How to Search for Riverside Property Records

Property records are full of valuable facts that you can use before investing in real estate in California, and conducting due diligence before the purchase can save you headaches later. Some of the details you can find include ownership history, property values, taxes, liens, number of bedrooms/baths, amenities, house type, foreclosures, zoning, and more. Riverside property records are public records, which means anyone can view them or get copies. The key to finding what you need is knowing where to look. Use the information on this page to find the most helpful resources to search for Riverside property records.

Riverside County-Assessor Clerk-Recorder's Office

The city of Riverside, California, combines its county clerk and recorder's office with the county assessor, making it easier to find property records because they are all in one place. Using the Riverside County-Assessor Clerk-Recorder website, you can search the assessor's department to find property values, property assessments, property tax rates, and bills, along with property owner information. Using the clerk-recorder side of things, you can find deeds, mortgages, liens, and foreclosures. The county also has a map tool called RivCoView, where you can search for additional property details by entering the address or using the interactive map. Here you can view assessments, boundaries, property location, sales, permits, area overview, census, and education data. If you prefer, you can visit the county assessor clerk-recorder's office in person to request records. Their main office is located at 2724 Gateway Dr., Riverside, CA 92507, but they also have five other locations.

City of Riverside

The City of Riverside also has a helpful website where you can find additional property data. You can use the Open Data tool to find permits, neighborhood map data, public works projects, and other details. You can also use their Public Records Request area to request additional information that you need. The city also has a section on its website where you can pull up surveys and other land-related records like parcel maps, tract maps, and tie sheets.

County of Riverside Superior Court

The County of Riverside Superior Court is another place you can find records. They offer extensive access to public court records, so you don't have to visit in person to get copies. Here you will find criminal, civil, probate, and family cases. Concerning property, you can find liens, property disputes, boundary disputes, foreclosures, and property related to probate or bankruptcy cases. However, be aware that you must pay a fee when performing name searches. You can purchase a bundle for multiple searches.

Riverside County collects property taxes on behalf of various entities such as school districts, other taxing agencies, the flood control district, sanitation districts, and the cities. These funds are crucial for the city of Riverside, funding essential services such as public safety, infrastructure, schools, sewer systems, healthcare, fire, police, EMTs, community parks, transportation, road maintenance, and many other municipal services. Riverside properties are assessed every year by the tax assessor's office. However, values are capped at a 2% increase per year. After the assessor determines the value of all property within the jurisdiction, the Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector sends out bills and collects payments from property owners. Taxes are paid in two installments. The first payment is due November 1st and becomes delinquent at 5:00 p.m. on December 10th (which incurs a 10% penalty). The second payment is due on February 1st and becomes delinquent at 5:00 p.m. on April 10th (which incurs a 10% penalty). If Riverside property taxes go unpaid for too long, the county will place a lien on the property and foreclose, selling the house at auction to pay off the back taxes. Riverside offers residents the option to pay their property taxes monthly, spreading the cost over 12 months. You can also pay Riverside, CA property taxes through eBilling (their electronic payment option). You can also mail your payment to the Riverside County Treasurer, P.O. Box 12005, Riverside, CA 92502-2205

Assessments

The Riverside County Tax Assessor's office is the government office that handles annual property assessments to determine property taxes. Property taxes in Riverside are reassessed every year, but capped at a 2% increase year-over-year. Values are determined through one of four different methods. The actual assessed value may not match the fair market value (FMV) or the amount you could get if you sold the house. If you disagree with the annual assessment, you can contact the assessor first to take it up with them. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors has set up an Assessment Appeals Board to handle disputes and resolve them.

Appraisals

Riverside assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

The median effective property tax rate in Riverside, California, is 1.11% of the property's assessed value, the third-highest rate in the state of California, save for Kent County. The rate is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Riverside's tax rate is slightly less than California's median rate of 1.21%. The average property tax payment in Riverside, CA, is $3,959, which is $1,559 more than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

See how Riverside's taxes stack up against other counties in California:

• Alpine County 0.76%
• Butte County 0.70%
• Colusa County 0.65%
• Inyo County 0.68%
• Kings County 0.78%
• Lake County 0.70%
• Modoc County 0.77%
• Napa County 0.70%
• Placer 0.85%
• Sacramento County 0.77%
• Sutter County 0.81%
• Tulare County 0.73%
• Yuba County 0.78%

Exemptions

Riverside property taxes are high when compared with those in other states. Some residents may have difficulty making annual tax payments. Thankfully, Riverside County offers some property tax exemptions to help specific individuals. Some of the available exemptions in Riverside are:

• Disabled Veterans Exemption
• Homeowners Exemption
• Institutional Exemption
• Parent to Child & Grandparents to Grandchild Exemption
• Welfare Exemption
• Tax Savings for Seniors

You can apply for any of these exemptions by contacting the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder.

All new construction, most renovations, and demolition require a building permit in Riverside. You can obtain one from the City of Riverside Permit Services Counter located at the One Stop Shop. Cosmetic and other small non-structural work does not require a permit. The city allows you to apply for a permit through its website and in person at the One Stop Shop locations. You can use this setup to apply for permits, check the status of a permit, and schedule inspections. You can get some permits the same day. If you prefer to apply for a permit in person, you can visit their office located at 3900 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Riverside, CA 92522.

The types of available permits in Riverside include:

• Building Permits: These are required for most construction, alteration, or repair work.
• Electrical Permits: For any electrical work on a property.
• Plumbing Permits: Needed for any plumbing installation or repair.
• Mechanical Permits (HVAC): Required for HVAC system installation or repairs.
• Roofing/Reroofing: Permits are required for certain roofing projects.
• Re-Stucco: Similar to reroofing, a permit may be needed for re-stucco projects.
• Water Heaters: Simple changes to water heaters may qualify for same-day permits.
• Patio Covers: A permit is required for a simple patio cover installation.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

The City of Riverside, California, is recognized as the birthplace of the citrus industry, particularly naval oranges. It is also home to the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, a historic landmark and the largest Mission Revival-style building in the United States. The city also boasts a strong agricultural community, abundant cultural attractions, and a lively arts scene.

Riverside, California, has a population of 332,757 residents. The city has 848,649 housing units, with 773,567 owner-occupied. The city has a mix of standard single-family homes, townhomes, apartments, condos, and some accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Some of the styles include Craftsman Bungalow, Ranch, and homes influenced by Spanish and Mediterranean styles. The average price of a house in Riverside, CA is $650,000 to $699,000, which represents an 8.5% increase from previous years.

However, house prices vary considerably based on where in Riverside you live. Some examples include:

• Most Expensive: Alessandro Heights $1,400,000
• Most Affordable: University of Riverside $415,900
• Higher Priced: Downtown Riverside $785,000
• 92503 $641,656
• 92504 $655,000
• 92507 $612,337
• 92509 $633,815

The Riverside, California, real estate market is more affordable than Los Angeles or Orange County. It is experiencing a moderate pace of growth. Although home prices are rising, they are doing so slowly. House sales are increasing because the area has a strong sense of community and amenities like farmers' markets and city cultural events. The city is made up of a diverse mix of young professionals, students, families, and retirees.