Hayward · Buying & selling
Buying or selling a home in Hayward
Hayward charges its own documentary transfer tax when property changes hands. Seller disclosures and property tax follow state law.
Key points
- Transfer tax: Hayward taxes property transfers over $100 at $8.50 per $1,000; 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 Hayward code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Transfer tax
Hayward code Hayward taxes property transfers over $100 at $8.50 per $1,000; whoever signs or issues the deed, or benefits from it, pays.
All 5 Hayward rules on transfer tax, with the code text and the state law underneath →
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
Hayward code The Enforcement Officer has the repair made. The cost is billed to the responsible party and is due 30 days later.
All 5 Hayward rules on sidewalk repairs, with the code text →
Utility users tax
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| Tax on gas |
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Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does Hayward charge a utility users tax?
Hayward's code: The electricity tax is 5.5% of the charges. (§ 8-18.70); The gas tax is 5.5% of the charges. (§ 8-18.80).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Hayward property
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