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Division 1 — Government›Article 2 — Documentary Transfer Tax

6.7 (commencing with Section 11901) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

VenturaCounty Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · VenturaCounty

1552 - Amount of tax.

There is hereby imposed on each deed, instrument or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other realty sold within the County of Ventura 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 encumbrances remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds $100.00, a tax the rate of $0.55 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.

1553 - Payor.

The tax imposed by Section 1552 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.

1554 - Exemptions. 1554-1 - Debt.

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

1554-2 - Government agency.

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

1554-3 - Reorganization or adjustment.

The tax imposed pursuant to this ordinance 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 effected.

Subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of this Section shall only apply if the making, delivering or filing of instruments of transfer or conveyances occurs within five (5) years from the date of such confirmation, approval or change.

1554-4 - Securities and Exchange Commission.

The tax imposed pursuant to this ordinance shall not apply to the making or delivery of conveyance 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.

1554-5 - Partnership. 1554-5.1 - Realty.

In the case of any realty held by a partnership, no tax shall be imposed pursuant to this ordinance by reason of any transfer of an interest in the partnership or otherwise, if—

(a)

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

(b)

Such continuing partnership continues to hold the realty concerned.

1554-5.2 - Termination.

If there is a termination of any partnership within the meaning of Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, for the purposes of this ordinance, 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.

1554-5.3 - Duplicate tax.

Not more than one (1) tax shall be imposed pursuant to this ordinance by reason of a termination described in Section 1554-5.2, and any transfer pursuant thereto, with respect to the realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination.

1555 - City tax.

If the legislative body of any city in the County of Ventura imposes a tax pursuant to Part 6.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code equal to one-half of the amount specified in Section 1552 of this ordinance, a credit shall be granted against the taxes due under this ordinance in the amount of the city's tax if the city's tax conforms to the requirements of said Part 6.7.

1556 - Administration.

The county recorder shall administer this ordinance and shall also administer any ordinance adopted by any city in the County pursuant to Part 6.7 (commencing with Section 11901) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code imposing a tax for which a credit is allowed by this ordinance.

On or before the 15th day of the month the recorder shall report to the county auditor the amounts of taxes collected during the preceding month pursuant to this ordinance and each such city ordinance. The auditor shall allocate and distribute monthly said taxes as follows:

(a)

All monies which relate to transfers of real property located in the unincorporated territory of the county shall be allocated to the county.

(b)

All monies which relate to transfers of real property located in a city in the county which has imposed a tax pursuant to said Part 6.7 shall be allocated one-half to such city and one-half to the county.

(c)

All monies which relate to transfers of real property located in a city in the county which imposes a tax on transfers of real property not in conformity with said Part 6.7 shall be allocated to the county.

(d)

All monies which relate to transfers of real property in a city in the county which does not impose a tax on transfers of real property shall be allocated to the county.

1557 - Recordation. 1557-1 - Payment.

The recorder shall not record any deed, instrument or writing subject to the tax imposed by this ordinance unless the tax is paid at the time of recording.

1557-2 - Tax on face of document.

Every document subject to tax hereunder which is submitted for recordation shall show on the fact of the document the amount of taxes due under this ordinance unless the party submitting the document for recordation requests that the amount of tax due shall be shown on a separate paper which shall be affixed to the document by the recorder after the permanent record is made and before the original is returned as specified in Section 27321 of the Government Code.

1557-3 - Declaration.

A declaration of the amount of tax due, signed by the party determining the tax or his agent, shall appear on the face of the document or on the separate paper, if the party submitting the document for recordation so requests, and the recorder may rely thereon; provided he has no reason to believe that the full amount of the tax due has not been paid. The declaration shall include a statement

that the consideration or value on which the tax due was computed was, or that it was not, exclusive of the value of a lien or encumbrance remaining on the interest or property conveyed at the time of the sale.

1558 - Location in county.

Every document subject to tax hereunder which is submitted for recordation shall show on the face of the document the incorporated or unincorporated location of the lands, tenements or other realty described in the document. If said lands, tenements or other realty are located within a city in the County of Ventura, the name of the city shall be set forth. If said lands, tenements or other realty are located in the unincorporated area of the County of Ventura, that fact shall be set forth.

1559 - Tax roll parcel number.

Each deed, instrument or writing by which lands, tenements, or other realty is sold, granted, assigned, transferred, or otherwise conveyed, shall have noted upon it the tax roll parcel number. The number will be used only for the administrative and procedural purposes and will not be proof of title and in the event of any conflicts, the stated legal description noted upon the document shall govern. The validity of such a document shall not be affected by the fact that such parcel number is erroneous or omitted, and there shall be no liability attaching to any person for an error in such number or for omission of such number. The recorder shall not record any such deed, instrument, or writing unless the tax roll parcel number has been noted upon it. A parcel which has been created by the division of an existing parcel and which at the time of recording has no separate parcel number shall have noted upon it the words "portion of" and the parcel number of the parcel from which it was created.

1560 - Refunds.

Claims for refunds of taxes imposed pursuant to this ordinance 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.

1561 - Interpretations.

In the administration of this ordinance the recorder shall interpret its provisions consistently with those Documentary Stamp Tax Regulations adopted by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States Treasury Department which relate to the Tax on Conveyances and identified as Sections 47.4361-1, 47.4361-2 and 47.4362-1 of Part 47 of Title 26 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as the same existed on November 8, 1967, except that for the purposes of this ordinance, the determination of what constitutes "realty" shall be determined by the definition or scope of that term under state law.

1562 - Request for information.

Whenever the county recorder has reason to believe that the full amount of tax due under this ordinance has not been paid, he may, by notice served upon any person liable therefor, require him to furnish a true copy of his records relevant to the amount of the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed.

1563 - Penalty.

Any person or persons who makes, signs, issues or accepts or causes to be made, signed, issued or accepted and who submits or causes to be submitted for recordation any deed, instrument or writing subject to the tax imposed by this ordinance and makes any material misrepresentation of fact for the purpose of avoiding all or any part of the tax imposed by this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

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▸Contents — VenturaCounty Municipal Code
VenturaCounty Municipal Code
  1. 2.04 of Title 2.
  2. ▸Division 1 — Government
  3. Chapter 1 — Business Taxes and Certificates
  4. Article 1 — General Provisions
  5. Article 2 — Definitions
  6. Article 3 — Imposition of Tax and Exemptions from Taxation
  7. Article 4 — Payment of Business Taxes
  8. Article 5 — Application and Renewal—Business Tax Certificate
  9. Article 6 — Penalties and Interest
  10. Article 7 — Refund of Overpayment
  11. Article 8 — Hearings and Appeals
  12. Article 9 — Enforcement and Violations
  13. Article 10 — Additional Tax Collector Powers
  14. Article 11 — Miscellaneous Provisions
  15. Chapter 2 — Licenses
  16. Article 2 — License Applications— Procedures and Appeals
  17. Article 1 — Temporary Shows
  18. Article 2 — Dance Halls
  19. Article 2.5 — Teen-Age Dances
  20. Article 3 — Billiard Rooms
  21. Article 4 — Motor Vehicle Races
  22. Article 5 — Card Rooms
  23. Article 1 — Auctioneer
  24. Article 2 — Collectors, Dealers and Brokers
  25. Article 3 — Peddlers, Solicitors, and Telephone Solicitors
  26. Article 1 — Rubbish Collection
  27. Article 2 — Ambulances
  28. Article 3 — Private Patrolmen
  29. Article 4 — Taxicabs
  30. Article 5 — Massage Businesses and Massage Technicians
  31. Article 5.5 — Solemnization of Marriages
  32. Article 6 — Kennels
  33. Article 1 — Licensing of Cannabis Operations
  34. Article 2 — Tax on Cannabis Operations
  35. Chapter 6 — Sidewalk Vending
  36. Chapter 1 — Standards and Permits
  37. Chapter 2 — Facilities Fees
  38. Article 1 — Sheriff's Facilities
  39. Article 2 — Fire Protection Facilities
  40. Article 1 — Nuisance
  41. Article 3 — Power of Arrest
  42. Article 1 — Tents and Lean-tos
  43. Article 2 — Enforcement
  44. Article 3 — Tents and House Courts
  45. Article 4 — Violation
  46. Article 1 — Camps
  47. Article 2 — Camp Fires
  48. Article 3 — Bathing, Surfing, Surfboards
  49. Chapter 4 — Animals
  50. Article 1 — License Tag
  51. Article 2 — Animal Shelter
  52. Article 3 — Dogs Used by Peace Officers
  53. Article 4 — Rabies Control
  54. Article 5 — Animal Control
  55. Article 6 — General
  56. Article 7 — Wild Animal Control
  57. Article 8 — Administrative Enforcement Alternative
  58. Article 9 — Roosters
  59. Chapter 5 — Hazardous Substances
  60. Article 1 — Unified Program Generally
  61. Article 1.1 — Unified Program— Hazardous Waste Producers
  62. Article 1.2 — Unified Program—Underground Storage of Hazardous…
  63. Article 1.3 — Unified Program—Aboveground Storage of Hazardous…
  64. Article 1.4 — Unified Program—Business Plan/Risk Management Plan
  65. Article 1.5 — Unified Program—Inspection of State Authorized F…
  66. Article 1.6 — Participating Agency Fees
  67. Article 1.7 — Unified Program Hearing Procedure
  68. Article 2 — Liability for Violation of Hazardous Waste and Sub…
  69. Article 3 — Medical Waste Management and Safe Body Art
  70. Article 5 — Business Plans and Risk Management and Prevention …
  71. Article 1 — General
  72. Chapter 7 — Regulation of Solid Waste Storage, Collection, Dis…
  73. Article 1 — Regulation of the Disposal and Handling of Solid W…
  74. Article 3 — Solid Waste Programs for Unincorporated Areas
  75. Article 4 — County Integrated Waste Management Plan Fee
  76. Article 1 — Groundwater Conservation
  77. Article 2 — Private and State Small Water Systems
  78. Article 3 — Administrative Enforcement of Private and State Sm…
  79. Chapter 9 — Alcoholic Beverage Warning Signs
  80. Chapter 10 — Safer Sex in the Adult Film Industry
  81. Chapter 1 — Fire Protection
  82. Article 1 — Discharge
  83. Chapter 3 — Public Emergency
  84. Article 1 — General
  85. Article 2 — Emergency Planning Council
  86. Chapter 4 — Prices of Emergency Items and Services
  87. Chapter 5 — Courthouse Security Screening
  88. Article 1 — Preliminary Matters
  89. Article 3 — General Provisions
  90. Article 4 — Administration and Permitting
  91. Article 5 — Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction
  92. Article 6 — Variance Procedure
  93. Chapter 7 — Protection of Watercourses and Related Critical Pu…
  94. Article 1 — Alcoholic Beverages
  95. Article 1.1 — Social Hosts Liability
  96. Article 2 — Nudism
  97. Article 3 — Prostitution & Lewd Acts
  98. Article 4 — Unlawful Exposure of Private Parts and Female Brea…
  99. Article 5 — Harmful Substances
  100. Article 6 — Sale and Display of Drug Paraphernalia to Minors
  101. Article 7 — Place of Business Where Drug Paraphernalia is Kept…
  102. Article 1 — Imprisonment
  103. Article 2 — Juvenile Confinement
  104. Article 3 — Registration of Hotel and Motel Guests
  105. Article 4 — Miscellaneous
  106. Article 4.5 — Bingo Game Licenses
  107. Article 5 — Enclosing Swimming Pools and Other Bodies of Water
  108. Article 6 — Bicycle Registration and Licensing
  109. Article 7 — Abandoned or Inoperative Motor Vehicles
  110. Article 7.1 — Abandoned Vehicles
  111. Article 8 — Alarm Systems
  112. Article 9 — Commercial Weighing and Measuring Instruments
  113. Article 9.5 — Consumer Protection Business Permit
  114. Article 10 — Graffiti
  115. Article 11 — Loud or Raucous Nighttime Noise in Residential Zo…
  116. Chapter 3 — Ventura County Parks
  117. Article 1 — Applicability and Authority
  118. Article 2 — Definitions
  119. Article 3 — Powers and Duties of the Director
  120. Article 4 — Permits
  121. Article 5 — General Regulations
  122. Article 6 — Public Health and Sanitation
  123. Article 7 — Public Safety
  124. Article 8 — Preservation of County Parks
  125. Article 9 — Overnight Camping
  126. Chapter 4 — Ventura County Harbor Ordinance
  127. Article 1 — Definitions
  128. Article 2 — Powers and Duties of the Director
  129. Article 3 — Applicability and Authority
  130. Article 4 — Regulations Concerning Speed and Safety
  131. Article 5 — Navigation
  132. Article 6 — General Regulations
  133. Article 7 — Regulations Covering Mooring, Floats, and Other Ha…
  134. Article 8 — Health and Sanitation
  135. Article 9 — Severability and Preeminence
  136. Article 10 — Parking Area Regulations
  137. Chapter 5 — Ventura County Airport
  138. Article 3 — Powers and Duties
  139. Article 4 — Fire Regulations
  140. Article 5 — Aircraft Fuel Servicing
  141. Article 6 — Aircraft Operations/Aeronautical Activities
  142. Article 7 — Airports Regulations
  143. Article 8 — Traffic Regulations
  144. Article 9 — Health, Environment and Sanitation
  145. Article 11 — General Conditions
  146. Article 12 — Administration of System
  147. Article 13 — Wastewater Discharge Into County Sewerage System
  148. Article 14 — Pretreatment Requirements
  149. Article 15 — Industrial Discharge Permit System
  150. Article 16 — Industrial Wastewater Monitoring & Reporting
  151. Article 17 — Fees, Charges and Computations
  152. Article 18 — Enforcement
  153. Article 19 — Miscellaneous Provisions
  154. Chapter 6 — Regulation of Parking Facilities
  155. Chapter 6.5 — Regulation of Skateboarding and Similar Activiti…
  156. Chapter 7 — Ventura County Comprehensive Smoke-Free Regulations
  157. Chapter 8 — Regulating Tobacco Vending Machines
  158. Chapter 8.5 — Sale of Flavored Vaping Products and Flavored Va…
  159. Chapter 9 — Stormwater Quality Management
  160. Article 2 — Prohibition of Non-Stormwater Discharges
  161. Article 3 — Prohibition of Illicit Connections
  162. Article 4 — Reduction of Pollutants in Stormwater
  163. Article 5 — Requirements for the Control of Urban Runoff
  164. Article 6 — Inspections
  165. Article 7 — Enforcement
  166. Article 8 — Permits
  167. Article 9 — Miscellaneous
  168. Chapter 10 — Rincon Parkway
  169. Article 1 — Applicability and Authority
  170. Article 2 — Definitions
  171. Article 3 — Powers and Duties of the Director
  172. Article 4 — Permits
  173. Article 5 — General Regulations
  174. Article 6 — Public Health and Sanitation
  175. Article 7 — Public Safety
  176. Article 8 — Recreational Vehicle Parking Meter Zone
  177. Article 9 — Preservation of Rincon Parkway
  178. Chapter 1 — Traffic Ordinance
  179. Chapter 2 — Regulation of Riding and Hiking Trails in the Los …
  180. Chapter 3 — Large Truck Terminal Access
  181. Article 1 — Authority, Purpose, and Application of Chapter
  182. Article 3 — Establishment of Zones, Boundaries and Maps
  183. Article 4 — Purposes of Zones
  184. Article 5 — Uses and Structures by Zone
  185. Article 6 — Lot Area and Coverage, Setbacks, Height and Relate…
  186. Article 7 — Standards for Specific Uses
  187. Article 8 — Parking and Loading Requirements
  188. Article 9 — Standards for Specific Zones and Zone Types
  189. Article 10 — Sign Requirements
  190. Article 11 — Entitlements—Process and Procedures
  191. Article 12 — Limitations on Issuance of Building Permits in th…
  192. Article 13 — Nonconformities and Substandard Lots
  193. Article 14 — Enforcement and Penalties
  194. Article 15 — Amendments to This Chapter
  195. Article 16 — Density Bonus and Affordable Housing Incentives P…
  196. Article 17 — Mobilehome Park Closure Permit Requirements
  197. Article 18 — Official Zoning Data
  198. Article 19 — Specific Standards for Area Plans
  199. Article 1 — Authority, Purpose, and Application of Chapter
  200. Article 3 — Purposes of Zones
  201. Article 4 — Permitted Uses
  202. Article 5 — Development Standards/Conditions—Uses
  203. Article 6 — Parking and Loading Requirements
  204. Article 7 — Standards For Specific Zones
  205. Article 8 — General Development Standards/Conditions—Resource …
  206. Article 9 — Zoning Maps
  207. Article 11 — Entitlements—Process and Procedures
  208. Article 12 — Nonconformities and Substandard Lots
  209. Article 13 — Enforcement and Penalties
  210. Article 14 — Amendment to the local coastal program
  211. Chapter 2 — Subdivisions
  212. Article 1 — Authority, Purpose, and Application of Chapter
  213. Article 3 — Fees and Charges
  214. Article 4 — Parcel Map Waivers
  215. Article 5 — Tentative Maps
  216. Article 6 — Final and Parcel Map Requirements
  217. Article 7 — Amendment of Recorded Final and Parcel Maps
  218. Article 8 — Improvements, Dedications, Reservations and Fees
  219. Article 9 — Lot Line Adjustments
  220. Article 10 — Voluntary Mergers
  221. Article 11 — Conservation Subdivision
  222. Article 12 — Reversions to Acreage
  223. Article 13 — Mobilehome Park Conversions to Resident Ownership…
  224. Article 14 — Certificates of Compliance and Conditional Certif…
  225. Article 15 — Notice, Hearings, and Decisions
  226. Article 16 — Appeals
  227. Article 17 — Enforcement
  228. Article 18 — Amendments to this Chapter
  229. Chapter 3 — Places
  230. Article 1 — House Numbering
  231. Chapter 4 — Urban Area Development
  232. Chapter 6 — Traffic Impact Mitigation Fees for Maintenance and…
  233. Chapter 7 — Protection of Flood Control Facilities
  234. Chapter 8 — SE (Miscellaneous) Projects
  235. Chapter 9 — School Facilities Fee/Dedication Ordinance
  236. Chapter 10 — Mobile Home Park Rent Control
  237. Chapter 11 — Augmented Piru Transportation Impact Mitigation Fee
  238. Article 1 — Fees
  239. Article 2 — Right-To-Farm
  240. Article 3 — Mediation Services
  241. Article 1 — Regulations
  242. Article 1 — Identification of Agricultural Commodities Being T…
  243. Article 1 — Certification
  244. Chapter 5 — Apple Maggot Infestation Control
  245. Chapter 6 — Cultivation of Industrial Hemp
  246. Division 10 — Domestic Partnership Registration
  247. Chapter 1 — General
  248. Chapter 2 — Specific Provisions
  249. Article 1 — Imposition of Tax
  250. Article 2 — Registration
  251. Article 3 — Reporting and Remitting
  252. Article 4 — Penalties and Interest
  253. Article 5 — Failure to Collect and Report Tax
  254. Article 6 — Appeal
  255. Article 7 — Refunds
  256. Chapter 3 — Enforcement
  257. Article 1 — Civil Action
  258. Article 2 — Violations
  259. Division 12 — Highway Encroachments
  260. Chapter 1 — Definitions and Construction of Division
  261. Chapter 2 — General Provisions
  262. Chapter 3 — Encroachment Work Standards
  263. Chapter 4 — Application Requirements
  264. Chapter 5 — Permit Issuance
  265. Chapter 6 — Permit Fees and Deposits
  266. Chapter 7 — Maintenance and Repair of Sidewalks
  267. Chapter 8 — Wireless Telecommunication Facilities-Public Right…
  268. Chapter 9 — Transportation Permits
  269. Chapter 10 — Appeal and Violation
  270. Division 13 — Abatement of Public Nuisances

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