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Santa Monica · Buying & selling

Transfer tax in Santa Monica

City rule: the transfer tax is $3 per $1,000 of price or value when the price or value is under $5,000,000. City rule: the transfer tax is $6 per $1,000 for a price or value of $5,000,000 or more but under $8,000,000. City rule: the transfer tax is $56 per $1,000 for a price or value of $8,000,000 or more. City rule: the tax applies only above $100; anyone who makes, signs or issues the taxed document, or benefits from it, is fully liable.

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Key points

  • Lowest tier: City rule: the transfer tax is $3 per $1,000 of price or value when the price or value is under $5,000,000.
  • Middle tier: City rule: the transfer tax is $6 per $1,000 for a price or value of $5,000,000 or more but under $8,000,000.
  • Top tier: City rule: the transfer tax is $56 per $1,000 for a price or value of $8,000,000 or more.
  • Threshold and payer: City rule: the tax applies only above $100; anyone who makes, signs or issues the taxed document, or benefits from it, is fully liable.

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

What Santa Monica's code says

Santa Monica code What Santa Monica's code adds
City transfer tax
  • Yes. Since March 1, 2023, the city taxes each deed that transfers real property sold in the city.
    § 6.96.020 · code text
    Effective March 1, 2023, 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
  • $3 for each $1,000 of price or property value, or part of $1,000.
    Applies: City transfer tax, first tier: price or value under $5,000,000.
    § 6.96.015 · code text
    shall mean the tax rate of three dollars for each one thousand dollars of consideration or property value, or fractional part thereof
  • $6 for each $1,000 of price or property value, or part of $1,000.
    Applies: City transfer tax, second tier: price or value of $5,000,000 or more but under $8,000,000.
    § 6.96.015 · code text
    shall mean the tax rate of six dollars for each one thousand dollars of consideration or property value, or fractional part thereof
  • $56 for each $1,000 of price or property value, or part of $1,000.
    Applies: City transfer tax, third tier: price or value of $8,000,000 or more.
    § 6.96.015 · code text
    shall mean the tax rate of fifty-six dollars for each one thousand dollars of consideration or property value, or fractional part thereof
Rate per $1,000
  • $3 per $1,000 of price or value.
    Applies: City transfer tax, first tier: price or value under $5,000,000.
    § 6.96.015 · code text
    shall mean the tax rate of three dollars for each one thousand dollars of consideration or property value, or fractional part thereof
  • $6 per $1,000 of price or value.
    Applies: City transfer tax, second tier: price or value of $5,000,000 or more but under $8,000,000.
    § 6.96.015 · code text
    shall mean the tax rate of six dollars for each one thousand dollars of consideration or property value, or fractional part thereof
  • $56 per $1,000 of price or value.
    Applies: City transfer tax, third tier: price or value of $8,000,000 or more.
    § 6.96.015 · code text
    shall mean the tax rate of fifty-six dollars for each one thousand dollars of consideration or property value, or fractional part thereof
Price threshold
  • The tax applies only above $100.
    Applies: The tax applies only when the value transferred, not counting liens or encumbrances that remain at sale, is more than $100.
    § 6.96.020 · code text
    when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds one hundred dollars, a tax at the rates set forth below:
Rate depends on price
  • Yes. The rate rises with the price, in 3 tiers.
    Applies: Since March 1, 2023: First Tier under $5,000,000; Second Tier $5,000,000 to under $8,000,000; Third Tier $8,000,000 or more. Rates set elsewhere.
    § 6.96.020 · code text
    (a) For sales or transfers when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed is less than five million dollars, the First Tier Tax Rate;
Who pays
  • Anyone who makes, signs or issues the taxed document, or benefits from it. Each is fully liable for the tax.
    § 6.96.030 · code text
    The obligation to pay any tax imposed pursuant to Section 6.96.020 shall be a joint and several liability of the taxpayers identified in this Section.

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 Santa Monica?

City rule: the transfer tax is $3 per $1,000 of price or value when the price or value is under $5,000,000. City rule: the transfer tax is $6 per $1,000 for a price or value of $5,000,000 or more but under $8,000,000. City rule: the transfer tax is $56 per $1,000 for a price or value of $8,000,000 or more. City rule: the tax applies only above $100; anyone who makes, signs or issues the taxed document, or benefits from it, is fully liable.

General information, not legal advice.

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More on buying & selling in Santa Monica

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Santa Monica Municipal Code — full text