Anaheim Council set to consider entertainment tax proposal

ANAHEIM, Calif.(Oct. 23, 2025) - Discussion of a potential entertainment tax ballot measure by Anaheim's City Council is expected at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

The proposal calls for a 3 percent tax on admission tickets and a 10 percent tax on parking that could go before voters in November 2026.

Anaheim does not currently have an entertainment tax but collects most city revenue from a tax on hotel stays as well as sales tax from visitors and property tax from visitor and entertainment venues.

The Council is set to consider whether to place the proposal before Anaheim voters as a ballot measure in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Under the city's charter, any vote on a tax item requires a two-thirds majority vote, or five members in the case of Anaheim's seven-member Council.

The proposal is put forth by Council Member Natalie Rubalcava and is expected to see thorough debate with a range of views among the Council.

Here are details:

Tickets
Admission tickets to theme parks and sports and entertainment venues of more than 20,000 people would see a 3 percent city tax.

Parking
Parking structures and other facilities of 1,500 or more spaces would see a 10 percent city tax on paid parking.

How
Any potential ticket or parking taxes would be collected by operators and remitted to the city.

Venues
As written, the proposal would apply to theme parks of the Disneyland Resort and Angel Stadium of Anaheim (see below), but not Honda Center, which has a maximum capacity of 18,000-19,000 people depending on configuration.

Honda Center's parking, which surpasses 1,500 spaces, wouldn't fall under the proposal as the venue doesn't directly charge for parking.

Public, private venues
The proposal would only apply to privately owned or run venues, not publicly owned and operated facilities including the Anaheim Convention Center. Should an economic impact study be requested or if the proposal is forwarded to the ballot, the city would do a comprehensive analysis to see if other venues or parking areas would fall under it.

Angel Stadium of Anaheim
The proposal would apply to Angel Stadium, which has a capacity of 45,000 fans. But under an existing lease through 2038, Angels Baseball is likely to be entitled to a rebate of any admission and parking taxes collected.

City funding
The proposal could raise a combined $108 million to $164 million annually, with the ticket tax proposal estimated at $89 million to $134 million and $19 million to $30 million for a parking tax. The estimates exclude Angel Stadium.

Any funding would go to Anaheim's general fund, the city's main fund for police, fire, parks, libraries and other daily operations. Anaheim's general fund is $527 million for the current fiscal year through June 2026.

Discussion about an entertainment tax proposal is expected to look at Anaheim's current budget deficit of $64 million, the pending retirement of 1990s bonds to expand The Anaheim Resort, staffing costs and large projects among other items.

Council options
The City Council can vote to approve or reject putting the proposal before voters. The Council could also request to commission an economic impact proposal before making a final decision.

Community initiative
If the Council declines to advance the proposal to the ballot, it is always possible community or other interest groups work to gather signatures to try and place it before voters.

Signatures of about 20,000 registered Anaheim voters are required. The initiative process takes about six months, including signature gathering and other qualification requirements.

City cost
Placing a proposal on the November 2026 ballot is estimated to cost the city $17,000 to $34,000, whether done by the City Council or community initiative.

Road closures downtown for Anaheim's annual Fall Festival and Halloween Parade

Anaheim launches new look and format for community meetings

Latest: judge denies request to dismiss one Ament charge; running timeline

Anaheim demolishes problem motel, fifth since 2020

Anaheim takes first step in consideration of hotelier plan to fund affordable housing for workers

Anaheim Contigo: go to for timely immigration enforcement information

Anaheim Ducks, city, KABOOM! team to build playground as part of neighborhood park revitalization

New state law covers space near crosswalks for safer streets

Center Greens Park debuts downtown

La Palma Park Way Promenade Groundbreaking

Iconic downtown Anaheim park gets new kid-designed, volunteer-built, donated playground

Anaheim shares state audit, supports recommendations with adoption underway