Avalon · Buying & selling

Buying or selling a home in Avalon

Avalon charges its own documentary transfer tax when property changes hands. Seller disclosures and property tax follow state law.

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Key points

Transfer tax: Avalon taxes property transfers over $100 at $0.275 per $500; whoever signs or issues the deed, or benefits from it, pays.
Seller disclosures: State law: single-family sellers must give a Transfer Disclosure Statement unless exempt, and written smoke alarm and water heater bracing statements.
Property tax: State law caps general property tax at 1% of value; property is reassessed on sale, and its base value rises at most 2% yearly.

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

Transfer tax

Avalon code What Avalon's code adds
City transfer tax	Yes. The city taxes each deed or document that transfers real property sold in the city. § 3-3.502 · code text There is hereby 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
Rate	$0.275 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500. § 3-3.502 · 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 a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Rate per $1,000	$0.55 for each thousand dollars of value ($0.275 for each $500 or fraction of $500). § 3-3.502 · 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 a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Price threshold	The tax applies only when the value conveyed is more than $100. Applies: Value of the interest or property conveyed, not counting any lien or encumbrance that remains at the time of sale. § 3-3.502 · 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 a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Rate depends on price	No. One rate applies: $0.275 for each $500 or fraction of $500. § 3-3.502 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Who pays	Any person who makes, signs or issues the taxed document, or for whose use or benefit it is made. § 3-3.503 · code text Any tax imposed pursuant to the provisions of § 3-3.502 of this article 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

Avalon code What Avalon's code adds
Deadline to comply	By the date stated in the City's written notice. Applies: Applies to corrective work the City orders by notice. § 6-7.305 · code text the City may provide the property owner with a written notice to maintain, repair, rehabilitate or replace the private sewer lateral by taking specified corrective actions by a date to be specified in the written notice. Before the property is sold. Applies: Applies to corrective work found in the inspection required at sale; the owner and buyer may agree who pays. § 6-7.305 · code text the property owner shall cause a licensed plumber to perform the corrective actions identified in the inspection report prior to the sale of the property and in accordance with the requirements of this article. Before the City gives final approval of a permit. Applies: Applies to corrective work for significant construction, remodeling, or a change in use. § 6-7.305 · code text the property owner shall cause a licensed plumber to perform the corrective actions identified in the inspection report prior to final approval of a permit by the City.
Owner's responsibility	A licensed plumber must do the inspection and report, including a video of the lateral. § 6-7.304 · code text The inspection and inspection report shall be completed by a licensed plumber. The owner must inspect, maintain, repair and replace the private sewer lateral as needed, at the owner's cost. § 6-7.303 · code text Each property owner shall, at the property owner's expense, inspect, maintain in good working order, repair, rehabilitate and replace, as necessary, the private sewer lateral so that it does not cause or contribute to any sewage leakage or overflow from either the private sewer lateral or the public sewer. The private sewer lateral belongs to the property owner and is not part of the public sewer. § 6-7.303 · code text The private sewer laterals are the property of the property owner and are not part of the public sewer.
When an inspection is required	After the owner receives written notice from the City. Applies: Applies when the City finds a private sewer lateral defective or likely to leak or block. § 6-7.304 · code text A property owner shall cause the private sewer lateral to be inspected by a licensed plumber upon receipt of written notice from the City that an inspection is required. Before, and as a condition of, any sale of the property. Applies: Applies to the sale of a property. § 6-7.304 · code text A property owner shall have the private sewer lateral inspected by a licensed plumber prior to and as a condition precedent to any sale of the property. Once every 10 years, starting January 1 of the year after this article was adopted. Applies: Applies to common interest developments and commercial properties. § 6-7.304 · code text the property owner or property owners of any common interest development or commercial property shall have the private sewer lateral inspected in accordance with the requirements of this article once every 10 years beginning January 1st of the year following the adoption of this article. When the owner applies for a permit to build, remodel or alter a structure with a private lateral. Applies: Applies to construction, remodeling or alteration that needs a permit or other approval. § 6-7.304 · code text Applies for any permit or other approval needed for construction, remodeling, modification or alteration of any structure with a private sewer lateral within the City; When remodel costs exceed $75,000. Applies: Applies to significant remodeling. § 6-7.304 · code text Undertakes significant remodeling (remodel costs exceed $75,000; or When the owner remodels to add a bathroom or major plumbing. Applies: Applies to a remodel that adds a bathroom or major plumbing. § 6-7.304 · code text Undertakes a remodel to add a bathroom or major plumbing.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

Avalon taxes property transfers over $100 at $0.275 per $500; whoever signs or issues the deed, or benefits from it, pays.

Does Avalon require a sewer lateral inspection when you sell a home?

Avalon's code: By the date stated in the City's written notice. (Applies to corrective work the City orders by notice.) (§ 6-7.305); Before the property is sold. (Applies to corrective work found in the inspection required at sale; the owner and buyer may agree who pays.) (§ 6-7.305).

General information, not legal advice.

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