Avalon · Buying & selling

Buying or selling a home in Avalon

Avalon charges its own documentary transfer tax when property changes hands. Seller disclosures and property tax follow state law.

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Key points

Transfer tax: Avalon taxes property transfers over $100 at $0.275 per $500; whoever signs or issues the deed, or benefits from it, pays.
Seller disclosures: State law: single-family sellers must give a Transfer Disclosure Statement unless exempt, and written smoke alarm and water heater bracing statements.
Property tax: State law caps general property tax at 1% of value; property is reassessed on sale, and its base value rises at most 2% yearly.

Each rule below is marked Avalon code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Transfer tax

Avalon code What Avalon's code adds
City transfer tax	Yes. The city taxes each deed or document that transfers real property sold in the city. § 3-3.502 · code text There is hereby imposed on each deed, instrument, or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other realty sold within the City shall be granted, assigned, transferred, or otherwise conveyed
Rate	$0.275 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500. § 3-3.502 · code text when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrances remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds $100 a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Rate per $1,000	$0.55 for each thousand dollars of value ($0.275 for each $500 or fraction of $500). § 3-3.502 · code text when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrances remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds $100 a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Price threshold	The tax applies only when the value conveyed is more than $100. Applies: Value of the interest or property conveyed, not counting any lien or encumbrance that remains at the time of sale. § 3-3.502 · code text when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrances remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds $100 a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Rate depends on price	No. One rate applies: $0.275 for each $500 or fraction of $500. § 3-3.502 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Who pays	Any person who makes, signs or issues the taxed document, or for whose use or benefit it is made. § 3-3.503 · code text Any tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of § 3-3.502 of this article shall be paid by any person who makes, signs, or issues any document or instrument subject to the tax, or for whose use or benefit the same is made, signed, or issued.

CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. County documentary transfer tax: A county may tax a sale over $100 at $0.55 for each $500 of value ($1.10 per $1,000), not counting liens that remain on the property (Rev. & Tax. Code § 11911(a)). City share of the tax: A city may impose half the county rate ($0.55 per $1,000); the county then credits the city tax against its own, so the combined standard rate stays $1.10 per $1,000 (Rev. & Tax. Code § 11931). California rules for buying and selling — the full state rule →

Seller disclosures

CA state law California law sets this statewide. Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) — who must give it: Sellers of single-family residential property must give the buyer a Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (sale, exchange, installment contract, lease-option or ground lease with improvements) (Civ. Code §§ 1102(a), 1102.2). Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement (NHD): Sellers must disclose if the property is in a special flood hazard area, dam inundation area, very high fire hazard severity zone, earthquake fault zone, seismic hazard zone, or wildland fire area (Civ. Code § 1103(c)). California seller disclosure rules — the full state rule →

Property tax after you buy

CA state law California law sets this statewide. 1% property tax limit (Prop 13): The general property tax on real property may not exceed 1% of its full cash value; voter-approved bond debt is levied on top (Cal. Const. art. XIII A, § 1(a), (b)). 2% annual cap on assessed value: The base year value rises each year by the California CPI change, but never more than 2% (Rev. & Tax. Code § 51(a)(1)(D)). California property tax rules — the full state rule →

Sewer lateral inspection

Avalon code By the date stated in the City's written notice. Before the property is sold.

All 12 Avalon rules on sewer lateral inspection, with the code text →

Sidewalk repairs

Avalon code The city may repair the sidewalk and bill the owner; costs unpaid 60 days after completion become a property lien. The owner is liable for the resulting damage or injury and must defend and indemnify the city.

All 3 Avalon rules on sidewalk repairs, with the code text →

Utility users tax

Avalon code What Avalon's code adds
Tax on electricity	3% of the charges for electricity. § 3-3.605 · code text The tax imposed by this section shall be at the rate of 3% of the charges made for such energy and shall be paid by the person paying for such energy.
Exemptions	People age 65 or older with annual income of 50% or less of the County median are exempt. Applies: Age and income count as of the start of a full regular billing period for the service user. § 3-3.604 · code text Persons age 65 or older as of the beginning of a full regular billing period applicable to the service user and whose annual income is 50% or less of the County median income shall be exempt from the tax imposed herein.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What is the transfer tax when you sell a home in Avalon?

Avalon taxes property transfers over $100 at $0.275 per $500; whoever signs or issues the deed, or benefits from it, pays.

Does Avalon charge a utility users tax?

Avalon's code: 3% of the charges for electricity. (§ 3-3.605).

General information, not legal advice.

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