Contra Costa Property Records
Contra Costa County property records cover over one million residents across the East Bay region of California. The assessor office in Martinez maintains property values and parcel data while the county recorder handles document recording. Online property tax lookups are available through the tax collector website. Most property records are public under California law and can be accessed by anyone. These records include deeds, trust deeds, liens, assessments, and tax bills for all real property in the county from Richmond and Concord to Walnut Creek and Antioch.
Contra Costa County Overview
Assessor and Property Values
The Contra Costa County Assessor sits at 2530 Arnold Drive, Suite 100, in Martinez. Call 925-313-7400 for questions about property values, appeals, or ownership changes. The assessor sets values for all parcels in the county each year. These values determine property tax bills. Under Proposition 13, assessed values can only increase two percent annually unless the property sells or improvements are made.
You can search property data online through the county assessor website. Look up parcels by address or APN. The system shows assessed value, lot size, building square footage, year built, and other details. This information is public and free to view. The assessor also maintains parcel maps showing property boundaries and legal descriptions. Maps can be requested from the office for a small fee.
When property changes hands, the assessor sends a change in ownership statement. You must fill out this form and return it within forty-five days of recording the deed. The assessor uses this information to update records and reassess the property to the sale price. Some transfers do not trigger reassessment such as certain gifts between family members or transfers to a trust where you keep control.
If you think your assessment is too high, file an appeal between July 2nd and September 15th. The county assessment appeals board hears cases and decides whether to lower values. Bring evidence like recent sales of similar homes or documentation of damage or defects. The board can reduce your value if the evidence supports it. Supplemental assessments have a sixty-day appeal window from the notice date.
County Recorder Services
The Contra Costa County Recorder maintains all official property documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments. These records establish the chain of title and provide public notice of ownership and encumbrances. Recording protects your property rights and is required by law for most transfers and liens to be enforceable against third parties.
Recording fees follow state guidelines. The base fee is fifteen dollars for the first page plus three dollars for each additional page. The SB2 housing fee adds seventy-five dollars to most property transfers. Other fees may include fraud prevention and monument preservation charges. Total costs depend on document type and length. Contact the recorder office for current fee schedules.
Submit documents for recording in person at the Martinez office, by mail, or through approved e-recording services. In-person recordings are processed the same day if received before the cutoff time. Mail submissions are handled in the order they arrive. E-recording offers fast service with many documents recorded within hours. The recorder timestamps each document with the exact date and time which establishes priority under California law.
You can request copies of recorded documents from the recorder office. Plain copies cost a few dollars per page. Certified copies include an official seal and cost more but provide legal proof. Most transactions require certified copies. Order copies in person, by phone, or by mail. Include the document number or enough details to find the record. Payment is required before copies are provided.
Property Tax Information
Property taxes in Contra Costa County are due in two installments. First payment is due November 1st and goes delinquent December 10th. Second payment is due February 1st and becomes delinquent April 10th. A ten percent penalty applies immediately to late payments. Additional penalties and interest accrue on unpaid balances. Properties with five years of unpaid taxes can be sold at auction.
The tax collector handles billing and collection. Pay online at taxcolp.cccttc.us/lookup where you can also look up your bill and payment history. Enter your parcel number to see current charges and past payments. Most online systems charge a fee for credit cards while e-checks are usually free. Always keep your payment receipt.
Tax rates vary across the county based on where your property sits. The base rate is one percent under Proposition 13. Local school bonds, fire districts, and other assessments add to the total. Your tax bill shows all rates and how they apply to your property. Some areas have higher total rates due to voter-approved bonds and special districts.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, ask about payment plans. Some counties offer programs to spread payments over several months. This can help avoid penalties and keep your property out of default. Contact the tax collector office to see what options are available. There may be a fee to enroll but it is usually less than late penalties.
Finding Contra Costa Records
Start online for the fastest results. The assessor website has property data for all parcels. The tax collector portal shows bills and payment status. For recorded documents, contact the recorder office. Some records may be searchable online while others require an in-person visit or mail request. Call ahead to confirm what is available online and what requires office assistance.
In-person research happens at the county offices in Martinez. The assessor, recorder, and tax collector are all located there. Bring ID and be ready to explain what you need. Staff can help you search indexes and locate records. Some older documents may be on microfilm or in storage. Allow extra time if you need historical records from many decades ago.
Mail requests work for copy orders when you know the document number or have enough information to locate the record. Write to the appropriate office and include payment for copies. Processing time is typically one to two weeks for mailed requests. Certified mail with return receipt is recommended for important requests.
Property tax lookups are quick and free on the tax collector website. Enter your parcel number or address to see your bill. The system shows if you are current or have delinquent taxes. It also displays tax sale status if applicable. You can pay online through the same portal. Keep the confirmation number as proof of payment.
Cities in Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County includes several large cities where property records are maintained at the county level. The county recorder handles all document recording. The assessor tracks values for every parcel. Tax bills come from the county tax collector.
The largest city in Contra Costa County with a page on this site is:
Other notable cities in the county include Richmond, Antioch, Walnut Creek, and Pittsburg. While these cities do not have individual pages on this site, all property records for these areas are found through the Contra Costa County offices in Martinez.
Bordering Counties
Contra Costa County shares borders with several Bay Area counties.