Transfer tax in Santa Rosa: the local rules

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

What Santa Rosa's code says

Santa Rosa code What Santa Rosa's code adds
City transfer tax	Yes. The city taxes each deed that transfers real property in the city when the value is over $100. § 3-20.020 · code text There is imposed on each deed, instrument or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other real property within the City are sold, granted, assigned, conveyed or otherwise transferred to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed exceeds $100.00, a tax at the rate of two dollars for each $1,000.00 or fractional part thereof of the consideration or value.
Rate	$2 for each $1,000 of price or value, or fraction of $1,000. § 3-20.020 · code text There is imposed on each deed, instrument or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other real property within the City are sold, granted, assigned, conveyed or otherwise transferred to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed exceeds $100.00, a tax at the rate of two dollars for each $1,000.00 or fractional part thereof of the consideration or value.
Rate per $1,000	$2 per $1,000 of price or value, or fraction of $1,000. § 3-20.020 · code text There is imposed on each deed, instrument or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other real property within the City are sold, granted, assigned, conveyed or otherwise transferred to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed exceeds $100.00, a tax at the rate of two dollars for each $1,000.00 or fractional part thereof of the consideration or value.
Price threshold	The tax applies only when the price or value is more than $100. § 3-20.020 · code text when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed exceeds $100.00
Who pays	Anyone who makes, signs or issues the taxed document, or benefits from it. Each is fully liable for the tax. § 3-20.060 · code text The tax imposed by Section 3-20.020 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, and such persons shall be jointly and severally liable for payment thereof;

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

BuyersSellersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the transfer tax when you sell a home in Santa Rosa?

Santa Rosa taxes transfers over $100 at $2 per $1,000 of value.

Transfer tax in Santa Rosa

Key points

What Santa Rosa's code says

The California rule underneath

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Santa Rosa property

More on buying & selling in Santa Rosa