Martis Camp is a 2,177-acre private residential community in Truckee, California, situated at approximately 6,000 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada. The community encompasses 671 original homesites — 521 estate parcels and 150 cabin parcels — connected by 21 miles of paved roads and anchored by a private golf club and full-service amenity campus. For prospective buyers, the purchase price is only the beginning. The true cost of ownership at Martis Camp is distributed across the HOA, the Club, Placer County, and private transfer instruments — most of which are not disclosed in standard listing presentations.
Quarterly HOA Assessments
Every Martis Camp homeowner pays quarterly HOA assessments to the Martis Camp Community Association. These dues fund road maintenance across the community's 21 miles of paved roads, gatehouse security operations, common area upkeep, and the house-watch program. As of the 2022 primary-source document, the quarterly assessment is $1,300 — or $5,200 annually. Community-verified data suggests the figure has escalated modestly since: $1,350/quarter in 2023 and an estimated $1,400/quarter in 2024, pending formal verification. The escalation pattern from 2019 to 2022 shows a compound annual growth rate of approximately 5.7%, with a notable 8.3% jump between 2021 and 2022.
| YEAR | QUARTERLY | ANNUAL | YOY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $1,100 | $4,400 | — |
| 2020 | $1,150 | $4,600 | +4.5% |
| 2021 | $1,200 | $4,800 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $1,300 | $5,200 | +8.3% |
| 2023 | $1,350 | $5,400 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $1,400* | $5,600* | +3.7%* |
The 1% Private Conveyance Fee
One of the most significant and least-publicized costs in a Martis Camp transaction is the 1% private conveyance fee levied by the HOA on every property transfer. This fee is calculated on the gross sale price and is buyer-paid at close of escrow. On a $4,000,000 transaction — a reasonable midpoint for the community — the conveyance fee alone is $40,000. On a $6,500,000 estate, it reaches $65,000. This fee is separate from Placer County transfer taxes and is not a commission or brokerage fee. Its tax treatment varies by buyer circumstance; consult a licensed CPA regarding deductibility and basis treatment.
Social Membership: Dues, Transfer Fees, and Access
Martis Camp Club offers two membership tiers: Social and Golf. Social membership does not carry an initiation fee but requires a $60,000 transfer fee paid at the time of property acquisition. Annual Social dues are $23,500, billed January 1st. Social members receive access to all non-golf amenities — the clubhouse, pool, fitness facilities, tennis, and dining — with club access limited to twice per month with up to four guests. Social members do not have golf access unless invited as a guest of a Golf member. Over a five-year holding period, Social dues alone total $117,500, not including the $60,000 transfer fee paid at entry.
Golf Membership: Initiation, Annual Dues, and Capital Assessments
Golf membership at Martis Camp carries a $300,000 initiation fee — one of the highest in the Sierra Nevada region. The transfer fee for Golf membership is $56,250, slightly lower than Social's $60,000 transfer fee. Annual Golf dues are $37,000, billed January 1st, and include unlimited golf access, priority tee times, and full club access with no guest frequency restrictions. In addition to standard annual dues, Golf members are subject to a $10,000 per year Capital Project Special Assessment for both 2024 and 2025, tied to ongoing club infrastructure investment. A Golf member entering in 2024 faces: $300,000 initiation + $56,250 transfer fee + $37,000 annual dues + $10,000 capital assessment = $403,250 in year one alone.
Architectural Review and Construction Fees
Any new construction or significant remodel within Martis Camp requires approval from the Design Review Committee. The architectural review fee for a new cabin (≤3,499 sq ft) is $9,000. For an estate (≥3,500 sq ft or any two-building parcel), the fee is $15,000. Landscape plan review is bundled with the construction review. Remodel and addition fees vary by scope and are determined by the DRC on a project basis. These fees are in addition to standard Placer County building permit costs.
Gatehouse Security and House-Watch Services
Martis Camp operates a staffed gatehouse providing 24-hour access control and security response. Homeowners may subscribe to additional security services through the HOA. Alarm monitoring and response is $50/month for all property types. House Watch Only — periodic interior and exterior inspections during owner absence — is $75/month for cabins and $100/month for estates. The full Bundle (House Watch + Alarm Monitoring) is $110/month for cabins and $135/month for estates. An optional Package Delivery Add-On is available for $10/month. For a Golf member with an estate property on the full bundle, security services add $1,620/year to carrying costs.
What This Means for Buyers
A prospective buyer acquiring a $5,000,000 Martis Camp estate with Golf membership faces the following first-year costs beyond the purchase price: $50,000 HOA conveyance fee (1%), $56,250 Golf membership transfer fee, $300,000 Golf initiation fee, $37,000 Golf annual dues, $10,000 capital assessment, $5,600 HOA annual assessment, and $1,620 in security services — totaling approximately $460,470 in year-one overhead, before Placer County property taxes, insurance, or maintenance. These figures are not speculative. They are documented in the Community Association Fact Sheet and peer-reviewed club membership data. The purpose of this portal is to make them visible.
This article is published for research and informational purposes only. All figures are sourced from the Martis Camp Community Association Fact Sheet (Rev. 1-18-2022) and community-verified submissions. This portal is not affiliated with Martis Camp Community Association, Martis Camp Club, Mountainside Properties, or any licensed brokerage. Nothing in this article constitutes financial, legal, or real estate advice. Verify all figures independently before any purchase decision.