Transfer tax in Berkeley, California: local rates and cost

In short

Berkeley charges 2 local taxes on a home sale: Berkeley real property transfer tax, County documentary transfer tax. California has no state transfer tax. On the median owner-occupied home ($1,429,700), local taxes come to $23,019, or 1.61% of the price.

Median value: $1,429,700 median value of owner-occupied homes, Berkeley city, California (Census ACS 2024 1-year, table B25077). It is an owner estimate, not a sale price.

What you pay at different prices

Before exemptions and credits (first-time buyers, transfers between relatives…), which are listed below when the source gives them. The tax due on your deed is the one the recorder computes.

The rates, tax by tax

Berkeley real property transfer tax (BMC Ch. 7.52, Measure P 2018)

1.5% of the whole price up to $1.7M; 2.5% of the whole price above $1.7M (city example: $2M sale owes $50,000). Threshold re-set annually (67th percentile of sales, floor $1.5M).

Exemptions: Seismic-retrofit and home-hardening rebates up to 1/3 of the base 1.5% tax (city page).

In force: Current threshold $1.7M (also on Alameda County page: '($1,700,000 and less)' / '($1,700,001 and above)'). Measure W takes effect January 1, 2027.. Source: City of Berkeley — Property Transfer Tax.

County documentary transfer tax

$0.55 per $500 of consideration or fraction thereof (= $1.10 per $1,000, 0.11%) when consideration exceeds $100; value is net of liens/encumbrances remaining on the property (assumed loans excluded).

Exemptions: Statutory exemptions in R&T Code §§11921-11930 (e.g. security for debt, gifts, certain trust transfers, divorce transfers, changes in method of holding title).

In force: Statute in force; rate unchanged.. Source: California Legislative Information — Revenue and Taxation Code §11911.

Questions

How much local transfer tax do you pay on a median home in Berkeley?

$23,019 on $1,429,700, the median value of owner-occupied homes (Census ACS). Payotte computes it from the rates published by the official sources cited on the page.

Is the local tax on top of the California tax?

Yes. The local taxes listed here are added to the California state transfer tax.