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Transfer Tax Guide

Measure ULA and Westside Multifamily Sales

General owner context on how Measure ULA can affect Los Angeles apartment sale planning.

By Don Favia · Updated September 17, 2026

Direct Answer

Measure ULA can materially affect net proceeds for Los Angeles properties above the applicable threshold. Before pricing or accepting offers, apartment owners should confirm whether the property is inside the City of Los Angeles, verify the current thresholds and rates, and review the tax impact with qualified advisors.

Jurisdiction Comes First

Not every Westside mailing address is treated the same. A property must be checked against the correct city jurisdiction before any transfer-tax conclusion is made.

Price Strategy and Net Proceeds

Transfer taxes can change seller net proceeds and buyer negotiations. Owners should think about the tax before setting an asking price, not after offers arrive.

Verify the Effective Date Before Using a Calculator

Open the Los Angeles Office of Finance ULA FAQ. As checked on September 17, 2026, its current threshold notice applies to transactions closing after June 30, 2026. Use the notice and rate table applicable to your expected closing date, rather than figures in an older article. The City adjusts the thresholds annually. [1]

Bring the following inputs to escrow and your tax advisor before relying on the Measure ULA planning calculator:

  • The property address, parcel identification and confirmed city jurisdiction. Ask title or escrow to resolve a boundary question.
  • The expected closing date and the dated official threshold and rate table being used. Recheck if the closing moves into a different effective period.
  • The proposed price or other taxable consideration and any debt remaining on the property. The City states that ULA uses gross value, including an assumed loan; it is not a tax on the seller's net equity. [2]
  • Any proposed exemption and the documents supporting it. Have the advisor verify eligibility and any required agency determination; do not count an assumed exemption in expected proceeds.

Reconcile the Estimate With Escrow

Ask escrow to compare the calculator's assumptions with the current City notice and prepare the transaction-specific transfer-tax estimate, including other applicable transfer taxes. If the figures disagree, resolve the difference before using the estimate to compare offers. For a City interpretation, the Office of Finance lists its ULA contact on the FAQ. [1]

This is for general informational purposes only. Consult with your CPA, tax advisor, and/or attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

Sources

  1. [1] Los Angeles Office of Finance, Real Property Transfer Tax and Measure ULA FAQ: current effective-date notice
  2. [2] Los Angeles Office of Finance, ULA FAQ: assumed debt and tax base