Pasadena Sales Tax Rate Increased to 11 Percent
The new rate took effect following voter approval of the half-cent general sales tax known as Measure ER.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Taxes
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Pasadena residents now face an 11 percent sales tax rate after Measure ER went into effect on October 1. Voters approved the half-cent tax hike in June to address projected revenue shortfalls.
Why it matters
The tax increase aims to offset a $2.4 billion projected revenue loss for Los Angeles County departments following federal Medi-Cal changes. It provides essential funding for health services, including $10 million annually for the Pasadena Public Health Department.
Measure ER is expected to generate $1 billion in annual revenue across Los Angeles County. Pasadena's Public Health Department, which has seen a 43 percent staff reduction from its 2024 peak, is set to receive $10 million from this yearly total.
The players
Pasadena Public Health Department
This local government agency has been responsible for public health initiatives in the area since 1892.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
The governing body responsible for adopting the spending plan for tax revenue collected through Measure ER.
The details
Grocery food and prescription medicines are explicitly exempt from the new tax rate. A citizens' oversight committee will perform annual independent audits and recommend how to distribute the funds collected from the half-cent levy.
Timeline
The Pasadena Public Health Department began serving the city in 1892.
Voters approved the implementation of Measure ER on June 2, 2026.
The fiscal year for Pasadena and Los Angeles County began on July 1, 2026.
The new 11 percent sales tax rate officially took effect on October 1, 2026.
Measure ER is scheduled to expire on October 1, 2031.
Market Dynamics
This local tax hike acts as a fiscal buffer against the broader $2.4 billion revenue loss triggered by the federal H.R. 1 Medi-Cal eligibility changes enacted in July 2025. It reflects a trend of local jurisdictions seeking independent funding to stabilize services against federal budgetary shifts.
Shoppers in Pasadena will pay an 11 percent sales tax on most goods, excluding exempt items like groceries and prescription drugs. Residents should adjust their household budgets to account for this half-percent increase at the point of sale.
The takeaway
While the tax hike places an additional cost on consumers, it secures $10 million in annual funding for local public health services. Residents can monitor how these funds are utilized through the annual reports provided by the citizens' oversight committee.
Further reading
Learn more about local fiscal policy by visiting the Pasadena Taxes section.
More information
For official details on current local levies, use the California sales tax rate lookup.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pasadena Now.
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