1 REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of February 25, 2020
TO: Mayor Esquivias and Members of the City Council
SUBMITTED BY: J. Patrick Tang, City Attorney
David Biggs, City Manager
SUBJECT: Process for Becoming a Charter City for the Purpose of Increasing the Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT)
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive report, discuss, and provide direction, if any.
COMMISSION/SUBCOMMITTEE ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION:
There was no commission or subcommittee review of this item.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct cost associated with the preparation of this report. Future steps of considering a ballot measure, including possible polling, preparing a proposed charter , undertaking the process to place the measure on the ballot, and conducting an election, would all incur costs. The exact amount of the impact would depend on what type of community engagement the Council would want.
Any process would involve staff and city attorney time. If a ballot measure were approved by the voters, Hercules would see an increase in RPTT revenue. The amount of increase would depend upon the RPTT rate set by the City; various estimates are provided in the Revenue Rate Comparison Table, see page 4.
However, it is uncertain whether voters would approve an increased RPTT.
BACKGROUND: At its January 14, 2020 regular meeting, the City Council directed the city attorney and staff to prepare a report for Council information regarding the process for becoming a charter city, for the limited purpose of setting real property transfer tax (RPTT) rates beyond the rate set by state law for general law cities.
DISCUSSION: Cities in California are organized as either general law cities or charter cities. The City of Hercules is a general law city. Cities are general law cities by default, but may go through a process to
2 become charter cities. A general law city has the authority to exercise its police powers to act locally, but its acts must be consistent with all general laws adopted by the State Legislature. This is why general law cities are “locked in” to receiving a real property transfer tax (RPTT) rate of $0.55 per $1,000 as set by the state. In contrast, a charter city may use its “home rule” authority to adopt local laws regarding “municipal affairs” that vary from state laws, so that a charter city has more control over local affairs than a general law city. A significant authority possessed by charter cities is the authority, with voter approval, to impose a higher RPTT rate. Charter law cities are not subject to state law regarding RPTT because the setting of RPTT rates is deemed a municipal affair. As a result, charter cities may impose RPTT at a rate higher than the maximum statutory rate otherwise received by general law cities. A list of al l California general law and charter cities, along with their respective RPTT rates, is provided as Attachment 1.
There are other reasons why a general law city may seek to become a charter city other than to set RPTT rates, including but not limited to changing the number of elected officials, establishing district elections, and providing for a strong mayor form of government (see Attachment 2), but given Council’s direction to limit the discussion to becoming a charter city for the sole purpose of adjusting RPTT rates, other reasons for becoming a charter city are not discussed in this report. An example of the type of limiting language that can be included in a charter to restrict the scope of local authority to setting the RPTT rate is provided below:
“The City may exercise the powers of a charter city to generate revenue by imposing a tax on the conveyance of real property, based upon the price paid for the real property ("real property transfer tax"). Any real property transfer tax imposed by the City shall be in addition to any similar tax authorized by the general laws of the State of California. Except as provided in this Charter, the powers of the City shall otherwise be constrained by, subject to, and governed by the general laws of the State as now and hereafter existing relating to cities organized under such general laws.“
It should be noted that , while other governance changes may not be in consideration as part of the approval of an initial charter, charter city status does expand the po ssible universe of both council and voter-initiated changes to governance and other matters via the electoral process that may otherwise not be possible as a General Law City. However, once a charter is adopted by the voters, it can only be changed by an affirmative vote of a majority of the electorate. And, once a RPTT rate has been approved by the voters, as a general tax it cannot be changed without receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of the electorate. In other words, the C ouncil could not change the charter without voter approval , nor could the Council change the RPTT rate without voter approval.
What is RPTT? The real property transfer tax (RPTT) applies to transactions involving the sale and purchase of all improved property with homes or commercial structures , and all unimproved land with no structures. The tax is paid when ownership transfers from the seller of the property to the purchas er of the property. Generally, the tax can be paid by either the seller or the purchaser, or the tax can be shared between the seller and the purchaser. It is a one-time expense related to the transfer of ownership, and is unrelated to the annual payment of property taxes. Currently under the California Revenue and Taxation Code, property in general law ci ties when it is sold is assessed a county transfer tax of $1.10 for every $1,000 of the real estate’s sales price. Counties then split that tax with the cities, so that the city where 3 the sale took place receives $0.55 for every $1,000 of sale price. Hercules thus currently receives an RPTT of the maximum allowed for general law cities of $0.55 per $1,000 of value.
Recently a number of general law cities have utilized the legal process to become charter cities for t he limited purpose of setting RPTT rates beyond the baseline rate of $0.55 per $1,000 established for general law cities.1 Under State law and the California Constitution, cities cannot impose, increase or extend any tax unless the tax is approved by the voters. Accordingly, a measure to become a charter city, and an increase to the RPTT, would require voter approval by a simple majority of the electorate.
How much does the property buyer pay? Property owners/sellers in general law cities in California pay a RPTT of $1.10 p er thousand dollars of sales price or $275 on a $250,000 property sale; by way of example, that means $550 on a $500,000 property sale; $825 on a $750,000 property sale, and; $1,100 on a $1,000,000 property sale. The RPTT amounts above are split between the county and the city, so that the city receives half. Should the City become a Charter City and enact a higher RPTT, the full $1.10 per thousand provided for under State law would go to the County, and the City rate authorized under the Charter would be i n addition to the base $1.10 per thousand that the C ounty would receive. The local increase to the RPTT is essentially a local tax measure; u nlike the property tax where the City gets back less than 4 cents per dollar, all of the additional RPTT amount would flow to the City, with none of it going to the State and the County receiving only the statutory allocation of $1.10 per $1,000.
The table below shows the RPTT paid under the General Law city provisions now in effect , and four additional illustrations on what a possible Charter City rate would impose. As you can see, under the charter city examples, the amount that goes to the County remains the same, regardless of the RPTT rate set by the City:
TAX RATE COMPARISON TABLE
Gen. Law RPTT
$1.10/1,000
Charter RPTT
$4/1,000
Charter RPTT
$8/1,000
Charter RPTT
$12/1,000
Charter RPTT
$16/1,000
Property Sale
Price
City/County City/County City/County City/County City/County $250,000 137.50/137.50 1,000/275 2,000/275 3,000/275 4,000/275 $500,000 275/275 2,000/550 4,000/550 6,000/550 8,000/550 $750,000 412.50/412.50 3,000/825 6,000/825 9,000/825 12,000/825 $1,000,000 550/550 4,000/1,100 8,000/1,100 12,000/1,100 16,000/1,100
1 Six cities attempted to increase their RPTT rates at the 2018 general election. Voters in five of the six cities approved the RPTT increases. Two of the cities, El Cerrito and Union City, were general law cities that sought to become charter cities for that limited purpose; El Cerrito voters approved becoming a charter city and increasing their RPTT to $12.00 per thousand, while Union City voters did not approve a similar measure . Emeryville became a charter city to increase RPTT rates in 2014.
4 By way of comparison, a Hercules resident who buys a $25,000 automobile in Contra Costa County pays $2,187.50 in sales tax, based on the current 8.75% tax rate, of which the City receives $375.00. How much additional revenue would the city receive if the city adopted an increase to the RPTT? The amount of additional revenue would depend on what RPTT rate was selected. Below is a chart showing the annual revenue that would be received using the average annual RPTT amounts received by Hercules for Fiscal Years 2014-2019 ($115,248), and based on a range of RPTT rates:
REVENUE RATE COMPARISON TABLE
$0.55/1,000 $4/1,000 $8/1,000 $12/1,000 $16/1000
City County City County City County City County City County $115K $115K $838K $230K $1.6M $230K $2.5M $230K $3.3M $230K
What is the process for becoming a charter city?
Becoming a charter city requires approval by a simple majority of voters. Prior to approving submission of the charter to the voters, the City Council must hold at least two public hearings on the proposal of the charter and the content of the charter, and notice of those hearings must be published at least twenty one (21) calendar days before the date of each hearing. The second public hearing must be held at least thirty (30) days after the first hearing, and at l east one of the hearings must be held outside of normal business hours. The City Council may not vote on submission of the charter to the voters until twenty one (21) days after the second public hearing. A charter proposal can only be voted on at a regula r general election, absent a declaration of a fiscal emergency. In order for the City Council to place a charter measure on the ballot for November 3, 2020, the City would need to hold the first formal public hearing on a proposed charter at the first meeting in May 2020.
An increased RP TT is not itself established by the charter. Rather, the RP TT would be established by a separate ordinance submitted simultaneously to the voters. The ordinance would include the RP TT rate along with other administrative rules. Since the draft charter would prohibit the City from exercising any of the powers of a charter city except for the enactment of an increased RPTT, becoming a charter city and the transfer tax are inextricably linked.
It is common for cities looking to adopt a charter to launch a community engagement process to inform the public about what becoming a charter city would entail and receive feedback prior to placing a charter measure on the ballot. Because becoming a charter city is a complicated issue that can easily cause confusion, it is strongly recommended that if the Council decided to try and become a charter city that communications professionals be retained to help explain to the public what becoming a charter city entails.
If the Council wished to explore this further, it would want to make some preliminary decisions about the RPTT, such as the proposed rate, before beginning the community engagement process. In addition, the need to renew the expiring existing Utility Users base rate and ove rride by no later than 2024 or 2025, should be considered. These and other factors could also be assessed by undertaking polling to determine 5 the voter’s reactions to a number of possible options. This would normally be one of the first steps before deciding to place a matter on the ballot. The City last undertook polling in 2015 prior to opting to place a measure on the ballot to renew the sales tax override, and the measure was crafted based on the information garnered from professional polling.
Ultimately, the Council would have the ability to make changes and adjustments prior to submitting the measure to the voters , based on feedback received during the engagement process and upon further review.
Possible options for community engagement could include all or some of the following:
• Conduct polling to gauge community interest before placing the measure on the ballot. This could include both scientific and unscientific polling; or • Appoint a community committee to make recommendations regar ding the draft charter and RPTT;
• Conduct official town hall meetings to provide information about the charter and RPTT to the community, as well as allow an opportunity for the public to ask questions and the Council to receive feedback;
• Mail information including FAQs to residents about becoming a charter city.
The above list of community engagement options is non-exhaustive and is intended only as an example of possible types of outreach. The more extensive the outreach, the more community feedback can be expected, but there would be a greater increase in staff time and costs to implement.
SUMMARY CONCLUSION: Becoming a charter city is an option that a number of general law cities have pursued, for varying reasons. Most recently, cities that have plac ed charter city measures on the ballot have done so primarily to allow local control over the setting of RPTT rates, and have opted to expressly exclude additional powers that are otherwise available to charter cities.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. RPTT Rates Statewide
2. League of California Cities Summary
California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
ALAMEDA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ALAMEDA Chartered $ 12.00 $ 1.10 $ 13.10
ALBANY Chartered $ 11.50 $ 1.10 $ 12.60
BERKELEY Chartered
1.5% for up to
$1.5M value $ 1.10 $ 16.10
2.5% properties
over $2.5M $ 1.10 $ 26.10
DUBLIN General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EMERYVILLE Chartered $ 12.00 $ 1.10 $ 13.10
FREMONT General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HAYWARD Chartered $ 8.50 $ 1.10 $ 9.60
LIVERMORE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NEWARK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
OAKLAND Chartered 1% up to $300k $ 1.10 $ 11.10
1.5% $300k -$2M $ 1.10 $ 16.10
1.75% $2M–$5M $ 1.10 $ 18.60
2.5% over $5M $ 1.10 $ 26.10
PIEDMONT Chartered $ 13.00 $ 1.10 $ 14.10
PL EASANTON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN LEANDRO Chartered $ 6.00 $ 1.10 $ 7.10
UNION CITY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ALPINE COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
AMADOR COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
AMADOR General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
IONE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
JACKSON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PLYMOUTH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SUTTER CREEK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BUTTE COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
BIGGS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CHICO Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GRIDLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
OROVILLE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PARADISE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CALAVERAS COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ANGELS CAMP General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COLUSA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
COLUSA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WILLIAMS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ANTIOCH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BRENTWOOD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CLAYTON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CONCORD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DANVILLE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 1 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
EL CERRITO Chartered $ 12.00 $ 1.10 $ 13.10
HERCULES General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAFAYETTE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MARTINEZ General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MORAGA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
OAKLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ORINDA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PINOLE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PITTSBURG General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PL EASANT HILL General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RICHMOND Chartered 0.7% under $1M $ 1.10 $ 8.10
1.25% $1M-$3M $ 1.10 $ 13.60
2.5% $3M-$10M $ 1.10 $ 26.10
3% over $10m $ 1.10 $ 31.10
SAN PABLO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN RAMON Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WALNUT CREEK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DEL NORTE COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CRESCENT CITY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EL DORADO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
PLACERVILLE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SOUTH L AKE TAHOE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FRESNO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CLOVIS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COALINGA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FIREBAUGH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FOWLER General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FRESNO Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HURON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
KERMAN General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
KINGSBURG Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MENDOTA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ORANGE COVE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PARLIER General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
REEDLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANGER General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN JOAQUIN General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SELMA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GLENN COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ORLAND General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WILLOWS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HUMBOLDT COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ARCATA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BLUE LAKE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EUREKA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 2 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
FERNDALE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FORTUNA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RIO DELL General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TRINIDAD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
IMPERIAL COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
BRAWLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CALEXICO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CALIPATRIA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EL CENTRO Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HOLTVILLE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
IMPERIAL General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WESTMORLAND General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
INYO COUNT Y $ 1.10 $ 1.10
BISHOP General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
KERN COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ARVIN General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BAKERSFIELD Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CALIFORNIA CITY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DELANO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MARICOPA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MCFARLAND General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RIDGECREST General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SHAFTER Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TAFT General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TEHACHAPI General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WASCO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
KINGS COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
AVENAL General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CORCORAN General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HANFORD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LEMOORE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAKE COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CLEARLAKE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAKEPORT General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LASSEN COUNT Y $ 1.10 $ 1.10
SUSANVILLE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LOS ANGELES COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
AGOURA HILLS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ALHAMBRA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ARCADIA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ARTESIA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
AVALON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
AZUSA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BALDWIN PARK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BELL Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 3 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
BELLFLOWER General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BELL GARDENS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BEVERLY HILLS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BRADBURY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BURBANK Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CALABASAS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CARSON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CERRITOS Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CLAREMONT General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COMMERCE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COMPTON Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COVINA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CUDAHY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CULVER CITY Chartered $ 4.50 $ 1.10 $ 5.60
DIAMOND BAR General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DOWNEY Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DUARTE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EL MONTE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EL SEG UNDO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GARDENA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GLENDALE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GLENDORA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HAWAIIAN GARDENS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HAWTHORNE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HERMOSA BEACH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HIDDEN HILLS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HUNTINGTON PARK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
INDUSTRY Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
INGLEWOOD Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
IRWINDALE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LA HABRA HEIGHTS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAKEWOOD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LA MIRADA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LANCASTER Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LA PUENTE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LA VERNE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAWNDALE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LOMITA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LONG BEACH Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LOS ANGELES Chartered $ 4.50 $ 1.10 $ 5.60
LYNWOOD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MALIBU General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MANHATTAN BEACH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MAYWOOD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 4 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
MONROVIA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MONT EBELLO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MONTEREY PARK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NORWALK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PALMDALE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PALOS VERDES ESTATES General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PARAMOUNT General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PASADENA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PICO RIVERA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
POMONA Chartered $ 2.20 $ 1.10 $ 3.30
RANCHO PALOS VERDES General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
REDONDO BEACH Chartered $ 2.20 $ 1.10 $ 3.30
ROLLING HILLS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ROLLING HILLS ESTATES General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ROSEMEAD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN DIMAS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN FERNANDO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN GABRIEL General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN MARINO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA CLARITA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA FE SPRINGS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA MONICA Chartered $ 3.00 $ 1.10 $ 4.10
SIERRA MADRE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SIGNAL HILL Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SOUTH EL MONTE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SOUTH GATE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SOUTH PASADENA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TEMPLE CITY Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TORRANCE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
VERNON Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WALNUT General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WEST COVINA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WEST HOLLYWOOD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WESTL AKE VILLAGE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WHITTIER Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MADERA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CHOWCHILLA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MADERA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MARIN COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
BELVEDERE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CORTE MADERA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FAIRFAX General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LARKSPUR General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MILL VALLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NOVATO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 5 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
ROSS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN ANSELMO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN RAFAEL Chartered $ 2.00 $ 1.10 $ 3.10
SAUSALITO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TIBURON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MARIPOSA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
MENDOCINO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
FORT BRAGG General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
POINT ARENA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
UKIAH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WILLITS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MERCED COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ATWATER General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DOS PALOS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GUSTINE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LIVINGSTON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LOS BANOS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MERCED Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MODOC COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ALTURAS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MONO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
MAMMOTH L AKES General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 6 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
MONTEREY COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DEL REY OAKS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GONZALES General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GREENFIELD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
KING CITY Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MARINA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MONTEREY Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PACIFIC GROVE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SALINAS Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAND CITY Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SEASIDE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SOLEDAD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NAPA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
AMERICAN CANYON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CALISTOGA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NAPA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAINT HELENA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
YOUNTVILLE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NEVADA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
GRASS VALLEY Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NEVADA CITY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
T RUCKEE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ORANGE COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ALISO VIEJO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ANAHEIM Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BREA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BUENA PARK Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COSTA MESA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CYPRESS Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DANA POINT General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FOUNTAIN VALLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FULLERTON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GARDEN GROVE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HUNTINGTON BEACH Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
IRVINE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAGUNA BEACH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAGUNA HILLS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAGUNA NIGUEL General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LA HABRA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAKE FOREST General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LA PALMA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LOS ALAMITOS Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MISSION VIEJO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NEWPORT BEACH Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 7 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
ORANGE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PLACENTIA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10 SAN CLEMENTE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA ANA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SEAL BEACH Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
STANTON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TUSTIN General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
VILLA PARK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WESTMINSTER General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
YORBA LINDA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PLACER COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
AUBURN General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COLFAX General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LINCOLN General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LOOMIS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ROCKLIN General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ROSEVILLE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PLUMAS COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
PORTOLA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RIVERSIDE COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
BANNING General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BEAUMONT General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BLYTHE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CALIMESA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CANYON LAKE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CATHEDRAL CITY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COACHELLA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CORONA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DESERT HOT SPRINGS Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EASTVALE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HEMET General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
INDIAN WELLS Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
INDIO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
JURUPA VALLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAKE ELSINORE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LA QUINTA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MENIFEE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MORENO VALLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MURRIETA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NORCO Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PALM DESERT Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PALM SPRINGS Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PERRIS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 8 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
RANCHO MIRAGE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RIVERSIDE Chartered $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 2.20
SAN JACINTO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TEMECULA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WILDOMAR General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SACRAMENTO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CITRUS HEIGHTS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ELK GROVE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FOLSOM Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GALT General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ISLETON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RANCHO CORDOVA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SACRAMENTO Chartered $ 2.75 $ 1.10 $ 3.85
SAN BENITO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
HOLLISTER General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ADELANTO Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
APPLE VALLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BARSTOW General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BIG BEAR LAKE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CHINO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CHINO HILLS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COLTON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FONTANA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GRAND TERRACE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HESPERIA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HIGHLAND General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LOMA LINDA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MONTCLAIR General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NEEDLES Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ONTARIO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RANCHO CUCAMONGA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
REDLANDS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RIALTO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN BERNARDINO Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TWENTYNINE PALMS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LAGUNA WOODS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
UPLAND General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
VICTORVILLE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
YUCAIPA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
YUCCA VALLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN DIEGO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CARLSBAD Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CHULA VISTA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 9 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
CORONADO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DEL MAR Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EL CAJON Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ENCINITAS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ESCONDIDO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
IMPERIAL BEACH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LA MESA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LEMON GROVE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NATIONAL CITY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
OCEANSIDE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
POWAY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN DIEGO Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN MARCOS Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTEE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SOLANA BEACH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
VISTA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 10 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
SAN FRANCISCO Chartered
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ESCALON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LATHROP General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LODI General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MANTECA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RIPON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
STOCKTON Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TRACY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ARROYO GRANDE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ATASCADERO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EL PASO DE ROBLES General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GROVER BEACH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MORRO BAY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PISMO BEACH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN LUIS OBISPO Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN MATEO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ATHERTON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BELMONT General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BRISBANE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
BURLINGAME General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COLMA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DALY CITY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EAST PALO ALTO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FOSTER CITY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HALF MOON BAY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HILLSBOROUGH General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MENLO PARK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MILLBRAE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PACIFICA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PORTOLA VALLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
REDWOOD CITY Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN BRUNO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN CARLOS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN MATEO Chartered 0.5% of value $ 1.10 $ 6.10
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WOODSIDE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
BUELLTON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CARPINTERIA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GOLETA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GUADALUPE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
Over $100,000 AV => 0.5%, Over $250,000 AV => 0.68%
Ov er $1 million AV => 0.75%, Over $5 million AV => 2.25% Ov er $10 million AV => 2.75%, ov er $25 million => 3.00% Discounts for certain solar & seismic improvments.
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 11 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
LOMPOC General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA BARBARA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA MARIA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SOLVANG Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 12 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
SANTA CLARA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CAM PBELL General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
CUPERTINO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
GILROY Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LOS ALTOS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LOS ALTOS HILLS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LOS GATOS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MILPITAS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MONTE SERENO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MORGAN HILL General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MOUNTAIN VIEW Chartered $ 3.30 $ 1.10 $ 4.40
PALO ALTO Chartered $ 3.30 $ 1.10 $ 4.40
SAN JOSE Chartered $ 3.30 $ 1.10 $ 4.40
SANTA CLARA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SARATOGA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SUNNYVALE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CAPITOLA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA CRUZ Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SCOTTS VALLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WATSONVILLE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SHASTA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
ANDERSON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
REDDING General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SHASTA LAKE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SIERRA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
LOYALTON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SISKIYOU COUNT Y $ 1.10 $ 1.10
DORRIS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DUNSMUIR General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
ETNA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FORT JONES General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MONTAGUE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MOUNT SHASTA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TULELAKE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WEED General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
YREKA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SOLANO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
BENICIA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
DIXON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FAIRFIELD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RIO VISTA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SUISUN CITY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
VACAVILLE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
VALLEJO Chartered $ 3.30 $ 1.10 $ 4.40
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 13 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
SONOMA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CLOVERDALE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
COTATI General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HEALDSBURG General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PETALUMA Chartered $ 2.00 $ 1.10 $ 3.10
ROHNERT PARK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA ROSA Chartered $ 2.00 $ 1.10 $ 3.10
SEBASTOPOL General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SONOMA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WINDSOR General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
STANISLAUS COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CERES General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
HUGHSON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MODESTO Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
NEWMAN General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
OAKDALE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PATTERSON General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RIVERBANK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TURLOCK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WATERFORD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SUTTER COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
LIVE OAK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
YUBA CITY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TEHAMA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CORNING General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
RED BLUFF General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TEHAMA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TRINITY COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
TULARE COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
DINUBA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
EXETER Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FARMERSVILLE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
LINDSAY Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
PORTERVILLE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TULARE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
VISALIA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WOODLAKE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
TUOLUMNE COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
SONORA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
VENTURA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
CAMARILLO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
FILLMORE General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
MOORPARK General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
OJAI General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
OXNARD General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 14 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
PORT HUENEME Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SAN BUENAVENTURA Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SANTA PAULA General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
SIMI VALLEY General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
THOUSAND OAKS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 15 of 16 California City Documentary and Property Transfer Tax Rates Governance: Per $1000 Rev&T ax Code Per $1000
General Law PropertyValue Sec 11911-11929 PropertyValue or Chartered Cit y Rate Count y Rate T otal
YOLO COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
DAVIS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WEST SACRAMENTO General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WINTERS General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WOODLAND General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
YUBA COUNTY $ 1.10 $ 1.10
MAR YSVILLE Chartered $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
WHEATLAND General Law $ 0.55 $ 0.55 $ 1.10
Source
: CaliforniaCityFinance.com
mjgc rev15Sept2019 CaliforniaCityFinance.com page 16 of 16 General Law City v. Charter City
Characteristic General Law City Charter City
Ability to Govern
Municipal Affairs
Bound by the state’s general law, regardless
of whether the subject concerns a municipal
affair.
Has supreme authority over “municipal
affairs.” Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
Form of Government
State law describes the city’s form of
government For example, Government
Code section 36501 authorizes general law
cities be governed by a city council of five
members, a city clerk, a city treasurer, a
police chief, a fire chief and any subordinate
officers or employees as required by law.
City electors may adopt ordinance which
provides for a different number of council
members. Cal. Gov’t section 34871. The
Government Code also authorizes the “city
manager” form of government. Cal. Gov’t
Code § 34851.
Charter can provide for any form of
government including the “strong mayor,”
and “city manager” forms. See Cal. Const.
art. XI, § 5(b); Cal. Gov’t Code § 34450 et
seq.
Elections Generally
Municipal elections conducted in accordance
with the California Elections Code. Cal. Elec.
Code §§ 10101 et seq..
Not bound by the California Elections Code.
May establish own election dates, rules, and
procedures. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b);
Cal. Elec. Code §§ 10101 et seq..
Methods of Elections
Generally holds at-large elections whereby
voters vote for any candidate on the ballot.
Cities may also choose to elect the city
council “by” or “from” districts, so long as the
election system has been established by
ordinance and approved by the voters. Cal.
Gov’t Code § 34871. Mayor may be elected
by the city council or by vote of the people.
Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 34902.
May establish procedures for selecting
officers. May hold at-large or district
elections. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
City Council Member
Qualifications
Minimum qualifications are:
1. United States citizen
2. At least 18 years old
3. Registered voter
4. Resident of the city at least 15 days
prior to the election and throughout
his or her term
5. If elected by or from a district, be a
resident of the geographical area
comprising the district from which he
or she is elected.
Cal. Elec. Code § 321; Cal. Gov’t Code §§
34882, 36502; 87 Cal. Op. Att’y Gen. 30
(2004).
Can establish own criteria for city office
provided it does not violate the U.S.
Constitution. Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b), 82
Cal. Op. Att’y Gen. 6, 8 (1999).
Characteristic General Law City Charter City
Public Funds for Candidate
in Municipal Elections
No public officer shall expend and no
candidate shall accept public money for the
purpose of seeking elected office. Cal. Gov’t
Code § 85300.
Public financing of election campaigns is
lawful. Johnson v. Bradley, 4 Cal. 4th 389
(1992).
Term Limits
May provide for term limits. Cal. Gov’t Code
§ 36502(b).
May provide for term limits. Cal. Const. art.
XI, § 5(b); Cal Gov’t Code Section 36502 (b).
Vacancies and Termination
of Office
An office becomes vacant in several
instances including death, resignation,
removal for failure to perform official duties,
electorate irregularities, absence from
meetings without permission, and upon non-
residency. Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 1770, 36502,
36513.
May establish criteria for vacating and
terminating city offices so long as it does not
violate the state and federal constitutions.
Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
Council Member
Compensation and
Expense Reimbursement
Salary-ceiling is set by city population and
salary increases set by state law except for
compensation established by city electors.
See Cal. Gov’t Code § 36516. If a city
provides any type of compensation or
payment of expenses to council members,
then all council members are required to
have two hours of ethics training. See Cal.
Gov’t Code §§ 53234 - 53235.
May establish council members’ salaries.
See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b). If a city
provides any type of compensation or
payment of expenses to council members,
then all council members are required to
have two hours of ethics training. See Cal.
Gov’t Code §§ 53234 - 53235.
Legislative Authority
Ordinances may not be passed within five
days of introduction unless they are urgency
ordinances. Cal. Gov’t Code § 36934.
Ordinances may only be passed at a regular
meeting, and must be read in full at time of
introduction and passage except when, after
reading the title, further reading is waived.
Cal. Gov't Code § 36934.
May establish procedures for enacting local
ordinances. Brougher v. Bd. of Public Works,
205 Cal. 426 (1928).
Resolutions
May establish rules regarding the
procedures for adopting, amending or
repealing resolutions.
May establish procedures for adopting,
amending or repealing resolutions. Brougher
v. Bd. of Public Works, 205 Cal. 426 (1928).
Quorum and Voting
Requirements
A majority of the city council constitutes a
quorum for transaction of business. Cal.
Gov’t Code § 36810.
All ordinances, resolutions, and orders for
the payment of money require a recorded
majority vote of the total membership of the
city council. Cal. Gov't Code § 36936.
Specific legislation requires supermajority
votes for certain actions.
May establish own procedures and quorum
requirements. However, certain legislation
requiring supermajority votes is applicable to
charter cities. For example, see California
Code of Civil Procedure section 1245.240
requiring a vote of two-thirds of all the
members of the governing body unless a
greater vote is required by charter.
Characteristic General Law City Charter City
Rules Governing
Procedure and Decorum
Ralph Brown Act is applicable. Cal. Gov’t
Code §§ 54951, 54953(a).
Conflict of interest laws are applicable. See
Cal. Gov’t Code § 87300 et seq..
Ralph Brown Act is applicable. Cal. Gov’t
Code §§ 54951, 54953(a).
Conflict of interest laws are applicable. See
Cal. Gov’t Code § 87300 et seq..
May provide provisions related to ethics,
conflicts, campaign financing and
incompatibility of office.
Personnel Matters
May establish standards, requirements and
procedures for hiring personnel consistent
with Government Code requirements.
May have “civil service” system, which
includes comprehensive procedures for
recruitment, hiring, testing and promotion.
See Cal. Gov't Code § 45000 et seq.
Meyers-Milias-Brown Act applies. Cal. Gov't
Code § 3500.
Cannot require employees be residents of
the city, but can require them to reside within
a reasonable and specific distance of their
place of employment. Cal. Const. art. XI, §
10(b).
May establish standards, requirements, and
procedures, including compensation, terms
and conditions of employment for personnel.
See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
Procedures set forth in Meyers-Milias-Brown
Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 3500) apply, but note,
“[T]here is a clear distinction between the
substance of a public employee labor issue
and the procedure by which it is resolved.
Thus there is no question that 'salaries of
local employees of a charter city constitute
municipal affairs and are not subject to
general laws.'” Voters for Responsible
Retirement v. Board of Supervisors, 8
Cal.4th 765, 781 (1994).
Cannot require employees be residents of
the city, but can require them to reside within
a reasonable and specific distance of their
place of employment. Cal. Const. art. XI,
section 10(b).
Contracting Services
Authority to enter into contracts to carry out
necessary functions, including those
expressly granted and those implied by
necessity. See Cal. Gov't Code § 37103;
Carruth v. City of Madera, 233 Cal. App. 2d
688 (1965).
Full authority to contract consistent with
charter.
May transfer some of its functions to the
county including tax collection, assessment
collection and sale of property for non-
payment of taxes and assessments. Cal.
Gov't Code §§ 51330, 51334, 51335.
Characteristic General Law City Charter City
Public Contracts
Competitive bidding required for public works
contracts over $5,000. Cal. Pub. Cont. Code
§ 20162. Such contracts must be awarded to
the lowest responsible bidder. Pub. Cont.
Code § 20162. If city elects subject itself to
uniform construction accounting procedures,
less formal procedures may be available for
contracts less than $100,000. See Cal. Pub.
Cont. Code §§ 22000, 22032.
Contracts for professional services such as
private architectural, landscape architectural,
engineering, environmental, land surveying,
or construction management firms need not
be competitively bid, but must be awarded
on basis of demonstrated competence and
professional qualifications necessary for the
satisfactory performance of services. Cal.
Gov't Code § 4526.
Not required to comply with bidding statutes
provided the city charter or a city ordinance
exempts the city from such statutes, and the
subject matter of the bid constitutes a
municipal affair. Pub. Cont. Code § 1100.7;
see R & A Vending Services, Inc. v. City of
Los Angeles, 172 Cal. App. 3d 1188 (1985);
Howard Contracting, Inc. v. G.A. MacDonald
Constr. Co., 71 Cal. App. 4th 38 (1998).
Payment of Prevailing
Wages
In general, prevailing wages must be paid on
public works projects over $1,000. Cal. Lab.
Code § 1771. Higher thresholds apply
($15,000 or $25,000) if the public entity has
adopted a special labor compliance program.
See Cal. Labor Code § 1771.5(a)-(c).
Historically, charter cities have not been
bound by state law prevailing-wage
requirements so long as the project is a
municipal affair, and not one funded by state
or federal grants. Vial v. City of San Diego,
122 Cal. App. 3d 346, 348 (1981). However,
there is a growing trend on the part of the
courts and the Legislature to expand the
applicability of prevailing wages to charter
cities under an analysis that argues that the
payment of prevailing wages is a matter of
statewide concern. The California Supreme
Court currently has before them a case that
will provide the opportunity to decide
whether prevailing wage is a municipal affair
or whether it has become a matter of
statewide concern.
Characteristic General Law City Charter City
Finance and Taxing Power
May impose the same kinds of taxes and
assessment as charter cities. See Cal. Gov't
Code § 37100.5.
Imposition of taxes and assessments subject
to Proposition 218. Cal. Const. art.XIIIC.
Examples of common forms used in
assessment district financing include:
• Improvement Act of 1911. Cal. Sts.
& High. Code § 22500 et seq..
• Municipal Improvement Act of 1913.
See Cal. Sts. & High. Code §§
10000 et seq..
• Improvement Bond Act of 1915. Cal.
Sts. & High. Code §§ 8500 et seq..
• Landscaping and Lighting Act of
1972. Cal. Sts. & High. Code §§
22500 et seq..
• Benefit Assessment Act of 1982.
Cal. Gov't Code §§ 54703 et seq..
May impose business license taxes for
regulatory purposes, revenue purposes, or
both. See Cal. Gov't Code § 37101.
May not impose real property transfer tax.
See Cal. Const. art. XIIIA, § 4; Cal. Gov't
Code § 53725; but see authority to impose
documentary transfer taxes under certain
circumstances. Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §
11911(a), (c).
Have the power to tax.
Have broader assessment powers than a
general law city, as well as taxation power as
determined on a case-by case basis.
Imposition of taxes and assessments subject
to Proposition 218, Cal. Const. art. XIIIC, §
2, and own charter limitations
May proceed under a general assessment
law, or enact local assessment laws and
then elect to proceed under the local law.
See J.W. Jones Companies v. City of San
Diego, 157 Cal. App. 3d 745 (1984).
May impose business license taxes for any
purpose unless limited by state or federal
constitutions, or city charter. See Cal. Const.
art. XI, § 5.
May impose real property transfer tax; does
not violate either Cal. Const art. XIIIA or
California Government Code section 53725.
See Cohn v. City of Oakland, 223 Cal. App.
3d 261 (1990); Fielder v. City of Los
Angeles, 14 Cal. App. 4th 137 (1993).
Streets & Sidewalks
State has preempted entire field of traffic
control. Cal. Veh. Code § 21.
State has preempted entire field of traffic
control. Cal. Veh. Code § 21.
Penalties & Cost Recovery
May impose fines, penalties and forfeitures,
with a fine not exceeding $1,000. Cal. Gov’t
Code § 36901.
May enact ordinances providing for various
penalties so long as such penalties do not
exceed any maximum limits set by the
charter. County of Los Angeles v. City of Los
Angeles, 219 Cal. App. 2d 838, 844 (1963).
Characteristic General Law City Charter City
Public Utilities/Franchises
May establish, purchase, and operate public
works to furnish its inhabitants with electric
power. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 9(a); Cal.
Gov't Code § 39732; Cal. Pub. Util. Code §
10002.
May grant franchises to persons or
corporations seeking to furnish light, water,
power, heat, transportation or
communication services in the city to allow
use of city streets for such purposes. The
grant of franchises can be done through a
bidding process, under the Broughton Act,
Cal. Pub. Util. Code §§ 6001-6092, or
without a bidding process under the
Franchise Act of 1937, Cal. Pub. Util. Code
§§ 6201-6302.
May establish, purchase, and operate public
works to furnish its inhabitants with electric
power. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 9(a); Cal.
Apartment Ass’n v. City of Stockton, 80 Cal.
App. 4th 699 (2000).
May establish conditions and regulations on
the granting of franchises to use city streets
to persons or corporations seeking to furnish
light, water, power, heat, transportation or
communication services in the city.
Franchise Act of 1937 is not applicable if
charter provides. Cal. Pub. Util. Code §
6205.
Zoning
Zoning ordinances must be consistent with
general plan. Cal. Gov't Code § 65860.
Zoning ordinances are not required to be
consistent with general plan unless the city
has adopted a consistency requirement by
charter or ordinance. Cal. Gov’t. Code §
65803.