WEST COUNTY • CITY COUNCILMEMBER BRIEFINGS
How San Pablo’s Sales Tax Compares
San Pablo’s proposed sales tax increase among the lowest between West County cities. After the Oct 1, 2027, Measure S tax shift downward to 0.25%, San Pablo ties Richmond for West County’s lowest sales tax rate.
West County City
highest → lowest
Current
rate today
Nov 2026 Change
proposed (voter vote)
After Nov 2026
if adopted
Oct 1, 2027
MEASURE S TAX SHIFT
El Cerrito 10.25% no change 10.25% 10.25%
Pinole 10.25% no change 10.25% 10.25%
Hercules 9.25% +1.00% 10.25% 10.25%
Richmond 9.75% no change 9.75% 9.75%
San Pablo 9.50% +0.50% 10.00% 9.75% (−0.25%)
+0.50%
Proposed increase — still among lowest of
West County cities.
10.00%
Peak rate after the November 2026 vote —
still below the 10.25% cities.
9.75%
After the 2027 Measure S tax shift— tied for
the lowest sales tax rate with Richmond.
Nov 2026 changes are proposed and subject to voter approval. Measure S is San Pablo’s voter-approved temporary sales tax (a continuation of 2012’s Measure Q), scheduled to step down ¼-cent on Oct 1, 2027. Combined rates include state, county & district taxes; current as of June 2026.