Ontario Property Records

Property records for Ontario are maintained by San Bernardino County. The city has about 179,000 people and sits in the western part of San Bernardino County near the Los Angeles County line. All deeds, liens, and property transfers for Ontario go through the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. The assessor tracks values on each parcel. Tax bills come from the county treasurer. Ontario handles building permits and planning through the city's Building Department.

San Bernardino County Property Records

Ontario is in San Bernardino County. All property documents for the city are filed at the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office. The main office is at 222 W. Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. Call (909) 387-8306 for the recorder or (909) 387-8307 for the assessor with questions about Ontario property records. The office is open Monday through Friday during business hours.

Recording fees follow state law. The base fee is fifteen dollars for the first page. Each additional page costs three dollars. Senate Bill 2 adds seventy-five dollars per document to fund affordable housing. Other fees may apply depending on the document type. Total fees can add up quickly for Ontario property transfers.

San Bernardino County has an online search tool at arcselfservice.sbcounty.gov. You can search for deeds and liens by name or document number. The system shows documents recorded from 1958 to present with index information. Some documents have scanned images you can view online. This is a free service available to anyone searching for Ontario property records.

The San Bernardino County Assessor sets property values for Ontario. You can search property data online through the self-service portal. Type in an address to see assessed values and tax information for Ontario properties. Call the assessor office for questions about your assessment or to request a review of your value.

Searching Ontario Property Records Online

Visit arcselfservice.sbcounty.gov to search Ontario property records. This free system lets you look up deeds and liens. Search by grantor name, grantee name, or document number. Type in a name to see all documents that person signed in Ontario. Results show the recording date and document type.

Click on a result to view more details. Some documents have scanned images available. You can view the image on your screen and print or save it if needed. The system covers Ontario records going back to 1958. Older documents may not have images and require a visit to the San Bernardino office.

For property values and tax data, use the county assessor and tax collector websites. These sites show assessed values, tax bills, and payment history for Ontario properties. You can search by address or parcel number. The sites are updated regularly as new assessments and payments are recorded.

Property Taxes in Ontario

The San Bernardino County Tax Collector handles tax bills for Ontario. You can search and pay online at mytaxcollector.com. Type in your address or parcel number. The site shows how much you owe and when payment is due. You can pay online with various payment methods including eCheck and credit card.

Property taxes are due twice each year. First half is due November 1 and becomes delinquent December 10. A ten percent penalty applies if you pay late. Second half is due February 1 and becomes delinquent April 10. That penalty is ten percent plus ten dollars. If you do not pay by June 30, the property moves to the defaulted tax roll and more fees add up.

Most Ontario homeowners pay taxes through escrow. The mortgage lender collects a portion each month and pays the county. If you pay on your own, set reminders for the due dates. The county mails bills in October and February. Not getting a bill does not excuse you from paying on time. Call the tax collector office with questions about your bill.

Proposition 13 limits annual assessment increases to two percent for Ontario properties. When a home sells, the assessor resets the value to the sale price. That becomes the base for future tax bills. If you think your value is wrong, you can file an appeal during the filing period each fall. The county appeals board reviews cases and can lower values if they find errors.

City of Ontario Building Records

The City of Ontario Building Department handles building permits and inspections. These records are separate from county property files. The department is at 303 E. B Street. Call (909) 395-2023 for questions about permits or to check if a property has code violations. Staff can also provide information about zoning and land use for Ontario addresses.

You can search for building permits online through the city portal at ontarioca.gov/government/community-development/building. The system shows active and completed permits for Ontario addresses. Type in an address to see what work was done. The city uses Symbium for instant solar permits, which speeds up the process for solar installations.

Planning and zoning records include site plans, zoning maps, and variances. If you want to change how you use a property in Ontario, you may need city approval. The planning staff can tell you what zone a property is in and what uses are allowed. They also review plans for new construction or major remodels to make sure they follow city rules.

Recording Documents in Ontario

To record a deed or lien for Ontario property, file it at the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk in San Bernardino. The office is at 222 W. Hospitality Lane. You can submit documents in person, by mail, or through electronic recording services. Recording happens the same day if you submit before the cutoff time.

Documents must follow California state format rules. Use standard 8.5 by 11 inch paper. Leave one inch margins on three sides. The top of the first page needs at least three inches of blank space for the county stamp. All text must be clear. Get signatures notarized where required by law. The recorder will reject papers that do not meet standards.

Many title companies use e-recording for Ontario properties. This is faster than mail. The vendor checks the document before sending it to the county. Most e-recorded documents get processed within a day or two. Ask your title officer if they can handle e-recording when you close on an Ontario property.

Once recorded, a document becomes public. Anyone can search for it and get a copy. The county stamps the date and time on each document. That timestamp sets priority if two people file competing claims. Under California law, the first to record in good faith has the stronger right to the Ontario property.

Legal Help for Ontario Property Matters

If you need legal help with a property issue in Ontario, several groups offer services. Inland Counties Legal Services provides free help to low-income residents. They handle foreclosure defense, landlord disputes, and title problems. Check their website or call to see if you qualify for free legal services in Ontario.

The San Bernardino County Bar Association may have a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with an attorney who handles real estate and property law. The State Bar of California has a referral line at 1-800-392-5660 for finding attorneys in your area.

For disputes about property lines, easements, or title issues in Ontario, you may want to hire a real estate attorney with local experience. Look for someone who knows San Bernardino County. Some offer a free first meeting. Ask about their fees and how they bill before you hire them. You may also need a surveyor if there is a question about property boundaries.

Nearby Cities in San Bernardino County

Ontario borders several other cities. Property records for these cities are also kept by the county assessor-recorder-county clerk. Nearby cities include Rancho Cucamonga to the north, Fontana to the east, and Upland to the northeast. All use the same county offices for recording deeds and collecting property taxes.