As of January 14, 2019, property sales in El Cerrito are subject to a 1.2% transfer tax (RPTT) equal to 1.2% of the sales price. You may be eligible for a rebate of the RPTT for seismic upgrades and energy and water conservation projects.

If you qualify for the rebate, you may be eligible for either a full or partial rebate of the cost of qualifying improvements..

DO I QUALIFY?

To qualify, the property transfer, or sale, must be in escrow on or after January 14, 2019.
 

What is the deadline?

Qualifying seismic upgrades or energy or water conservation projects must be
 completed either up to one year prior to the transfer of real property or within one year
 after the transfer. If the work qualifying for a rebate is completed prior to the transfer of
 the real property, the seller and buyer must decide who may apply for and receive
 the rebate. 

HOW MUCH IS THE REBATE?

The maximum rebate shall be one-third (1/3) of the tax paid for a transfer of real property. Multiple rebate applications may be submitted for a rebate of the tax paid, but the total rebate for all applications shall not exceed the maximum of one-third (1/3) of the tax paid.
 

WHAT IMPROVEMENTS OR UPGRADES QUALIFY?

Seismic upgrades:

1. Work on residential structures that would qualify for the California Earthquake Bolt and Brace program, or other similar programs that the City Council may identify by resolution.
2. Corrective work on buildings that are listed on the City of El Cerrito inventory of potentially hazardous, unreinforced masonry· buildings, if the work necessary to meet City standards or requirements applicable to sucH buildings. Qualifying work must be performed pursuant to a plan prepared by a structural engineer and approved by the Building Official or designee.
3. Any other work found by the building official to substantially increase the capability of structures on the property to withstand destruction or damage in the event of an earthquake, including but not limited such work on buildings that use soft-story construction. Qualifying work must be performed pursuant to a plan prepared by a structural engineer and approved by the Building Official or designee.

Energy and water conservation projects:

1. Installation of electric vehicle supply equipment ("EVSE") or electric vehicle charging stations.
2. Installation of rooftop solar energy systems.
3. Voluntary measures listed in Appendix A4 or Appe11dix AS of the California Green Building Standards Code for energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation, or water reuse.
4. Upgrades to residential, multifamily, and commercial properties that would qualify for the Bay Area Regional Energy Network program ("BayREN"), or other similar programs that the City Council may identify by resolution.
5. Installation of stormwater retention systems that comply with the California Plumbing Code.