Plumas County Clerk-Recorder — Overview

The Plumas County Clerk-Recorder's office maintains all official real property records for the county, including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, reconveyances, notices of default, and other instruments affecting title to real property. The office is located at 520 Main Street, Room 102, Quincy, CA 95971.

Clerk-Recorder's Office serves as the Clerk-Recorder. Office hours are Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with document recording accepted during 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Phone: (530) 283-6218.

✓ E-Recording Available

Plumas County Recording Fees

ServiceFee
First page (standard 8.5" × 11")$14.00
Each additional page$3.00
Additional title (combined documents)$14.00
Non-conforming page surcharge$3.00/page
SB2 Building Homes & Jobs Act fee$75.00/parcel (max $225)
Documentary transfer tax$1.10 per $1,000
PCOR penalty (if not submitted with deed)$20.00

Dixie Fire's Ground Zero: Title Recovery in a Burned Landscape

Plumas County is the headwaters county — the place where the Feather River begins its journey from the Sierra Nevada to the Sacramento Valley and ultimately to the San Francisco Bay Delta. This hydrological significance has shaped the county's property records for over 150 years, from Gold Rush-era water diversion claims to modern hydroelectric facility easements.

But the event that defines current property title work in Plumas County is the 2021 Dixie Fire. At over 963,000 acres, it was the largest single fire in California history at the time, and it devastated the community of Greenville, destroying virtually the entire downtown and hundreds of homes. The Dixie Fire's impact on Plumas County property records is profound and ongoing.

Fire-affected parcels now carry layers of encumbrances: state debris removal liens from CalRecycle, FEMA hazard mitigation requirements, county code enforcement liens for damaged structures, and potential environmental contamination notices from destroyed properties with hazardous materials (asbestos, lead paint, propane tanks). Properties where owners did not have adequate insurance — or walked away entirely — are moving through the tax-default process and may eventually reach county tax sale.

Beyond fire recovery, Plumas County's property records reflect its role as a hydroelectric powerhouse. Pacific Gas & Electric operates multiple dams and powerhouses along the Feather River system, and associated easements, transmission line corridors, and reservoir fluctuation zones are embedded throughout the county's title records. The Plumas National Forest covers the majority of the county, making federal land inholdings and Forest Service road access easements common elements of any title search.

Plumas County Online Records

The Plumas County Clerk-Recorder's office provides online access through the County portal. Online records are available from varies to present. You can search by grantor/grantee name, recording date, document type, or document number.

For records predating the online index, visit the Clerk-Recorder's office at 520 Main Street in Quincy for in-person research. Document copies can also be requested by mail with appropriate fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

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How to Record a Document in Plumas County

Plumas County records documents at the Main Street courthouse in Quincy, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with recording accepted until 4:00 PM. The office serves a small county with approximately 18,000 residents, so recording volumes are modest and the staff is accessible. Payment by cash or check. Mail recordings should include a check payable to "Plumas County Clerk-Recorder" and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Documents submitted for recording in Plumas County must meet California Government Code §27361 standards: 8.5" × 11" white paper, black ink, minimum 3-inch top margin on the first page, and 1-inch margins elsewhere. Non-conforming documents incur a $3.00 surcharge per non-standard page or may be rejected outright.

Pro tip: Plumas County's Quincy office is a small but efficient operation. The staff can often provide recording guidance and document review before formal submission — take advantage of this hands-on service that larger counties cannot offer.

Plumas County Property Issues — Local Market Insights

Dixie Fire Title Recovery

The 2021 Dixie Fire — California's largest single-ignition wildfire in state history — devastated the town of Greenville and surrounding areas. Affected parcels now carry extensive disaster-related recordings: FEMA buyout deeds, Cal OES debris removal liens and releases, PG&E settlement instruments, insurance subrogation documents, and USDA emergency conservation easements. Title searches for fire-affected parcels require examining the complete post-2021 instrument chain.

National Forest Inholdings

Plumas National Forest surrounds much of the county's private land. Inholding parcels carry Forest Service access easements, timber sale agreements, and recreational use permits. Properties accessed via Forest Service roads require examination of the road easement terms and maintenance obligations.

Lake Almanor Vacation Properties

Lake Almanor and surrounding areas contain vacation properties with PG&E reservoir easements, HOA governance documents, and seasonal access restrictions. PG&E's hydroelectric operations create recorded flowage easements and dam inundation zone notices on lakefront parcels.

Mining Claim Legacy

Historic mining districts around La Porte, Johnsville, and Plumas-Eureka generate patented and unpatented mining claim instruments in title searches. BLM LR2000 records cross-reference county recordings for active claim maintenance.

Plumas County Transfer Tax

Plumas County imposes the standard California documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of property value transferred. The only incorporated city — Portola — does not levy an additional city transfer tax. The county rate applies uniformly to all Plumas County property transfers, from Quincy residential parcels to Lake Almanor vacation homes to remote mining claims. For properties affected by the 2021 Dixie Fire, transfers involving FEMA buyout deeds, insurance settlement conveyances, and disaster-related reassignments may qualify for exemptions under Revenue and Taxation Code provisions. Properties acquired through tax-defaulted property sales carry their own transfer tax implications, as the tax basis is the bid amount rather than fair market value.

Plumas County Property Landscape

Plumas County's property landscape has been fundamentally reshaped by fire and water. The 2021 Dixie Fire's destruction of Greenville created a property crisis that continues to work through the recording system — FEMA buyouts, insurance settlement conveyances, debris removal liens, and tax-default proceedings are all generating new instruments on affected parcels. Any property search in the Greenville, Indian Falls, or Crescent Mills area must account for the complete post-fire instrument chain.

Lake Almanor and the Chester area represent the county's resort property market. PG&E's hydroelectric operations create a unique title landscape: the utility holds flowage easements on lakefront parcels that allow seasonal flooding, dam inundation zone notices affect properties downstream, and PG&E-owned land leased to homeowners creates ground-lease structures where the surface improvements and the underlying land have different owners. The Lake Almanor Country Club and surrounding communities add HOA governance layers.

Quincy, Portola, and the valley communities contain the county's year-round residential market. These properties have relatively straightforward title histories, but even here, Plumas National Forest proximity means many parcels depend on Forest Service road access. Road easement documentation — whether the access is by right, by permit, or by prescriptive use — is one of the most critical elements of any Plumas County title search.

Complete Guide to Plumas County Property Records

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Plumas County: Typical turnaround 2-3 business days. Forest land records.

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Our property title search covers all recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, lis pendens, and tax records for any Plumas County property.

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Plumas County questions? Call 302-269-3942. Access easements verified.

Title Search FAQs for Plumas County

How do I search a property title in Plumas County?
To search a property title in Plumas County, use U.S. Title Records' online property title search service. Enter the property address to access comprehensive title reports, deed records, liens, and encumbrances. Our title search examines all recorded documents in the county recorder's database.
What does a Plumas County title report search include?
A title report search for Plumas County includes ownership verification, complete chain of title, recorded liens and judgments, open mortgages, tax status, easements, and pending litigation notices. Our public property records search covers 30+ years of recorded documents.
How long does a property title search take?
Standard property title searches for Plumas County are completed within 1-2 business days. Complex searches involving extensive title history or abstractor services may take 2-5 business days. Rush services are available for time-sensitive transactions.
Why use a title search company for Plumas County records?
Professional title search companies like U.S. Title Records have direct access to Plumas County's title plant databases, providing faster and more comprehensive results than individual county office searches. Our Plumas County searches navigate Feather River canyon properties, national forest inholdings, and Lake Almanor resort areas.

Property Title Search Services for Plumas County

Plumas County FAQ

Understanding Plumas County Property Documents & Title Complexities

Property transactions in Plumas County carry distinctive characteristics shaped by the county's Dixie Fire 2021 impact zone, Feather River watershed, national forest timber communities. Plumas County's extensive national forest checkerboards, PG&E land holdings, and fire access easements affect title searches.

Grant deeds are the primary instrument for transferring real property in Plumas County. Under California law, grant deeds provide two implied warranties: that the grantor has not previously conveyed the same property, and that the property is free from encumbrances created by the grantor except those already disclosed. Plumas chains frequently involve Western Pacific Railroad grants, timber company patents, and federal land exchanges.

Deeds of trust function as the security instrument for Plumas County mortgages, creating a three-party arrangement between the trustor (borrower), beneficiary (lender), and trustee (neutral third party). When loans are satisfied, a reconveyance deed must be recorded to release the lien. Plumas County's seasonal resort economy creates tourism-driven lending patterns requiring year-round monitoring.

One of the critical title considerations unique to Plumas County involves Dixie Fire destroyed 1,300+ structures creating massive title complications, FEMA hazard mitigation buyouts, Plumas National Forest inholdings. Understanding Plumas's timber production zones, hydroelectric project boundaries, and historic railroad rights is essential. Professional title examiners familiar with Plumas County's recording history are essential for identifying and resolving these issues before they delay a transaction.

Mechanic's liens in California follow strict recording deadlines that vary based on the claimant's role. Direct contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers each face different preliminary notice and lien recording timeframes. For Plumas County properties, these liens take priority from the date work commenced rather than the recording date, making them particularly important in title searches for recently constructed or renovated properties near Quincy.

Abstract of judgment liens attach to all real property owned by the judgment debtor in Plumas County upon recording. These liens remain effective for ten years with renewal options, making historical judgment searches essential. Our Plumas searches include timber company litigation, resort assessment disputes, and utility easement matters.

Easements recorded against Plumas County properties encompass utility easements, access easements, conservation easements, and prescriptive easements established through continuous use. Given that Dixie Fire 2021 impact zone, Feather River watershed, national forest timber communities, easement research in this county often reveals encumbrances that significantly affect property use and development potential. A preliminary title report identifies all recorded easements and their specific terms, enabling buyers to make informed decisions before committing to a purchase.

Lis pendens notices recorded in Plumas County alert prospective buyers to pending litigation that may affect title. These can involve boundary disputes, partition actions among co-owners, foreclosure proceedings, or challenges to the validity of prior conveyances. Any active lis pendens identified during a title search should be carefully evaluated with legal counsel before proceeding with a transaction, as these notices can cloud title and complicate financing.

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How much does it cost to record a document in Plumas County?

Plumas County charges $14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. Combined documents incur $14.00 per additional title. The SB2 fee of $75.00 per parcel (maximum $225.00) applies to most recordings unless exempt. Documentary transfer tax is the standard California rate.

Where is the Plumas County Recorder's office?

The Clerk-Recorder's office is at 520 Main Street, Room 102, Quincy, CA 95971. Phone: (530) 283-6218. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with recording accepted until 4:00 PM.

Does Plumas County accept e-recording?

Yes. Plumas County accepts electronic recording through authorized vendors.

How has the Dixie Fire affected property records in Plumas County?

The 2021 Dixie Fire devastated the town of Greenville and surrounding areas. Affected properties may carry state debris removal liens, FEMA requirements, code enforcement liens, environmental contamination notices, and potential tax-default status. Some properties have unresolved insurance claims that create title complications. Professional title research is essential for any transaction in fire-affected areas.

Can I search Plumas County property records online?

Plumas County provides some online access to property information through its county website at countyofplumas.com. For comprehensive recorded document searches, contacting or visiting the Clerk-Recorder's office at 520 Main Street, Room 102, Quincy is recommended.

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