Glenn County Property Searches
Glenn County property records are kept by the Assessor and Clerk-Recorder in Willows. This office handles all deeds, liens, and property documents for the county. You can search records online through their Tyler Host system or visit the office on West Sycamore Street. Glenn County is a small agricultural county in the northern Sacramento Valley. Most property here is farmland, though the cities of Willows and Orland have residential and commercial parcels. The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder combines several roles in one office, which is common in smaller California counties.
Glenn County Quick Facts
Glenn County Assessor Clerk Recorder
The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder handles three main jobs in Glenn County. As clerk, they record deeds and liens. As recorder, they maintain the official property files. As assessor, they set property values for tax purposes. Combining these roles in one office makes it easier for residents to get help with property matters.
The office is on West Sycamore Street in Willows. Staff work Monday through Friday during normal business hours. You can walk in to file documents or search records. They also take requests by mail and phone. The office keeps records going back to when Glenn County formed in the late 1800s. Older records are on microfilm. Recent files are digital and easier to search.
| Address | 516 West Sycamore Street, Willows, CA 95988 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (530) 934-6412 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | countyofglenn.net/assessor |
To record a document in Glenn County, bring it to the counter in Willows. The clerk checks that it meets state format rules. Documents must be on standard size paper with proper margins. Text must be legible. The clerk stamps the date and time when you hand it in. This creates the official record of when your document was filed in Glenn County.
Search Glenn Property Records Online
Glenn County uses Tyler Host software for online property searches. This system lets you look up deeds and liens from home. The database includes recent years and some older records. Type in a name or document number to find what you need. The system shows index data but not full images in most cases.
Tyler Host is used by many small California counties. If you know how to use it in one county, you can use it in others. The interface is the same across counties. Glenn County shares this system with counties like Del Norte, Trinity, and Sierra. This saves money for small counties that cannot afford custom software.
The Glenn County Assessor data is available through ParcelQuest. This system shows property values, ownership, and parcel numbers. You can search by address or APN. The site displays current assessments and past sale prices. It also shows maps of parcel boundaries. This tool is free to use, though some features may require an account in Glenn County.
Glenn County Recording Fees
State law sets the base recording fee at fifteen dollars for the first page and four dollars per extra page. Glenn County follows this standard rate. Senate Bill 2 adds seventy-five dollars for most property sales to fund housing programs statewide. This fee applies in Glenn County just like everywhere in California.
Additional fees may include a fraud prevention charge and a monument preservation fee. These vary by county. Call the Glenn County Clerk-Recorder to get the exact total for your document type. Fees can change when the state or county updates their rates. Always confirm costs before you submit papers for recording in Glenn County.
Documentary transfer tax is charged when property sells. The rate is fifty-five cents per five hundred dollars of sale price. If a farm sells for one million dollars, the tax is one thousand one hundred dollars. The seller usually pays this, though parties can negotiate who covers it. This tax goes to the county general fund in Glenn County.
Property Taxes in Glenn County
Glenn County property taxes are based on assessed value. The assessor reviews all parcels each year. Values can go up by two percent annually under Proposition 13. When property sells, the assessor resets the value to the sale price. This new value becomes the base for future increases in Glenn County.
Tax bills arrive in the fall. The first half is due by December tenth. The second half is due by April tenth. Late payments get a ten percent penalty. The second installment adds a cost fee on top of the penalty. These charges can add hundreds of dollars to your bill if you forget to pay on time in Glenn County.
The Glenn County Tax Collector handles payments. You can pay online through their website. The county uses a system called MPTS Web that is common in small California counties. This system accepts electronic checks and credit cards. ECheck is usually free. Credit cards have a processing fee of around two to three percent of your payment in Glenn County.
If you disagree with your assessed value, file an appeal with the Glenn County Assessment Appeals Board. The deadline is September fifteenth for regular appeals. Supplemental assessments give you sixty days from the mail date. The board holds hearings and reviews evidence. If they find the value is too high, they lower it. This reduces your tax bill going forward in Glenn County.
Property Documents in Glenn County
Grant deeds are the main way property changes hands in Glenn County. A grant deed transfers title from seller to buyer. It includes a legal description and the names of both parties. Recording the deed gives public notice of the new owner. This protects the buyer from later claims.
Trust deeds secure loans on land and buildings. Most home loans in California use trust deeds instead of mortgages. When you borrow money, the lender records a trust deed. This gives them a lien on your property. If you pay off the loan, they file a reconveyance to remove the lien. Both documents are public in Glenn County.
Liens come from many sources. A mechanic lien is filed by a contractor who was not paid. A tax lien comes from the IRS or state tax board. A judgment lien comes from a court ruling. All liens attach to property and must be paid before you can sell or refinance. They show up in title searches in Glenn County.
Parcel maps divide land into lots. These maps are recorded when a developer creates a subdivision. Each lot gets an assessor parcel number that links to the tax roll. Maps show easements, setbacks, and lot lines. You can view them online or at the recorder office in Glenn County.
Property Help in Glenn County
The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder office in Willows is the main resource for property questions. Staff can help you find old deeds or explain how to record new documents. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms and agencies in Glenn County.
For complex title issues, consult a real estate attorney or title company. These professionals can research ownership history and clear up problems with liens or boundary disputes. Many title companies operate in Glenn County even though it is a small area. They work with buyers and sellers across northern California.
The Glenn County Planning Department handles zoning and building permits. If you want to build or subdivide land, check with them first. They keep maps showing what uses are allowed in each area. This information is separate from property records, though both offices use the same parcel numbers in Glenn County.