deedplatState guides / California / Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County property data
Where Contra Costa County's property records live, how its tax and foreclosure sales work, and what Deedplat puts on one map, including Concord.
- 19Cities and towns
Where the records are
The county offices an investor deals with in Contra Costa County, and what each one puts online.
Deeds and mortgages
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder. Deeds, liens and other recorded documents are handled by the Clerk-Recorder at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez; the county directory does not describe an online document search or its fees.
Owners and values
Contra Costa County Assessor. Assessed values, parcel maps and house details are free online through ParcelQuest Lite and CCMAP, but the Assessor does not show owner names on its website.
Tax sales
Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector. Tax-defaulted property is sold in an online auction on GovEase, and the property list is posted on the Tax Collector's Public Auction Information page at least 21 days before the sale.
Foreclosure sales
Private trustees (notices recorded with the Clerk-Recorder). Notices of default and notices of trustee sale are recorded with the Clerk-Recorder before a private trustee auction.
Parcel maps
Contra Costa County CCMAP and Assessor GIS. CCMAP shows parcel maps, lot size, building square footage and aerial photos for free, and the Assessor's parcel shapefile can be downloaded free, updated monthly.
How property is sold here
Contra Costa County follows California's rules, with its own calendar and offices. Read the California guide for how the state works.
Tax sales
California sells the property itself, not tax liens, after taxes have gone unpaid for at least five years. The Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector holds an annual public auction online on GovEase, with a $5,000 refundable deposit, a $35 registration fee and a 3% buyer's premium; full payment is due within 24 hours. The sale is advertised three times in local papers starting at least 21 days before, and owners can redeem until the last business day before the sale.
Foreclosure sales
Most Contra Costa County foreclosures are private trustee sales under a deed of trust, not court sales. The notice of default and notice of trustee sale are recorded with the Clerk-Recorder before the auction.
Assessed values
Under Proposition 13 the Contra Costa County Assessor resets a property's value to market only when it sells or is newly built, and otherwise raises it by no more than 2% a year, with values set as of January 1.
Transfer tax
Contra Costa County charges the standard documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of value, and Richmond and El Cerrito add their own city transfer taxes; Concord is not one of the cities the Tax Collector lists with an added tax.
Worth knowing
Owner names are not posted online by the Assessor, so use recorded deeds at the Clerk-Recorder to confirm ownership.
Worth knowing
Buyers at the county tax auction also pay the documentary transfer tax, plus the city tax for Richmond and El Cerrito parcels.
Worth knowing
The Public Works Records Division posts recorded subdivision maps, surveys and annotated Assessor parcel books online through Laserfiche Weblink.
Every town in Contra Costa County
The cities, towns and townships inside the county line.
- Antioch city
- Brentwood city
- Clayton city
- Concord city
- Danville town
- El Cerrito city
- Hercules city
- Lafayette city
- Martinez city
- Moraga town
- Oakley city
- Orinda city
- Pinole city
- Pittsburg city
- Pleasant Hill city
- Richmond city
- San Pablo city
- San Ramon city
- Walnut Creek city
Questions
Where are deeds recorded in Contra Costa County?
Deeds are recorded by the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez, phone (925) 335-7900.
When is the Contra Costa County tax sale?
The Treasurer-Tax Collector holds one online auction a year on GovEase. The date and property list are posted on the Tax Collector's Public Auction Information page and in local papers at least 21 days before the sale.
How do I find who owns a property in Contra Costa County?
The Assessor does not post owner names online. Search recorded deeds at the Clerk-Recorder, or ask the Assessor's public service counter.
Are Contra Costa County property records online?
Partly. Assessed values, parcel maps, GIS data and tax auction lists are free online, but owner names are not shown on the Assessor's site.
Sources for this guide
Office hours, fees and sale dates change. We checked these sources in October 2026; confirm with the county before you act.
Every parcel in Contra Costa County, on one map
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