California § 37212 - In case any charges for water or other services, or either, remain unpaid: (a) If

Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 37212 — In case any charges for water or other services, or either, remain unpaid: (a) If, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 37212. In case any charges for water or other services, or either, remain unpaid: (a) If

In case any charges for water or other services, or either, remain unpaid: (a) If unpaid for 60 days or more on July 1st, the district board may, by resolution, order the secretary to do each of the following: (1) Prepare a list of the parcels of land upon which water and other services, or either, requested in writing by the owner of the property, was used, and for which the charges remain unpaid. (2) Certify that the list is true and correct. (3) Submit the list of unpaid charges and parcels to the county auditor no later than five days after the estimate of the district board was furnished pursuant to Section 37206. Upon receipt by the county auditor of the list and a certified copy of the resolution, the amount of the unpaid charges attributed to each parcel mentioned in the list shall constitute a special assessment against the parcel, and shall be a lien on that property for that amount. The lien attaches upon recordation in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the property is situated of a certified copy of the resolution of the district board accompanied by a certified copy of the list specifically describing the real property by a legal description or reference to an assessor’s parcel number and specifying the amount applicable to each parcel. The assessment shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ordinary municipal ad valorem taxes are collected, and shall be subject to the same penalties, and the same procedure and sale in case of delinquency as provided for those taxes. All laws applicable to the levy, collection, and enforcement of municipal ad valorem taxes shall be applicable to the assessment, except that, if any real property to which the lien would attach has been transferred or conveyed to a bona fide purchaser for value or a lien of a bona fide encumbrancer for value has been created and attached thereon during the year prior to the date on which the first installment of the taxes that include the assessment appears on the assessment roll, then the lien which would otherwise be imposed by this section shall not attach to the real property and the delinquent and unpaid charges, as certified, relating to the property shall be transferred to the unsecured roll for collection. The county shall deduct from the charges collected an amount sufficient to compensate the county for costs incurred in collecting the delinquent and unpaid charges. The amount of this compensation shall be fixed by agreement between the board of supervisors and the district’s board of directors. (b) The amount of the unpaid charges may, in the discretion of the district, be secured at any time by filing for record in the office of the county recorder of any county, a certificate specifying the amount of the charges and the name and address of the person liable therefor. From the time of recordation of the certificate, the amount required to be paid together with interest and penalty constitutes a lien upon all real property in the county owned by the person or afterwards, and before the lien expires, acquired by him or her. The lien has the force, priority, and effect of a judgment lien and shall continue for 10 years from the date of the filing of the certificate unless sooner released or otherwise discharged. The lien may, within 10 years from the filing of the certificate or within 10 years from the date of the last extension of the lien in the manner herein provided, be extended by filing for record a new certificate in the office of the county recorder of any county and from the time of the filing the lien shall be extended to the real property in this county for 10 years unless sooner released or otherwise discharged.

Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About California § 37212

What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 37212 cover?

Section 37212 ("In case any charges for water or other services, or either, remain unpaid: (a) If") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite California § 37212?

A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 37212" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of California law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.

How does California § 37212 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.