Sierra County Recorder

Sierra County property records are kept at the Recorder office at 100 Courthouse Square in Downieville. This small county serves a rural population. The office is in room 11 of the courthouse. Hours run from 9 am to 4 pm each weekday with a lunch break from noon to 1 pm. The first page costs $14 to record. Each added page is $3. Online records go back to 1985 through the Tyler Host system. Call 530-289-3295 for help with property records in Sierra County.

Recorder Office

The Recorder office in Sierra County is in the courthouse at Downieville. This is the county seat and the only place to file deeds. The office is small and serves a tight-knit community. Staff know the area well and can help you with local questions. Bring your documents during office hours. They close for lunch from noon to 1 pm each day.

Staff review each document before recording it. They make sure it meets state law. If your paper passes, they record it right away. You get a stamped copy before you leave. The time stamp proves when it became part of the public record in Sierra County.

Recording Fees

The first page of a document costs $14 to record in Sierra County. Each page after that adds $3. The SB2 fee of $75 per parcel applies to most real estate transfers. Some filings also have a Monument Preservation fee. All fees are due when you file your document.

For a three-page grant deed, you pay $14 for page one, $6 for two more pages, and $75 for SB2. That totals $95. If your document has more pages, the cost goes up. Ask the clerk for a quote when you bring your papers to Downieville.

Standard recording fees:

• First page: $14
• Each added page: $3
• SB2 Building Homes and Jobs Act: $75 per parcel
• Monument Preservation Fund: $10 on qualifying documents

Searching Property Records

Sierra County uses Tyler Host for online property records. The system has documents from 1985 to present. You can search by name, date, or document type. The index shows who filed what and when. Some records have images you can view. For older documents before 1985, you must visit the office in Downieville.

The online search is free to use. You do not pay to look up a record or see basic info. If you need a certified copy, you must order it from the Recorder. They can mail it to you or hold it for pickup. Bring the document number to speed up the search in Sierra County.

Property Tax Information

Property taxes are due twice per year in Sierra County. The first bill is due November 1 and goes late on December 10. A 10% penalty applies. The second bill is due February 1 and becomes late on April 10. That payment gets a 10% penalty plus a $10 cost fee if late.

You can pay online or by mail. The county accepts checks and electronic payments. Look up your bill using your parcel number or property address. The system shows what you owe and when it is due. Many people pay online to avoid a trip to Downieville in Sierra County.

If you do not pay by June 30, the property goes on the defaulted tax roll. Interest starts at 1.5% per month. A redemption fee is added. The county can sell your property at a tax sale if you do not pay within five years. Keep your taxes current to avoid losing your home in Sierra County.

Property Assessments

The Assessor office values all property in Sierra County for tax purposes. Values are set when you buy a home and can rise by no more than 2% per year under Proposition 13. If you add on to the home or it changes hands, the county reassesses it at current market value.

File a change in ownership form within 45 days of buying property. The Assessor uses it to set a new base value. That value sets your tax bill. If you think the value is too high, you can appeal. File between July 2 and September 15. Use form BOE-305-AH. The county holds hearings to review appeals and decide if a change is needed in Sierra County.

Sierra County Communities

Sierra County is one of the smallest counties in California by population. It has no incorporated cities. All property records are kept at the county Recorder office in Downieville. The county seat is the main location for filing and searching land records.

Communities in Sierra County include Downieville, Loyalton, Sierraville, and Calpine. All file property records at the county Recorder office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Sierra County. If your property is not in Sierra County, check the county where it is located. Each county has its own recorder and assessor.