Documentary Transfer Tax
County and city documentary transfer tax due at close.
Every California county charges a documentary transfer tax (typically $1.10 per $1,000 of value). Many charter cities — Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, San Jose, Richmond and others — add a city transfer tax on top, sometimes at much higher graduated rates, due at close and often allocated by negotiation in the contract.
LetterScript identifies whether the property's city levies its own transfer tax (and the bracket), so you can price the transfer-tax line before escrow drafts the closing statement.
At the county level on virtually every sale; additionally when the property's city levies its own transfer tax.
Rev. & Tax. Code §11911 (county); local charter-city transfer-tax ordinances.
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Informational only — not legal advice. Rules change and the list may be incomplete; always confirm each requirement with the city or county before close.