Stockton · Buying & selling

Buying or selling a home in Stockton

Stockton charges its own transfer tax on property sales, at one flat rate, and sets its own duties for private sewer laterals. Seller disclosures and property tax limits come from state law.

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Key points

Transfer tax: City rule: the tax is $0.275 per $500 of value ($0.55 per $1,000), only when the value, not counting remaining liens, exceeds $100.
Sewer lateral: City rule: the city maintains the lower lateral; the owner must keep the upper lateral free of roots, grease and solids.
Root repairs: City rule: within 45 days after a city notice about roots, the owner must repair the upper lateral or enter an approved schedule.
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.
Homeowner exemption: State law: $7,000 of assessed value is exempt when the home is the owner's principal residence.

Each rule below is marked Stockton code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Transfer tax

Stockton code What Stockton's code adds
City transfer tax	Yes, the city levies a documentary transfer tax. § 3.20.020 · code text 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 to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons, by his or her or their direction
Rate	$0.275 for each $500 of value, or part of $500. § 3.20.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Rate per $1,000	$0.55 per $1,000 of value. § 3.20.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Price threshold	The tax applies only when the value is over $100.00, not counting remaining liens or encumbrances. § 3.20.020 · 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 $100.00
Rate depends on price	No. One flat rate applies to every taxed sale. § 3.20.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Who pays	Anyone who makes, signs or issues the taxable document, or for whose benefit it is made. § 3.20.030 · code text Any tax imposed pursuant to 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.

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 →

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

Stockton code City rule: the city maintains the lower lateral; the owner must keep the upper lateral free of roots, grease and solids. City rule: within 45 days after a city notice about roots, the owner must repair the upper lateral or enter an approved schedule.

All 8 Stockton rules on sewer lateral inspection, with the code text →

Sidewalk repairs

Stockton code What Stockton's code adds
Deadline to repair	The owner may repair at own expense only if substantially done within 5 days after the bid notice is published. Applies: After that, the owner may not do the repair for 60 days. § 12.04.150 · code text provided the work is substantially completed within five days after the publication of the notice calling for bids
Who must repair it	The property owner must keep the sidewalk in a safe condition. § 12.04.150 · code text Any property owner required to maintain his or her sidewalk in a safe condition pursuant to Section 12.04.040 shall have the right to have his or her sidewalk repaired at his or her own expense provided the work is substantially completed within five days after the publication of the notice calling for bids in reference to the repair of his or her sidewalk as herein provided and to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of Streets.

Utility users tax

Stockton code What Stockton's code adds
Tax on water, phone or cable	6% of communication service charges. Applies: All communication services, including telephone, mobile and video. § 3.100.040 · code text The tax imposed by this section shall be at the rate of 6% of the charges made for such services

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

City rule: the tax is $0.275 per $500 of value ($0.55 per $1,000), only when the value, not counting remaining liens, exceeds $100.

What are the sidewalk repair rules for homeowners in Stockton?

Stockton's code: The property owner must keep the sidewalk in a safe condition. (§ 12.04.150); The owner may repair at own expense only if substantially done within 5 days after the bid notice is published. (After that, the owner may not do the repair for 60 days.) (§ 12.04.150).

Does Stockton charge a utility users tax?

Stockton's code: 6% of communication service charges. (All communication services, including telephone, mobile and video.) (§ 3.100.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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