Clovis · Buying & selling

Buying or selling a home in Clovis

Clovis levies its own transfer tax on real property sales. Seller disclosures and property tax follow state law, which sets the disclosure statement and caps the general tax rate.

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Key points

Transfer tax: The city transfer tax is $0.55 per $1,000 on sales over $100, not counting remaining liens, paid by whoever makes or signs the document.
Seller disclosures: State law requires sellers of single-family homes to give buyers a Transfer Disclosure Statement, with some exemptions such as foreclosure sales.
Property tax: State law limits general property tax to 1% of full cash value plus voter-approved debt; base year value rises at most 2% a year.

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

Transfer tax

Clovis code What Clovis'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, or part of $500. § 3.3.502 · code text a tax at the rate of twenty-seven and one-half ($0.275) cents for each Five Hundred and no/100ths ($500.00) Dollars or fractional part thereof.
Rate per $1,000	$0.55 per thousand dollars. § 3.3.502 · code text a tax at the rate of twenty-seven and one-half ($0.275) cents for each Five Hundred and no/100ths ($500.00) Dollars or fractional part thereof.
Price threshold	The tax applies only to transfers over $100. Applies: The price or value must be more than $100, not counting liens or encumbrances that remain 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 One Hundred and no/100ths ($100.00) Dollars a tax
Rate depends on price	No. The rate does not change with the sale price. § 3.3.502 · code text a tax at the rate of twenty-seven and one-half ($0.275) cents for each Five Hundred and no/100ths ($500.00) Dollars 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 Section 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. Another party to the deed pays; the government party does not. Applies: When the United States, a federal agency, a state or territory or its subdivision, or the District of Columbia is a party. § 3.3.505 · code text The United States, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, any state or territory or political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia shall not be liable for any tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of this article with respect to any deed, instrument, or writing to which it is a party, but the tax may be collected by assessment from any other party liable therefor.

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

Clovis code What Clovis's code adds
City help	Owners may ask for up to $2,500 in financing from the city's Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk Revolving Fund. § 7.9.05 · code text the owner may request financing of the repairs costs, not to exceed two thousand five hundred and no/100ths dollars ($2,500.00), from the City’s Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk Revolving Fund. On request, the city may repair with its own crews or a vendor; the owner still pays all costs. § 7.9.05 · code text In either case the property owner will remain responsible for all costs of repair.
If the owner does not repair	If the owner does not start on time and keep working, the city may repair; unpaid costs become a lien. Applies: Repair not started within the notice period and carried on without a break to completion. § 7.9.05 · code text if the repair is not commenced within such time period and prosecuted diligently without interruption to completion, the Director may proceed with the repair, and the cost shall be a lien on the property upon the owner’s failure to timely reimburse the City for such cost pursuant to Section 7.9.06.
Liability for injuries	The owner is liable for injury or property damage caused by not keeping the sidewalk safe. § 7.9.04 · code text If, as a result of the failure of any property owner to maintain the sidewalk area in a safe and nondangerous condition as required by Section 7.9.03, any person suffers injury to or damage to person or property, the owner shall be liable to such person for the resulting damage or injury.
Deadline to repair	The time set in the director's written notice; applying for an encroachment permit in that time counts as starting. Applies: After the director gives written notice to repair. § 7.9.05 · code text The notice to repair shall particularly specify what work is required to be done and how the same is to be done and what materials shall be used in the repair; that if the owner proceeds to undertake the repair by private contract, his/her activities will be governed by the provisions of this chapter; the time period within which the repair must be commenced by the owner;
Who must repair it	The owner of the bordering lot must keep the sidewalk safe, repair it, and pay the costs. § 7.9.03 · code text The owner of a lot, lots or portions of a lot adjacent to or fronting on any portion of a sidewalk area shall maintain the sidewalk area in a safe and nondangerous condition, and shall repair such sidewalk area 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 Clovis?

The city transfer tax is $0.55 per $1,000 on sales over $100, not counting remaining liens, paid by whoever makes or signs the document.

What are the sidewalk repair rules for homeowners in Clovis?

Clovis's code: The owner of the bordering lot must keep the sidewalk safe, repair it, and pay the costs. (§ 7.9.03); If the owner does not start on time and keep working, the city may repair; unpaid costs become a lien. (Repair not started within the notice period and carried on without a break to completion.) (§ 7.9.05).

General information, not legal advice.

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Clovis Municipal Code — full text

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Building on your lot in Clovis

Foreclosure & auctions in Clovis

Clovis overview