Concord Property Records

Property records for Concord are managed by Contra Costa County. The county assessor and recorder maintain all deeds, liens, and trust deeds for properties in the city. You search these files through the county, not the city. Tax records and property values come from the county assessor. The county treasurer-tax collector handles payment of property taxes. If you need to look up who owns land in Concord or check for liens, you use Contra Costa County resources. The assessor office is at 2530 Arnold Drive, Suite 100, in Martinez.

Contra Costa County Assessor and Recorder

All Concord property documents are filed with Contra Costa County. The assessor office is at 2530 Arnold Drive, Suite 100, in Martinez. You can call (925) 313-7400 for questions about property values, tax bills, or recording services. The county keeps deeds, liens, and other real estate documents for the entire county, including Concord and other cities.

When you buy or sell a home in Concord, the deed goes to the county recorder. When a lender releases a loan, the reconveyance gets filed there too. The office is open on weekdays during business hours. You can visit in person to search records or request copies.

Recording fees in Contra Costa County follow state guidelines. The base fee is $15 for the first page of a standard document. Each extra page costs $3. Additional fees may apply, such as the SB 2 building homes fee or the fraud prevention fee. The total depends on the type and size of your document.

Contra Costa County keeps property records going back many decades. Older files are on microfilm or in bound books. Newer records are digital and easier to access. If you need an old deed, staff can help you find it. Copies cost a few dollars per page. Certified copies have an official stamp and cost more than plain copies.

Search Concord Property Records Online

Contra Costa County provides online access to property tax data. You can search by address or parcel number at taxcolp.cccttc.us/lookup/. This site shows the current tax bill, assessed value, and payment status. It does not show deeds or ownership changes. For that, you need to contact the recorder office.

The county assessor site lets you view property values and tax info. You can see the last sale price, current assessed value, and any exemptions on file. This is useful if you want to check your tax bill or compare property values in the area. The system is free to use and does not require a login.

For deed searches and ownership history, you may need to visit the county office in person or call for assistance. Some counties have online deed searches, but Contra Costa County requires in-person or phone requests for most document lookups. Staff can help you find what you need if you explain what you are looking for.

If you are doing a title search or need detailed ownership history, consider hiring a title company. They have access to databases that go back many years and can trace ownership through multiple sales. For a simple check on current ownership or tax status, the free county tools work fine.

Pay Property Taxes in Concord

Property taxes for Concord are collected by the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector. You can view and pay your tax bill online. The county website has a tax lookup tool where you search by address or parcel number. Once you find your bill, you can pay with eCheck or credit card. ECheck is usually free. Credit cards come with a service fee.

Tax bills are mailed in October. The first half is due November 1 and late after December 10. A 10% penalty is added if you miss the deadline. The second half is due February 1 and late after April 10. You get another 10% penalty plus a cost fee if you pay late.

If taxes stay unpaid for five years, the property can be sold at auction. The county publishes a list of properties going to sale. You can view this list at the tax collector office or online. Buyers at these sales must pay all back taxes and fees. The prior owner has a limited time to redeem the property by paying what is owed.

Some property owners qualify for exemptions. The homeowner exemption saves about $70 per year. You file once and it stays in effect as long as you own and live in the home. Other exemptions exist for seniors, disabled veterans, and low-income owners. Contact the assessor for forms and rules.

Concord Permit Center

The City of Concord Permit Center handles building permits and planning records. Their website is at cityofconcord.org/169/Permit-Center. You can call (925) 671-3107 for help with permits or questions about construction rules. The city runs a Virtual Permit Center where you can apply for permits and check permit status online.

Building permits are required for most construction work in Concord. This includes new buildings, additions, major repairs, and some electrical or plumbing jobs. Small jobs like painting may not need a permit. If you are not sure, call the permit center and describe the work. They can tell you if a permit is required.

Permit records show what construction has been done on a property. If a past owner added a room or changed the roof, there should be a permit on file. Unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell. Buyers often check permit history before closing. You can request permit records for any address from the city.

Zoning and land use files are kept by the city planning office. These records show what you can build on a piece of land. Some areas allow only single-family homes. Others allow apartments or businesses. Before you buy land or start a project, check the zoning. The city can tell you what is allowed and what restrictions apply.

Types of Property Documents

Grant deeds transfer ownership from one person to another. When you buy a home, the seller signs a grant deed. This deed includes promises that the seller owns the property and has not sold it already. It does not give a full guarantee of clear title, but it offers some protection to the buyer.

Deeds of trust are filed when you borrow money to buy a home. The lender holds a lien on the property until the loan is paid. If you stop paying, the lender can foreclose. When you pay off the loan, the lender files a reconveyance. This removes the lien from the public record.

Liens attach to property when someone has a legal claim. A mechanic lien is filed by a contractor who did work and did not get paid. A tax lien comes from the IRS or state when taxes are owed. A judgment lien results from a court case. All these liens must be cleared before you can sell with a clean title.

Who Can View Property Records

Most property records in Contra Costa County are public. Anyone can search them. You do not need to own the property or prove a legal interest. California law says these files are open so people can check ownership and liens before they buy or lend money.

Some personal info is kept private. Social security numbers and driver license numbers are redacted. You will see them blacked out or covered. Financial account numbers are also hidden in many cases. The county does this to prevent identity theft.

Certain people can request extra privacy. Victims of domestic violence, judges, and law enforcement can use a confidential address program. If active, the property record shows an alternate address instead of the real one. The true address is still on file but only certain officials can see it.

California Recording Laws

California Civil Code Section 1213 says that recording a deed gives legal notice to everyone. Once a document is on file, future buyers are assumed to know about it. This protects people who record first.

Civil Code Section 1214 sets priority rules. If two people claim the same property, the one who recorded first wins, as long as they had no knowledge of the other claim. This is a race-notice system. You must record fast to protect your interest.

Government Code Section 27320 requires the county recorder to timestamp every document. The exact date, hour, and minute go on each filing. This timestamp decides order if two documents come in on the same day.

Other Bay Area Cities

Other Bay Area cities include Oakland in Alameda County, Berkeley also in Alameda County, San Jose in Santa Clara County, and Vallejo in Solano County. Each county has its own recorder and assessor. If you need records for those cities, go to their county offices, not to Contra Costa County.