California Local Real Estate Disclosure Guide by County
- Oasis Singleton
- Jun 21
- 7 min read
In California, real estate transactions are governed by both state-mandated disclosures and additional local requirements. While the state provides a baseline, many counties and cities have their own ordinances and advisories that sellers and agents must adhere to. This guide aims to consolidate these local disclosures to assist real estate professionals in ensuring compliance across the state.
Considerations for Real Estate Agents:
One of the top 10 reasons a real estate agent might face a lawsuit is conducting business in an area they are not familiar with. While the following information and links are intended to be helpful, they are not a replacement for your own research and experience in real estate transactions. It is advisable to work with an agent who is knowledgeable about the sale area or to join the local association to access the most current copies of disclosures, review disclosures, and have the seller contact the city to understand all sale requirements. This does not replace your own responsibility for due diligence in residential real estate transactions - local rules, disclosures and ordinances are subject to change at any time.
Statewide Disclosure Requirements
Before delving into local specifics, it's essential to understand the foundational disclosures required statewide:
Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS): Details the condition of the property.
Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD): Identifies if the property is in a hazard zone.
Right to Farm: A comprehensive NHD report should provide this disclosure
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Mandatory for homes built before 1978.
Mello-Roos and 1915 Bond Act Assessments: Discloses special tax assessments.
Water Heater Bracing Compliance: Certifies proper strapping for earthquakes.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Compliance: Ensures functional detectors are installed.
High and Very High Fire Zones: AB38 disclosure requirements and possible defensible space will notated in NHD report, inspection or remediation maybe required.
Balcony Inspections: E3 Inspection law, balconies on multi-family buildings including condos and apartments are due every 6-9 years starting Jan 1st, 2026.
For a detailed overview, refer to the California Department of Real Estate's Disclosure Guide.
The following can be used in conjunction with the TDS/SPQ and Statewide Buyer-Seller Advisory. This is not a comprehensive list; consult your agent to ensure all local requirements are met.
1. Alameda County
Advisory: Alameda County Disclosures & Disclaimers Advisory covers issues such as
seismic retrofit, sewer lateral compliance, spark arrestors, sidewalks, flood zones, trees, underground tanks, cannabis, rent caps. Sewer lateral ordinance requirements.
City Level:
Oakland
Sewer lateral & Sidewalk POS compliance required before escrow closes. Seller or buyer must obtain compliance certificates; escrow may hold $4,500 deposit for repairs.
Berkeley
Energy Audit (BESO) required before sale; report due to buyer.
Purchase Agreement Addenda is available
Emeryville
Purchase Agreement Addenda is available
Alameda City
Purchase Agreement Addenda is available
Albany
Purchase Agreement Addenda is available
Piedmont
Purchase Agreement Addenda is available
Alpine County:
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Amador County:
Advisory: Amador County Disclosure & optional TDS covers issues such as drought, fire prevention and defensible space requiremenents.
Butte County
No known advisory
County includes Right-to-Farm, ADU, and short-term rental ordinances.
City Level:
Chico
Chico Urban Area Nitrate Compliance: Properties transitioning from septic to sewer under a regional program must follow permit, inspection, and septic tank destruction protocols.
Energy Conservation ordinance retrofit program
Calaveras County:
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Colusa County:
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Contra Costa County:
Advisories: Contra Costa County Disclosures and Disclaimers Advisory
Weatherization Disclosure Form – Required in Concord for compliance with local energy conservation standards. Sellers or agents must disclose the presence or absence of certain weatherization features.
City-Level:
Purchase contract addenda and point of sale requiresments available for El Cerrito, Hercules, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Pablo, Walnut Creek, Unicorp. CCC via Contra Costa Association
Del Norte County:
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
El Dorado County
Advisories: El Dorado County Local Buyer and Seller Advisory and Disclosures– Fire protection, defensible space, wildfire hazard– Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) in soils– Agricultural protections/right-to-farm– Airport noise and land-use compatibility– Oak woodlands, endangered species, zoning consistency
Fresno County:
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Glenn County:
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Humboldt County
Advisories: Humboldt County Disclosures and Disclaimers Advisory
Imperial County:
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Inyo County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Kern County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Kings County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Lake County
Advisories: Right-to-Farm Disclosure included with a comprehensive NHD Report
Ordinance: AB38 High Fire Zone & Inspection for Defensible Space Compliance, Low Flow Low Flush Point of Sale Requirement
Lassen County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Los Angeles County
Advisory: Los Angeles County Disclosure and Disclaimer
City Level:
Los Angeles (City)
Requires Residential Property Report (RPR/Form 9) before sale/escrow closes
Malibu / Topanga
Maderna County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances
Marin County
Advisory: Marin County Disclosures Advisory
City Level:
Mill Valley— Fire hardening / defensible-space advisory in disclosures. citizenportal.ai+1myalliancebay.com+1
Tiburon / Sausalito / Corte Madera— Must comply with BESO (Building Energy Saving Ordinance) audits prior to sale.
Mariposa County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Mendocino County
Advisory: Mendocino County Disclosures & Disclaimers Advisory
City Level:
Fort Bragg / Ukiah / Willits— Properties within 300 ft of industrial zones trigger “Right to Industry” disclosure requiring Title Report notice.
Merced County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Mono
Advisory: Local Option Transfer Disclosure Statement
Monterey County
Advisory: Monterey County Supplemental Disclosures
City Level:
Carmel-by-the-Sea / Monterey / Pacific Grove / Del Rey Oaks / Salinas / etc.:
Supplemental Disclosure required covering future development, permit history, coastal/coastal commission implications, tree preservation, water use conditions, septic/sewer lateral obligations.
Del Rey Oaks: specific Sewer Lateral POS & City Inspection (Failure to close escrow if noncompliant).
Napa County
Advisory: Napa County Disclosures and Disclaimers Advisory, San Francisco Bay Area Fireplace Disclosure
Nevada County
Advisory: Nevada County Addendum
Orange County
Advisory: Orange County Addendum. Check for update information HERE
Placer County
Ordinaces: Wood Burning Applicances (Rule 225)
Plumas County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Riverside County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Sacramento County
Advisory: Sacramento County Disclosures and Disclaimers Advisory
San Benito County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
San Bernardino County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
San Deigo County
Advisory: Local Area Disclosures for San Diego County
San Francisco County
Advisories:
San Francisco Seller Disclosure (Must join local SF Realtor Association for access)
Requires several local disclosures and inspections. The city also uses its own purchase agreement and disclosure forms through the San Francisco Association of Realtors (SFAR). Reference - Listing Disclosure Checklist
Bay Area Air Quality Management District , San Francisco Bay Area Fireplace Disclosure
City Level:
San Francisco (City)
Point-of-Sale Ordinances:
3R Report (Residential Building Record): Required in all residential transfers. The report is issued by the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection and outlines the permit history and legal use of the property.
Energy & Water Conservation Ordinance: Requires certification of water-saving and energy-efficiency fixtures prior to close of escrow.
Sewer Lateral Inspection:Not universally required. Applies only if flagged by Public Works during permitting or if the property is in a high-risk zone. Sewer Lateral Info
Underground Fuel Tanks (USTs): Disclosure required if a tank is present or suspected. Many older SF homes (especially pre-1950s) have decommissioned or abandoned tanks, particularly in areas like the Richmond or Sunset. Buyers may request testing.
COPA (Community Opportunity to Purchase Act): Applies to sales of 3+ unit buildings. Sellers must notify qualified nonprofits and allow time for a first offer before marketing the property. COPA Summary
Tenant Buyout Ordinance: Requires all buyouts (for 2+ unit buildings) to be disclosed and registered with the Rent Board. Tenant Buyout Rules
Slavery Era Disclosure:Applies to certain properties — particularly commercial or multifamily — based on zoning and ownership history. Slavery Era Ordinance info
San Joaquin County
Advisory: Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement
San Luis Obispo County
Ordinances: Water conservation certificate (Title 13.06.040): properties must receive certificate before transfer.
San Mateo County
Advisories:San Mateo- Santa Clara Counties Advisory , San Francisco Bay Area Fireplace Disclosure
Ordinances: Sewer Lateral Inspections
City-Level Highlights:
Belmont
Smoking in Multi-Unit Housing Disclosure
Sewer Lateral Disclosure Notice to Buyer
Brisbane
Sewer Lateral Disclosure
Burlingame
Sewer Lateral Inspection & Correction
Daly City
3-R Report
Half Moon Bay
Smoke Detector Inspection
Hillsborough
Sewer Lateral Inspection & Correction
Millbrae
Sewer Lateral Video Inspection
Pacifica
Sewer Lateral Compliance Certificate
San Mateo
Sewer Lateral Compliance Certification
South San Francisco
Sewer Lateral Test
Santa Barbara County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Santa Clara County
Advisory: San Mateo- Santa Clara Counties Advisory
Santa Cruz County
Advisory: Santa Cruz County Disclosures and Disclaimers Advisory
Ordinance: Sewer Lateral Program
City-Level:
City of Santa Cruz
Water Conservation Certificate required prior to sale — includes verification of high-efficiency fixtures and irrigation systems.Water Conservation Requirements – City of Santa Cruz
Shasta County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Sierra County
Advisories:
TSBOR Disclosure Regarding Property Conditions
TSBOR Disclosure Regarding Use of Property
TSBOR Advisory & Disclosure Regarding Short Term Rentals
TSBOR Water Heater & Smoke Detector Statement of Compliance
TSBOR Well & Septic Inspection Advisory
Access full set of forms: TSBOR Forms Page
Siskyou County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Solano County
Advisory: Solano County Disclosures and Disclaimers Advisory, San Francisco Bay Area Fireplace Disclosure
City-Level Requirements
Vallejo
(North Vallejo / Flood & Wastewater District): POS private sewer lateral inspection required if the lateral is >10 years old
Sonoma County
Advisory: Sonoma County Disclosures and Disclaimers Advisory, San Francisco Bay Area Fireplace Disclosure
City-Level:
Sonoma County Sanitation District (unincorporated areas): POS sewer lateral inspection mandatory for lines over 30 years old
Stanislaus County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Sutter County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Tehama County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Toulumne County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Trinity County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Tulare County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances.
Ventura County
Ordinances: Private sewer lateral inspection is mandatory before close of escrow. Requires video inspection report (and DVD/video file) submitted to city building department. Applies to single-family, commercial, condos every 10 years. Permit (~$75) required. Often high fire area rules for AB38 apply
City Level:
Ventura, Ojai, Camarillo, etc. – All subject to county/city sewer lateral POS rules per county guidelines.
Yolo County
City Level:
Davis: Davis Resale Ordinance, Davis Resale Inspection Brochure ,
Woodland: Woodland Fire Spinkler Ordinance
Yuba County
No known disclosures/advisories or local/city ordinances. (Often disputes about property boundry lines)
All buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals are strongly encouraged to:
Consult with an experienced local real estate agent or broker.
Verify any current disclosure obligations with the appropriate County Recorder, City Planning Department, or Local Realtor Association.
Review any applicable purchase contract addenda specific to the transaction area (e.g., SFAR, CAR, or association-specific forms).
Confirm whether additional documentation, such as sewer lateral compliance, defensible space inspection, or local hazard advisories, apply to their specific property.
This blog California Local Real Estate Disclosure Guide by County does not constitute legal advice. Always confirm current legal requirements before proceeding with a real estate transaction.
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