Yes. Every Benicia home sale pays a documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of the price when the deed is recorded, which works out to $1.10 per $1,000 (Solano County Recorder, checked September 24, 2026). Measure Z on the November 3, 2026 ballot would add a new city tax on some sales. Its ordinance exempts homes first built before January 1, 2027 that sell for $2 million or less.
Here’s today’s math, and what the official documents say about the ballot measures.
How much transfer tax do I pay today?
About $946 on an $860,000 sale. Solano County charges 55 cents for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500, on sales over $100. The county says the value of an existing loan that the buyer takes over can be subtracted first, and the tax is paid when the deed is recorded (Solano County Recorder, Special Recording Fees and Requirements page, checked September 24, 2026).
Half of that rate is Benicia’s. The City Attorney says the city’s current transfer tax rate is $0.275 for each $500, authorized by state law (City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis of Measure Z, August 11, 2026). Under state law, the county gives a credit for the city’s tax, so the city’s share comes out of the 55 cents, not on top of it (California Revenue and Taxation Code section 11931).
Benicia has no separate city conveyance tax today. The only added city tax the county’s transfer tax page lists is Vallejo’s, at $1.65 per $500 (Solano County Recorder, checked September 24, 2026).
Who pays the transfer tax, the buyer or the seller?
Whoever the purchase contract says. It’s a term you negotiate. For its new tax, the Measure Z ordinance makes the buyer and the seller jointly liable and lets them divide the tax between themselves (Resolution 26-82, City of Benicia, August 4, 2026, ordinance section 3.17.030). Before you sign, read that line with your agent, and if anything in the contract is unclear, ask a real estate attorney.
What are Measures Y and Z?
Two linked city measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The City Council placed Measure Z on the ballot on August 4, 2026, by a 4 to 1 vote (Resolution 26-82, City of Benicia).
- Measure Y, a limited city charter. Benicia is a general law city. Measure Y would make it a charter city, limited to one new power: setting its own real property transfer tax. The current council-manager government would continue (City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis of Measure Y, August 11, 2026). The City Attorney’s Measure Z analysis says adopting the charter is legally necessary for the city to enact that tax.
- Measure Z, a real property transfer tax. It would set a new city tax on property sales. It only takes effect if voters pass both Y and Z by a majority. If Z fails, the current $0.275 per $500 city rate stays (City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis of Measure Z, August 11, 2026).
The official ballot question asks whether the city should, “to primarily ensure newly constructed property sales contribute to maintaining city services and infrastructure,” establish the tax. The same question estimates it would raise about $230,000 a year (Solano County Registrar of Voters, Corrected Notice of Measures, August 10, 2026). Measure Z is a general tax, which means the money goes to the city’s general fund (City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis of Measure Z).
Also on the Benicia ballot: Measure X, a business license tax. It is not a tax on home sales.
What would Measure Z charge, and who is exempt?
Here are the rates in the Measure Z ordinance (Resolution 26-82, City of Benicia, August 4, 2026):
| Sale price | Measure Z rate |
|---|---|
| $2,000,000 and under | $4 per $1,000 |
| Over $2,000,000 up to $10,000,000 | $6 per $1,000 |
| Over $10,000,000 | $8 per $1,000 |
The big exemption: a residential property whose original residential improvements were first built and substantially completed before January 1, 2027, where the sale does not exceed $2 million, does not pay the Measure Z tax. The ordinance lets owners show the build date with a certificate of occupancy, county assessor records, building permit records or other evidence the city’s Tax Administrator accepts. The ordinance lists other exemptions too, including public agencies acquiring title and certain long-term affordable housing (same source). Read the full list if your sale is unusual.
The title of Resolution 26-82 describes the new tax as in addition to the amount state law already authorizes, so a sale that owes the Measure Z tax would still pay the current tax too. Example: a newly built home that sells for $900,000 after Z takes effect would owe $3,600 under Measure Z ($4 times 900), plus the current $990.
The ordinance sets one rate based on which price band the sale falls in. It does not describe the higher rates as applying only to the part above $2 million. If you own a home that could sell for over $2 million, have escrow and a tax pro run your exact numbers.
When will we know if Measures Y and Z passed?
Election night gives early numbers, not the final answer. The Solano County Registrar of Voters expects to certify results on December 1, 2026, and the legal deadline is December 3 (Solano County Registrar of Voters, November 2026 key dates calendar). If both pass, Measure Z takes effect 10 days after the City Council declares the result (Resolution 26-82).
Closing a sale in December 2026 or January 2027? Ask your escrow officer which rules apply on your recording date.
The City Attorney’s impartial analyses and the arguments for and against both measures are posted on the city’s elections page at ci.benicia.ca.us/elections and on the Solano County Registrar of Voters site. We don’t take a side on either measure.
What else does it cost to sell a home in Benicia?
The transfer tax is one line. The bigger ones are usually these:
- Agent commission. Commissions are always negotiable and are not set by law. Ask any agent you interview exactly what they charge and what’s included.
- Escrow and title fees. Your escrow company gives you an estimate. Ask for it early.
- Tax on your gain. The transfer tax is not income tax. Whether you owe tax on your profit, and how Prop 19 or the home sale exclusion could apply to you, is a question for a tax pro or CPA. We explain the process; we don’t give tax advice.
- Repairs and prep. Fix what buyers’ inspectors will flag. Skip the big remodel unless the numbers say otherwise.
How do I sell my Benicia house for the most money?
Price it to recent sales of homes like yours, and have it ready on day one. In August 2026, 37.1% of Benicia homes sold above list, while 35.7% cut their price first (Redfin, Benicia housing market page, checked September 24, 2026). The list price and the condition usually decide which group a home lands in. Our Benicia price page, linked below, has the full numbers.
Questions people also ask
What is the transfer tax in Benicia, CA?
Today, a Benicia sale pays documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of value, or $1.10 per $1,000, collected by the Solano County Recorder when the deed records. Benicia’s share is $0.275 per $500, which the county credits under state law. That’s about $946 on an $860,000 sale. Ask your escrow officer or a tax pro to confirm your amount.
Does Measure Z apply to my existing Benicia home?
The ordinance exempts residential property first built before January 1, 2027 when the sale does not exceed $2 million. Other sales, such as newly built homes, commercial property and sales over $2 million, would owe it. It takes effect only if voters pass both Measure Y and Measure Z on November 3, 2026, per the City Attorney’s impartial analysis of August 11, 2026.
What is Measure Y in Benicia?
Measure Y would adopt a limited city charter. It gives Benicia one new power, setting its own real property transfer tax, and keeps the council-manager government. The City Attorney’s Measure Z analysis says the charter is legally necessary for Measure Z’s tax. It is on the November 3, 2026 ballot, and the county expects to certify results December 1, 2026.
Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my Benicia home?
That depends on your gain, how long you owned and lived in the home, and your tax situation. It is a separate question from the transfer tax. Talk to a tax pro or CPA before you list, so you know your number before you set your price. We explain the process; we don’t give tax advice.
Your next step
Thinking about selling in Benicia? Let’s put a real net number in front of you, transfer tax included. Talk to a Benicia agent on our team or call (510) 949-5525.
More on Benicia: How much does a house cost in Benicia right now? · Will Benicia home prices drop after the refinery closes? · When is the best time to sell in Benicia? · What’s my home worth?
By Bill Davis, DRE #01880656, The Davis Team at eXp Realty, Benicia, CA. Updated September 24, 2026.
Sources
- Solano County Assessor/Recorder, Special Recording Fees and Requirements page (Documentary Transfer Tax): solanocounty.gov (checked September 24, 2026)
- California Revenue and Taxation Code section 11931: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (checked September 24, 2026)
- City of Benicia, City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis of Measure Y and of Measure Z, submitted August 11, 2026, and arguments for and against, on the elections page: ci.benicia.ca.us/elections (checked September 24, 2026)
- City of Benicia, Resolution 26-82 submitting Measure Z, with the Real Property Transfer Tax Ordinance, adopted August 4, 2026: ci.benicia.ca.us/elections (checked September 24, 2026)
- Solano County Registrar of Voters, Corrected Notice of Measures, Benicia Measures X, Y and Z, dated August 10, 2026, and November 2026 key dates calendar: solanocounty.gov/government/registrar-voters (checked September 24, 2026)
- Redfin, Benicia, CA housing market page, August 2026: redfin.com/city/1415/CA/Benicia/housing-market (checked September 24, 2026)