Chapter 3.16
REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
Sections:
3.16.010 Adoption – Statutory authority.
3.16.020 Administration by county recorder.
3.16.030 Amount of tax.
3.16.040 Persons liable for payment.
3.16.050 Exemptions – Instruments in writing to secure a debt.
3.16.060 Exemptions – Certain political entities.
3.16.070 Exemptions – Bankruptcy proceedings.
3.16.080 Exemptions – Instruments pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission.
3.16.090 Exemptions – Partnerships.
3.16.100 Refund claims.
3.16.110 Operative date.
3.16.010 Adoption – Statutory authority.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authorization contained in Part 6.7 (commencing with Section 11901) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the state. (1960 code § 21.72)
3.16.020 Administration by county recorder.
The county recorder shall administer this chapter in conformity with the provisions of Part 6.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and the provisions of any amendment adopted pursuant thereto. (1960 code § 21.80)
3.16.030 Amount of tax.
There is hereby imposed on each deed, instrument or writing by which any lands, tenements or other realty sold within the City shall be granted, assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons, by his or their direction, when the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrances remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds $100.00, a tax at the rate of 27 and one-half cents for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; 1960 code § 21.73)
3.16.040 Persons liable for payment.
Any tax imposed pursuant to LMC 3.16.030 shall be paid by any person who makes, signs or issues any document or instrument subject to the tax, or for whose use or benefit the same is made, signed or issued. (1960 code § 21.74)
3.16.050 Exemptions – Instruments in writing to secure a debt.
Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to any instrument in writing given to secure a debt. (1960 code § 21.75)
3.16.060 Exemptions – Certain political entities.
The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, any state or territory, or political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia, shall not be liable for any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter with respect to any deed, instrument of writing to which it is a party, but the tax may be collected by assessment from any other party liable therefor. (1960 code § 21.76)
3.16.070 Exemptions – Bankruptcy proceedings.
A. Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to the making, delivering or filing of conveyances to make effective any plan of reorganization or adjustment:
1. Confirmed under the Federal Bankruptcy Act, as amended;
2. Approved in an equity receivership proceeding in a court involving a railroad corporation, as defined in subdivision (m) of Section 205 of Title II of the United States Code, as amended;
3. Approved in an equity receivership proceeding in a court involving a corporation, as defined in subdivision (3) of Section 506 of Title II of the United States Code, as amended; or
4. Whereby a mere change in identity, form or place of organization is effected.
B. Subdivisions 1 through 4, inclusive, of this section shall only apply if the making, delivery or filing of instruments of transfer or conveyances occurs within five years from the date of such confirmation, approval or change. (1960 code § 21.77)
3.16.080 Exemptions – Instruments pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission.
Any tax imposed pursuant to this chapter shall not apply to the making or delivery of conveyances to make effective any order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1083 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, but only if:
A. The order of the Securities and Exchange Commission in obedience to which such conveyance is made recites that such conveyance is necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of Section 79k of Title 15 of the United States Code, relating to the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935;
B. Such order specifies the property which is ordered to be conveyed;
C. Such conveyance is made in obedience to such order. (1960 code § 21.78)
3.16.090 Exemptions – Partnerships.
A. In the case of any realty held by a partnership, no tax shall be imposed pursuant to this chapter by reason of any transfer of an interest in the partnership, or otherwise, if:
1. Such partnership (or other partnership) is considered a continuing partnership within the meaning of Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; and
2. Such continuing partnership continues to hold the realty concerned.
B. If there is a termination of any partnership within the meaning of Section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, for purposes of this chapter, such partnership shall be treated as having executed an instrument whereby there was conveyed, for fair market value (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining thereon), all realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination.
C. Not more than one tax shall be imposed pursuant to this chapter by reason of a termination described in subsection B of this section, and any transfer pursuant thereto, with respect to the realty held by such partnership at the time of such termination. (1960 code § 21.79)
3.16.100 Refund claims.
Claims for refund of taxes imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 5096) of Part 9 of Division 1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the state. (1960 code § 21.81)
3.16.110 Operative date.
The ordinance codified in this chapter shall become operative upon the operative date of any ordinance adopted by the county, pursuant to Part 6.7 (commencing with Section 11901) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the state, or upon the effective date of said ordinance (December 11, 1967), whichever is later. (1960 code § 21.82)