Napa County Property Records
What Is Napa County Property Records
Napa County property records are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property (land and buildings) within Napa County, California. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout the county. Property records establish legal ownership through a chain of title, provide public notice of property interests, protect property rights, and facilitate real estate transactions.
Pursuant to California Government Code § 27201, the County Recorder is required to accept for recordation any instrument, paper, or notice that is authorized or required by law to be recorded, provided it meets specific formatting requirements. These records are maintained by several county departments, primarily the Napa County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, which is responsible for recording and maintaining official property documents.
Property records in Napa County typically include:
- Deeds (grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, trust deeds)
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Liens (tax liens, mechanic's liens)
- Easements and covenants
- Maps and surveys
- Property tax assessment records
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
The recording of these documents creates a public record that establishes priority of interests and provides constructive notice to the public regarding ownership and encumbrances affecting real property within the county.
Napa County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
1127 1st Street, Suite A
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 253-4105
Napa County Assessor
Are Property Records Public Information In Napa County?
Property records in Napa County are public information and accessible to all members of the public under California law. The public nature of these records is established by the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which provides that public records are open to inspection during regular office hours of governmental agencies, with limited exceptions.
The legal basis for public access to property records includes:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public access to provide constructive notice
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Public access facilitates real estate transactions and property research
Under California Government Code § 6253, public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a right to inspect any public record, except as otherwise provided. This means that any member of the public may access property records without demonstrating a specific interest in the property or providing a reason for their request.
The Napa County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk maintains these public records and makes them available through both in-person visits to their office and through various online platforms. While access to the records is free, obtaining copies or certified documents typically involves payment of statutory fees.
How To Search Property Records in Napa County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to search property records in Napa County may utilize several methods currently available through county offices. The following procedures outline the process for conducting property record searches:
In-Person Search:
- Visit the Napa County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk's office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays).
- Complete a records search request form, available at the public counter.
- Provide specific property information such as:
- Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
- Property address
- Owner name
- Document recording information (if known)
- Staff will assist in locating the requested records.
- Review documents on-site at public terminals or request copies (fees apply for copies).
Online Search:
- Access the Napa County Official Records portal.
- Select the appropriate search criteria (name, document type, recording date, etc.).
- Enter the search parameters.
- Review the index of matching records.
- Select specific documents to view (if available online) or note the information needed to request copies.
Mail or Email Requests:
- Download and complete the Records Request form from the Napa County Recorder's website.
- Include specific information about the property or document being sought.
- Enclose the appropriate search and copy fees.
- Mail the request to:
Napa County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
1127 1st Street, Suite A
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 253-4105
Napa County Assessor
For property tax information, the Napa County Tax Collector maintains separate records that can be searched by parcel number or property address.
How To Find Property Records in Napa County Online?
Napa County provides several online resources for accessing property records electronically. These digital platforms allow members of the public to conduct research without visiting county offices in person. The following online search methods are currently available:
Official Records Search:
- Navigate to the Napa County Official Records portal.
- Select from available search options:
- Name Search (grantor/grantee)
- Document Type Search
- Recording Date Range
- Document Number
- Enter the required search criteria.
- Review the results list showing matching documents.
- Select specific documents to view available information.
- Note that some documents may only be available as index entries, requiring an in-person visit or mail request for complete copies.
Property Information Search:
- Access the Napa County Property Search tool.
- Search by one of the following methods:
- Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
- Property address
- Owner name
- Select the property from the results list.
- View basic property information, including:
- Ownership information
- Property characteristics
- Assessment values
- Parcel maps (where available)
Property Tax Records:
- Visit the Napa County Property Tax Look-Up page.
- Enter the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or property address.
- Review current and historical tax information.
- Access tax bills, payment status, and payment options.
These online resources provide convenient access to property information, though certain detailed documents may require additional steps to obtain complete copies. The county regularly updates these systems to improve accessibility while maintaining compliance with privacy laws.
How To Look Up Napa County Property Records for Free?
Napa County offers several no-cost options for accessing basic property record information. Members of the public may utilize these free resources to conduct preliminary research before deciding whether to obtain official copies that may require payment of statutory fees.
Free In-Person Access:
- Visit the Napa County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk's office during regular business hours.
- Use the public terminals available for searching the property records index.
- View basic property information and document indexes without charge.
- Take notes on findings at no cost (fees apply only for copies or certified documents).
Free Online Resources:
-
The Napa County Assessor's website provides free access to:
- Property ownership information
- Assessed values
- Property characteristics
- Parcel maps
- Tax status
-
The Napa County Parcel Report Tool allows free searches by:
- Assessor's Parcel Number
- Property address
- Owner name
-
The Napa County Official Records index can be searched at no cost to identify:
- Document types
- Recording dates
- Parties to transactions
- Document numbers
Public Libraries:
- Visit the Napa County Library, which provides:
- Free internet access to county websites
- Assistance with navigating online resources
- Reference materials related to property research
While basic property information is available at no cost, obtaining official copies of documents typically requires payment of statutory fees. Currently, these fees include $10.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page of a recorded document. Certified copies may incur additional charges as established by California Government Code.
What's Included in a Napa County Property Record?
Napa County property records encompass a comprehensive collection of documents and information related to real property within the county. Real property refers to land and anything permanently attached to it, while personal property (movable assets) is generally not included in these records. Multiple county offices maintain different aspects of property records, creating a complete picture of property ownership, characteristics, and obligations.
Property records maintained by the Napa County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk typically include:
Ownership Documents:
- Grant Deeds - transferring title from one party to another
- Quitclaim Deeds - releasing a person's interest in a property
- Trust Deeds - securing loans against property
- Affidavits of Death - documenting transfer upon death of joint tenant
Financial Encumbrances:
- Mortgages and Deeds of Trust
- Tax Liens (federal, state, and local)
- Mechanic's Liens
- Judgment Liens
- Notices of Default and Foreclosure
Property Descriptions:
- Legal descriptions of property boundaries
- Parcel maps and surveys
- Subdivision maps
- Lot line adjustments
Use Restrictions:
- Easements (access, utility, conservation)
- Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)
- Development agreements
- Conservation agreements
Assessment Information:
- Property tax assessments
- Change in ownership statements
- Exemption claims (homeowner, veteran, etc.)
- Assessment appeals
Pursuant to California Revenue and Taxation Code § 408, certain assessment information is available to the public, while some details may have restricted access. The level of detail included in publicly accessible records is designed to balance transparency with privacy considerations as mandated by state law.
How Long Does Napa County Keep Property Records?
Napa County maintains property records according to retention schedules established by California state law and county ordinances. These retention periods ensure the preservation of important property documents while allowing for the appropriate disposition of obsolete records.
Permanent Records:
The following property records are maintained permanently by Napa County:
- Deeds and conveyances of real property
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Subdivision maps and parcel maps
- Condominium plans
- Official records indexes
- Assessment rolls
These permanent records are maintained in accordance with California Government Code § 26205.1, which authorizes the destruction of the original paper records after they have been reproduced in electronic format, provided that the electronic copies are maintained permanently.
Long-Term Retention Records:
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy: 25 years
- Property tax bills and payment records: 12 years
- Assessment appeals: 5 years after final determination
- Zoning variances and conditional use permits: Life of the structure
Medium-Term Retention Records:
- Temporary construction permits: 3-5 years
- Correspondence regarding property: 2-5 years depending on significance
- Routine inspection reports: 3 years
The California Secretary of State Local Government Records Management Guidelines provides the framework for these retention periods, though specific timeframes may be adjusted by county ordinance as long as minimum state requirements are met.
Historical property records dating back to the formation of Napa County in 1850 have been preserved and are available for research purposes. Many of these historical records have been digitized to ensure their long-term preservation while improving public access.
How To Find Liens on Property In Napa County?
Locating liens and other encumbrances on property in Napa County requires searching several official records repositories. Liens represent claims against property that must be satisfied when the property is sold. The following methods are available to identify liens on Napa County properties:
County Recorder's Office Search:
- Visit or contact the Napa County Recorder's Office:
Napa County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
1127 1st Street, Suite A
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 253-4105
Napa County Assessor
-
Request a property records search using:
- Property owner's name
- Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
- Property address
-
Specify that you are searching for liens, which may include:
- Tax liens (federal, state, county)
- Mechanic's liens
- Judgment liens
- Child support liens
- Homeowners Association liens
Online Lien Search:
- Access the Napa County Official Records portal.
- Search by property owner name or parcel number.
- Filter results by document type, selecting categories such as:
- "LIEN"
- "NOTICE OF FEDERAL TAX LIEN"
- "ABSTRACT OF JUDGMENT"
- "NOTICE OF DEFAULT"
Tax Collector's Office:
For property tax liens and defaulted taxes:
- Visit the Napa County Tax Collector's website.
- Search by Assessor's Parcel Number or property address.
- Review current tax status and any delinquencies.
Additional Lien Resources:
- For state tax liens: California Secretary of State UCC filings
- For federal tax liens: Internal Revenue Service
- For judgment liens: Napa County Superior Court records
A comprehensive lien search may require checking multiple sources, as different types of liens are recorded with different agencies. For complete assurance regarding property encumbrances, many property buyers utilize professional title companies that conduct thorough searches and provide title insurance against undiscovered liens.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Napa County?
The Property Owner Rule in Napa County refers to a set of regulations governing property ownership, use, and development within the county. These rules are established through various ordinances, codes, and policies that collectively define the rights and responsibilities of property owners.
Ownership Recording Requirements:
Pursuant to California Government Code § 27280, any instrument or judgment affecting title to or possession of real property may be recorded. In Napa County, property ownership must be properly recorded with the County Recorder to establish legal title. The recording process includes:
- Submission of properly executed deeds or other conveyance documents
- Payment of applicable recording fees and transfer taxes
- Compliance with documentary transfer tax requirements
- Filing of Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
Property Tax Obligations:
Property owners in Napa County are subject to property tax assessments based on:
- The assessed value of the property
- The applicable tax rate for the property's location
- Any special assessments or direct charges
Property tax bills are issued annually, with payments typically due in two installments (December 10 and April 10). Failure to pay property taxes can result in penalties, interest, and eventually tax sale proceedings as provided in the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
Land Use Regulations:
The Napa County Zoning Ordinance establishes rules for:
- Permitted land uses by zone
- Building setbacks and height limitations
- Lot coverage restrictions
- Agricultural preservation requirements
- Vineyard and winery regulations
The Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve, established in 1968, created special protections for agricultural land, limiting development and subdivision of agricultural properties.
Disclosure Requirements:
When selling property, owners must comply with disclosure requirements including:
- Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement
- Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement
- Supplemental property tax disclosure
- Mello-Roos and special assessment disclosures
These property owner rules are designed to maintain orderly land records, ensure fair taxation, preserve the agricultural character of Napa County, and protect both buyers and sellers in real estate transactions.
Lookup Property Records in Napa County
View and Pay Property Taxes Online
Napa County Property Search Tool
Napa County Assessor Information