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El Cerrito · Buying & selling

Transfer tax in El Cerrito

El Cerrito transfer tax: $12 per $1,000 of the consideration, only when the consideration exceeds $100.

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Key points

  • Transfer tax: El Cerrito transfer tax: $12 per $1,000 of the consideration, only when the consideration exceeds $100.

Each rule below links to the section of the El Cerrito Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What El Cerrito's code says

El Cerrito code What El Cerrito's code adds
City transfer tax
  • Yes. The city taxes each transfer of real property in El Cerrito.
    § 4.64.040 · code text
    A tax is hereby imposed on each transfer of real property located in the city of El Cerrito, when the value of the consideration exceeds one hundred dollars.
Rate
  • $12 for each $1,000 of the price paid, or fraction of $1,000.
    § 4.64.050 · code text
    The rate of the tax imposed pursuant this chapter shall be twelve dollars for each one thousand dollars of the value of consideration paid for a transfer of real property, or fractional part of each one thousand dollars of the value of consideration.
Rate per $1,000
  • $12 per $1,000 of the price paid, or fraction of $1,000.
    § 4.64.050 · code text
    The rate of the tax imposed pursuant this chapter shall be twelve dollars for each one thousand dollars of the value of consideration paid for a transfer of real property, or fractional part of each one thousand dollars of the value of consideration.
Price threshold
  • The tax applies only when the price paid is more than $100.
    § 4.64.040 · code text
    A tax is hereby imposed on each transfer of real property located in the city of El Cerrito, when the value of the consideration exceeds one hundred dollars.
Who pays
  • Seller and buyer are both fully liable for the tax. They may split it between themselves.
    § 4.64.060 · code text
    Any person who makes a transfer of real property subject to the tax imposed by this chapter and any person to whom such a transfer is made shall be jointly and severally liable for payment of the tax. The transferor and transferee may apportion the tax among themselves.

The California rule underneath

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 →

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

El Cerrito transfer tax: $12 per $1,000 of the consideration, only when the consideration exceeds $100.

General information, not legal advice.

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El Cerrito Municipal Code — full text