Richmond · Buying & selling
Buying or selling a home in Richmond
Richmond charges its own transfer tax, and the rate rises with the price. A sale of a parcel with a structure also needs a sewer lateral certificate first; seller disclosures and property tax limits come from state law.
Key points
- Transfer tax: City rule: $7 per $1,000 below $1,000,000; $12.50 up to $3,000,000; $25 up to $10,000,000; $30 per $1,000 on the part above.
- Who pays: City rule: the people making the transfer and the people receiving it are each fully responsible for the whole tax.
- Sewer lateral: City rule: a certificate of lateral compliance is needed before title transfer of a parcel with a structure, unless a valid one exists.
- Lateral repairs: City rule: the owner pays to bring the lateral into compliance; a certificate after a passed test lasts at most 15 years.
- Disclosure statement: State law: single-family sellers must give a Transfer Disclosure Statement; a buyer getting it after the offer may cancel within 3 or 5 days.
- Property tax: State law: the general property tax is at most 1% of full cash value plus voter-approved debt; base value rises at most 2% yearly.
Each rule below is marked Richmond code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Transfer tax
Richmond code City rule: $7 per $1,000 below $1,000,000; $12.50 up to $3,000,000; $25 up to $10,000,000; $30 per $1,000 on the part above. City rule: the people making the transfer and the people receiving it are each fully responsible for the whole tax.
All 8 Richmond 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 →
Sewer lateral inspection
Richmond code City rule: a certificate of lateral compliance is needed before title transfer of a parcel with a structure, unless a valid one exists. City rule: the owner pays to bring the lateral into compliance; a certificate after a passed test lasts at most 15 years.
All 14 Richmond rules on sewer lateral inspection, with the code text →
Sidewalk repairs
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Utility users tax
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Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the sidewalk repair rules for homeowners in Richmond?
Richmond's code: Fronting owners must repair and maintain the sidewalk, parking strip and curb at their cost, with or without City notice. (§ 12.36.025); Owners are liable to anyone hurt on the sidewalk through their negligence; the City is not liable for that. (§ 12.36.025).
Does Richmond charge a utility users tax?
Richmond's code: The tax is 10% of gas charges. (§ 13.52.060); The tax is at most 9.5% of charges. (Telecommunication services; the code states only the maximum.) (§ 13.54.040).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Richmond property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
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