Plumas County, CA Property Records

    Plumas County, MA, has a population of over 18,000 residents, indicating a 4.9% decline in population over the previous year. This makes it one of the smallest counties within the state as it ranks 51st out of 58 counties in California. The average home value in Plumas County is about $534,034, down 2.3% over the previous year and significantly lower than the statewide average of $759,500.

    The housing market tends to move more slowly as listings in the county typically go under contract in about 144 days. This signals a buyer-balanced market where demand is not overwhelming. However, statistics from the Federal Reserve Economic Data show that approximately 28% of households in Plumas County are cost-burdened (spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs). This may be influenced by modest incomes and limited housing supply in relation to urban cities.

    Property assessment and parcel data in Plumas County are handled at the municipal level, with each city and town maintaining its own database. For detailed property inventories such as parcel maps, ownership history, and assessment values, you should consult the assessor's database for the city you are interested in.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Plumas County Clerk-Recorder is responsible for recording land title documents including deeds, liens, easements, maps, and other real estate instrument filings. California does not operate a statewide registry system unlike Massachusetts. Instead, recording and retention of official property documents are handled by the government offices of each county. Plumas County follows this county-administered model of maintaining property documents.

    Note that the Clerk- Recorder is different from the Court Clerk. You can access or request property documents in Plumas County by visiting the office of the Clerk-Recorder at 520 Main Street Room 102, Courthouse, Quincy CA 95971.

    What Plumas County Property Records Include

    The Clerk-Recorder's Office in Plumas County maintains a wide range of recorded property documents that directly affect property ownership, encumbrances, and legal status within the county. These include deeds, conveyances, liens, mortgages, easements, lis pendens, foreclosure notices, easements, surveys, and more.

    The Plumas County Clerk-Recorder's Office is in possession of property documents that date back possibly to as far back as the 19th century since the county itself was created in 1854. The county does not yet run a comprehensive online service for documents-viewing. Access to property documents is still through in-person visits or requests at the Clerk-Recorder's Office.

    How to Access Plumas County Property Records

    You can access Plumas County property records using a combination of limited online access, in-person visits, and other request methods.

    Online Access (Free):

    Plumas County Clerk-Recorder's Office offers limited free online access to some property records especially assessment and parcel data. Full recorded documents such as deeds are not available online.

    In Person:

    In-person visits and requests are the preferred methods for accessing property records in Plumas County. You can visit the Clerk-Recorder's Office at 520 Main Street Room 102, Courthouse, Quincy CA 95971. Office hours are between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Mondays through Fridays. Note that recording cut-off times may apply for same-day processing.

    By Phone or Email:

    An interested user can ask about document availability, confirm how to make an online search request, or confirm fees and requirements over the phone at (530) 283-6218 or via email at mailto:clerkrecorder@countyofplumas.com.

    By Mail/Overnight:

    A user can mail a request to the Clerk-Recorder's Office to obtain copies of recorded property documents. Such requests must provide complete property details, contain original property documents, include correct recording fees, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of originals. The mail is to be sent to:

    Plumas County Clerk-Recorder

    520 Main Street, Room 102

    Quincy, CA 95971

    E-Recording (Professionals):

    Plumas County does not currently support public e-recording directly through its Clerk-Recorder's Office. However, the county has indicated that such services may be available in future.

    What's Not at the Registry (But Matters for Property Research)

    Apart from deeds, liens, plans, mortgages, and discharges, there are other property-related documents that are not found at the Clerk-Recorder's Office but are important to research on land, value, and tax. These include property assessments, parcel cards, and property tax records.

    The Plumas County Assessor's Office is responsible for maintaining assessment data including parcel cards, assessed values, and roll information. The Tax Collector of the county is in charge of property tax bills and payment, while the California Board of Equalization (BOE) is the place to look for information on tax rates and state assessment guidelines.

    Step-by-Step: How to Pull a Deed Online

    You can pull up Plumas County deeds online by taking the following steps:

    1. Visit the Plumas County Parcel Search portal. Search by Assessor Parcel Number (APN) or street address.

    2. Note the property and record information such as APN and legal description. This is important when requesting the deed.

    3. Visit the Plumas County Clerk-Recorder's page to read their instructions for requesting copies and check for any online order options.

    4. Use the paid online order option. The Clerk-Recorder's Office accepts online order requests for deed copies through a third-party partner. A small service fee will apply in addition to the standard recording fees.

    5. Follow the online order prompts and submit. Then request for the document to be emailed or mailed to you.

    Cities & Towns in Plumas County (and Their Registry Districts)

    Plumas County operates a single county recording system as California does not use registry districts, unlike Massachusetts. All land title records including liens, easements, deeds, and maps for every city, town, or census-designated places are handled by the Clerk-Recorder's Office.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    The Plumas County Assessor's Office is responsible for assessed values, property class, assessment appeals, and parcel maps. On the website of the Assessor's Office, an interested user can review assessment roll data, parcel maps, and property descriptions. For matters concerning billing, collection, and accounting of property tax including payment records, the county tax collector is the right source .

    The Property Tax Department of the California Board of Equalization (BOE) provides information on property tax policies and guidance for the public concerning statewide and local property tax rates.

    Plumas County-Specific Nuances

    Plumas County, CA, has several distinctive features that may influence property research:

    • Plumas County uses a single consolidated Clerk-Recorder's Office for all land title recordings including deeds, easements, lis pendens mortgages, and liens. There are no separate registry districts.

    • The physical archives in Plumas County may include very old recorded archives dating back to 1854 when the county was created. The county had courthouses built in the 1850's and 1860's during the Gold Rush era.

    • In Plumas County, land titles are established through the recording of property documents in the Clerk-Recorder's Office.

    • Plumas County does not currently offer comprehensive online free access to download deed PDFs or browse full recorded property documents directly on the county's website.

    Typical Contents of a Plumas County Property Record

    A Plumas County property record refers to a collection of official documents that have been recorded and filed by the Clerk-Recorder's Office and made part of the public official records. You will typically see the following information when reviewing these records:

    • Deeds (proof of ownership transfer):

      • Grantor and grantee names

      • Legal description of the property

      • Sale consideration

      • Prior references

      • Homestead declaration (if applicable)

    • Mortgages/Deed of Trust and Discharges (evidence of debt):

      • Lender

      • Borrower

      • Loan amount and terms

      • Instrument type

      • Discharge or release details

    • Plans and Maps:

      • Survey or plan number

      • Subdivision references

      • Plat or Map Attachments

    • Encumbrances and Restrictions

      • Easements

      • Restrictive Covenants (CC&Rs)

      • Lis pendens notices

      • Liens

    Depending on the record, you may also view other information, such as declarations of trusts, affidavits of address or identity, stamp and notations, confirmatory or corrective deeds, and power of attorney filings.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    All changes to property titles in Plumas County, including new ownership, liens, mortgages, releases, and other encumbrances, become official only when the correct property documents have been recorded with the Clerk-Recorder's Office of the county. Documents can be filed and recorded Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The office is closed between 11:00 a.m. and noon on Wednesdays.

    More information on operating hours and recording guidelines is on the website of the Plumas Clerk-Recorder's Office.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    Here is a practical checklist that you can use to conduct effective property research in Plumas County, CA:

    1. Identify the correct recording office. Plumas County uses one recording office. The Plumas Clerk-Recorder's Office is responsible for recording all real estate documents of the county.

    2. Search recorded documents and note reference numbers. You can search by name or document index. Record the official reference for every document you find.

    3. Record reference numbers. Take note of unique identifiers, like the book/page or certificate number (for registered land).

    4. Trace the chain of title and prior references. Use prior the prior instrument number shown on the deed to trace and establish a continuous chain of ownership.

    5. Review plans and encumbrances. Check the document index for easements, lis pendens, covenants and restrictions (CC&Rs), and liens that may affect use or access.

    6. Verify parcel data with the Assessor's office. Confirm parcel details with the Assessor's online parcel search using Assessor's Parcel Number (APN), situs address, property class, assessed value, and map references.

    7. Confirm registered land status, where applicable. Plumas County does not operate a Registered Land or Land Court title system.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Plumas County

    Portola is the only incorporated city in Plumas County.

    Plumas County also has 44 census-designated places which are incorporated communities and 10 unincorporated communities.

    • Census-Designated Places: Beckwourth, Belden, Blairsden, Bucks Lake, Canyondam, Caribou, Chester, Chilcoot-Vinton, Clio, Crescent Mills, C-Road, Cromberg, Delleker, East Quincy, East Shore, Gold Mountain, Graeagle, Greenhorn, Greenville, Hamilton Branch, Indian Falls, Iron Horse, Johnsville, Keddie, La Porte, Lake Almanor Country Club, Lake Almanor Peninsula, Lake Almanor West, Lake Davis, Little Grass Valley, Mabie, Meadow Valley, Mohawk Vista, Paxton,Plumas Eureka, Prattville, Quincy (county seat), Spring Garden, Taylorsville, Tobin, Twain, Valley Ranch, Warner Valley.and Whitehawk

    • Unincorporated Communities: Buckeye, Cascade, Drakesbad, Feather River Park, Genesee, Longville, Palmetto, Seneca, Sloat, and Spanish Ranch [Wikipedia]

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals