Buying or selling a home in Apple Valley

Each rule below is marked Apple Valley code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Transfer tax

Apple Valley code What Apple Valley's code adds
City transfer tax	Yes. The town taxes deeds and other documents that transfer real property sold in the town. § 3.22.020 · code text There is imposed on each deed, instrument or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other realty sold within the Town shall be granted, assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed
Rate	$0.27½ for each $500 of value, or part of $500. § 3.22.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.27½ for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Rate per $1,000	$0.55 for each thousand dollars of value. § 3.22.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.27½ for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Price threshold	$100. Applies: The tax applies only when the price or value is more than $100, not counting liens or debts that stay on the property at sale. § 3.22.020 · code text 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 at the rate of $0.27½ for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Rate depends on price	No. One rate applies to every sale: $0.27½ for each $500. § 3.22.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.27½ for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Who pays	Anyone who makes, signs or issues the taxed document, or the person it is made for or benefits. § 3.22.030 · code text Any tax imposed pursuant to Section 3.22.020 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.

CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. County documentary transfer tax: A county may tax a sale over $100 at $0.55 for each $500 of value ($1.10 per $1,000), not counting liens that remain on the property (Rev. & Tax. Code § 11911(a)). City share of the tax: A city may impose half the county rate ($0.55 per $1,000); the county then credits the city tax against its own, so the combined standard rate stays $1.10 per $1,000 (Rev. & Tax. Code § 11931). California rules for buying and selling — the full state rule →

Seller disclosures

CA state law California law sets this statewide. Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) — who must give it: Sellers of single-family residential property must give the buyer a Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (sale, exchange, installment contract, lease-option or ground lease with improvements) (Civ. Code §§ 1102(a), 1102.2). Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement (NHD): Sellers must disclose if the property is in a special flood hazard area, dam inundation area, very high fire hazard severity zone, earthquake fault zone, seismic hazard zone, or wildland fire area (Civ. Code § 1103(c)). California seller disclosure rules — the full state rule →

Property tax after you buy

CA state law California law sets this statewide. 1% property tax limit (Prop 13): The general property tax on real property may not exceed 1% of its full cash value; voter-approved bond debt is levied on top (Cal. Const. art. XIII A, § 1(a), (b)). 2% annual cap on assessed value: The base year value rises each year by the California CPI change, but never more than 2% (Rev. & Tax. Code § 51(a)(1)(D)). California property tax rules — the full state rule →

Sewer lateral inspection

Apple Valley code What Apple Valley's code adds
Owner's responsibility	The owner must maintain the sewer lateral from the building to the sewer main at the owner's expense. § 10.01.050 · code text The owner of any property connecting to the local sewer collection system shall be required to maintain the sewer lateral from their building or structure to the sewer main at their own expense.

Who this affects

BuyersSellersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the transfer tax when you sell a home in Apple Valley?

Apple Valley taxes transfers over $100 at $0.27½ per $500 of value ($0.55 per $1,000).

Does Apple Valley require a sewer lateral inspection when you sell a home?

Apple Valley's code: The owner must maintain the sewer lateral from the building to the sewer main at the owner's expense. (§ 10.01.050).

General information, not legal advice.