Real Estate Help in Greater Sacramento

Greater Sacramento local resources

Offices, fees, and programs that matter for this situation in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and Yuba counties.

Probate courts

• Sacramento County: Superior Court, Probate Division. Probate Division page; free help at the Family Law and Probate Self-Help Center. Call the court to confirm where to file, since the court moved some services to its new courthouse at 500 G Street in 2026.
• Yolo County: Yolo Superior Court, 1000 Main Street, Woodland, (530) 406-6704. Probate notes.
• Sutter and Yuba counties: Sutter County Superior Court, 1175 Civic Center Blvd, Yuba City; Yuba County Superior Court, 215 Fifth Street, Suite 200, Marysville.

County assessors (Prop 19 and change-in-ownership filings)

• Prop 19 claims are filed with the assessor of the county where the property is. Replacement-home claims (form BOE-19-B) are due within 3 years of buying or building the new home; parent-child claims (BOE-19-P and BOE-19-G) within 3 years of the transfer or death, or before a sale to a third party. Board of Equalization Prop 19 page.
• Sacramento County Assessor: 3636 American River Drive, Suite 200, Sacramento. Website.
• Yolo County Assessor: 625 Court Street, Room 104, Woodland, (530) 666-8135. Website.

Transfer taxes when you sell

• Sacramento and Yolo counties each charge a documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of value ($0.55 per $500). Sacramento County DTT FAQ.
• The City of Sacramento adds its own tax of $2.75 per $1,000, collected when the deed records, so a sale inside city limits pays $3.85 per $1,000 in total. Sacramento County says no other city in the county charges a transfer tax. City of Sacramento transfer tax.
• Example: on a $500,000 sale in the City of Sacramento, transfer taxes total about $1,925; elsewhere in the county, about $550. Who pays is negotiable in your contract.

ADU and lot split permits

• City of Sacramento: free permit-ready ADU plans for city residents. ADU program; SB 9 page.
• Sacramento County (unincorporated): free "Shelf Ready" ADU plans in 460, 870, 1,000, and 1,184 sq ft models; standard building fees apply. Shelf Ready plans; SB 9 FAQs.
• Elk Grove: city pre-approved detached ADU plans (435, 625, and 746 sq ft) for a faster permit. ADU page.
• Davis: free pre-designed ADU plans (300, 565, and 740 sq ft). Pre-designed ADUs. Woodland: pre-approved ADU plans and an SB 9 page.

Down payment help

• City of Elk Grove Homebuyer Assistance Program: up to $59,650 or 20% of the price, whichever is less, as a deferred loan at 3% simple interest; buyers put in at least 1%. First come, first served. Program page.
• CalHFA MyHome Assistance (statewide): a deferred second loan of up to 3.5% of the price with an FHA loan, or 3% with a conventional loan. MyHome.
• CalHFA Dream For All (statewide): up to 20% of the price, capped at $150,000, awarded by lottery. The 2026 application window (February 24 to March 16) is closed. Dream For All.

Free HUD-approved housing counselors

• NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center Sacramento Region: 2411 Alhambra Blvd, Suite 200, Sacramento, 916-452-5356. Website.
• Greater Sacramento Urban League: 3725 Marysville Blvd, Sacramento, 916-286-8652. Website.

Wildfire zones and maps

• Check any address on CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zone map. State Responsibility Area maps took effect April 1, 2024; updated Local Responsibility Area maps were released in early 2025. About the maps.

Checked October 2026. Offices, fees, and programs change, so confirm with the agency before you rely on them.