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Earlier editions: 2026-09

Title 3 — REVENUES AND FINANCE

Atwater Municipal Code Ch. 3.36 Real Property Transfer Tax

Atwater Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Atwater

Cite as: Atwater Municipal Code Chapter 3.36 · Text as of 2026-10-04

3.36.030 - Liability.

Any tax imposed pursuant to Section 3.36.020 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.

(Prior Code § 8-5.103)

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3.36.040 - Instrument to secure a debt.

Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to any instrument in writing given to secure a debt.

(Prior Code § 8-5.104)

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3.36.050 - Exemptions.

The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, any state or territory, or political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia shall not be liable for any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter with respect to any deed, instrument, or writing to which it is a party, but the tax may be collected by assessment from any other party liable therefor.

(Prior Code § 8-5.105)

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3.36.060 - Reorganization or adjustment exception.

A. Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to the making, delivering or filing of conveyances to make effective any plan of reorganization or adjustment:

  1. Confirmed under the Federal Bankruptcy Act, as amended;

  2. Approved in an equity receivership proceeding in a court involving a railroad corporation, as defined in sub division (m) of Section 205 of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended;

  3. Approved in an equity receivership proceeding in a court involving a corporation, as defined in subdivision (3) of Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended; or

  4. Whereby a mere change in identity, form or place of organization is effected.

B. Subdivisions 1 to 4, inclusive, of subsection A shall only apply if the making, delivery or filing of instruments of transfer or conveyances occurs within five years from the date of such confirmation, approval or change.

(Prior Code § 8-5.106)

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3.36.070 - Exceptions—Order of Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to the making or delivery of conveyances to make effective any order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1083 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; but only if:

A. The order of the Securities and Exchange Commission in obedience to which such conveyance is made recites that such conveyance is necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of Section 79k of Title 15 of the United States Code, relating to the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935;

B. Such order specifies the property which is ordered to be conveyed;

C. Such conveyance is made in obedience to such order.

(Prior Code § 8-5.107)

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3.36.080 - Realty held by partnership.

A. In the case of any realty held by a partnership, no levy shall be imposed pursuant to this chapter by reason of any transfer of an interest in a partnership or otherwise if:

  1. Such partnership (or another partnership) is considered a continuing partnership within the meaning of Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; and

  2. Such continuing partnership continues to hold the realty concerned.

B. If there is a termination of any partnership within the meaning of Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, for purposes of this chapter, such partnership shall be treated as having executed an instrument whereby there was conveyed, for fair market value (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining thereon), all realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination.

C. Not more than one tax shall be imposed pursuant to this chapter by reason of a termination described in subsection B, and any transfer pursuant thereto, with respect to the realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination.

(Prior Code § 8-5.108)

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3.36.090 - Administration.

The County Recorder shall administer this chapter in conformity with the provisions of Part 6.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and the provisions of any County ordinance adopted pursuant thereto.

(Prior Code § 8-5.109)

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3.36.100 - Refund of taxes.

Claims for refund of taxes imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 5096) of Part 9 of Division 1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State.

(Prior Code § 8-5.110)

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3.36.110 - Operative date.

This chapter shall become operative upon the operative date of any ordinance adopted by the County, pursuant to Part 6.7 (commencing with Section 11901) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State, or upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, whichever is the later.

(Prior Code § 8-5.111)

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3.36.120 - Filing.

Upon its adoption, the City Clerk shall file two copies of the ordinance codified in this chapter with the County Recorder.

(Prior Code § 8-5.112)

Exceptions & meaning →

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