Property taxes in Richmond

Property tax in Richmond follows the California rules below. The county sets and collects the tax.

Each block below is marked county or state data, Richmond code or CA state law, and links to its source (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

The state rules underneath

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 →

Mills Act contracts for historic homes

Richmond code What Richmond's code adds
Mills Act tax incentive	Owners may enter into Mills Act contracts and may receive a potential reduction in property taxes Applies: Property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historic Resources, or Richmond Historic Register, and within an -H or -L overlay § 15.04.303.160 · code text Upon execution of the contract, the property owner will henceforth benefit from a potential reduction in property taxes Eligible for Mills Act contracts Applies: Property listed on the City's Historic Register and within an -H overlay, or designated a Landmark with an -L designation § 15.04.303.160 · code text All properties listed on the City's Historic Register and within an -H overlay or designated as a Landmark with an -L designation are eligible for Mills Act contracts.

Utility users tax

Richmond code What Richmond's code adds
Tax on gas	The tax is 10% of gas charges. § 13.52.060 · code text The tax imposed by this section shall be at the rate of ten percent (10%) of the charges made for such gas, including all services related to the storage, transportation and delivery of such gas, and shall be paid by the person using such gas;
Tax on water, phone or cable	The tax is at most 9.5% of charges. Applies: Telecommunication services; the code states only the maximum. § 13.54.040 · code text The maximum tax imposed by this section shall be at the rate of nine and one-half percent (9.5%) of the charges made for such services and shall be collected from the service user by the telecommunication services supplier or its billing agent.

Who this affects

HomeownersBuyersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

Does Richmond offer Mills Act property tax contracts?

Richmond's code: Owners may enter into Mills Act contracts and may receive a potential reduction in property taxes (Property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historic Resources, or Richmond Historic Register, and within an -H or -L overlay) (§ 15.04.303.160); Eligible for Mills Act contracts (Property listed on the City's Historic Register and within an -H overlay, or designated a Landmark with an -L designation) (§ 15.04.303.160).

Does Richmond charge a utility users tax?

Richmond's code: The tax is 10% of gas charges. (§ 13.52.060); The tax is at most 9.5% of charges. (Telecommunication services; the code states only the maximum.) (§ 13.54.040).

General information, not legal advice.