Calistoga · Buying & selling

Buying or selling a home in Calistoga

Calistoga has its own documentary transfer tax on property sales. Seller disclosures and property tax follow state law.

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Key points

Transfer tax: City rule: the transfer tax is $0.55 per $1,000 of value on sales over $100, paid by whoever signs or benefits from the document.
Seller disclosures: State law: sellers of single-family homes must give a Transfer Disclosure Statement, with exemptions such as foreclosure and court-ordered sales.
Property tax: State law: a sale resets assessed value to market value; the general tax is at most 1% of it, plus voter-approved debt.

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

Transfer tax

Calistoga code What Calistoga's code adds
City transfer tax	Yes. The city taxes each deed or document that transfers real property sold in the city. § 3.12.020 · code text It is 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. § 3.12.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Rate per $1,000	$0.55 per thousand dollars of value ($0.275 for each $500 or fraction of $500). § 3.12.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Price threshold	The tax applies only above $100. Applies: The tax applies only when the value transferred, above any liens or debts that stay on the property at sale, is more than $100. § 3.12.020 · code text when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed (in excess of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds $100.00
Rate depends on price	No. One rate applies to every sale: $0.275 for each $500 or fraction of $500. § 3.12.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Who pays	Any person who makes, signs or issues the taxed document, or for whose benefit it is made, signed or issued. § 3.12.030 · code text Any tax imposed pursuant to CMC § 3.12.020 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 →

Sidewalk repairs

Calistoga code What Calistoga's code adds
If the owner does not repair	Repair costs may be assessed, plus city inspection, admin and collection costs; unpaid assessments may become a lien. Applies: When the City contracts for the repair, or the owner does not promptly pay the assessments. § 12.10.020 · code text This shall include a charge for the City's costs of inspection and administration whenever the City awards a contract for such maintenance and repair, and the costs of collection of assessments for the costs of maintenance and repair under subsection (A) of this section or handling of any lien placed on the property due to failure of the property owner to promptly pay such assessments.
Liability for injuries	The property owner is liable for injury or damage caused by not keeping the sidewalk safe. § 12.10.030 · code text If, as a result of the failure of any property owner to maintain the sidewalk area in a nondangerous condition as required by CMC § 12.10.020, a person suffers injury or damage to person or property, the property owner shall be liable to such person for the resulting damages or injury.
Deadline to repair	The Director may extend the time to start repairs by up to 74 days from the notice. Applies: Only for sufficient cause. § 12.10.020 · code text the Director of Public Works may in the Director's discretion, and for sufficient cause, extend the period within which required maintenance and repair of sidewalk areas must commence by a period of not to exceed 74 days from the time the notice referred to in Section 5614 is given.
Who must repair it	Owners of bordering lots, and people in possession by permit or right, must repair and maintain the sidewalk and pay. § 12.10.020 · code text The owners of lots or portions of lots adjacent to or fronting on any portion of a sidewalk area between the property line of the lots and the street line, including parking strips, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and persons in possession of such lots by virtue of any permit or right shall repair and maintain such sidewalk areas and pay the costs and expenses therefor.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

City rule: the transfer tax is $0.55 per $1,000 of value on sales over $100, paid by whoever signs or benefits from the document.

What are the sidewalk repair rules for homeowners in Calistoga?

Calistoga's code: Owners of bordering lots, and people in possession by permit or right, must repair and maintain the sidewalk and pay. (§ 12.10.020); Repair costs may be assessed, plus city inspection, admin and collection costs; unpaid assessments may become a lien. (When the City contracts for the repair, or the owner does not promptly pay the assessments.) (§ 12.10.020).

General information, not legal advice.

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