Seismic Retrofit Program & Refund Guidelines and Information
A property transfer tax of 1.5 % is imposed on all transfers by deeds, instruments, writings or any other document by which any lands, tenements, or other interests in real property are sold, located in the City of Berkeley, which are, or is granted, assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed to or vested in a purchaser, or purchasers thereof, or any other person or persons, by his/her or their direction.
Please click to view the Berkeley Municipal Code, Chapter 7.52 Real Property Transfer Tax. The Seismic Retrofit Refund Program allows for up to 1/3 of the City of Berkeley transfer tax to be refunded on a dollar for dollar basis for voluntary eligible seismic upgrades to residential property.
Please note: Refund amounts are approved by the Building & Safety Division of the Planning Department. Refund applications must be submitted to the department for review and approval before going to the Finance Department for processing. Community members shall have one year from the close of escrow to complete all Seismic Retrofit work and submit a Seismic Retrofit Verification and Refund Application to the Building & Safety Division of the Planning Department.
Please click to view additional information and applications for the Real Property Transfer Tax-Seismic Refund Program
Finance Department
Monday -Thursday 8:30am - 2:00pm
1947 Center Street, 1st Floor
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-7200 Fax: (510) 981-7280
Email: finance@berkeleyca.gov
Building & Safety
Monday -Thursday 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
1947 Center Street, 3rd Floor
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-7440 Fax: (510) 981-7450