Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56650. Section 56650.
Commission proceedings for a change of organization or a reorganization may be initiated by petition or by resolution of application in accordance with this chapter.
CHAPTER 1. General [56650. - 56668.5.]
Cal. Government Code - GOV 1.
in effectCal. Government Code - GOV § 56651. Section 56651.
Commission proceedings shall be deemed initiated on the date a petition or resolution of application is accepted for filing and a certificate of filing is issued by the executive officer of the commission of the county in which the affected territory is located.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56652. Section 56652.
Each application shall be in the form as the commission may prescribe and shall contain all of the following information:
(a)
A petition or resolution of application initiating the proposal.
(b)
A statement of the nature of each proposal.
(c)
A map and description, acceptable to the executive officer, of the boundaries of the affected territory for each proposed change of organization or reorganization.
(d)
Any data and information as may be required by any regulation of the commission.
(e)
Any additional data and information, as may be required by the executive officer, pertaining to any of the matters or factors which may be considered by the commission.
(f)
The names of the officers or persons, not to exceed three in number, who are to be furnished with copies of the report by the executive officer and who are to be given mailed notice of the hearing.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56653. Section 56653.
(a)
If an application for a change of organization or reorganization is submitted pursuant to this part, the applicant shall submit a plan for providing services within the affected territory.
(b)
The plan for providing services shall include all of the following information and any additional information required by the commission or the executive officer:
(1)
An enumeration and description of the services currently provided or to be extended to the affected territory.
(2)
The level and range of those services.
(3)
An indication of when those services can feasibly be
extended to the affected territory, if new services are proposed.
(4)
An indication of any improvement or upgrading of structures, roads, sewer or water facilities, or other conditions the local agency would impose or require within the affected territory if the change of organization or reorganization is completed.
(5)
Information with respect to how those services will be financed.
(c)
This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56653.1. Section 56653.1.
In the case of a disincorporation or reorganization that includes a disincorporation, the plan for services required by subdivision (a) of Section 56653 shall include the following:
(a)
An enumeration and description of the services currently provided by the city proposed for disincorporation and an identification, where applicable, of the entity or entities proposed to assume responsibility for the services following completion of disincorporation.
(b)
An enumeration and description of each service proposed to be discontinued or transferred, the current financing of the service or services, and any method of financing proposed by
the
successor.
(c)
A delineation of any existing financing of services currently provided to include, but not be limited to, bonds, assessments, community facility district governance, general taxes, special taxes, other charges, and joint powers authorities or agreements.
(d)
An indication of any current bankruptcy proceeding, including, but not limited to, status and exit plan.
(e)
An indication of any current order relating to services provided by the city proposed for disincorporation by any agency, department, office, or other division of the state, including, but not limited to, a cease and desist order or water prohibition order.
(f)
A written
statement from each entity identified pursuant to subdivision (a) that it has received a copy of the plan for services submitted pursuant to this section.
(g)
Any other information that the executive officer may deem necessary to evaluate the plan for services submitted.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56654. Section 56654.
(a)
An application for a change of organization or a reorganization may be made by the adoption of a resolution of application by the legislative body of an affected local agency, except as provided in subdivision (b).
(b)
Notwithstanding Section 56700, an application for a change of organization that involves the exercise of new or different functions or classes of services, or the divestiture of the power to provide particular functions or classes of services, within all or part of the jurisdictional boundaries of a special district, shall only be initiated by the legislative body of that special district in accordance with Sections 56824.10, 56824.12, and 56824.14.
(c)
At least 21 days before the adoption of the resolution, the legislative body may give mailed notice of its intention to adopt a resolution of application to the commission and to each interested agency and each subject agency. The notice shall generally describe the application and the affected territory.
(d)
Except for the provisions regarding signers and signatures, a resolution of application shall contain all of the matters specified for a petition in Section 56700 and shall be submitted with a plan for services prepared pursuant to Section 56653.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56655. Section 56655.
If two or more proposals pending before the commission conflict or in any way are inconsistent with each other, as determined by the commission, the commission may determine the relative priority for conducting any further proceedings based on any of those proposals. That determination shall be included in the terms and conditions imposed by the commission. In the absence of that determination, priority is given to that proceeding which shall be based upon the proposal first filed with the executive officer.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56657. Section 56657.
Notwithstanding Section 56655, the commission shall not approve a proposal for incorporation, consolidation of districts, dissolution, merger, or establishment of a subsidiary district, or a reorganization that includes any of these changes of organization until it has considered any other change of organization which conflicts with the subject proposal and which was submitted to the commission within 60 days of the submission of the subject proposal.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56658. Section 56658.
(a)
Any petitioner or legislative body desiring to initiate proceedings shall submit an application to the executive officer of the principal county.
(b)
(1)
Immediately after receiving an application and before issuing a certificate of filing, the executive officer shall give mailed notice that the application has been received to each affected local agency, the county committee on school district organization, and each school superintendent whose school district overlies the affected territory. The notice shall generally describe the application and the affected territory. The executive officer shall not be required to give notice pursuant to this subdivision if a local agency has already given notice pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section
56654.
(2)
It is the intent of the Legislature that an application for incorporation or disincorporation shall be processed in a timely manner. With regard to an application that includes an incorporation or disincorporation, the executive officer shall immediately notify all affected local agencies and any applicable state agencies by mail and request the affected agencies to submit the required data to the commission within a reasonable timeframe established by the executive officer. Each affected agency shall respond to the executive officer within 15 days acknowledging receipt of the request. Each affected local agency and the officers and departments thereof shall submit the required data to the executive officer within the timelines established by the executive officer. Each affected state agency and the officers and departments thereof shall submit the required data to the executive officer within the timelines agreed upon by the
executive officer and the affected state departments.
(3)
If a special district is, or as a result of a proposal will be, located in more than one county, the executive officer of the principal county shall immediately give the executive officer of each other affected county mailed notice that the application has been received. The notice shall generally describe the proposal and the affected territory.
(c)
Except when a commission is the lead agency pursuant to Section 21067 of the Public Resources Code, the executive officer shall determine within 30 days of receiving an application whether the application is complete and acceptable for filing or whether the application is incomplete.
(d)
(1)
If applicable, the
executive officer shall not accept for filing an application for a change of organization or reorganization and issue a certificate of filing pursuant to subdivision (f) and an application shall not be deemed accepted for filing pursuant to subdivision (e) if an agreement for the exchange of property tax revenues has not been adopted pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) or subdivision (d) of Section 99 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(2)
The executive officer shall not accept an application for filing and issue a certificate of filing for at least 20 days after giving the mailed notice required by subdivision (b). The executive officer shall not be required to comply with this subdivision in the case of an application which meets
the requirements of Section 56662 or in the case of an application for which a local agency has already given notice pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 56654.
(e)
If the appropriate fees have been paid, an application shall be deemed accepted for filing if no determination has been made by the executive officer within the 30-day period. An executive officer shall accept for filing, and file, any application submitted in the form prescribed by the commission and containing all of the information and data required pursuant to Section 56652.
(f)
When an application is accepted for filing, the executive officer shall immediately issue a certificate of filing to the applicant. A certificate of filing shall be in the form prescribed by the executive officer and shall specify the date upon which the proposal shall be heard by the commission. From the date of issuance of a certificate
of filing, or the date upon which an application is deemed to have been accepted, whichever is earlier, an application shall be deemed filed pursuant to this division.
(g)
If an application is determined not to be complete, the executive officer shall immediately transmit that determination to the applicant specifying those parts of the application which are incomplete and the manner in which they can be made complete.
(h)
Following the issuance of the certificate of filing, the executive officer shall proceed to set the proposal for hearing and give published notice thereof as provided in this part. The date of the hearing shall be not more than 90 days after issuance of the certificate of filing or after the application is deemed to have been accepted, whichever is earlier. Notwithstanding Section 56106, the date for conducting the hearing, as determined pursuant to this
subdivision, is mandatory.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56660. Section 56660.
The executive officer shall give notice of any hearing by the commission by publication, as provided in Sections 56153 and 56154, and by posting, as provided in Sections 56158 and 56159.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56661. Section 56661.
To the extent that the commission maintains an Internet Web site, notice of all public hearings shall be made available in electronic format on that site. The executive officer shall also give mailed notice of any hearing by the commission, as provided in Sections 56155 to 56157, inclusive, by mailing notice of the hearing or transmitting by electronic mail, if available to the recipient, to all of the following persons and entities:
(a)
To each affected local agency by giving notice to the legislative body and the executive officer of the agency.
(b)
To the proponents, if any.
(c)
To each person who has filed a written request for special notice with the executive officer.
(d)
If the proposal is for any annexation or detachment, or for a reorganization providing for the formation of a new district, to each city within three miles of the exterior boundaries of the territory proposed to be annexed, detached, or formed into a new district.
(e)
If the proposal is to incorporate a new city or for the formation of a district, to the affected county.
(f)
If the proposal includes a change of organization or reorganization of a city or special district that provides or would provide structural fire protection services and all or part of the affected territory is a state responsibility area, as determined pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 4125) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 4 of the Public Resources Code, to the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection.
(g)
If the proposal would result in the annexation to a city of land that is subject to a contract executed pursuant to the Williamson Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 51200) of Division 1), to the Director of Conservation.
(h)
To all landowners within the affected territory pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (d) of Section 56157.
(i)
To all registered voters within the affected territory pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (f) of Section 56157.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56662. Section 56662.
(a)
If a proposal for an annexation, a detachment, or a reorganization consisting solely of annexations or detachments, or both, or formation of a county service area meets all of the following criteria, the commission may make determinations upon the proposal without notice and hearing and may waive protest proceedings entirely pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 57000):
(1)
The territory is uninhabited.
(2)
An affected local agency has not submitted a written demand for notice and hearing during the 10-day period as described in subdivision (c).
(3)
The proposal meets either of the following criteria:
(A)
The petition accompanying the proposal is signed by all of the owners of land within the affected territory.
(B)
The proposal is accompanied by proof, satisfactory to the commission, that all the owners of land within the affected territory have given their written consent to the proposal.
(b)
Except for the determinations authorized to be made by subdivision (a), the commission shall not make any determinations upon any proposal, plan of reorganization, or report and recommendation of a reorganization committee until after public hearing by the commission on that proposal, plan of reorganization, or report and recommendation of a reorganization committee.
(c)
The commission shall
not take any action on the petition or resolution of application for 10 days following the mailed notice required under subdivision (b) of Section 56658. Upon written demand by an affected local agency, filed with the executive officer during that 10-day period, the commission shall make determinations upon the petition or resolution of application only after notice and hearing on the petition or resolution of application.
(d)
If a proposal for an annexation, a detachment, or a reorganization consisting solely of annexations or detachments, or both, or formation of a county service area meets all of the following criteria, the commission may make determinations upon the proposal and waive protest proceedings entirely pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 57000):
(1)
The territory is uninhabited.
(2)
The
proposal is accompanied by proof, satisfactory to the commission, that all the owners of land within the affected territory, exclusive of land owned by a private railroad company, have given their written consent to the proposal and a private railroad company that is an owner of land within the affected territory has not submitted written opposition to the waiver of protest proceedings prior to the conclusion of the commission hearing.
(3)
A subject agency has not submitted written opposition to a waiver of protest proceedings.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56663. Section 56663.
For a change of organization consisting of an annexation or a detachment, or a reorganization consisting solely of annexations or detachments, or both, or the formation of a county service area that would otherwise require the conduct of protest proceedings after commission approval pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 56881, the commission may waive protest proceedings pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 57000) if all of the following have occurred:
(a)
The mailed notice pursuant to Section 56157 has been given to landowners and registered voters within the affected
territory.
(b)
The mailed notice discloses to the registered voters and landowners that unless written opposition to the proposal is received before the conclusion of the commission proceedings on the proposal, the commission intends to waive protest proceedings. The notice shall disclose that there is potential for the extension or continuation of any previously authorized charge, fee, assessment, or tax by the local agency in the affected territory.
(c)
Written opposition to the proposal from landowners or registered voters within the affected territory is not received before the conclusion of the commission proceedings on the proposal.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56664. Section 56664.
Where the commission desires to provide for notice and hearing prior to making a determination on a matter which the commission is authorized, but not required, to determine without notice and hearing, the commission shall order a public hearing on that matter and set a date, time, and place for the hearing. The date of hearing shall not be more than 90 days after the date of the order.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56665. Section 56665.
The executive officer shall review each application which is filed with the executive officer and shall prepare a report, including his or her recommendations, on the application. The report shall be completed not less than five days prior to the date specified in the notice of hearing. Upon completion, the executive officer shall furnish copies of the report to each of the following:
(a)
The officers or persons designated in the application.
(b)
Each local agency whose boundaries or sphere of influence would be changed by the proposal or recommendation.
(c)
Each affected local agency which has filed a request for a report with the executive officer.
(d)
The executive officer of another affected county when a district is or will be located in that other county.
(e)
Each affected city.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56666. Section 56666.
(a)
The hearing shall be held by the commission upon the date and at the time and place specified. The hearing may be continued from time to time but not to exceed 70 days from the date specified in the original notice.
(b)
At the hearing, the commission shall hear and receive any oral or written protests, objections, or evidence that shall be made, presented, or filed, and consider the report of the executive officer and the plan for providing services to the territory prepared pursuant to Section 56653.
(c)
Prior to any continuance of a hearing pursuant to this section regarding a proposal that includes an incorporation, the chief petitioners shall have an opportunity to address the commission on any potential impacts or hardships on the incorporation effort that may result from a delay. The commission shall consider the potential impacts on the incorporation proponents prior to making a decision on the duration of any continuance.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56667. Section 56667.
If the report filed pursuant to Section 56665 indicates that more than 50 percent of the land proposed for incorporation is owned by or dedicated to the use of a city or county and that the proposed incorporation would result in a revenue loss to that city or county, and at the hearing held pursuant to Section 56666 the board of supervisors of the county or city council of the city presents a resolution objecting to the incorporation, no further proceedings shall be conducted by the commission and no new proposal involving incorporation of substantially the same territory shall be initiated for one year.
In the absence of a resolution of objection from a city or county, the commission may approve the proposal only if it imposes as a condition thereto that the newly incorporated city may not adopt any regulation or policy which would have a negative fiscal impact on any contract existing at the time of the incorporation which is related to the publicly owned land.
This section shall not preclude the completion of proceedings to incorporate territory which is the subject of incorporation proceedings filed with the executive officer of the commission prior to February 15, 1986.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56668. Section 56668.
Factors to be considered in the review of a proposal shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(a)
Population and population density; land area and land use; assessed valuation; topography, natural boundaries, and drainage basins; proximity to other populated areas; and the likelihood of significant growth in the area, and in adjacent incorporated and unincorporated areas, during the next 10 years.
(b)
(1)
The need for organized community services; the present cost and adequacy of governmental services and controls in the area; probable future needs for those services and controls; and probable effect
of the proposed incorporation, formation, annexation, or exclusion and of alternative courses of action on the cost and adequacy of services and controls in the area and adjacent areas.
(2)
“Services,” as used in this subdivision, refers to governmental services whether or not the services are services that would be provided by local agencies subject to this division, and includes the public facilities necessary to provide those services.
(c)
The effect of the proposed action and of alternative actions, on adjacent areas, on mutual social and economic interests, and on the local governmental structure of the county.
(d)
The conformity of both the proposal and its anticipated effects with both the adopted commission
policies on providing planned, orderly, efficient patterns of urban development, and the policies and priorities in Section 56377.
(e)
The effect of the proposal on maintaining the physical and economic integrity of agricultural lands, as defined by Section 56016.
(f)
The definiteness and certainty of the boundaries of the territory, the nonconformance of proposed boundaries with lines of assessment or ownership, the creation of islands or corridors of unincorporated territory, and other similar matters affecting the proposed boundaries.
(g)
A regional transportation plan adopted pursuant to Section 65080.
(h)
The proposal’s consistency with city or
county general and specific plans.
(i)
The sphere of influence of any local agency that may be applicable to the proposal being reviewed.
(j)
The comments of any affected local agency or other public agency.
(k)
The ability of the newly formed or receiving entity to provide the services that are the subject of the application to the area, including the sufficiency of revenues for those services following the proposed boundary change.
(l)
Timely availability of water supplies adequate for projected needs as specified in Section 65352.5.
(m)
The extent to which the proposal will affect a
city or cities and the county in achieving their respective fair shares of the regional housing needs as determined by the appropriate council of governments consistent with Article 10.6 (commencing with Section 65580) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7.
(n)
Any information or comments from the landowner or landowners, voters, or residents of the affected territory.
(o)
Any information relating to existing land use designations.
(p)
The extent to which the proposal will promote environmental justice. As used in this subdivision, “environmental justice” means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins, with respect to the location of public facilities and the provision of public services, to ensure a healthy environment for all people such that the effects of pollution are not disproportionately borne by any particular populations or communities.
(q)
Information contained in a local hazard mitigation plan, information contained in a safety element of a general plan, and any maps that identify land as a very high fire hazard zone pursuant to Section 51178 or maps that identify land determined to be in a state responsibility area pursuant to Section 4102 of the Public Resources Code,
if it is determined that such information is relevant to the area that is the subject of the proposal.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56668.3. Section 56668.3.
(a)
If the proposed change of organization or reorganization includes a city detachment or district annexation, except a special reorganization, and the proceeding has not been terminated based upon receipt of a resolution requesting termination pursuant to either Section 56751 or Section 56857, factors to be considered by the commission shall include all of the following:
(1)
In the case of district annexation, whether the proposed annexation will be for the interest of landowners or present or future inhabitants within the district and within the territory proposed to be annexed to the district.
(2)
In the case of a city detachment, whether the proposed detachment will be for the interest of the landowners or present or future inhabitants within the city and within the territory proposed to be detached from the city.
(3)
Any factors which may be considered by the commission as provided in Section 56668.
(4)
Any resolution raising objections to the action that may be filed by an affected agency.
(5)
Any other matters which the commission deems material.
(b)
The commission shall give great weight to any resolution raising objections to the action that is filed by a city or a district. The commission’s consideration shall be based only on financial or service related concerns expressed in the protest. Except for findings regarding the value of written protests, the commission is not required to make any express findings concerning any of the factors considered by the commission.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56668.5. Section 56668.5.
The commission may, but is not required to, consider the regional growth goals and policies established by a collaboration of elected officials only, formally representing their local jurisdictions in an official capacity on a regional or subregional basis. This section does not grant any new powers or authority to the commission or any other body to establish regional growth goals and policies independent of the powers granted by other laws.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026