special tax lien lasts until June 30, 2053 in CFD No. 2, 2104 in CFD No. 3, 2105 in CFD No. 4 and 2107 in CFD No. 5, unless the City Council cancels it earlier. Budget for it as a long-term part of the payment.
What does Brentwood Mello-Roos pay for?
Mostly public safety. The city’s annual report says the districts pay for public safety services required by new development. Districts 3, 4 and 5 also help repay Civic Center bonds for City Hall and the Community Center.
How do I find out if a Brentwood house has Mello-Roos?
Look up the parcel on the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Tax Lookup and read the bill for a Brentwood CFD line. Ask the seller for the Notice of Special Tax, which California Civil Code 1102.6b says the seller must make a good faith effort to provide. The City Clerk keeps each district’s list of taxed parcels.
Your next step
Send us the address you like. We’ll pull the county tax bill with you, find any CFD line and put the special tax into the monthly payment before you write an offer. Ask a Brentwood agent on our team or call (510) 949-5525.
More on Brentwood: Is Brentwood a good place to live? · Search Brentwood homes · What’s my home worth?
By Bill Davis, DRE #01880656, The Davis Team at eXp Realty, Brentwood, CA. Updated September 25, 2026.
Sources
- City of Brentwood, Combined Community Facilities District Annual Report for Special Taxes Levied, fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 (FY 2024/25): brentwoodca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11726 (read September 25, 2026)
- California Civil Code 1102.6b: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (checked September 25, 2026)
- Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Tax Bills page: contracosta.ca.gov/580/Tax-Bills (checked September 25, 2026)
- Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Tax Lookup: taxcolp.cccttc.us/lookup/ (checked September 25, 2026)