Rio Dell · Buying & selling

Buying or selling a home in Rio Dell

Rio Dell has its own transfer tax on property sales, owed by anyone who signs or issues the transfer document or benefits from it. Seller disclosures and property tax after a purchase follow state law.

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Key points

Transfer tax: Rio Dell taxes transfers over $100 at $0.275 per $500 ($0.55 per $1,000) of value, not counting liens that remain.
Seller disclosures: State law requires sellers of single-family homes to give buyers a Transfer Disclosure Statement; court-ordered, foreclosure and some other sales are exempt.
Property tax: State law caps the general property tax at 1% of full cash value, plus voter-approved debt; base year value rises at most 2% yearly.

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

Transfer tax

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
City transfer tax	Yes. The city taxes deeds and other documents that transfer real property sold in the city. § 3.20.020 · code text There is hereby imposed on each deed, instrument or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other realty sold within the City of Rio Dell shall be granted, assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed
Rate	$0.275 for each $500 of value, or part of $500. Applies: Applies only when the price or value is more than $100, not counting liens or debts that stay on the property at sale. § 3.20.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Rate per $1,000	$0.55 for each thousand dollars of value. Applies: Applies only when the price or value is more than $100, not counting liens or debts that stay on the property at sale. § 3.20.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof.
Price threshold	$100. Applies: The tax applies only when the value is more than $100, not counting liens that stay on the property at sale. § 3.20.020 · 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
Rate depends on price	No. One flat rate applies to every sale. § 3.20.020 · code text a tax at the rate of $0.275 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. § 3.20.030 · code text Any tax imposed pursuant to RDMC § 3.20.020 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

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
How long a certificate lasts	No new sale test if lateral work met City standards, or new sewer passed inspection, within the last 3 years. Applies: The lateral was tested and repaired or replaced; a City staff test confirms it, at standard permit cost only. § 13.10.467 · code text To all buildings where the City Manager, or authorized representative, determines that testing and repair or replacement of lateral(s) has been performed to City standards within the last three years;
Deadline to comply	Before the property is transferred. Applies: Applies to required infiltration and backflow repairs or replacement. § 13.10.467 · code text It is the responsibility of the property buyer or seller to repair, replace and conform to all infiltration and backflow requirements prior to transfer of property connected to the City sewer system.
Fee or permit	A plumbing permit is required before sewer lateral testing begins. Applies: Applies to sewer lateral testing. § 13.10.468 · code text The property owner or his/her appointed contractor shall obtain a plumbing permit for sewer lateral testing prior to commencing with the testing procedure. A plumbing permit is required for repairs or replacement after a failed test. Applies: Applies to repair or replacement after a lateral test fails. § 13.10.469 · code text A plumbing permit will be required in order to perform the necessary repairs or replacement. No charge to the owner for a City staff test, except standard permit costs. Applies: City staff test of whether prior work or new sewer construction meets City standards. § 13.10.467 · code text Except for standard permit costs, there will be no charge to the property owner for this test.
When an inspection is required	Camera inspection and testing of the lateral are required whenever property is sold or transferred. Applies: Applies to sale, transfer or vesting in another entity; not to condominium or cooperative apartment buildings. § 13.10.467 · code text Whenever any property is to be sold or transferred to or vested in any other entity, the sewer lateral(s) to the property shall have camera work done to inspect the sewer lateral for breaks and or tie-ins with neighboring laterals.
Owner's responsibility	Before transfer, buyer or seller fixes infiltration, adds a backflow device and cleanout, and passes the test. Applies: Property on the City sewer being transferred; a signed City inspection card goes with the title transfer. § 13.10.467 · code text It is the responsibility of the property buyer or seller to repair, replace and conform to all infiltration and backflow requirements prior to transfer of property connected to the City sewer system. The seller or buyer pays for the sewer lateral test. Applies: Applies to a property sale or transfer. § 13.10.467 · code text This test will be set up by a licensed contractor, paid for by the property seller or buyer, and signed off by the City Manager or authorized representative.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

Rio Dell taxes transfers over $100 at $0.275 per $500 ($0.55 per $1,000) of value, not counting liens that remain.

Does Rio Dell require a sewer lateral inspection when you sell a home?

Rio Dell's code: No new sale test if lateral work met City standards, or new sewer passed inspection, within the last 3 years. (The lateral was tested and repaired or replaced; a City staff test confirms it, at standard permit cost only.) (§ 13.10.467); Before the property is transferred. (Applies to required infiltration and backflow repairs or replacement.) (§ 13.10.467).

General information, not legal advice.

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