Buying or selling a home in Chico

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

Transfer tax

Chico code What Chico's code adds
City transfer tax	Yes. The city taxes each deed or document that transfers real property sold in the city. § 3.44.020 · 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	$.275 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500. § 3.44.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Rate per $1,000	$0.55 per thousand dollars of value ($.275 for each $500 or fraction of $500). § 3.44.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Price threshold	The tax applies only above $100. Applies: The tax applies only when the value transferred, not counting liens or debts that stay on the property at sale, is more than $100. § 3.44.020 · 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, a tax at the rate of $.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Rate depends on price	No. One rate applies to every sale: $.275 for each $500 or fraction of $500. § 3.44.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $.275 for each $500 or fractional part thereof.
Who pays	Any person who makes, signs or issues the taxed document, or for whose benefit it is made, signed or issued. § 3.44.020 · code text The tax imposed 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

Chico code What Chico's code adds
Owner's responsibility	The owner maintains the sewer lateral from the building's waste system to the adjacent sewer main, at their sole cost. Applies: Applies to properties connected to the sewer system. § 15.36.235 · code text The owner of premises connected to the sewer system shall be responsible for maintaining the sewer lateral between the waste disposal system on such premises and the sewer main adjacent to the lot or parcel on which such premises are located in good order and condition and at owner’s sole cost and expense.

Who this affects

BuyersSellersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

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

The city transfer tax is $0.55 per $1,000 on sales over $100, not counting remaining liens, paid by whoever makes or signs the document.

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

Chico's code: The owner maintains the sewer lateral from the building's waste system to the adjacent sewer main, at their sole cost. (Applies to properties connected to the sewer system.) (§ 15.36.235).

General information, not legal advice.