CHAPTER 15. Voter-Approved Special Taxes for New School Facilities [43040. - 43052.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 15.
in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43041. Section 43041.

(a) The provisions of this chapter shall govern the collection of special taxes which satisfy all the following requirements: (1) The special tax has been approved, pursuant to Section 4 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution, by two-thirds of the voters of the school district voting upon the proposition to authorize the governing board of the school district to levy the special tax. (2) The special tax is levied against applicants for final building permits which authorize new construction within the school district. (3) The proceeds of the special taxes are used for new school facilities. (b) The sole purpose of this chapter is to govern the collection of legally imposed taxes. This chapter shall not be construed to grant, deny, extinguish, or recognize the authority to impose any tax, or to determine otherwise, expressly or impliedly, the legality of the imposition of any tax or to determine the character of any levy as a special tax or fee.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43042. Section 43042.

The governing body of a city or county which includes a school district in which special taxes for new school facilities have been approved shall not issue final building permits until such time as the governing board of such district certifies to the governing body that the special taxes have been paid or that arrangements for payment have been made.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43043. Section 43043.

If a final building permit is issued and the special tax for new school facilities construction has not been paid, the governing board of the district may, after appropriate notice that such tax is due and owing and after a hearing, with notice, on the issue, determine that the amount of the unpaid special tax constitutes a lien on each lot or parcel of land for which a final building permit has been issued and that such amount is now due and owing by the owner of such lot or parcel, as specified on the last equalized assessment roll.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43044. Section 43044.

(a) The notice that the special tax for new school facilities is due and owing shall be published in accordance with Section 6063 of the Government Code, and shall be published prior to the date set for hearing. (b) The notice shall set forth the following information: (1) The special tax for new school facilities is due and owing. (2) The amount of special tax due and owing. (3) A description of the lot or parcel subject to such tax. Such description may be made by reference to a plat or diagram on file in the office of the county recorder, or by reference to maps prepared in accordance with Section 327 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and on file in the office of the county assessor. (4) The penalty, not to exceed an interest rate of 7 percent per annum, to be charged on the unpaid balance of such tax. (5) Notification that, pending the hearing, the special tax and interest thereon may be determined to constitute a lien against each lot or parcel for which a building permit was issued.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43045. Section 43045.

(a) At least 10 days prior to the date of hearing, the governing board of the school district shall send written notice of the hearing, by mail, to the owner of each parcel or lot, as specified on the last equalized assessment roll, for which the special tax for new school facilities is due and owing. (b) The notice shall set forth the same information as required by subdivision (b) of Section 43044 and in addition shall set forth the time, date, and place of the hearing.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43046. Section 43046.

(a) At the time, date, and place stated in the notice prescribed by Section 43045, the governing board of the school district shall hear and consider all objections or protests, if any, to the levy of the special tax, as set forth in such notice, and may continue the hearing from time to time. (b) Upon conclusion of the hearing, the governing board shall determine whether the amount of the unpaid tax and the interest thereon constitutes a lien on the parcel or lot for which the final building permit was issued.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43047. Section 43047.

(a) Within 30 days after the determination prescribed by paragraph (b) of Section 43046, the governing board of the school district shall record a certified copy of its determination with the county recorder of the county in which the lot or parcel is located. (b) Upon recordation, the determination shall constitute a lien with the force, effect, and priority of a judgment lien.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43048. Section 43048.

(a) If a lien has been created pursuant to this chapter, the governing board of the school district may, not later than four years after the due date of the last payment of the special taxes which are due and owing, order that the same be collected pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 681) of Title 9 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (b) Costs incurred pursuant to this section shall be awarded to the prevailing party. Costs shall be fixed and allowed by the court. Costs shall include reasonable attorneys’ fees, interest, and other charges or advances authorized by law and shall be included in the judgment. The amount of costs, including penalties, shall be calculated up to the date of the judgment.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43049. Section 43049.

The following is exempt from the special taxes imposed by this chapter: (a) Final permits to construct buildings on property that belongs to a federal agency. (b) Final permits to construct buildings when such buildings are exempt from taxation under subdivisions (a) to (g), inclusive, of Section 3 of, and subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 4 of, Article XIII of the California Constitution. (c) Final permits to construct buildings when the governing board of the school district certifies that satisfactory arrangements have been made between the governing board and the final building permit applicant to provide sufficient new school facilities for the district.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43050. Section 43050.

When the proceeds of special taxes are used for construction of new school facilities, the State Allocation Board shall approve such construction, in accordance with building area and cost standards adopted by the board.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43051. Section 43051.

As to elections held after the effective date of this section, the governing board of the school district shall, prior to ordering an election, adopt a schedule that specifies the use of the proceeds of the special taxes. Such schedule shall include, but not be limited to, school sites proposed to be acquired and facilities proposed to be constructed. Such schedule shall be reviewed and updated at least annually.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 43052. Section 43052.

Each governing board of a school district that receives the proceeds of special taxes pursuant to this chapter shall maintain a separate account for any such taxes paid and shall adopt a report, at the end of each fiscal year, showing the balance of such account, the school sites purchased during the previous fiscal year, and the facilities purchased or constructed during the previous fiscal year. Such report shall be adopted by September 1 of each year.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

Starting a business in California? California LLC guide: costs and requirements