San Mateo County · Selling Your Home
Selling Your Home in San Mateo County
The City of San Mateo and unincorporated San Mateo County have different sewer-sale rules. The city also charges an additional transfer tax. Confirm the jurisdiction before using either rule in your sale plan.
Request a home value review
Check the sewer requirement for your address
A sewer lateral connects the property to the public sewer system. Before ordering an inspection or assuming a previous repair is enough, identify the responsible jurisdiction and gather any existing inspection or replacement records.
| Where the property is located | Published rule to check | Useful next step |
|---|---|---|
| City of San Mateo | A property sale triggers a sewer lateral inspection unless an exception applies | Check the city's ordinance and available inspection or final-permit records |
| Unincorporated San Mateo County | County Public Works says the county does not require a lateral inspection before sale | Confirm the address and service provider, then consider property condition separately |
| Another incorporated city in the county | The City of San Mateo rule does not establish that city's requirements | Confirm the applicable local process before ordering work |
The City of San Mateo ordinance page lists exceptions including a qualifying inspection within five years, or complete replacement with final city permit sign-off within 25 years. Bring the records so we can check whether the exception fits your property.
County Public Works separately explains its unincorporated-area policy and provides a service locator. An absence of a county sale-inspection requirement does not tell us that a pipe is sound.
Include the correct transfer tax
Your expected sale price and the amount available for your next move are different numbers. A proceeds estimate should identify payoffs and transaction expenses, including applicable transfer taxes.
The following rates are a planning reference checked October 22, 2026. Have escrow confirm the taxable amount, exemptions and allocation for the actual transaction.
| Tax layer | Published rate | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| County documentary transfer tax | $0.55 per $500 or fraction thereof of taxable consideration or value | Applicable calculation and any claimed exemption |
| City of San Mateo conveyance tax, below $10 million | 0.5% of consideration or value for covered transfers | That the property is within city limits and the city tax applies |
| City of San Mateo conveyance tax, $10 million or more | 1.5% of consideration or value for covered transfers | The applicable value and full city calculation |
The County Recorder distinguishes the county tax from the additional City of San Mateo tax. The city's current rate provision sets the two value bands. Do not apply the city's rates throughout the county.
Plan the rest of your sale
For preparation, pricing and the steps through closing, use the main home-selling guide. My selling process explains the marketing approach.
I am Kate Fomina, broker and owner of Crypton Realty. Send me the property's address and your preferred timing so we can discuss which local questions belong in your plan. Discuss your home sale.
The method
The E.P.I.C. Home Selling Strategy in San Mateo County
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