LatestCoverageAll 50 states, D.C. and five territories now on the ledger|NewPuerto Rico's 78 municipios ledgered, municipio by municipio|FeatureAssessment appeal workspace — build a filing package from your own evidence|FeatureLiving reports — versioned, re-runnable, exportable|DevelopersMetered REST gateway · issued keys · signed webhooks|Live market readings · refreshed on loadAlbuquerque · NMMedian List$360K+1.3%|Austin · TXMedian List$290K-3.5%|Baltimore · MDMedian List$265K+1.1%|Bernalillo County · NMMedian List$364K+2.7%|Bexar County · TXMedian List$303K+3.7%|Boston · MAMedian List$875K+6.1%|Charlotte · NCMedian List$402K+1.2%|Chicago · ILMedian List$410K+7.8%|Clark County · NVMedian List$447K+0.1%|Columbus · OHMedian List$300K+0.7%|Cook County · ILMedian List$348K+5.1%|Dallas · TXMedian List$412K+3.4%|Davidson County · TNMedian List$465K-1.1%|Denver · COMedian List$618K+5.0%|Detroit · MIMedian List$321K-2.7%|Duval County · FLMedian List$312K-1.4%|El Paso · TXMedian List$301K+11.1%|Fort Worth · TXMedian List$330K-1.5%|Franklin County · OHMedian List$301K+0.1%|Fresno · CAMedian List$375K+2.1%|Harris County · TXMedian List$327K+0.6%|Houston · TXMedian List$325K-2.3%|Indianapolis · INMedian List$250K+2.7%|Jackson County · MOMedian List$275K+7.0%|Jacksonville · FLMedian List$312K-1.4%|Jefferson County · KYMedian List$248K-4.3%|Kansas City · MOMedian List$310K+3.1%|King County · WAMedian List$850K-4.0%|Las Vegas · NVMedian List$450K+1.1%|Los Angeles · CAMedian List$1M-1.7%|Louisville · KYMedian List$280K+1.8%|Maricopa County · AZMedian List$458K-0.4%|Marion County · INMedian List$259K+3.7%|Mecklenburg County · NCMedian List$407K-5.3%|Memphis · TNMedian List$209K+4.7%|Mesa · AZMedian List$490K-0.9%|Milwaukee · WIMedian List$245K+2.7%|Multnomah County · ORMedian List$518K-1.2%|Nashville · TNMedian List$495K+3.1%|New York · NYMedian List$885K+8.7%|Oklahoma City · OKMedian List$275K-0.4%|Oklahoma County · OKMedian List$259K-0.7%|Philadelphia · PAMedian List$279K+4.6%|Phoenix · AZMedian List$452K+0.5%|Pima County · AZMedian List$373K+0.9%|Portland · ORMedian List$518K-2.2%|Sacramento · CAMedian List$510K+4.0%|San Antonio · TXMedian List$257K-2.9%|San Diego · CAMedian List$910K+1.1%|San Francisco · CAMedian List$1.6M+14.9%|San Jose · CAMedian List$1.6M-5.9%|Santa Clara County · CAMedian List$1.3M+0.1%|Seattle · WAMedian List$844K+1.2%|Shelby County · TNMedian List$250K-2.8%|Suffolk County · MAMedian List$857K+7.3%|Tarrant County · TXMedian List$385K-1.2%|Travis County · TXMedian List$497K-5.3%|Tucson · AZMedian List$324K-0.9%|Wayne County · MIMedian List$160K0.0%|LatestCoverageAll 50 states, D.C. and five territories now on the ledger|NewPuerto Rico's 78 municipios ledgered, municipio by municipio|FeatureAssessment appeal workspace — build a filing package from your own evidence|FeatureLiving reports — versioned, re-runnable, exportable|DevelopersMetered REST gateway · issued keys · signed webhooks|Live market readings · refreshed on loadAlbuquerque · NMMedian List$360K+1.3%|Austin · TXMedian List$290K-3.5%|Baltimore · MDMedian List$265K+1.1%|Bernalillo County · NMMedian List$364K+2.7%|Bexar County · TXMedian List$303K+3.7%|Boston · MAMedian List$875K+6.1%|Charlotte · NCMedian List$402K+1.2%|Chicago · ILMedian List$410K+7.8%|Clark County · NVMedian List$447K+0.1%|Columbus · OHMedian List$300K+0.7%|Cook County · ILMedian List$348K+5.1%|Dallas · TXMedian List$412K+3.4%|Davidson County · TNMedian List$465K-1.1%|Denver · COMedian List$618K+5.0%|Detroit · MIMedian List$321K-2.7%|Duval County · FLMedian List$312K-1.4%|El Paso · TXMedian List$301K+11.1%|Fort Worth · TXMedian List$330K-1.5%|Franklin County · OHMedian List$301K+0.1%|Fresno · CAMedian List$375K+2.1%|Harris County · TXMedian List$327K+0.6%|Houston · TXMedian List$325K-2.3%|Indianapolis · INMedian List$250K+2.7%|Jackson County · MOMedian List$275K+7.0%|Jacksonville · FLMedian List$312K-1.4%|Jefferson County · KYMedian List$248K-4.3%|Kansas City · MOMedian List$310K+3.1%|King County · WAMedian List$850K-4.0%|Las Vegas · NVMedian List$450K+1.1%|Los Angeles · CAMedian List$1M-1.7%|Louisville · KYMedian List$280K+1.8%|Maricopa County · AZMedian List$458K-0.4%|Marion County · INMedian List$259K+3.7%|Mecklenburg County · NCMedian List$407K-5.3%|Memphis · TNMedian List$209K+4.7%|Mesa · AZMedian List$490K-0.9%|Milwaukee · WIMedian List$245K+2.7%|Multnomah County · ORMedian List$518K-1.2%|Nashville · TNMedian List$495K+3.1%|New York · NYMedian List$885K+8.7%|Oklahoma City · OKMedian List$275K-0.4%|Oklahoma County · OKMedian List$259K-0.7%|Philadelphia · PAMedian List$279K+4.6%|Phoenix · AZMedian List$452K+0.5%|Pima County · AZMedian List$373K+0.9%|Portland · ORMedian List$518K-2.2%|Sacramento · CAMedian List$510K+4.0%|San Antonio · TXMedian List$257K-2.9%|San Diego · CAMedian List$910K+1.1%|San Francisco · CAMedian List$1.6M+14.9%|San Jose · CAMedian List$1.6M-5.9%|Santa Clara County · CAMedian List$1.3M+0.1%|Seattle · WAMedian List$844K+1.2%|Shelby County · TNMedian List$250K-2.8%|Suffolk County · MAMedian List$857K+7.3%|Tarrant County · TXMedian List$385K-1.2%|Travis County · TXMedian List$497K-5.3%|Tucson · AZMedian List$324K-0.9%|Wayne County · MIMedian List$160K0.0%|
Property-class scope

The story of this market

The typical home in California sells for about $730,000, or $485 per square foot.

Prices are roughly flat from a year ago (-0.7%), a market in balance. Homes take about 52 days to sell. Last year 4542 of 7793 neighborhoods saw prices rise, so the story isn't the same street to street. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,725 a month.

HUD sets the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom at $1,725 a month.

Monthly price momentum

Home values since 2015

+0.5%

CA · past 12 months

CA 190.8USA 208.1
20152017201920212023202595125155213.5

Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.

Rent benchmark

Fair market rent by size

$2,331.5

3-bed / month

$1,294.5
Studio
$1,372.5
1 bed
$1,725
2 bed
$2,331.5
3 bed
$2,734.5
4 bed
Gross rental yield · 3-bed rent × 12 ÷ $730,0003.8%

HUD Fair Market Rents, fiscal 2027, median across 58 counties. A typical rent for a modest unit, used to set housing-voucher payments.

Natural hazard exposure

Most exposed counties

80.4

median county score

  1. 1Del Norte County99.6
  2. 2Sierra County99.3
  3. 3Trinity County98.6
  4. 4Mariposa County97.8
  5. 5Colusa County96.9
  6. 6Alpine County96.2

FEMA National Risk Index, averaged across each county's census tracts. 100 is the most exposed in the nation.

Mortgage activity

Home lending in this state

80.3%

2019 approval rate

YearApplicationsLoans madeApprovalInvestor shareMedian home value
2018168568084417074.6%9.5%$565,000
20192117696▲1138438▲80.3%▲8.1%▼$585,000▲

CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act records: every mortgage application reported by lenders for homes in this state. Approval rate is approved ÷ decided (withdrawn and incomplete files excluded). Investor share and home value are the median census tract.

State intel report · monthly refresh cycle
Track this state

California

refreshed Oct 11, 2026, 2:16 PM2 refresh cycles retainednext refresh due Oct 26, 2026
Market sentiment: cautious

The California housing market is currently characterized by high price points and limited inventory, leading to a cooling in sales velocity. Affordability remains a primary constraint for buyers, while sellers are adjusting to a market with fewer price cuts and stabilized demand.

Key-figure check: median price corroborated by the published ten-year series (2024) (within 12.5%).

Latest readings
Median sale price
$730,000
Corroborated · 1 anchor · 6.5% off nearest
Median price / sq ft
$485
Median days on market
52
Active listings
73,565
Listings with price cuts
18.1%
Median price change YoY
-0.7%
Closed sales (monthly)
268,810
Months of supply
3.2
Sale-to-list ratio
98.5%
Median asking rent
$3,003/mo
Population
39,290,000
Median household income
$99,000
Avg effective property tax rate
0.75%
State Market ScoreZIP-SCORE-1.3 · 4/4 sections graded
65
Composite · average of graded sections
Computed only from this report's published readings — sections without data are excluded, never estimated.
46
Growth/100

Median prices moved down 0.8% year over year.

84
Liquidity/100

Homes spend a median of 49 days on market with 0.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.

50
Momentum/100

1% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 6.6% of asking — demand is holding steady.

79
Safety & stability/100

262 foreclosure-ledger notices — 0.1 per 10,000 residents · unemployment 5.2% · poverty 12.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.

Federal real-property footprintGSA REXUS · state granular
Federal buildings & leases
712
Usable area
22,928k sq ft
Mean building size
32,203 sq ft

Owned and leased federal assets with active or excess status, per the General Services Administration's Real Estate Across the United States inventory (read 2026-09-25). A federal footprint read on this state — not a market valuation, and never an attribute of any individual property or tenant.

Deterministic roll-up
58 of 58 counties contributed
Median sale price
$703,481
Median price / sq ft
$440
Median days on market
49.25
Active listings
1,523,521.07
Listings with price cuts
0.6%
Median price change YoY
-0.79%
Closed sales (monthly)
494,379.1
Months of supply
0.23
Sale-to-list ratio
6.6%
Median asking rent
$2,130/mo
Population
39,170,268
Median household income
$86,267
Distress filings (ledger)
262

Deterministic aggregate of 58 researched counties — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.

Median home value · ten-year trajectory & projection

California — researched statewide history with a deterministic 1 / 3 / 5-year projection

2016201720182019202020212022202320242025202620282030$450,000$600,000$750,000$900,000$1,050,000

Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.

State spotlight · the factual leaderscomputed only from researched reports' published readings
Hottest city
Los Altos
heat 100/100
median $4,617,801
+11.9% YoY
9 days on market
0% of listings cut
Hottest county
Alpine County
heat 92/100
median $590,200
+16.7% YoY
25 days on market
0% of listings cut
Hottest ZIP
ZIP 94957
heat 100/100
median $4,200,000
+23.3% YoY
13 days on market
0% of listings cut
Most discounted
Auburn
65% of listings cut price
median $672,500
+0.5% YoY
21 days on market
65% of listings cut
Fastest mover
Davis
8 median days on market
median $685,000
-0.2% YoY
8 days on market
15% of listings cut
Distress spotlight
San Bernardino County
195 verified ledger filing(s)
0.9 filings per 10,000 residents
county-record verified foreclosure postings
What's hot · what's notheat 0-100 · price direction, pace, negotiation strength, discount pressure
Hot · rising demand

highest heat scores

1Los Altosmarket+11.9% YoY100
2Redwood Citymarket+5.6% YoY95
3Palo Altomarket+5.8% YoY95
4Los Gatosmarket+7.4% YoY94
5Rancho Santa Femarket+33.7% YoY94
Not · cooling demand

lowest heat scores

1Twentynine Palmsmarket-10.5% YoY27
2Trinity Countycounty-19.2% YoY30
3Valley Centermarket-8% YoY37
4Nevada Countycounty-9.6% YoY38
5Monterey Countycounty-9.8% YoY39
Major amenities · California
Stadiums, arenas & amphitheaters
20+ · statewide
Top attractions & landmarks
20+ · statewide
Museums & history
20+ · statewide
Shopping destinations
20+ · statewide

Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area ranked by popularity within the radius shown.

Amenities & attractions4 retained amenities · 1 development on the horizon

The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this state — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.

Inside this state
Yosemite National Park
National Park

World-renowned for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoias, serving as a major tourism anchor.

Disneyland Resort
Theme Park

An iconic global entertainment destination that drives significant regional tourism and employment.

Golden Gate Bridge
Landmark

A globally recognized symbol of California, serving as a major cultural and architectural landmark.

SoFi Stadium
Sports Venue

A state-of-the-art stadium hosting major sporting events and concerts, anchoring the Los Angeles sports landscape.

On the horizon · announced & under construction
California High-Speed RailInfrastructureUnder ConstructionA massive project intended to connect major California cities via high-speed rail, currently in various stages of construction.
Area context
Crime & safety

Crime rates vary significantly by region, with urban centers generally reporting higher property crime rates compared to rural areas; statewide trends remain a focus of legislative reform.

Schools & education

California's public school system is highly diverse, with top-tier districts often concentrated in affluent suburban areas, while many urban districts face challenges with funding and performance metrics.

Environmental & hazard

The state faces significant risks from wildfires, earthquakes, and drought, leading to a challenging property insurance market characterized by rising premiums and limited availability from major carriers.

Growth & development

Economic momentum is driven by the technology, entertainment, and agricultural sectors, with major infrastructure projects like high-speed rail and ongoing urban densification efforts shaping development.

Taxation

Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (California) — Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act Special Parcel Tax Assessment: Levies an annual direct, non-ad valorem special tax directly on the parcel's secured property tax bill to fund designated community infrastructure (e.g., roads, sewer facilities, school facilities, emergency services) and repay municipal debt bonds. State (California) — California Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption: Reduces the taxable assessed value of the qualifying owner-occupied principal residence by $7,000 against the county assessment roll, generating a direct tax savings of approximately $70 annually (computed as $7,000 × 1% base rate). State (California) — California Proposition 13 Ad Valorem Real Property Tax: Establishes a base ad valorem tax rate capped at 1.0% of assessed value plus voter-approved local indebtedness and direct assessments (typically resulting in an effective tax rate of 1.1% to 1.25%).

Economy & employers

California maintains one of the world's largest economies, anchored by the technology sector in Silicon Valley, entertainment in Hollywood, and extensive agricultural production in the Central Valley.

Transportation & infrastructure

The state relies on a complex network of interstate highways and regional transit authorities, with ongoing efforts to expand public rail and bus connectivity in major metros.

Insurance & hazard market

The property insurance market is currently under stress due to high wildfire risk, resulting in many insurers limiting coverage or exiting the market entirely.

Migration & population flows

California has experienced net domestic out-migration in recent years, driven by high costs of living and housing affordability challenges.

Foreclosure doctrine

California primarily utilizes a non-judicial foreclosure process, allowing for a streamlined timeline for lenders to reclaim property following default.

Disclosure doctrine

California law requires sellers to provide a comprehensive Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) detailing the physical condition of the property.

Discovery profileACS 2024 1-year estimates
Census profile · California State
Population
39,290,000
Median age
37.5 yrs
Owner-occupancy
55.9%
Median home value
$781,000
Median gross rent
$1,900
Median household income
$99,000
Median year built
1976
Vacancy rate
7.5%
Renter share
44.1%
Owner cost burden
32%
Renter cost burden
48%
Population change
-0.2%
Net migration
-300,000
Work-from-home share
20%
Mean commute
30.5 min
Bachelor's or higher
37.1%
Unemployment
5.2%
Poverty rate
12%
Avg household size
2.9
White
35%
Hispanic
40%
Asian
15%
Black
6%
Other
4%

Data retrieved from data.census.gov and CMAScope.

Major employers & industries
AppleTechnologyMajor global headquarters and significant regional workforce.
Alphabet (Google)TechnologyLarge-scale campus operations and primary employer in the Bay Area.
Walt Disney CompanyEntertainmentMajor employer in Southern California through theme parks and media production.
Market & county intel reports · California
Minor markets
Anaheim
Bakersfield
Berkeley
BurbankZIP detail pending
Carlsbad
Chico
Chula Vista
Clovis
Concord
Corona
Costa MesaZIP detail pending
DowneyZIP detail pending
El CajonZIP detail pending
El MonteZIP detail pending
Elk Grove
Escondido
Fairfield
Fontana
Fremont
FullertonZIP detail pending
Garden GroveZIP detail pending
Glendale
Hayward
InglewoodZIP detail pending
Irvine
LancasterZIP detail pending
Long Beach
Modesto
Moreno Valley
Murrieta
NorwalkZIP detail pending
Oakland
Oceanside
Ontario
Oxnard
PalmdaleZIP detail pending
PasadenaZIP detail pending
PomonaZIP detail pending
Riverside
Roseville
Salinas
San Bernardino
Santa Ana
Santa Clara
Santa ClaritaZIP detail pending
Santa Rosa
Stockton
Sunnyvale
Temecula
Thousand Oaks
TorranceZIP detail pending
Vallejo
VenturaZIP detail pending
Victorville
Visalia
Latest refresh summary

The California housing market is currently characterized by high price points and limited inventory, leading to a cooling in sales velocity. Affordability remains a primary constraint for buyers, while sellers are adjusting to a market with fewer price cuts and stabilized demand.

Key-figure check: median price corroborated by the published ten-year series (2024) (within 12.5%).

Sources · 6 cited
Jurisdictional burden contextinherited governance · most-local first
State · California
Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act Special Parcel Tax AssessmentTaxationConditional

applies when — Applies to residential parcels located within a designated Mello-Roos Community Facilities District (CFD) established by a local agency and approved by a two-thirds vote.

Levies an annual direct, non-ad valorem special tax directly on the parcel's secured property tax bill to fund designated community infrastructure (e.g., roads, sewer facilities, school facilities, emergency services) and repay municipal debt bonds. Unlike standard Proposition 13 taxes, Mello-Roos levies are not restricted to property valuation or the 1% cap; they are determined via an adopted Rate and Method of Apportionment (RMA) based on square footage, dwelling units, or lot acreage. Levies constitute a primary lien on the real property, subject to rapid judicial foreclosure upon tax default under accelerated statutory procedures.

Cal. Gov. Code §§ 53311–53368.3.

≈ $7,300/yr on a $730,000 median

California Wildfire Defensible Space and Hazard Mitigation MandateHazard & insuranceConditional

applies when — Applies to parcels situated within designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) or State Responsibility Areas (SRA).

Imposes an ongoing legal obligation on the parcel owner to maintain a continuous 100-foot defensible space buffer around all occupied structures: Zone 1 (0 to 30 feet) requiring intensive fuel removal, clearing dead vegetation, and limbing trees 6 feet from the ground; Zone 2 (30 to 100 feet) requiring reduced fuel/brush thinning. Failure to comply exposes the parcel to local/CAL FIRE abatement liens and misdemeanor citations. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1102.19, sellers must provide buyers with written documentation of compliance with local defensible space laws.

Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 4291; Cal. Gov. Code § 51182; Cal. Civ. Code § 1102.19.

California Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) DoctrineDisclosure & transactionBinds every parcel

Mandates that prospective sellers and listing/selling agents deliver a fully executed statutory Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) disclosing all known material parcel defects, structural issues, boundary encroachments, unpermitted modifications, environmental hazards, and zoning variances. Failure to deliver allows the prospective buyer a statutory right of rescission (3 days after personal delivery or 5 days after mailing) and grounds for civil damages.

Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1102–1102.19.

California Homeowners' Property Tax ExemptionTaxationConditional

applies when — The residential dwelling must be owned and occupied by the taxpayer as their principal place of residence on the January 1 lien date.

Reduces the taxable assessed value of the qualifying owner-occupied principal residence by $7,000 against the county assessment roll, generating a direct tax savings of approximately $70 annually (computed as $7,000 × 1% base rate). Formula: Net Taxable Assessed Value = Gross Factored Base Year Value - $7,000 exemption.

Cal. Const. art. XIII, § 3(k); Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 218.

California State Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Development MandateLand use & zoningBinds every parcel

Mandates local governments to ministerially approve attached/detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs (JADUs) on any single-family or multi-family zoned parcel without discretionary hearings or CEQA review within 60 days. Preempts local setbacks (mandating maximum 4-foot side and rear setbacks), prohibits minimum lot size restrictions for ADUs, bans owner-occupancy requirements (for ADUs permitted prior to 2025/pursuant to recent code updates), prohibits local utility impact fees on units under 750 sq. ft., and renders void and unenforceable any private HOA deed restriction or CC&R that prohibits or unreasonably restricts ADU construction.

Cal. Gov. Code §§ 65852.2 and 65852.22 (amended continuously through recent legislative sessions).

California Power-of-Sale Non-Judicial Foreclosure FrameworkForeclosure doctrineBinds every parcel

Permits lenders to execute a non-judicial trustee's sale upon borrower default without prior court approval. The statute establishes strict timeline stages: recording of a Notice of Default (NOD) initiating a mandatory 90-day statutory cure/reinstatement period (under Cal. Civ. Code § 2924c, borrower can reinstate up to 5 business days before sale); followed by recording, posting, and publishing a Notice of Trustee Sale (NOTS) giving at least 20 days notice before the auction date. A trustee's non-judicial sale is definitive with no post-sale statutory right of redemption for the borrower, and the foreclosing lender is barred by anti-deficiency rules (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 580d) from seeking a deficiency judgment.

Cal. Civ. Code §§ 2924–2924k; Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 580d.

California Senate Bill 9 (California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency Act)Land use & zoningConditional

applies when — Applies to parcels in single-family residential zones that are not located on wetlands, hazardous waste sites, very high fire hazard zones (unless mitigated), earthquake fault zones (unless compliant with state seismic standards), or prime farmland/historic districts.

Requires local municipalities to ministerially approve, without discretionary review or CEQA scrutiny: (1) a two-unit residential development on a single-family lot (duplex), and/or (2) an urban lot split creating two parcels of roughly equal size (minimum 40% of the original lot area, each at least 1,200 sq. ft.). If a lot split is executed, the applicant must sign an affidavit certifying intention to occupy one of the housing units as their principal residence for a minimum of three years. Preempts local requirements for more than 4-foot side/rear setbacks and local parking minimums if located within 0.5 miles of transit.

Cal. Gov. Code §§ 65852.21 and 66411.7 (effective Jan 1, 2022 via SB 9).

California Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) Statement MandateHazard & insuranceBinds every parcel

Obligates sellers or their agents to deliver a statutory Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement certifying whether the parcel lies in any of six designated state/federal hazard zones: (1) FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (100-year flood), (2) Area of Potential Flooding from Dam Inundation, (3) Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), (4) Wildland Fire Area (State Responsibility Area), (5) Earthquake Fault Zone (Alquist-Priolo), or (6) Seismic Hazard Zone (liquefaction/landslide). For parcels mapped inside these zones, state-mandated land-use setbacks, development restrictions, defensible space maintenance, mandatory flood insurance, or seismic retrofit obligations attach.

Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1103–1103.14.

Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act GovernanceSpecial districts & overlaysConditional

applies when — Applies to parcels situated within a common interest development (condominium project, planned development, community apartment project, or stock cooperative) with recorded CC&Rs and a common interest owners' association.

Binds the parcel to enforceable covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) running with the land. Empowers the association to levy regular and special assessments that become enforceable liens upon the parcel; restricts regular assessment increases exceeding 20% or special assessments exceeding 5% without member vote; establishes strict statutory limits on judicial or non-judicial foreclosure for delinquent assessments (requires delinquent regular assessments of at least $1,800 or delinquency of at least 12 months, subject to a mandatory 90-day post-sale right of redemption under Cal. Civ. Code § 5715); and overrides local HOA rules restricting accessory dwelling units, solar installations, or reasonable drought-tolerant landscaping.

Cal. Civ. Code §§ 4000–6150 (comprehensively recodified effective Jan 1, 2014).

California Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act Development RestrictionHazard & insuranceConditional

applies when — Applies to parcels situated within a State Geologist designated Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone (typically within 500 feet of a known active fault trace).

Prohibits the construction of any structure for human occupancy across the trace of an active fault. Enforces a mandatory parcel-specific geologic investigation by a licensed engineering geologist prior to the issuance of any building permit, requiring a mandatory setback (typically a minimum of 50 feet) from any mapped active surface fault trace. Universal disclosure to prospective purchasers on the statutory Natural Hazard Disclosure form is required upon transfer.

Cal. Pub. Res. Code §§ 2621–2630.

California Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR) Mortgage Servicing SafeguardsForeclosure doctrineConditional

applies when — Applies to first-lien mortgages or deeds of trust secured by an owner-occupied, 1-to-4 unit residential property.

Imposes pre-foreclosure servicing requirements on mortgage servicers before an NOD can be recorded: requires a mandatory 30-day pre-default contact or due diligence period (Cal. Civ. Code § 2923.55) to explore loss-mitigation options; strictly prohibits 'dual tracking' (recording an NOD or NOTS or conducting a sale while a complete loss-mitigation application is pending); guarantees a single point of contact (SPOC); and empowers borrowers to obtain injunctive relief, actual damages, and statutory penalties up to $50,000 for material willful violations.

Cal. Civ. Code §§ 2923.55, 2923.6, 2924.12 (originally enacted 2012; permanent provisions reenacted Jan 1, 2019).

California Proposition 13 Ad Valorem Real Property TaxTaxationBinds every parcel

Establishes a base ad valorem tax rate capped at 1.0% of assessed value plus voter-approved local indebtedness and direct assessments (typically resulting in an effective tax rate of 1.1% to 1.25%). The assessed base year value is established at acquisition/change in ownership or completion of new construction, with annual valuation inflation adjustments capped at the lesser of 2.0% or the California Consumer Price Index (CCPI). Formula: Total Annual Property Tax = [(Base Year Assessed Value × (1 + Inflation Factor capped at 2%)^n) - Eligible Exemptions] × (1.0% Base Rate + Voter-Approved Bond Rates) + Fixed Special Assessments / Parcel Taxes.

Cal. Const. art. XIII A (enacted June 6, 1978 via Proposition 13; codified in Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §§ 50 et seq.).

≈ $7,300/yr on a $730,000 median

Federal · United States (federal)
Residential Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule (Section 1018)Disclosure & transactionConditional

applies when — The residential property was built prior to 1978.

Sellers and lessors must provide purchasers and lessees with a lead hazard information pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards before becoming obligated under a contract.

Enforced by the EPA and HUD under the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992.

FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) Mandatory Flood Insurance PurchaseHazard & insuranceConditional

applies when — The parcel is located within a designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and the owner receives a mortgage backed by a federally regulated lender or government entity (GSE, FHA, VA, USDA).

Requires the property owner to maintain flood insurance coverage for the duration of the mortgage loan to protect the collateral.

Governed by the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (FDPA) and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.

FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) Mandatory Flood Insurance PurchaseHazard & insuranceConditional

applies when — The parcel is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as identified by FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and the loan is secured by a federally regulated or backed lending institution.

Requires the property owner to maintain flood insurance coverage for the duration of the loan. Failure to maintain coverage allows the lender to force-place insurance at the borrower's expense.

Governed by the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (FDPA) and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 ComplianceLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — Parcel contains a historic property listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places, subject to an undertaking involving federal permits, licenses, funding, or loan guarantees (e.g., HUD, USDA, or USACE approvals).

Mandates federal agencies to evaluate the effect of the proposed residential undertaking on historic properties and consult with State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO) and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPO). Restricts structural alterations, ground disturbance, demolition, or aesthetic elevations that cause adverse effects, often requiring formal Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) and mitigation measures.

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, recodified at 54 U.S.C. § 306108; implementing regulations at 36 CFR Part 800.

VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) for Loan GuarantyBuilding & codesConditional

applies when — Parcel securing a residential loan guaranteed under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan program.

Imposes mandatory VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) ensuring the residential dwelling is safe, structurally sound, and sanitary. Mandates specific parcel covenants, including permanent year-round vehicular access, dedicated continuous utilities, separation from environmental/industrial hazards (such as high-voltage lines or pipeline easements), and certified termite/wood-destroying insect clearance in designated infestation zones.

Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944; 38 U.S.C. Chapter 37; 38 CFR Part 36; VA Pamphlet 26-7 (Lenders Handbook), Chapter 12.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Superfund LiensTaxationConditional

applies when — Parcel where the federal government (EPA) has incurred response costs for cleanup or remediation of hazardous substance releases, and the parcel owner was provided written notice of potential liability.

Establishes a statutory federal lien upon the parcel running in favor of the United States for all unrecovered cleanup costs, damages, and statutory interest incurred by the EPA. Rate and formula: Direct Dollar-for-Dollar Reimbursement (Lien Amount = Incurred Response Costs + Administrative Costs + Statutory Interest under 42 U.S.C. § 9607(a)). Exemptions: Bona Fide Prospective Purchasers (BFPP) and Innocent Landowners under the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act are exempt from personal liability if they perform All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI Phase I ESA) prior to purchase and comply with ongoing continuing obligations, though a 'windfall lien' may still attach to the parcel up to the unearned increase in fair market value attributable to the response action.

CERCLA of 1980, Section 107(l) (42 U.S.C. § 9607(l)) and Section 107(r) (Windfall Liens), as amended by SARA (1986) and the Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Minimum Property Standards & Loan CeilingsBuilding & codesConditional

applies when — Parcel securing a residential purchase or refinance financed through an FHA-insured Title II mortgage.

Binds the parcel to HUD's Minimum Property Standards (MPS) covering basic safety, soundness, and security (e.g., structural integrity, adequate heating, safe potable water, clear drainage, lead-free surfaces). Imposes parcel-level statutory loan limits capping the insurable mortgage amount by county/MSA (ranging from the national 'floor' to the national 'ceiling' based on median county home prices). Non-compliant property deficiencies must be cured as a condition precedent to endorsement.

National Housing Act of 1934; 12 U.S.C. § 1709; 24 CFR Part 200, Subpart S; HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Single Family Housing Policy Handbook), adjusted annually by HUD Mortgagee Letters.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Foreclosure and Eviction RestraintsForeclosure doctrineConditional

applies when — Parcel encumbered by a mortgage or occupied by a residential tenant where the mortgagor or lessee entered active-duty military service.

Stays non-judicial foreclosure proceedings, property seizure, and eviction for parcels owned or leased by qualifying servicemembers. Foreclosure or distress sales initiated during military service or within one year after service are strictly invalid and void unless conducted pursuant to a valid court order or an express written waiver executed during or after military service.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-189; 50 U.S.C. § 3953 and 50 U.S.C. § 3955), originally enacted as the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940; amended by the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act.

Endangered Species Act Section 9 Parcel Take ProhibitionsLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — Parcel contains designated critical habitat or supports listed threatened or endangered animal species under the Endangered Species Act.

Makes it unlawful to 'take' listed species (including significant habitat modification or degradation that impairs breeding, feeding, or sheltering). Precludes parcel clearing, tree removal, earthmoving, or construction unless the property owner prepares an approved Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and secures an Incidental Take Permit under Section 10(a) or receives Section 7 interagency consultation clearance.

Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1538-1539; 50 CFR Parts 17 and 222.

Clean Water Act Section 404 Wetland and Waters RegulationLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — Parcel contains delineated 'waters of the United States' (WOTUS), including jurisdictional wetlands, streams, or navigable waterways.

Prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into jurisdictional waters on the parcel without an individual or nationwide permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Restricts residential site grading, bulkheading, retention pond construction, or development footprints, and may require expensive compensatory mitigation or off-site wetland credits to disturb designated acreage.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (Clean Water Act), 33 U.S.C. § 1344; joint regulations at 33 CFR Parts 320-332 and 40 CFR Part 230.

Federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Disclosure (Title X)Disclosure & transactionConditional

applies when — Residential 'target housing' constructed prior to 1978 offered for sale or lease (excluding zero-bedroom dwellings, housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities unless a child under 6 resides there, and certified lead-free properties).

Requires sellers and landlords to disclose known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards, provide all available evaluation reports/records, provide the EPA-approved informational pamphlet 'Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home', and grant prospective buyers a 10-day inspection period (subject to mutual written waiver). Parties must execute a formal disclosure attachment; failure exposes non-compliant parties to statutory civil penalties and treble damages.

Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (Title X of Pub. L. 102-550; 42 U.S.C. § 4852d); joint HUD/EPA regulations at 24 CFR Part 35, Subpart A and 40 CFR Part 745, Subpart F.

Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) WithholdingTaxationConditional

applies when — Disposition of a United States Real Property Interest (USRPI) where the transferor (seller) is a foreign person (non-resident alien individual, foreign corporation, foreign partnership, trust, or estate).

Imposes an affirmative withholding tax obligation on the transferee (buyer) to withhold and remit tax on the gross amount realized (gross sales price). The statutory base withholding rate is 15% of the total purchase price (Formula: Tax = Amount Realized × 15%). Exemptions and reductions: (1) 0% withholding applies if the amount realized is $300,000 or less AND the buyer certifies personal residence occupancy for at least 50% of days used over each of the first two 12-month periods; (2) reduced withholding rate of 10% applies if the amount realized exceeds $300,000 but does not exceed $1,000,000 and the buyer meets the personal residence requirement (Formula: Tax = Amount Realized × 10%); (3) withholding can be reduced or eliminated if an IRS Withholding Certificate (Form 8288-B) is obtained or if the seller furnishes a Non-Foreign Status Certification.

Internal Revenue Code Section 1445 (26 U.S.C. § 1445), originally enacted under FIRPTA of 1980; standard rate increased from 10% to 15% under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, effective February 16, 2016.

EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) RuleBuilding & codesConditional

applies when — The parcel is improved with target residential housing built before 1978 undergoing renovation, repair, or painting activities for compensation that disturb more than 6 sq. ft. of interior painted surface or 20 sq. ft. of exterior painted surface.

Legally prohibits uncertified contractors from performing qualifying physical alterations on the home. Contractors must be EPA-certified and adhere to specific lead-safe containment, containment plastic barriers, HEPA vacuuming, and cleaning verification protocols. Imposes strict recordkeeping burdens and exposes property alterations to federal administrative stop-work orders and civil fines for uncontained lead dust contamination.

Promulgated under TSCA § 402(c)(3) (15 U.S.C. 2682); codified at 40 CFR Part 745, Subpart E; fully effective April 22, 2010.

Fair Housing Act Parcel Design, Construction, and Accessibility StandardsBuilding & codesConditional

applies when — The parcel contains covered multifamily residential dwellings designed and constructed for first occupancy after March 13, 1991 (defined as all dwelling units in buildings with 4 or more units with an elevator, or ground floor dwelling units in buildings with 4 or more units without an elevator).

Imposes mandatory physical structural criteria on the parcel improvements: (1) accessible building entrance on an accessible route, (2) accessible public and common use areas, (3) usable doors for wheelchairs, (4) accessible routes into and through each dwelling unit, (5) light switches, electrical outlets, and environmental controls in accessible locations, (6) reinforced bathroom walls for grab bar installation, and (7) usable kitchens and bathrooms permitting wheelchair maneuvering. Non-conforming improvements require mandatory structural retrofits and subject developers/owners to federal civil actions.

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 3604(f)(3)(C)); HUD regulations at 24 CFR 100.205.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Mortgage Foreclosure MoratoriumForeclosure doctrineConditional

applies when — The parcel secures a residential mortgage originated before the property owner entered active military service, where the debt is enforced during or within one year after active military service.

Restricts lender foreclosure rights by nullifying any non-judicial foreclosure, sale, or seizure of the residential parcel without a court order or valid written waiver executed by the servicemember during or after active duty. Courts are empowered to stay foreclosure proceedings or adjust loan payments. Foreclosing without a court order constitutes a federal criminal misdemeanor and exposes the lender to civil damages.

50 U.S.C. 3953; codified originally as the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, modernized under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-189).

Clean Water Act Section 404 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) PermittingLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — The parcel contains wetlands, streams, or waterways that meet the definition of 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) as delineated under the Clean Water Act.

Prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into jurisdictional wetlands or waters without a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Restricts residential site grading, driveway installation, structural foundation expansion, or shoreline bulkheading; unauthorized fill mandates compulsory site restoration and subjects parcel owners to civil penalties exceeding $50,000 per day under 33 U.S.C. 1319.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), 33 U.S.C. 1344; current delineation criteria governed in accordance with Sackett v. EPA (2023) and conforming federal rulemaking (40 CFR Part 120 / 33 CFR Part 328).

Federal Historic Preservation Review Encumbrance (Section 106)Land use & zoningConditional

applies when — The residential parcel is listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or lies within an eligible historic district, and involves an action subject to federal agency funding, permitting, licensing, or mortgage assistance (e.g., HUD/FHA, VA, USDA, or USACE permits).

Federal agencies must assess adverse effects on historic resources prior to approving loans, grants, or permits. Parcel alterations, demolitions, or rehabilitation programs that receive federal assistance are subjected to binding Section 106 consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, restricting unapproved structural modifications or exterior elevation changes.

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. 306108, formerly 16 U.S.C. 470f); regulations codified at 36 CFR Part 800.

Federal General Tax Lien EncumbranceTaxationConditional

applies when — The residential parcel is owned by a person or entity that has neglected or refused to pay any assessed federal tax liability (income, gift, estate, or payroll tax) after formal demand.

Under IRC § 6321, a statutory lien arises automatically as of the date of assessment and attaches to all real property owned or acquired by the taxpayer. Upon the IRS filing a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) in local county land records under IRC § 6323, it perfects priority against subsequent purchasers, mortgagees, and judgment lien creditors. Rate and computation: The lien secures 100% of the underlying unpaid tax assessment, plus compounding interest under IRC § 6621 (the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points) and statutory late-payment penalties under IRC § 6651 (0.5% per month, up to a maximum cap of 25%). No parcel-level homestead exemption exists under federal law against an IRC § 7403 judicial foreclosure or tax collection lien.

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §§ 6321, 6322, 6323.

FHA / HUD Single-Family Property Standards and County Loan LimitsLending & financingConditional

applies when — The parcel is being purchased or refinanced using FHA-insured Title II financing under the National Housing Act.

Restricts financing eligibility based on parcel and structural criteria: (1) County Loan Limits cap the maximum insurable mortgage balance per parcel based on local median housing costs (ranging from a federal statutory floor of 65% of the national conforming limit up to a statutory ceiling of 150%). (2) Imposes mandatory HUD Minimum Property Standards (MPS; HUD Handbook 4000.1 / 24 CFR Part 200) requiring mandatory appraisal repair escrows or seller cures for deficiencies regarding structural soundness, safety, soil stability, drainage, well/septic separation buffers, and lead paint encapsulation before loan endorsement.

National Housing Act of 1934, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1709); annual loan limit updates promulgated under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).

Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) Tax WithholdingTaxationConditional

applies when — The parcel constitutes a U.S. Real Property Interest (USRPI) transferred or disposed of by a 'foreign person' (non-resident alien individual, foreign corporation, foreign partnership, or foreign trust/estate).

Imposes an absolute statutory obligation on the transferee/buyer to withhold gross tax from the total amount realized (purchase price) upon disposition and remit it to the IRS within 20 days using Forms 8288 and 8288-A. Rate structure and formula: Base statutory withholding rate is 15% of the gross sales price. Residential personal residence exemption computation: (1) If the gross sales price does not exceed $300,000 AND the buyer (or family member) intends to use the parcel as a personal residence for at least 50% of days used during each of the first two 12-month periods, the withholding rate is 0%. (2) If the gross sales price exceeds $300,000 but does not exceed $1,000,000 and meets the same personal residence test, the withholding rate is reduced to 10% of the gross sales price. (3) For all sales exceeding $1,000,000, or where the buyer does not satisfy the personal residence requir

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 1445; enacted via the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, with standard rate increased from 10% to 15% pursuant to the PATH Act of 2015.

Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X) DisclosureDisclosure & transactionConditional

applies when — The parcel is improved with 'target housing,' defined as any residential dwelling constructed prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities (unless a child under age 6 resides or is expected to reside there) or 0-bedroom dwellings.

Before a purchaser or lessee becomes obligated under any contract to buy or lease, the seller or landlord must: (1) provide an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet ('Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home'), (2) disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and provide all available records/evaluations, (3) attach a federal Lead Warning Statement and disclosure certification to the contract, and (4) afford buyers a mandatory 10-day mutual inspection period (waivable in writing) to conduct a risk assessment. Failure to comply exposes violators to civil liability, statutory treble damages, and administrative penalties up to statutory maximums per violation.

Enacted under Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4852d), implemented jointly by EPA and HUD at 40 CFR Part 745 / 24 CFR Part 35.

FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area — NFIP Mandatory Purchase RequirementHazard & insuranceConditional

applies when — Parcel contains improved real estate or a manufactured home situated within a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA, such as Zones A or V / 100-year floodplain) in an NFIP-participating community, where financing is secured via a federally regulated, supervised, or insured lender (including GSEs, FHA, VA, USDA).

Mandates borrower to purchase and maintain flood insurance coverage (via NFIP or qualifying private flood insurance policy) for the term of the mortgage up to the lesser of the outstanding principal loan balance, the maximum NFIP statutory limit ($250,000 for residential 1-4 units), or the insurable value of the property. Lenders must escrow flood insurance premiums unless specific small-lender exceptions apply.

Established under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. § 4012a) and National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, amended by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012; private flood insurance acceptance regulations updated at 24 CFR Part 203 (FHA, 2022).

Governance registry — every jurisdiction re-researches on a rolling 90-day cycle. Property reports compose these inherited burdens into a per-parcel ledger with conditional determinations. Informational only — not legal advice.