California Closing Costs by County: Guide for Buyers & Sellers
Navigating real estate transactions can be complex, and understanding exactly who pays for what is crucial for both buyers and sellers. In California, customary closing costs—such as escrow fees, owner’s title insurance policies, and county document transfer taxes—vary significantly depending on the county or city where the property is located.
While all real estate fees are technically negotiable between the buyer and seller, local customs usually dictate who covers specific expenses. Use our table below to find the standard practices for your specific California county, including escrow charges, title fees, and the document transfer tax (calculated at a base rate of $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price).
California Real Estate Closing Costs by County and City for Buyers and Sellers
| County | Escrow Charges | Title Fees Owner’s Policy | Document Transfer Tax $0.55/$500 ($1.10/$1000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern California | |||
| Alameda | Buyer Pays | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Alpine | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Amador | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Butte | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Calaveras | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Colusa | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Contra Costa | Buyer Pays | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Del Norte | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| El Dorado | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Fresno | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Glen | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Humboldt | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Kern | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays Split: Ridgecrest |
| King | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Lake | Buyer Pays | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Lassen | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Madera | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Marin | Buyer Pays | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Mariposa | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Mendicino | Buyer Pays | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Merced | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Modoc | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Mono | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Monterey | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Napa | Buyer Pays | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Nevada | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Placer | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Plumas | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Sacramento | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| San Benito | Seller Pays | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| San Francisco | Buyer Pays | Buyer Pays | Included in the City Transfer Tax |
| San Joaquin | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| San Mateo | Buyer Pays | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Santa Clara | Seller Pays | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Santa Cruz | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Shasta | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | |
| Sierra | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | |
| Siskiyou | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Solano | Buyer Pays | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Sonoma | Buyer Pays | Buyer Pays | Seller Pays |
| Stanislaus | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller, Except Turlock Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Sutter | Seller Pays | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Tehama | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Trinity | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Tulare | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Tuolumne | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Yolo | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Yuba | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Southern California | |||
| Imperial | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays |
| Inyo | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Los Angeles | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Orange County | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Riverside | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| San Bernadino | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| San Diego | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| San Luis Obispo | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Santa Barbara | Buyer/Seller 50%/50% | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
| Ventura | Seller Pays | Seller Pays | Seller Pays |
NOTE: SEE PHOTO CHARTS BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSFER TAX DETAILS FOR SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL CITIES. CITY TAXES WILL EITHER OVERRIDE OR BE IN ADDITION TO THE COUNTY TAX (AS SPECIFIED BELOW).
Frequently Asked Questions About California Closing Costs
Are closing costs negotiable in California?
Yes. While the table above outlines the customary practices for each county, all closing costs, title fees, and escrow splits are negotiable between the buyer and seller during contract drafting.
How much is the document transfer tax in California?
The standard county document transfer tax in California is $1.10 per $1,000 of the property’s sale price (or $0.55 per $500). However, many individual cities impose additional municipal transfer taxes that override or stack on top of the county rate.
Do buyers or sellers pay escrow fees?
It depends entirely on the county. For example, in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties, it is customary to split the escrow fee 50/50. In Northern California counties such as Alameda and Contra Costa, the buyer typically pays the escrow fee.
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