CHAPTER 4. Spheres of Influence [56425. - 56430.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 4.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56425. Section 56425.

(a) In order to carry out its purposes and responsibilities for planning and shaping the logical and orderly development and coordination of local governmental agencies subject to the jurisdiction of the commission to advantageously provide for the present and future needs of the county and its communities, the commission shall develop and determine the sphere of influence of each city and each special district, as defined by Section 56036, within the county and enact policies designed to promote the logical and orderly development of areas within the sphere. (b) Prior to a city submitting an application to the commission to update its sphere of influence, representatives from the city and representatives from the county shall meet to discuss the proposed new boundaries of the sphere and explore methods to reach agreement on development standards and planning and zoning requirements within the sphere to ensure that development within the sphere occurs in a manner that reflects the concerns of the affected city and is accomplished in a manner that promotes the logical and orderly development of areas within the sphere. If an agreement is reached between the city and county, the city shall forward the agreement in writing to the commission, along with the application to update the sphere of influence. The commission shall consider and adopt a sphere of influence for the city consistent with the policies adopted by the commission pursuant to this section, and the commission shall give great weight to the agreement to the extent that it is consistent with commission policies in its final determination of the city sphere. (c) If the commission’s final determination is consistent with the agreement reached between the city and county pursuant to subdivision (b), the agreement shall be adopted by both the city and county after a noticed public hearing. Once the agreement has been adopted by the affected local agencies and their respective general plans reflect that agreement, then any development approved by the county within the sphere shall be consistent with the terms of that agreement. (d) If no agreement is reached pursuant to subdivision (b), the application may be submitted to the commission and the commission shall consider a sphere of influence for the city consistent with the policies adopted by the commission pursuant to this section. (e) In determining the sphere of influence of each local agency, the commission shall consider and prepare a written statement of its determinations with respect to each of the following: (1) The present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands. (2) The present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area. (3) The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency provides or is authorized to provide. (4) The existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the commission determines that they are relevant to the agency. (5) For an update of a sphere of influence of a city or special district that provides public facilities or services related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, or structural fire protection, that occurs pursuant to subdivision (g) on or after July 1, 2012, the present and probable need for those public facilities and services of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing sphere of influence. (f) Upon determination of a sphere of influence, the commission shall adopt that sphere. (g) On or before January 1, 2008, and every five years thereafter, the commission shall, as necessary, review and update each sphere of influence. (h) In determining a sphere of influence, the commission may assess the feasibility of governmental reorganization of particular agencies and recommend reorganization of those agencies when reorganization is found to be feasible and if reorganization will further the goals of orderly development and efficient and affordable service delivery. The commission shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure wide public dissemination of the recommendations. (i) When adopting, amending, or updating a sphere of influence for a special district, the commission shall establish the nature, location, and extent of any functions or classes of services provided by existing districts. (j) When adopting, amending, or updating a sphere of influence for a special district, the commission may require existing districts to file written statements with the commission specifying the functions or classes of services provided by those districts.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56425.5. Section 56425.5.

(a) A determination of a city’s sphere of influence, in any case where that sphere of influence includes any portion of the redevelopment project area referenced in subdivision (e) of Section 33492.41 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not preclude any other local agency, as defined in Section 54951, including the redevelopment agency referenced in Section 33492.41 of the Health and Safety Code, in addition to that city, from providing facilities or services related to development to or in that portion of the redevelopment project area that, as of January 1, 2000, meets all of the following requirements: (1) Is unincorporated territory. (2) Contains at least 100 acres. (3) Is surrounded or substantially surrounded by incorporated territory. (4) Contains at least 100 acres zoned for commercial or industrial uses or is designated on the applicable county general plan for commercial or industrial uses. (b) Facilities or services related to development may be provided by other local agencies to all or any portion of the area defined in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (a). Subdivision (a) shall apply regardless of whether the determination of the sphere of influence is made before or after January 1, 2000.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56426. Section 56426.

The commission shall not approve or conditionally approve a change to the sphere of influence of a local government agency of territory that is subject to a farmland security zone contract pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 51296) of Chapter 7 of Part 1 of Division 1, if that local government agency provides or would provide facilities or services related to sewers, nonagricultural water, or streets and roads to the territory, unless these facilities or services benefit land uses that are allowed under the contract and the landowner consents to the change to the sphere of influence.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56426.5. Section 56426.5.

(a) Beginning January 1, 1990, at the time a commission approves a proposal for an incorporation or a reorganization which includes an incorporation, the commission may determine the sphere of influence for the proposed new city. The commission shall determine the sphere of influence for any newly incorporated city within one year of the effective date of incorporation. (b) Beginning January 1, 2010, at the time when a commission approves a formation or reorganization that includes the formation of a district, the commission may determine the sphere of influence for the proposed new district. The commission shall determine the sphere of influence for any newly formed district within one year of the effective date of formation.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56426.6. Section 56426.6.

(a) The commission shall not approve a change to the sphere of influence of a local government agency of territory that is subject to a contract entered into pursuant to the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 51200) of Part 1 of Division 1) if that local government agency provides, or would provide, facilities or services related to sewers, nonagricultural water, or streets and roads to the territory, unless these facilities or services benefit land uses that are allowed under the contract and the landowner consents to the change to the sphere of influence. (b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the commission may nevertheless approve a change for that territory if it finds either of the following: (A) That the change would facilitate planned, orderly, and efficient patterns of land use or provision of services, and the public interest in the change substantially outweighs the public interest in the current continuation of the contract beyond its current expiration date. (B) That the change is not likely to adversely affect the continuation of the contract beyond its current expiration date. (2) In making a determination pursuant to this subdivision, the commission shall consider all of the following: (A) The policies and implementation measures adopted by the city or county that would administer the contract both before and after any ultimate annexation, relative to the continuation of agriculture or other uses allowable under the contract. (B) The infrastructure plans of the annexing agency. (C) Other factors that the commission deems relevant. (c) This section shall not apply to any of the following: (1) Territory that is subject to a contract for which a notice of nonrenewal has been served pursuant to Section 51245. (2) Territory that is subject to a contract for which a tentative cancellation has been approved pursuant to Section 51282. (3) Territory for which the governing body of the county or city administering the contract has given its written approval to the change and the landowner consents to the change.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56427. Section 56427.

The commission shall adopt, amend, or update spheres of influence after a public hearing called and held for that purpose. At least 21 days prior to the date of that hearing, the executive officer shall give mailed notice of the hearing to each affected local agency or affected county, and to any interested party who has filed a written request for notice with the executive officer. In addition, at least 21 days prior to the date of that hearing, the executive officer shall cause notice of the hearing to be published in accordance with Section 56153 in a newspaper of general circulation which is circulated within the territory affected by the sphere of influence proposed to be adopted. The commission may continue from time to time any hearing called pursuant to this section. At any hearing called and held pursuant to this section, the commission shall hear and consider oral or written testimony presented by any affected local agency or affected county or any interested person who wishes to appear. This section shall only apply to spheres of influence adopted by the commission after January 1, 1975.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56428. Section 56428.

(a) Any person or local agency may file a written request with the executive officer requesting amendments to a sphere of influence or urban service area adopted by the commission. The request shall state the nature of the proposed amendment, state the reasons for the request, include a map of the proposed amendment, and contain any additional data and information as may be required by the executive officer. (b) After complying with the California Environmental Quality Act, Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code, the executive officer shall place the request on the agenda of the next meeting of the commission for which notice can be given. The executive officer shall give notice in the manner provided by Section 56427. On the date and time provided in the notice, the commission may do either of the following: (1) Without further notice, consider the amendments to a sphere of influence. (2) Set a future date for the hearing on the request. (c) The executive officer shall review each requested amendment and prepare a report and recommendation. The report shall be completed not less than five days before the date specified in the notice of hearing. The executive officer shall send copies of the report to the person or agency making the request, each affected local agency, and each person who has filed a request for a report. (d) At its meeting, the commission shall consider the request and receive any oral or written testimony. The consideration may be continued from time to time, but not to exceed 70 days from the date specified in the original notice. The person or agency which filed the request may withdraw it at any time prior to the conclusion of the consideration by the commission. (e) At the conclusion of its consideration, the commission may approve with or without amendment, wholly, partially, or conditionally, or disapprove the request. The commission shall follow the procedures in Section 56425. (f) The commission may require the person or agency making a request pursuant to this section to pay a fee to cover the commission’s costs. The fee shall not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service and shall be set pursuant to Section 56383. The commission may waive the fee if it finds that the request can be considered and studied as part of the periodic review of spheres of influence required by Section 56425. In addition, the commission may waive the fee if it finds that payment would be detrimental to the public interest. (g) The commission and executive officer may review and act on any request to amend a sphere of influence or urban service area concurrently with their review and determination on any related change of organization or reorganization. In case of a conflict between the provisions of this section and any other provisions of this part, the other provisions shall prevail.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56429. Section 56429.

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 56425, 56427, and 56428, a petition for removal of territory from a sphere of influence determination may be brought pursuant to this section by landowners within the redevelopment project area referenced in subdivision (e) of Section 33492.41 of the Health and Safety Code, if, at the time the petition is submitted, the area for which the petition is being requested meets all of the following requirements: (1) Is unincorporated territory. (2) Contains at least 100 acres. (3) Is surrounded or substantially surrounded by incorporated territory. (4) Contains at least 100 acres zoned for commercial or industrial uses or is designated on the applicable county general plan for commercial or industrial uses. (b) On receipt of a petition signed by landowners owning at least 25 percent of the assessed value of the land within the affected territory, the commission shall hear and consider oral or written testimony. (c) The petition shall be placed on the agenda of the commission in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 56428. (d) The executive officer shall give notice of the hearing in accordance with Section 56427. (e) From the date of filing of the petition to the conclusion of the hearing, the commission shall accept written positions from any owner of land in the unincorporated territory that is seeking removal from a city’s sphere of influence. (f) The petition to remove territory from a city’s sphere of influence shall be granted and given immediate effect if the commission finds that written positions filed in favor of the petition and not withdrawn prior to the conclusion of the hearing represent landowners owning 50 percent or more of the assessed value of the land within the affected territory. (g) No removal of territory from a city’s sphere of influence that is proposed by petition and adopted pursuant to this section shall be repealed or amended except by the petition and adoption procedure provided in subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive. In all other respects, a removal of territory from a city’s sphere of influence proposed by petition and adopted pursuant to this section shall have the same force and effect as any amendment to or removal of territory from a city’s sphere of influence approved by the commission. No territory removed from a city’s sphere of influence pursuant to this section shall be annexed to that city, unless the territory is subsequently added to the sphere of influence of the city pursuant to the petition and adoption procedure provided in this section. (h) Pursuant to Section 56383, the commission may establish a schedule of fees for the costs of carrying out this section. (i) All proper expenses incurred in connection with removal of territory from a city’s sphere of influence pursuant to this section shall be paid by the proponents.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56430. Section 56430.

(a) In order to prepare and to update spheres of influence in accordance with Section 56425, the commission shall conduct a service review of the municipal services provided in the county or other appropriate area designated by the commission. The commission shall include in the area designated for service review the county, the region, the subregion, or any other geographic area as is appropriate for an analysis of the service or services to be reviewed, and shall prepare a written statement of its determinations with respect to each of the following: (1) Growth and population projections for the affected area. (2) The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence. (3) Present and planned capacity of public facilities, adequacy of public services, and infrastructure needs or deficiencies including needs or deficiencies related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, and structural fire protection in any disadvantaged, unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence. (4) Financial ability of agencies to provide services. (5) Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities. (6) Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies. (7) Any other matter related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by commission policy. (b) In conducting a service review, the commission shall comprehensively review all of the agencies that provide the identified service or services within the designated geographic area. The commission may assess various alternatives for improving efficiency and affordability of infrastructure and service delivery within and contiguous to the sphere of influence, including, but not limited to, the consolidation of governmental agencies. (c) In conducting a service review, the commission may include a review of whether the agencies under review, including any public water system as defined in Section 116275, are in compliance with the California Safe Drinking Water Act (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 116270) of Part 12 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code). A public water system may satisfy any request for information as to compliance with that act by submission of the consumer confidence or water quality report prepared by the public water system as provided by Section 116470 of the Health and Safety Code. (d) The commission may request information, as part of a service review under this section, from identified public or private entities that provide wholesale or retail supply of drinking water, including mutual water companies formed pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 14300) of Division 3 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code, and private utilities, as defined in Section 1502 of the Public Utilities Code. (e) The commission shall conduct a service review before, or in conjunction with, but no later than the time it is considering an action to establish a sphere of influence in accordance with Section 56425 or 56426.5 or to update a sphere of influence pursuant to Section 56425.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026