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Certain cities and counties in California require disclosures in addition to the state-required disclosures. The real estate disclosure forms provide space for disclosures that sellers might make on their own, such as whether an adjoining property has mineral rights, timber rights or other disclosures. And, some zoned areas require mandatory disclosures for natural hazards and other property disclosures.
Flood Zones
Some areas are required to disclose whether the property is in a special flood zone area: Zone A or Zone V. The Federal Emergency Management Agency determined that certain areas fall into these special flood zones. If you or your real estate agent has actual knowledge that your property is in one of these zones, or if your city or county has a list of properties that are located in either of these special flood zones, you must disclose it when as part of the purchase contract.
Additionally, if your home is in an area that could flood if a dam breaks, you must also disclose that information.
Fire Zones
You must also disclose a high fire hazard severity zone if the home you are selling is located in this area in certain cities and / or counties. A list of homes in high fire hazard severity zones is posted at certain county offices, including the county planning agency, county recorder and county assessor.
A state responsibility area, otherwise known as a designated wildland area, is also an area that has a high risk for forest fires. If the home you are selling is in one of these areas, you must also disclose that to potential buyers. As with high fire hazard severity zones, properties in the state responsibility areas are listed at certain county offices.
Earthquake Zones
Earthquake faults are usually about 1/4-mile wide. Cities and towns in these areas are in earthquake zones that must be disclosed to potential buyers. The list of properties in earthquake zones is posted in county offices, including the county assessor, the county recorder and the county planning agency.
You must also disclose whether you are in a seismic hazard zone to potential buyers. Seismic hazard zones have a higher risk of landslides, strong ground shaking and soil liquefaction because of fault zones. Homes in areas zoned as seismic hazard zones are also listed at county offices.
Due Diligence
If a seller does not know that his or her property is located in one of these zones, and if the property is in one of these zones but not listed at one of the mentioned county offices, the seller would be unable to disclose this information. Buyers should carefully research properties they are interested in and should include these zones as exceptions if they prefer not to buy in flood, earthquake and fire zones.
About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.