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| Quality of Life |
(Assessed Value x Annual Tax Rate) – (Exemptions) + (Special Assessments, Fees and Liens)
In other words, the Office of the Assessor-Recorder assesses the property values, which usually reflect the market value at the time of purchase. The Office of the Controller then applies the correct tax rates and takes that number and subtracts any exemptions and special assessments to arrive at the final property-tax figure.
Property-tax bills are mailed to residents by November 1 of each year. It is important to remember that the bill is for both installments of the payment, and no reminder notices are mailed for the second payment. The first installment is due on December 10, and the second installment is due on April 10 of the following year. Both payments can be made on or before the December 10 due date for the first installment. A 10-percent penalty fee is added to each late payment, plus a $10 administrative fee that gets added if the second payment is also delinquent.
— Sales Tax
As of February 2013, the sales-tax rate in the city of San Francisco was 8.75 percent. This figure is slightly higher than the sales tax rate of the rest of the state of California.
— Seatbelts and Child-Safety Seats
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) notes that 500 children are killed each year in traffic accidents. In an effort to decrease this number, the SFPD has outlined a series of safety measures that parents should take when transporting their children in their family vehicles. All children under the age of 12 are required to wear seatbelts at all times, preferably in the back seat, which receives the least impact in a head-on collision. Pillows, towels and other materials should never be used as makeshift booster seats. Infants and small children must be placed in safety seats, which should have been tested for an appropriately tight fit beforehand. Parents are encouraged to fill out their booster seat–registration cards in the event of a national recall.
California’s booster-seat law requires that all children under the age of 6, or under 60 pounds, must travel in a child restraint. The law was designed specifically to satisfy the safety needs of children too old for infant car seats but not big enough for adult seatbelts. All booster seats must conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This law brings a $100 fine for first-time violators and a $250 fine each time after the initial offense. Parents are fined for each child in the vehicle that is not in compliance with the booster-seat law. If parents or legal guardians are not present, the driver will be cited and fined.
— Cell Phone Laws
As of July 1, 2008, it became illegal to use a handheld telephone while driving. The current cell phone law allows drivers to use their phones when making emergency calls to a law enforcement agency or medical provider only. Fines for the first offense are $76, and each additional conviction is $190. A conviction will appear on the offender’s driving record, but no violation points will be added. Passengers are not affected by this law.
Drivers under the age of 18 cannot use a wireless telephone, pager, laptop or any other electronic communication device (whether handheld or hands-free) to either speak or text while driving. There are no exceptions for emancipated minors, no exceptions if adults or parents are driving with the youth and no exceptions for devices built into the car.
— Liquor Laws
The legal drinking age in San Francisco is 21. Alcohol can be sold and consumed any day of the week, but according to California’s state laws, it cannot be sold anywhere after 2 a.m., including bars and nightclubs. Restaurants that have patios or outdoor seating usually allow their patrons to indulge in alcoholic beverages as long as they keep the drink on the premises.
CALIFORNIA DRIVER’S LICENSE
If new residents plan on owning their own vehicle and using it as their primary mode of transportation, they will have to apply for a California driver’s license from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). New residents have 10 days to obtain a California driver’s license after establishing residency. California residency is established once someone has voted in a state or city election, filed for a homeowners tax exemption or paid resident tuition at a local school and have met the DMV’s approved list of criteria.
Applicants must report to a DMV office (find one near you and make an appointment for faster service at www.dmv.ca.gov) and complete a DL 44 application form. Applicants also need to provide a thumbprint, have their picture taken and provide their Social Security number. Applicants then verify their legal information, pay a fee and pass a vision test and a 36-question test on and traffic laws and signs that can be taken three times, each of which requires an appointment and a $6 fee (for the second or third test).
Incoming residents from foreign countries also are required to take a driving test, which gauges an applicant’s proficiency in basic driving skills. To take the test, make an appointment at any DMV location and provide proof of financial responsibility (insurance) that meets the California requirements.
In other words, the Office of the Assessor-Recorder assesses the property values, which usually reflect the market value at the time of purchase. The Office of the Controller then applies the correct tax rates and takes that number and subtracts any exemptions and special assessments to arrive at the final property-tax figure.
Property-tax bills are mailed to residents by November 1 of each year. It is important to remember that the bill is for both installments of the payment, and no reminder notices are mailed for the second payment. The first installment is due on December 10, and the second installment is due on April 10 of the following year. Both payments can be made on or before the December 10 due date for the first installment. A 10-percent penalty fee is added to each late payment, plus a $10 administrative fee that gets added if the second payment is also delinquent.
— Sales Tax
As of February 2013, the sales-tax rate in the city of San Francisco was 8.75 percent. This figure is slightly higher than the sales tax rate of the rest of the state of California.
— Seatbelts and Child-Safety Seats
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) notes that 500 children are killed each year in traffic accidents. In an effort to decrease this number, the SFPD has outlined a series of safety measures that parents should take when transporting their children in their family vehicles. All children under the age of 12 are required to wear seatbelts at all times, preferably in the back seat, which receives the least impact in a head-on collision. Pillows, towels and other materials should never be used as makeshift booster seats. Infants and small children must be placed in safety seats, which should have been tested for an appropriately tight fit beforehand. Parents are encouraged to fill out their booster seat–registration cards in the event of a national recall.
California’s booster-seat law requires that all children under the age of 6, or under 60 pounds, must travel in a child restraint. The law was designed specifically to satisfy the safety needs of children too old for infant car seats but not big enough for adult seatbelts. All booster seats must conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This law brings a $100 fine for first-time violators and a $250 fine each time after the initial offense. Parents are fined for each child in the vehicle that is not in compliance with the booster-seat law. If parents or legal guardians are not present, the driver will be cited and fined.
— Cell Phone Laws
As of July 1, 2008, it became illegal to use a handheld telephone while driving. The current cell phone law allows drivers to use their phones when making emergency calls to a law enforcement agency or medical provider only. Fines for the first offense are $76, and each additional conviction is $190. A conviction will appear on the offender’s driving record, but no violation points will be added. Passengers are not affected by this law.
Drivers under the age of 18 cannot use a wireless telephone, pager, laptop or any other electronic communication device (whether handheld or hands-free) to either speak or text while driving. There are no exceptions for emancipated minors, no exceptions if adults or parents are driving with the youth and no exceptions for devices built into the car.
— Liquor Laws
The legal drinking age in San Francisco is 21. Alcohol can be sold and consumed any day of the week, but according to California’s state laws, it cannot be sold anywhere after 2 a.m., including bars and nightclubs. Restaurants that have patios or outdoor seating usually allow their patrons to indulge in alcoholic beverages as long as they keep the drink on the premises.
CALIFORNIA DRIVER’S LICENSE
If new residents plan on owning their own vehicle and using it as their primary mode of transportation, they will have to apply for a California driver’s license from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). New residents have 10 days to obtain a California driver’s license after establishing residency. California residency is established once someone has voted in a state or city election, filed for a homeowners tax exemption or paid resident tuition at a local school and have met the DMV’s approved list of criteria.
Applicants must report to a DMV office (find one near you and make an appointment for faster service at www.dmv.ca.gov) and complete a DL 44 application form. Applicants also need to provide a thumbprint, have their picture taken and provide their Social Security number. Applicants then verify their legal information, pay a fee and pass a vision test and a 36-question test on and traffic laws and signs that can be taken three times, each of which requires an appointment and a $6 fee (for the second or third test).
Incoming residents from foreign countries also are required to take a driving test, which gauges an applicant’s proficiency in basic driving skills. To take the test, make an appointment at any DMV location and provide proof of financial responsibility (insurance) that meets the California requirements.
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