Santa Monica Transfer Tax Calculator

Every layer that applies to a Santa Monica sale, added up.

Verified September 21, 2026 · city ordinance and state source checked
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Who pays in Santa Monica

California law does not assign it. In Southern California the seller usually pays; in the Bay Area it is often split.

What catches people out

Measure GS created a third tier of 5.6 percent on sales of $8 million and up, effective March 2023. That is one of the highest municipal transfer tax rates in the United States. Below $5 million the rate is a modest 0.3 percent.

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Sources

City of Santa Monica, Documentary Transfer Tax
“the new third tier rate will be $56.00 per $1,000 for sales and transfers involving properties valued at $8 million or more.”
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, Documentary Transfer Tax
“The County rate for these 5 special Cities is calculated at the full $1.10 per $1000.”


Last verified: September 21, 2026.

See the full California transfer tax rules →

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Estimates only. Your closing agent or the county recorder issues the final figure. This page does not collect or store anything you enter.