Every layer that applies to a San Rafael sale, added up.
Verified September 21, 2026 · city ordinance and state source checked
This rate is on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
San Rafael Measure W would raise the city transfer tax from $2.00 to $10.00 per $1,000, a five-fold increase, and it needs only a simple majority. If it passes, the new rate takes effect ten days after the City Council certifies the result, so around mid-December 2026. The figures below are the rate in effect today. We will update this page after the election.
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Who pays in San Rafael
The city treats it as a joint responsibility of buyer and seller.
What catches people out
A ballot measure on November 3, 2026 would raise this from 0.2 percent to 1.0 percent, a fivefold increase. Until voters decide, the rate remains $2.00 per $1,000.