Cal. Government Code - GOV § 53938. Section 53938.
As used in this article, “transaction” means negotiated purchase and sale, gift, or devise.
ARTICLE 13.5. Payment and Apportionment of Special Assessment Liens [53938. - 53939.]
Cal. Government Code - GOV 13.5.
in effectCal. Government Code - GOV § 53938.5. Section 53938.5.
(a)
If property acquired by a public entity in a transaction is encumbered by a lien that secures a special assessment or a bond representing the special assessment, except to the extent the lien is paid out of escrow or otherwise or is apportioned pursuant to the applicable statutory procedure, the lien continues to encumber the property acquired and is enforceable against the public entity that acquired the property.
(b)
If property acquired by a public entity by eminent domain is encumbered by a lien that secures a special assessment or a bond representing the special assessment, the
lien shall be paid in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 1265.250 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 53939. Section 53939.
If property acquired in a transaction is part of a larger parcel encumbered by a lien that secures a special assessment or a bond representing the special assessment and there is no applicable statutory procedure for segregation and apportionment of the lien, any party to the transaction may, within one year after completion of the transaction, apply to the superior court of the county in which the property or a portion thereof is located to, and the court may segregate and apportion the lien among the parties to the transaction.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026