ARTICLE 4. Effect of Deed [26300. - 26307.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 4.

in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 26300. Section 26300.

(a) Subject to the limitations of Section 3900.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and Sections 26225 and 26290 and subdivision (b) a collector’s deed conveys to the grantee free of all encumbrances the absolute title to the property described in it except when the land is owned by the United States or this state, in which case it is prima facie evidence of the right of possession. (b) If the record title to minerals or to oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances was held by one or more persons other than the owner of the land at the date of the assessment for which the property was sold, the collector’s deed to the land shall not convey title to such minerals, oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances; provided that the minerals, oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances so held under separate ownership shall be subject to sale for delinquent assessments assessed to the owner of such substances, in the same manner as with respect to land.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 26301. Section 26301.

Where property has been conveyed to a district by a collector’s deed, subject to the limitations of Section 26290, the district shall have the same rights in respect to the property and its rents, issues, and profits as a private purchaser.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 26302. Section 26302.

A collector’s deed when acknowledged or proved is prima facie evidence that: (a) The land was assessed as required by law. (b) The land was equalized as required by law. (c) The assessments were levied in accordance with law. (d) The assessments were not paid. (e) At a proper time and place the property was sold as prescribed by law. (f) The property was not redeemed. (g) The person who executed the deed was the proper officer.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 26303. Section 26303.

Except as against actual fraud a collector’s deed acknowledged or proved is conclusive evidence of the regularity of all of the proceedings from the assessment by the assessor, inclusive, up to the execution of the deed.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 26304. Section 26304.

An action, proceeding, defense, answer, or cross-complaint based on the alleged invalidity or irregularity of any collector’s deed executed to the district or based on the alleged ineffectiveness of the deed to convey the absolute title to the property described in it may be commenced or interposed only within one year after the recordation of the deed.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 26305. Section 26305.

An action, proceeding, defense, answer, or cross-complaint based on the alleged invalidity or irregularity of any agreement of sale, deed, lease, or option executed by a district in connection with property deeded to it by its collector or based on the alleged ineffectiveness of the instrument to convey or affect the title to the property described in it may be commenced or interposed only within one year after the execution by the district of the instrument.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 26306. Section 26306.

The provisions of Sections 26304 and 26305 shall not apply in the following cases: (a) Where the assessments for which the property was sold were paid before the sale. (b) Where the property was redeemed after the sale. (c) Where the land was not subject to assessment at the time it was assessed. (d) Where no assessments were due on the land at the time of the sale. (e) Where fraud is established. (f) Where the deed is void on its face. (g) Where the owner of the land was, at the time of the sale, a minor or a person who lacked mental capacity, in which case the earliest time that the statute of limitations begins to run is when the disability is removed. (h) In an action described in Section 26304 or 26305 based on the alleged ineffectiveness of the collector’s deed to convey the title to minerals or to oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances which was held by one or more persons other than the owner of the land on the date of the assessment for which the property was sold.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 26307. Section 26307.

The burden of proof shall be upon the party urging the invalidity, irregularity, or ineffectiveness of an agreement, deed, lease, or option described in Sections 26304 and 26305 or of any assessments, sales, or assessment deeds of which he complains to show the invalidity, irregularity, or ineffectiveness, and he shall be required to plead specifically the grounds upon which he urges the invalidity, irregularity, or ineffectiveness.

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