City of San Rafael Transfer Tax
City of San Rafael charges $2 per $1,000 of price or fraction (0.2%) on top of the California state tax ($0.55 per $500 of price or fraction (0.11%)). On a $854,000 home that is $2,647 in total. City of San Rafael documentary transfer tax San Rafael Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 3.22 includes continuing-partnership and deed-in-lieu exemptions, among others. (from the county recorder research, 2026-09-22)
City of San Rafael transfer tax by purchase price
| Purchase price | State tax | City of San Rafael | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $165 | $300 | $465 |
| $200,000 | $220 | $400 | $620 |
| $250,000 | $275 | $500 | $775 |
| $300,000 | $330 | $600 | $930 |
| $350,000 | $385 | $700 | $1,085 |
| $400,000 | $440 | $800 | $1,240 |
| $450,000 | $495 | $900 | $1,395 |
| $500,000 | $550 | $1,000 | $1,550 |
| $600,000 | $660 | $1,200 | $1,860 |
| $700,000 | $770 | $1,400 | $2,170 |
| $800,000 | $880 | $1,600 | $2,480 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,100 | $2,000 | $3,100 |
Transfer tax calculator
Who pays
Negotiable. City of San Rafael documentary transfer tax San Rafael Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 3.22 includes continuing-partnership and deed-in-lieu exemptions, among others. (from the county recorder research, 2026-09-22)
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer tax in City of San Rafael?
City of San Rafael charges $2 per $1,000 of price or fraction (0.2%), on top of the California state tax, so a $854,000 home pays $2,647 in total ($939 state, $1,708 local).
Who pays the City of San Rafael transfer tax?
Negotiable. City of San Rafael documentary transfer tax San Rafael Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 3.22 includes continuing-partnership and deed-in-lieu exemptions, among others. (from the county recorder research, 2026-09-22)
Sources
- Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code Sec. 11911(a)
- California Lawyers Association, 2019 California Documentary Transfer Tax Chart (Charter Cities & Counties); San Rafael's own Municipal Code Chapter 3.22 confirms the tax exists
Rates as the statute or revenue department publishes them, checked 2026-09-22. Figures are computed from those rates and rounded to the dollar; exemptions for first-time buyers or principal residences are noted where they exist and are not applied. All sources.
California transfer tax overview → All California buyer closing costs →
Figures are computed from the statutes and ordinances cited above and rounded to the dollar. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
California transfer tax