ARTICLE 3. Settlement of Boundary Disputes [23170. - 23178.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 3.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23170. Section 23170.

Every common boundary between counties which has been mutually recognized and used by the counties adjacent thereto for the purpose of the assessment and collection of taxes for a period of 25 years continuously prior to July 30, 1927, is confirmed, validated, and declared to be legally established.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23171. Section 23171.

All common boundaries and common corners of counties not adequately marked by natural objects or lines, or by surveys lawfully made, shall be definitely established by surveys made jointly by the surveyors of all the counties affected, and approved by the boards of supervisors of the counties, or by a survey made by the State Lands Commission, on application of the board of supervisors of any county affected.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23172. Section 23172.

If the boards of supervisors do not agree upon and finally approve the survey made by the county surveyors, each surveyor shall make a report to the State Lands Commission, with surveys, maps, notes, and explanations touching disputed points.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23173. Section 23173.

Upon the reports made by the county surveyors the State Lands Commission shall finally determine and establish the common boundaries and corners, if it can collate a satisfactory description therefrom. If the reports are insufficient for the purpose, it shall cause surveys to be made, and when approved by it, the surveys establish the common boundaries and corners.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23174. Section 23174.

The cost of making any survey pursuant to this article shall be apportioned equally among the counties interested. The boards of supervisors shall audit the account, and the amounts shall be paid out of the general county fund.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23175. Section 23175.

Any survey finally approved pursuant to this article is a conclusive ascertainment of the lines and corners included in the survey.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23176. Section 23176.

All surveys and maps of boundary lines legally made and approved prior to March 30, 1874, are valid, and are prima facie evidence of the establishment of such lines, except as they are inconsistent with this code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23177. Section 23177.

Every common boundary between counties which has been mutually used by the counties adjacent thereto for the purpose of the assessment and collection of taxes for a period of 15 years continuously prior to the effective date of this section is hereby confirmed, validated, and declared to be legally established.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 23178. Section 23178.

Whenever a common boundary between counties has been legally established in accordance with Article 3 of this chapter, or by judicial proceedings, a certified copy of any instrument recorded in one of such counties affecting title to real property so established to be situated in an adjoining county may be recorded in the office of the recorder of such adjoining county, with the same force and effect as if the original instrument had been recorded in such adjoining county and the real property mentioned therein had been described as situated in such adjoining county.

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