Skip to content

Earlier editions: 2026-09

Title 3 — REVENUE AND FINANCE

Grass Valley Municipal Code Ch. 3.20 Real Property Transfer Tax

Grass Valley Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Grass Valley

Cite as: Grass Valley Municipal Code Chapter 3.20 · Text as of 2026-10-04

3.20.010 - Title.

This article shall be known as the "Real Property Transfer Tax Regulation of the city of Grass Valley." It is adopted pursuant to the authority contained in California Revenue and Taxation Code, Division 2, Part 6.7 (commencing with Section 11901).

(Prior code § 8-48)

Exceptions & meaning →

3.20.020 - Imposed—Rate.

There is 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 their direction, 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 one hundred dollars, a tax at the rate of twenty-seven and one-half cents for each five hundred dollars or fractional part thereof.

(Prior code § 8-49)

Exceptions & meaning →

3.20.030 - Paid by maker of instrument.

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 it is made, signed or issued.

(Prior code § 8-50)

Exceptions & meaning →

3.20.040 - Inapplicable to instruments securing debts.

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

(Prior code § 8-51)

Exceptions & meaning →

3.20.050 - Exceptions—Federal government—Others.

Any deed, instrument or writing to which the United States or any agency or instrumentality of it, any state or territory, or political subdivision of it, is a party shall be exempt from any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter when the exempt agency is acquiring title.

(Prior code § 8-52)

Exceptions & meaning →

3.20.060 - Exceptions—Reorganizations.

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:

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

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

C. 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

D. Whereby a mere change in identity, form or place of organization is affected.

Subsections A to D, inclusive, of this section shall apply only 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 § 8-53)

Exceptions & meaning →

3.20.070 - Exceptions—SEC orders.

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 § 8-54)

Exceptions & meaning →

3.20.080 - Exceptions—Partnerships.

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 on it, 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 subdivision B, and any transfer pursuant thereto, with respect to the realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination.

(Prior code § 8-55)

Exceptions & meaning →

3.20.090 - Exceptions—State code.

Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not include those deeds, instruments or other writings especially exempted pursuant to California Revenue Taxation Code Sections 11926 through and including 11929.

(Ord. 459 § 5, 1991: prior code § 8-57.1)

Exceptions & meaning →

3.20.100 - County recorder to administer.

The county recorder shall administer this chapter in conformity with the provisions of the Revenue and Taxation Code, Division 2, Part 6.7, and the provisions of any county regulation adopted pursuant thereto.

(Prior code § 8-56)

Exceptions & meaning →

3.20.110 - Refunds.

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

(Prior code § 8-57)

Exceptions & meaning →

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
▸Contents — Grass Valley Municipal Code

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.