CHAPTER 5. Fees for Development Projects [66000. - 66008.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 5.
in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66000. Section 66000.

As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) “Development project” means any project undertaken for the purpose of development. “Development project” includes a project involving the issuance of a permit for construction or reconstruction, but not a permit to operate. (b) “Fee” means a monetary exaction other than a tax or special assessment, whether established for a broad class of projects by legislation of general applicability or imposed on a specific project on an ad hoc basis, that is charged by a local agency to the applicant in connection with approval of a development project for the purpose of defraying all or a portion of the cost of public facilities related to the development project, but does not include fees specified in Section 66477, fees for processing applications for governmental regulatory actions or approvals, fees collected under development agreements adopted pursuant to Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 65864) of Chapter 4, or fees collected pursuant to agreements with redevelopment agencies that provide for the redevelopment of property in furtherance or for the benefit of a redevelopment project for which a redevelopment plan has been adopted pursuant to the Community Redevelopment Law (Part 1 (commencing with Section 33000) of Division 24 of the Health and Safety Code). (c) “Local agency” means a county, city, whether general law or chartered, city and county, school district, special district, authority, agency, any other municipal public corporation or district, or other political subdivision of the state. (d) “Public facilities” includes public improvements, public services, and community amenities.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66000.5. Section 66000.5.

(a) This chapter, Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 66010), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 66012), Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 66015), Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 66016), and Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 66020) shall be known and may be cited as the Mitigation Fee Act. (b) Any action brought in the superior court relating to the Mitigation Fee Act may be subject to a mediation proceeding conducted pursuant to Chapter 9.3 (commencing with Section 66030).

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66001. Section 66001.

(a) In any action establishing, increasing, or imposing a fee as a condition of approval of a development project by a local agency, the local agency shall do all of the following: (1) Identify the purpose of the fee. (2) Identify the use to which the fee is to be put. If the use is financing public facilities, the facilities shall be identified. That identification may, but need not, be made by reference to a capital improvement plan as specified in Section 65403 or 66002, may be made in applicable general or specific plan requirements, or may be made in other public documents that identify the public facilities for which the fee is charged. (3) Determine how there is a reasonable relationship between the fee’s use and the type of development project on which the fee is imposed. (4) Determine how there is a reasonable relationship between the need for the public facility and the type of development project on which the fee is imposed. (b) In any action imposing a fee as a condition of approval of a development project by a local agency, the local agency shall determine how there is a reasonable relationship between the amount of the fee and the cost of the public facility or portion of the public facility attributable to the development on which the fee is imposed. (c) Upon receipt of a fee subject to this section, the local agency shall deposit, invest, account for, and expend the fees pursuant to Section 66006. (d) (1) For the fifth fiscal year following the first deposit into the account or fund, and every five years thereafter, the local agency shall make all of the following findings with respect to that portion of the account or fund remaining unexpended, whether committed or uncommitted: (A) Identify the purpose to which the fee is to be put. (B) Demonstrate a reasonable relationship between the fee and the purpose for which it is charged. (C) Identify all sources and amounts of funding anticipated to complete financing in incomplete improvements identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). (D) Designate the approximate dates on which the funding referred to in subparagraph (C) is expected to be deposited into the appropriate account or fund. (2) When findings are required by this subdivision, they shall be made in connection with the public information required by subdivision (b) of Section 66006. The findings required by this subdivision need only be made for moneys in possession of the local agency, and need not be made with respect to letters of credit, bonds, or other instruments taken to secure payment of the fee at a future date. If the findings are not made as required by this subdivision, the local agency shall refund the moneys in the account or fund as provided in subdivision (e). (e) Except as provided in subdivision (f), when sufficient funds have been collected, as determined pursuant to subparagraph (F) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 66006, to complete financing on incomplete public improvements identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), and the public improvements remain incomplete, the local agency shall identify, within 180 days of the determination that sufficient funds have been collected, an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will be commenced, or shall refund to the then current record owner or owners of the lots or units, as identified on the last equalized assessment roll, of the development project or projects on a prorated basis, the unexpended portion of the fee, and any interest accrued thereon. By means consistent with the intent of this section, a local agency may refund the unexpended revenues by direct payment, by providing a temporary suspension of fees, or by any other reasonable means. The determination by the governing body of the local agency of the means by which those revenues are to be refunded is a legislative act. (f) If the administrative costs of refunding unexpended revenues pursuant to subdivision (e) exceed the amount to be refunded, the local agency, after a public hearing, notice of which has been published pursuant to Section 6061 and posted in three prominent places within the area of the development project, may determine that the revenues shall be allocated for some other purpose for which fees are collected subject to this chapter and which serves the project on which the fee was originally imposed. (g) A fee shall not include the costs attributable to existing deficiencies in public facilities, but may include the costs attributable to the increased demand for public facilities reasonably related to the development project in order to (1) refurbish existing facilities to maintain the existing level of service or (2) achieve an adopted level of service that is consistent with the general plan.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66002. Section 66002.

(a) Any local agency which levies a fee subject to Section 66001 may adopt a capital improvement plan, which shall indicate the approximate location, size, time of availability, and estimates of cost for all facilities or improvements to be financed with the fees. (b) The capital improvement plan shall be adopted by, and shall be annually updated by, a resolution of the governing body of the local agency adopted at a noticed public hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be given pursuant to Section 65090. In addition, mailed notice shall be given to any city or county which may be significantly affected by the capital improvement plan. This notice shall be given no later than the date the local agency notices the public hearing pursuant to Section 65090. The information in the notice shall be not less than the information contained in the notice of public hearing and shall be given by first-class mail or personal delivery. (c) “Facility” or “improvement,” as used in this section, means any of the following: (1) Public buildings, including schools and related facilities; provided that school facilities shall not be included if Senate Bill 97 of the 1987–88 Regular Session is enacted and becomes effective on or before January 1, 1988. (2) Facilities for the storage, treatment, and distribution of nonagricultural water. (3) Facilities for the collection, treatment, reclamation, and disposal of sewage. (4) Facilities for the collection and disposal of storm waters and for flood control purposes. (5) Facilities for the generation of electricity and the distribution of gas and electricity. (6) Transportation and transit facilities, including but not limited to streets and supporting improvements, roads, overpasses, bridges, harbors, ports, airports, and related facilities. (7) Parks and recreation facilities. (8) Any other capital project identified in the capital facilities plan adopted pursuant to Section 66002.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66003. Section 66003.

Sections 66001 and 66002 do not apply to a fee imposed pursuant to a reimbursement agreement by and between a local agency and a property owner or developer for that portion of the cost of a public facility paid by the property owner or developer which exceeds the need for the public facility attributable to and reasonably related to the development. This chapter shall become operative on January 1, 1989.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66005. Section 66005.

(a) When a local agency imposes any fee or exaction as a condition of approval of a proposed development, as defined by Section 65927, or development project, those fees or exactions shall not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service or facility for which the fee or exaction is imposed. (b) This section does not apply to fees or monetary exactions expressly authorized to be imposed under Sections 66475.1 and 66477. (c) It is the intent of the Legislature in adding this section to codify existing constitutional and decisional law with respect to the imposition of development fees and monetary exactions on developments by local agencies. This section is declaratory of existing law and shall not be construed or interpreted as creating new law or as modifying or changing existing law.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66005.1. Section 66005.1.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), when a local agency imposes a fee on a housing development pursuant to Section 66001 for the purpose of mitigating vehicular traffic impacts, if that housing development satisfies all of the following characteristics, the fee, or the portion thereof relating to vehicular traffic impacts, shall be set at a rate that reflects a lower rate of automobile trip generation associated with such housing developments in comparison with housing developments without all of these characteristics: (1) The housing development is located within a transit priority area and the major transit stop, if planned, is programmed to be completed before or within one year from the scheduled completion and occupancy of the housing development. (2) The housing development is located within one-half mile from three or more of the following: (A) A supermarket or grocery store. (B) A public park. (C) A community center. (D) A pharmacy or drugstore. (E) A medical clinic or hospital. (F) A public library. (G) A school that maintains a kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive. (H) A licensed childcare facility. (I) A restaurant. For purposes of this paragraph, a “restaurant” means a retail food establishment that prepares, serves, and vends food directly to the consumer. (3) The housing development provides no more than one onsite parking space for zero- to two-bedroom units, and two onsite parking spaces for three or more bedroom units. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the local agency may charge a fee that does not reflect a lower rate of automobile trip generation if the local agency makes written findings that the housing development, even with all the characteristics described in subdivision (a), would not generate fewer automobile trips than a housing development without all of those characteristics. These findings shall be supported by substantial evidence in the record before or as part of the housing development project approval process. (c) (1) A local agency shall not impose a land dedication requirement on a housing development pursuant to Section 66001 to widen a roadway if the land dedication requirement is for the purpose of mitigating vehicular traffic impacts, achieving an adopted traffic level of service related to vehicular traffic, or achieving a desired roadway width. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a local agency may do any of the following: (A) Impose a land dedication requirement on a housing development if both of the following conditions are met: (i) The housing development is not located in a transit priority area. (ii) The housing development has a linear street frontage of 500 feet or more. (B) Discretionarily impose a land dedication requirement as a condition of approval of a specific housing development project for traffic safety features if the local agency makes a finding, specific to the housing development project and supported by substantial evidence, that the land dedication requirement is necessary to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the public, including pedestrians, cyclists, and children. (C) Impose a land dedication requirement to construct public improvements, including, but not limited to, sidewalk and sewer improvements. (d) For purposes of this section: (1) “Housing development” means a development project with common ownership and financing consisting of residential use or mixed use where not less than 50 percent of the floorspace is for residential use. (2) “Land dedication” means a physical exaction of property for public use without compensation, whether imposed on an ad hoc or legislative basis, that is charged by a local agency to the applicant in connection with approval of a development project for the purpose of defraying all or a portion of the cost of public facilities related to the development project. (3) “Major transit stop” has the meaning as the term is defined in Section 21064.3 of the Public Resources Code, except that, for purposes of this section, it also includes major transit stops that are included in the applicable regional transportation plan. “Major transit stop” includes planned major transit stops otherwise meeting this definition whose construction is programmed to be completed before or within one year from the scheduled completion and occupancy of the housing development. (4) “Roadway” means the same as defined in Section 530 of the Vehicle Code. (5) “Transit priority area” means the same as defined in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 21099 of the Public Resources Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66006. Section 66006.

(a) If a local agency requires the payment of a fee specified in subdivision (c) in connection with the approval of a development project, the local agency receiving the fee shall deposit it with the other fees for the improvement in a separate capital facilities account or fund in a manner to avoid any commingling of the fees with other revenues and funds of the local agency, except for temporary investments, and expend those fees solely for the purpose for which the fee was collected. Any interest income earned by moneys in the capital facilities account or fund shall also be deposited in that account or fund and shall be expended only for the purpose for which the fee was originally collected. (b) (1) For each separate account or fund established pursuant to subdivision (a), the local agency shall, within 180 days after the last day of each fiscal year, make available to the public the following information for the fiscal year: (A) A brief description of the type of fee in the account or fund. (B) The amount of the fee. (C) The beginning and ending balance of the account or fund. (D) The amount of the fees collected and the interest earned. (E) An identification of each public improvement on which fees were expended and the amount of the expenditures on each improvement, including the total percentage of the cost of the public improvement that was funded with fees. (F) (i) An identification of an approximate date by which the construction of the public improvement will commence if the local agency determines that sufficient funds have been collected to complete financing on an incomplete public improvement, as identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66001, and the public improvement remains incomplete. (ii) An identification of each public improvement identified in a previous report pursuant to clause (i) and whether construction began on the approximate date noted in the previous report. (iii) For a project identified pursuant to clause (ii) for which construction did not commence by the approximate date provided in the previous report, the reason for the delay and a revised approximate date that the local agency will commence construction. (G) A description of each interfund transfer or loan made from the account or fund, including the public improvement on which the transferred or loaned fees will be expended, and, in the case of an interfund loan, the date on which the loan will be repaid, and the rate of interest that the account or fund will receive on the loan. (H) The amount of refunds made pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 66001, the number of persons or entities identified to receive those refunds, and any allocations pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 66001. (2) The local agency shall review the information made available to the public pursuant to paragraph (1) at the next regularly scheduled public meeting not less than 15 days after this information is made available to the public, as required by this subdivision. Notice of the time and place of the meeting, including the address where this information may be reviewed, shall be mailed, at least 15 days prior to the meeting, to any interested party who files a written request with the local agency for mailed notice of the meeting. Any written request for mailed notices shall be valid for one year from the date on which it is filed unless a renewal request is filed. Renewal requests for mailed notices shall be filed on or before April 1 of each year. The legislative body may establish a reasonable annual charge for sending notices based on the estimated cost of providing the service. (c) For purposes of this section, “fee” means any fee imposed to provide for an improvement to be constructed to serve a development project, or which is a fee for public improvements within the meaning of subdivision (b) of Section 66000, and that is imposed by the local agency as a condition of approving the development project. (d) Any person may request an audit of any local agency fee or charge that is subject to Section 66023, including fees or charges of school districts, in accordance with that section. (e) (1) A local agency shall inform a person paying a fee subject to this section of both of the following: (A) The person’s right to request an audit pursuant to Section 66023. (B) The person’s right, pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), to file a written request for mailed notice of the local agency’s meeting to review the information made public pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b). (2) A local agency shall provide a person paying a fee subject to this section a link to the page on the local agency’s internet website where the information made public pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) is available for review. (f) The Legislature finds and declares that untimely or improper allocation of development fees hinders economic growth and is, therefore, a matter of statewide interest and concern. It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature that this section shall supersede all conflicting local laws and shall apply in charter cities. (g) At the time the local agency imposes a fee for public improvements on a specific development project, it shall identify the public improvement that the fee will be used to finance.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66006.5. Section 66006.5.

(a) A city or county which imposes an assessment, fee, or charge, other than a tax, for transportation purposes may, by ordinance, prescribe conditions and procedures allowing real property which is needed by the city or county for local transportation purposes, or by the state for transportation projects which will not receive any federal funds, to be donated by the obligor in satisfaction or partial satisfaction of the assessment, fee, or charge. (b) To facilitate the implementation of subdivision (a), the Department of Transportation shall do all of the following: (1) Give priority to the refinement, modification, and enhancement of procedures and policies dealing with right-of-way donations in order to encourage and facilitate those donations. (2) Reduce or simplify paperwork requirements involving right-of-way procurement. (3) Increase communication and education efforts as a means to solicit and encourage voluntary right-of-way donations. (4) Enhance communication and coordination with local public entities through agreements of understanding that address state acceptance of right-of-way donations.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66007. Section 66007.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (h), any local agency that imposes any fees or charges on a residential development for the construction of public improvements or facilities shall not require the payment of those fees or charges, notwithstanding any other provision of law, until the date of the final inspection, or the date the certificate of occupancy is issued, whichever occurs first. However, utility service fees related to connections may be collected at the time an application for service is received, provided that those fees do not exceed the costs incurred by the utility provider resulting from the connection activities. If the residential development contains more than one dwelling, the local agency may determine whether the fees or charges shall be paid on a pro rata basis for each dwelling when it receives its final inspection or certificate of occupancy, whichever occurs first; on a pro rata basis when a certain percentage of the dwellings have received their final inspection or certificate of occupancy, whichever occurs first; or on a lump-sum basis when the first dwelling in the development receives its final inspection or certificate of occupancy, whichever occurs first. (b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the local agency may require the payment of those fees or charges at an earlier time if (A) the local agency determines that the fees or charges will be collected for public improvements or facilities for which an account has been established and funds appropriated and for which the local agency has adopted a proposed construction schedule or plan before final inspection or issuance of the certificate of occupancy or (B) the fees or charges are to reimburse the local agency for expenditures previously made. “Appropriated,” as used in this subdivision, means authorization by the governing body of the local agency for which the fee is collected to make expenditures and incur obligations for specific purposes. (2) (A) Paragraph (1) does not apply to units reserved for occupancy by lower income households included in a residential development proposed by a housing developer in which at least 49 percent of the total units are reserved for occupancy by lower income households, as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code, at an affordable rent, as defined in Section 50053 of the Health and Safety Code. In addition to the contract that may be required under subdivision (d), a city, county, or city and county may require the posting of a performance bond or a letter of credit from a federally insured, recognized depository institution to guarantee payment of any fees or charges that are subject to this paragraph. Fees and charges exempted from paragraph (1) under this paragraph shall become immediately due and payable when the residential development no longer meets the requirements of this paragraph. (B) The exception provided in subparagraph (A) does not apply to fees and charges levied pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 17620) of Part 10.5 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code. (c) All of the following apply to designated residential development projects: (1) If a local agency imposes any fees or charges on the residential development for the construction of public improvements or facilities, then all of the following conditions apply: (A) (i) Notwithstanding any other law, the local agency shall not require the payment of those fees or charges until the date the first certificate of occupancy or first temporary certificate of occupancy is issued, whichever occurs first. (ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), utility service fees and charges related to connections may be collected at the time an application for service is received, provided that those fees and charges do not exceed the costs incurred by the utility provider resulting from the connection activities. (iii) Clause (i) shall not apply if construction of the residential development does not begin within five years of the date upon which the building permit is issued. (B) The amount of the fees and charges shall be the same amount as would have been paid had the fees and charges been paid prior to the issuance of building permits, and the local agency shall not charge interest or other fees on any amount deferred pursuant to this paragraph. (C) If the development contains more than one dwelling, the local agency may determine whether the fees or charges described shall be paid on a pro rata basis for each dwelling when it receives its certificate of occupancy, on a pro rata basis when a certain percentage of the dwellings have received their certificate of occupancy, or on a lump-sum basis when all the dwellings in the development receive their certificate of occupancy. (D) Notwithstanding any other law, the local agency may withhold a certificate of occupancy or a temporary certificate of occupancy until payment of those fees or charges is received. (2) (A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the local agency may require the payment of those fees or charges at an earlier time if either of the following conditions is met: (i) The fees or charges are to reimburse the local agency for expenditures previously made to the extent those expenditures have not been paid or reimbursed by another party. (ii) The local agency determines both of the following: (I) The fees or charges will be collected for any of the following public improvements or facilities: (ia) Public improvements or facilities related to providing water service to the residential development consistent with Section 66013. (ib) Public improvements or facilities related to providing sewer or wastewater service to the residential development consistent with Section 66013. (ic) Public improvements or facilities related to providing fire, public safety, and emergency services to the residential development, including parkland and recreational facilities identified in its safety element or local hazard mitigation plan, provided the parkland and recreational facilities are identified for an emergency purpose beyond general recreational or aesthetic use. (id) Roads, sidewalks, or other public improvements or facilities for the transportation of people that serve the development, including the acquisition of all property, easements, and rights-of-way that may be required to carry out the improvements or facilities. (ie) Construction and rehabilitation of school facilities, if the school district governing board has approved a five-year school facilities master plan pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 17070.54 of the Education Code. For purposes of this section, if the school district does not intend to participate in the school facilities program pursuant to Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 17070.10) of Part 10 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code, the school district is not required to submit the five-year school facilities master plan to the Department of General Services and the five-year school facilities master plan is not required to include information specific to the school facilities program pursuant to Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 17070.10) of Part 10 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code. (II) An account has been established and funds appropriated for the public improvements or facilities described in subclause (I). “Appropriated,” as used in this subclause, means authorization by the governing body of the local agency for which the fee is collected to make expenditures and incur obligations for specific purposes. (B) (i) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to units reserved for occupancy by lower income households included in a residential development proposed by a housing developer in which at least 49 percent of the total units are reserved for occupancy by lower income households, as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code, at an affordable rent, as defined in Section 50053 of the Health and Safety Code. Fees and charges exempted from subparagraph (A) under this subparagraph shall become immediately due and payable when the residential development no longer meets the requirements of this subparagraph. (ii) The exception provided in clause (i) does not apply to fees and charges levied pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 17620) of Part 10.5 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code. (iii) (I) The developer may elect to post a performance bond or a letter of credit from a federally insured, recognized depository institution to guarantee payment of any fees or charges that are subject to this subparagraph. (II) If the developer does not post a performance bond or letter of credit pursuant to subclause (I), the city, county, or city and county may collect any fees and charges subject to this subparagraph that are not paid at the time the first certificate of occupancy or first temporary certificate of occupancy is issued, whichever occurs first, in accordance with the following procedure: (ia) On or before August 10 of each year, the building official of the local agency shall furnish in writing to the county auditor a description of each parcel of land for which a performance bond or letter of credit has not been posted within the local agency’s jurisdiction upon which fees or charges are unpaid and the amount of the unpaid fees or charges. (ib) The amount of the unpaid fees or charges shall constitute a lien upon the land for which the fees or charges are unpaid. (ic) The unpaid fees or charges shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time as county ad valorem taxes. (id) The unpaid fees or charges shall be subject to the same penalties, lien priority, and procedure and sale in case of delinquency that apply to county ad valorem taxes. (ie) All laws applicable to the levy, collection, and enforcement of county ad valorem taxes shall be applicable to the unpaid fees and charges. (iv) Clause (iii) does not apply to projects that dedicate 100 percent of units, exclusive of a manager’s unit or units, to lower income households, as defined by Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code, and have a recorded regulatory agreement with the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, or the Department of Housing and Community Development. (3) If the local agency does not issue certificates of occupancy for the type of residential developments described in this subdivision, the final inspection shall serve as the certificate of occupancy. (4) For purposes of this subdivision, “designated residential development project” means a residential development project that meets any of the following conditions: (A) The project dedicates 100 percent of units, exclusive of a manager’s unit or units, to lower income households, as defined by Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code. (B) The project meets the requirements described in Section 65662. (C) The project is approved by a local government pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 65912.110) or Article 3 (commencing with Section 65912.120) of Chapter 4.1. (D) The project meets the requirements described in subdivision (a) of Section 65913.4. (E) The project meets the criteria described in subdivision (c) of Section 65913.16. (F) The project is entitled to a density bonus pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65915. (G) The project includes 10 or fewer units. (d) (1) If any fee or charge specified in subdivision (a) or (c) is not fully paid prior to issuance of a building permit for construction of any portion of the residential development encumbered thereby, the local agency issuing the building permit may require the property owner, or lessee if the lessee’s interest appears of record, as a condition of issuance of the building permit, to execute a contract to pay the fee or charge, or applicable portion thereof, within the time specified in subdivision (a) or (c). If the fee or charge is prorated pursuant to subdivision (a) or (c), the obligation under the contract shall be similarly prorated. (2) The obligation to pay the fee or charge shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the local agency that imposed the fee or charge, regardless of whether it is a party to the contract. The contract shall contain a legal description of the property affected, shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county and, from the date of recordation, shall constitute a lien for the payment of the fee or charge, which shall be enforceable against successors in interest to the property owner or lessee at the time of issuance of the building permit. The contract shall be recorded in the grantor-grantee index in the name of the public agency issuing the building permit as grantee and in the name of the property owner or lessee as grantor. The local agency shall record a release of the obligation, containing a legal description of the property, in the event the obligation is paid in full, or a partial release in the event the fee or charge is prorated pursuant to subdivision (a) or (c). (3) The contract may require the property owner or lessee to provide appropriate notification of the opening of any escrow for the sale of the property for which the building permit was issued and to provide in the escrow instructions that the fee or charge be paid to the local agency imposing the same from the sale proceeds in escrow prior to disbursing proceeds to the seller. (4) The governing body of a local agency may authorize an officer or employee of the local agency to approve and execute contracts under this subdivision on behalf of the local agency. (5) Before requiring execution of a contract under this subdivision, the local agency shall post a model form of contract on its internet website, if it maintains an internet website. (e) This section applies only to fees collected by a local agency to fund the construction of public improvements or facilities. It does not apply to fees collected to cover the cost of code enforcement or inspection services, or to other fees collected to pay for the cost of enforcement of local ordinances or state law. (f) “Final inspection,” “temporary certificate of occupancy,” or “certificate of occupancy,” as used in this section, has the same meaning as described in Sections 305 and 307 of the Uniform Building Code, International Conference of Building Officials, 1985 edition. (g) Methods of complying with the requirement in subdivision (b) that a proposed construction schedule or plan be adopted, include, but are not limited to, (1) the adoption of the capital improvement plan described in Section 66002, or (2) the submittal of a five-year school facilities master plan approved by the applicable school district governing board pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 17070.54 of the Education Code. For purposes of this section, if the school district does not intend to participate in the school facilities program pursuant to Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 17070.10) of Part 10 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code, the school district is not required to submit the five-year school facilities master plan to the Department of General Services and the five-year school facilities master plan is not required to include information specific to the school facilities program pursuant to Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 17070.10) of Part 10 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code. (h) A local agency may defer the collection of one or more fees up to the close of escrow. This subdivision shall not apply to fees and charges levied pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 17620) of Part 10.5 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 66008. Section 66008.

A local agency shall expend a fee for public improvements, as accounted for pursuant to Section 66006, solely and exclusively for the purpose or purposes, as identified in subdivision (g) of Section 66006, for which the fee was collected. The fee shall not be levied, collected, or imposed for general revenue purposes.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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