Sacramento County Property Records

Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder Office

Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder Florence Evans oversees all property recording operations for the county. Evans was appointed by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in July 2025, bringing over 23 years of operations experience within the County of Sacramento. The Clerk/Recorder's office maintains the official archive of all legally recordable documents and preserves the county's real property records.

The office consolidated two previous locations in December 2023, moving from the downtown office at 600 8th Street and the East Area Service Center at 5229 Hazel Avenue in Fair Oaks into a new 26,952-square-foot central facility at 3636 American River Drive. Documents received in person or electronically before 3:00 PM are recorded the same day, provided they meet all recording requirements. Documents submitted after 3:00 PM are recorded the next business day.

Recording Fees & Costs

Sacramento County recording fees are set by Government Code Sections 27360–27388 and the County's local fee ordinance. The following schedule reflects current rates:

SB2 exemptions: The $75 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee does not apply to documents recorded in connection with a transfer subject to documentary transfer tax, or documents recorded in connection with a transfer of residential property to an owner-occupier. Documents such as refinance-related trust deeds, transfer on death deeds, affidavits, homestead declarations, and certain liens may be subject to the fee unless they qualify under another exemption.

Online Property Record Resources

Sacramento County provides several online tools for searching property records. Each system serves a different purpose, and understanding which to use saves time.

In-person access: The Assessor's Office at 3636 American River Drive, Suite 200 (same building as the Clerk/Recorder, one floor up) provides self-service computers for viewing secured property ownership, assessed valuations, assessor maps, and other public information. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Most records can be viewed at no charge. Building characteristic information requires a fee, except for the current property owner (with photo ID).

Sacramento County Real Estate: Title Issues That Matter

Natomas Basin Flood Zone & SAFCA Assessments

The Natomas Basin — encompassing North Natomas, South Natomas, and Gardenland — sits within one of the nation's most at-risk areas for catastrophic flooding. The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) has been conducting a $1 billion-plus levee improvement project spanning the 42-mile ring of levees surrounding the basin. Properties within the Natomas floodplain carry multiple special assessments that appear on the property tax bill: the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) assessment (established 1991, no termination date), the Natomas Basin Local Assessment District (NBLAD, formed 2011, 40-year term), and the Consolidated Capital Assessment District No. 2 (CCAD 2). Properties with federally-backed mortgages in the Natomas Basin still require flood insurance, and these combined assessments can add significant annual costs beyond the base property tax. Title searches in Natomas should verify all active assessment districts and confirm whether a property is within FEMA-designated flood zones.

Mello-Roos in Newer Developments

Sacramento County has seen extensive residential development over the past two decades in areas including Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Natomas, and Folsom. Many of these newer communities carry Mello-Roos Community Facilities District (CFD) special taxes that fund infrastructure, schools, fire stations, and flood control. These special taxes can range from $1,500 to $8,000 or more per year and appear as separate line items on the property tax bill. CFD terms typically run 20 to 40 years, and many include annual increases tied to a CPI index or fixed percentage. A thorough title search identifies all active Mello-Roos obligations and their remaining terms — information that directly affects property valuation, buyer affordability calculations, and lender qualification.

City of Sacramento Transfer Tax

Properties within the City of Sacramento limits are subject to a separate Additional Real Property Transfer Tax under Sacramento City Code Section 3.16.020, collected in addition to the county's standard documentary transfer tax. This dual-tax structure is important for title and escrow calculations. The city transfer tax must be identified in the declaration on the first page of the recorded document. Properties in unincorporated Sacramento County or in other incorporated cities (Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Folsom, Galt, Isleton) are not subject to the city transfer tax, only the county DTT.

Proposition 19 and Inherited Properties

Sacramento County has a significant number of properties that have been held by the same family for decades, benefiting from Proposition 13's original purchase-price assessment. When these properties transfer through inheritance, Proposition 19 (effective February 2021) limits the parent-to-child reassessment exclusion: the heir must use the property as their primary residence, and the assessed value increase is capped at $1 million above the original Proposition 13 base. For Sacramento County's many multi-generational family homes, this change can trigger substantial property tax increases upon transfer. Title searches on inherited properties should verify reassessment status through the Sacramento County Assessor.

Agricultural Land & Williamson Act Contracts

The eastern and southern portions of Sacramento County include significant agricultural land, particularly in the areas surrounding Galt, Elk Grove's southern edges, and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Properties under Williamson Act (California Land Conservation Act) contracts receive reduced property tax assessments in exchange for maintaining agricultural use. These contracts run for 10-year rolling terms and require a minimum 9-year notice of non-renewal. Title searches for rural Sacramento County properties should identify any active Williamson Act contracts, as they restrict land use and affect property valuation.

Historic Record Depth: 1849 to Present

Sacramento County's recorded document index stretches back to 1849 — California's statehood year and the heart of the Gold Rush era. Properties in the oldest parts of the city, particularly in the grid from the Sacramento River east to about 30th Street, may have exceptionally long chains of title with historical deed instruments, Spanish or Mexican-era land grant references, and multiple subdivisions from the late 1800s. These complex chains can create title issues including gaps in the record, conflicting legal descriptions, and unresolved interests from entities that no longer exist. Professional title examination is particularly important for these older Sacramento properties.

Delta Communities & Reclamation Districts

The southwestern corner of Sacramento County extends into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, where properties sit on reclaimed land protected by levees maintained by various reclamation districts. Properties in delta communities like Courtland, Walnut Grove, Locke, and Hood may carry reclamation district assessments, have unique flood zone designations, and face restrictions related to levee maintenance access. Water rights documentation for delta agricultural parcels adds another layer of title complexity.

Property Records Near Sacramento County

Properties near Sacramento County borders may have records in adjacent county recorder offices. These links provide access to neighboring county property record pages:

Yolo County (west — includes Davis, Woodland, West Sacramento) · Solano County (southwest — includes Vacaville, Fairfield) · Contra Costa County (south via Delta) · San Joaquin County (south — includes Stockton, Lodi) · Amador County (southeast — Gold Country) · El Dorado County (east — includes El Dorado Hills, Placerville) · Placer County (northeast — includes Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln) · Sutter County (north — includes Yuba City)

Sacramento County FAQ