ARTICLE 2. Unclaimed Property [2081. - 2081.6.]

Cal. Civil Code - CIV 2.

in effect

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2081. Section 2081.

When any goods, merchandise, or other property has been received by any railroad or express company, other common carrier, commission merchant, innkeeper, or warehouseman, for transportation or safekeeping, and is not delivered to the owner, consignee, or other authorized person, the carrier, commission merchant, innkeeper, or warehouseman may hold or store the property with some responsible person until the freight and all just and reasonable charges are paid.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2081.1. Section 2081.1.

If within 60 days after its receipt no person calls for the property and pays the freight and charges upon it, the carrier, commission merchant, innkeeper, or warehouseman may sell the property, or so much of it as will pay freight and charges, to the highest bidder at public auction, after first causing such notice of sale to be given as is customary in sales of goods by auction at the place where the goods are held or stored.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2081.2. Section 2081.2.

If any surplus remains after paying the freight, storage, expenses of sale, and other reasonable charges, the sum remaining shall be paid over to the owner of the property, upon his demand at any time within 60 days after the sale.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2081.3. Section 2081.3.

If the owner or his agent fails to demand the surplus within 60 days after the sale, it shall be paid into the county treasury, subject to the order of the owner.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2081.4. Section 2081.4.

After the storage of the property the responsibility of the carrier, commission merchant, innkeeper, or warehouseman ceases. The person with whom the property is stored is not liable for loss or damage on its account unless the loss or damage results from his negligence or want of proper care.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2081.5. Section 2081.5.

When any commission merchant or warehouseman receives produce, merchandise, or other property on consignment and makes advances upon it, either to the owner or for freight and charges, if the advances are not paid to him within 60 days from the date made, he may cause the produce, merchandise, or property on which the advances were made, to be advertised and sold pursuant to this article.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 2081.6. Section 2081.6.

All proceedings pursuant to this article are governed entirely by its provisions and are not controlled or affected by Article 2, Chapter 3, Title 7, Part 4, Division 3 of this code.

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