Transfer Taxes When You Sell in Los Angeles: County and City Rates
Figures and rules in this post are as of November 6, 2026, from the sources linked below. Check the source for any later update.
In California, documentary transfer tax is charged when a deed transferring real property is recorded. In Los Angeles there are county and city layers.
Los Angeles County
The County rate is $1.10 per $1,000 of value (0.11%). It is collected when the deed is recorded with the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
City of Los Angeles
- Base City tax: 0.45% ($2.25 per $500). Together with the County rate, that totals 0.56%.
- Measure ULA: an added 4% on sales above $5,400,000 and 5.5% at $10,900,000 or more, for sales closing July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
Other cities
Incorporated cities such as Beverly Hills, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas, Hidden Hills and Santa Clarita are not part of the City of Los Angeles. Some charge their own city transfer tax and some do not. Your escrow officer will confirm the exact amount for a specific address.
Who pays transfer tax is set by the purchase contract. In Los Angeles the seller commonly pays the City and County transfer taxes, but it can be negotiated.
Sources
- City of Los Angeles Office of Finance: Measure ULA FAQ
- LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
- City of Los Angeles ZIMAS (is an address in the City?)
Questions about a home in Los Angeles or the Valley?
Lianna Danielyan, REALTOR® · Equity Union · CA DRE #02142653 · 13400 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 · (818) 669-6245
Listing information is provided through Equity Union’s IDX/BoldTrail service, is deemed reliable but not guaranteed, and should be independently verified. Information on this page is general and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.