San Juan Bautista · Buying & selling

Buying or selling a home in San Juan Bautista

San Juan Bautista 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: San Juan Bautista taxes transfers over $100 at $0.275 per $500, not counting remaining liens; the signer of the deed, or whoever benefits, 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 San Juan Bautista code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Transfer tax

San Juan Bautista code What San Juan Bautista's code adds
City transfer tax	Yes. The city taxes each deed or document that transfers real property sold in the city. § 3-6-100 · code text There is hereby (12/5/67) imposed on each deed, instrument or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other realty sold within the City of San Juan Bautista shall be granted, assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed
Rate	$0.275 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500. § 3-6-100 · code text a tax at the rate of twenty-seven and one-half cents ($0.275) for each five hundred dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof.
Rate per $1,000	$0.55 per $1,000 of value ($0.275 for each $500 or fraction of $500). § 3-6-100 · code text a tax at the rate of twenty-seven and one-half cents ($0.275) for each five hundred dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof.
Price threshold	$100 Applies: The tax applies only when the value conveyed, not counting liens or encumbrances that remain, is more than $100. § 3-6-100 · 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 one hundred dollars ($100.00), a tax at the rate of twenty-seven and one-half cents ($0.275) for each five hundred dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof.
Rate depends on price	No. One rate applies: $0.275 for each $500 or fraction of $500. § 3-6-100 · code text a tax at the rate of twenty-seven and one-half cents ($0.275) for each five hundred dollars ($500.00) 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. § 3-6-105 · code text Any tax imposed pursuant to SJBMC 3-6-100 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

San Juan Bautista code What San Juan Bautista's code adds
Deadline to comply	Inspection and testing must be done within 60 days of the City's notice. Applies: Applies unless the City sets a specific deadline. § 5-9-355 · code text In the absence of a specific deadline, all inspection and testing work shall be completed within sixty (60) days of notification by the City that such inspection is required. Repair or replacement must be done within 60 days of the City's notice. Applies: Applies unless the City Manager sets a specific deadline. § 5-9-355 · code text In the absence of a specific deadline established by the City Manager, all repair or replacement work shall be completed within sixty (60) days of notification by the City that such repair or replacement is required.
Fee or permit	A City representative must inspect the sewer before it is covered or backfilled. Applies: Applies to a repaired or replaced building sewer. § 5-9-355 · code text A replaced or repaired building sewer shall not be covered or backfilled until it has been inspected by a representative of the City. The sewer must pass an air pressure test set by the City Manager. Applies: Applies to all new and repaired building sewers. § 5-9-355 · code text All new and repaired building sewers must pass an air pressure test as specified by the City Manager.
When an inspection is required	Required when building a new structure on a property with an existing building sewer, or connecting a previously unconnected structure. Applies: Applies to new structures or new connections to an existing building sewer. § 5-9-355 · code text When building a new structure on property with an existing building sewer, when otherwise proposing to connect a previously unconnected structure to an existing building sewer; Required as a condition of approving a remodel the City estimates at $50,000 or more. Applies: Applies to building remodel projects estimated by the City at $50,000 or more. § 5-9-355 · code text As a condition of approval of any building remodel project that is estimated by the City to cost fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or more; Required before close of escrow when the property is sold or ownership is otherwise transferred. Applies: Applies to sales and other transfers. Excused if the buyer signs a City-approved release and waiver. § 5-9-355 · code text Prior to the close of escrow when the property is transferred via sale or other transfer of ownership by deed, instrument or writing, provided, the inspection and report requirement shall be excused if the buyer executes a release and waiver in a form approved by the City Manager; Required when sewage from a building sewer reaches public property or another owner's property. Applies: Applies when the City finds such an overflow. § 5-9-355 · code text Whenever the City finds that a sewage overflow emanating from a building sewer has reached public property, including but not limited to a City street or the City storm drain system, or has flowed onto private property owned by another property owner; Required when a sewage overflow from a building sewer threatens public health. Applies: Applies when the City finds such a threat. § 5-9-355 · code text Whenever the City finds that a sewage overflow emanating from a building sewer presents a threat to public health, even if it has not flowed across a property line. Required when the City orders it because it knows or reasonably suspects the building sewer is defective. Applies: Applies when the City finds a possible defect during periodic sewer main construction or maintenance. § 5-9-355 · code text The City may order the property owner to conduct an inspection, repair or replacement of any building sewer that the City knows or reasonably suspects to be defective.
How long a certificate lasts	After a complete replacement, no inspection is needed at sale for 10 years. Applies: Applies when the building sewer was completely replaced and the property is sold. § 5-9-355 · code text When a building sewer is completely replaced, the property owner is not required to inspect the building sewer upon sale of the property for ten (10) years following the date of complete replacement of the building sewer.
Owner's responsibility	The owner must inspect the building sewer, give the City a report, and repair it if defective. § 5-9-355 · code text Property owners shall inspect, and provide to the City a report of the results of an inspection of, the building sewers on their property prepared by a licensed plumber using closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection or other inspection or test method approved by the City Manager, and if found defective, repair the building sewers, as follows: The owner pays the full cost of repairing or replacing the building sewer. Applies: Applies when the building sewer is defective. § 5-9-355 · code text Whenever defective building sewers are found, the property owner, at the sole expense of the property owner, shall repair or replace the building sewer. The owner or contractor is liable to the City for fines or costs from the resulting sewage spill. Applies: Applies when roots, grease or other material from maintenance or repair enters the sewer main and causes a spill. § 5-9-355 · code text In the event that material is permitted to enter the main causing or contributing to the cause of a sewage spill, the property owner and/or contractor performing such maintenance work, in addition to any criminal penalties imposed, shall be held civilly liable to the City for any fines or other expenses incurred by the City resulting from the spill. The City may recover its costs of responding to the overflow from the property owner. Applies: Applies to sewer overflows on private property. § 5-9-355 · code text The City shall have the authority to recover from a property owner the City’s expenses incurred in responding to sewer overflows on private property.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What is the transfer tax when you sell a home in San Juan Bautista?

San Juan Bautista taxes transfers over $100 at $0.275 per $500, not counting remaining liens; the signer of the deed, or whoever benefits, pays.

Does San Juan Bautista require a sewer lateral inspection when you sell a home?

San Juan Bautista's code: Inspection and testing must be done within 60 days of the City's notice. (Applies unless the City sets a specific deadline.) (§ 5-9-355); Repair or replacement must be done within 60 days of the City's notice. (Applies unless the City Manager sets a specific deadline.) (§ 5-9-355).

General information, not legal advice.

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