Santa Barbara County runs from the Mesa and the Riviera through the Santa Ynez Valley to Lompoc and Santa Maria, and the property questions change completely along the way. Second homes held for decades, ranch and vineyard land, hillside parcels affected by fire and debris flow, and condos with assessments. We accept donated property across the county and record the deed with the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor.
Federal tax rules are the same everywhere. These three are set by California and by Santa Barbara County.
California counties charge documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500 of consideration, and many cities add their own. Some cities in the county add a local transfer tax. How the tax applies to a gift with no consideration is confirmed when we prepare the deed.
Every California recording is accompanied by a preliminary change of ownership report for the assessor. Where a transfer qualifies for an exclusion from reassessment, that is claimed here rather than later. We prepare it with the deed.
Deeds are recorded with the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor. You sign before a notary wherever you live, and we handle the filing and the recording fee.
Four situations that come up here more than anywhere else in the state.
Each links to the full guide for that type, including how a donation compares with selling.
Santa Barbara County charges documentary transfer tax at the California rate of $0.55 per $500 of consideration, and some cities in the county add their own. Transfers without consideration are treated differently, and we confirm the treatment before recording. Where the tax falls on the grantee, we pay it.
No. We prepare the deed in the form California requires, you sign before a notary where you live, and we record it with the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor.
Usually, and the contract goes with the land. The restriction on use continues for the new owner, and non-renewal has a long timetable. Tell us the contract and the parcel number and we will look at how it affects value and timing.
Often yes. A cleared, buildable lot in this county has real value even where reconstruction economics do not work for the owner. See donating wildfire-affected property.
California has a personal income tax, and how it treats a charitable contribution is set by California law rather than by us. Your federal deduction follows the usual IRS rules. Take the state question to your own advisor.
We do not provide tax or legal advice. State and local transfer tax rules change; we confirm current requirements when we prepare each deed. Consult your own advisor.
The address or the APN is enough to start.
