ARTICLE 3. Annexation and Other Changes of Organization [56737. - 56759.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 3.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56737. Section 56737.

When a change of organization or a reorganization includes the annexation of inhabited territory to a city and the assessed value of land within the territory equals one-half or more of the assessed value of land within the city, or the number of registered voters residing within the territory equals one-half or more of the number of registered voters residing within the city, the commission may determine as a condition of the proposal that the change of organization or reorganization shall also be subject to confirmation by the voters in an election to be called, held, and conducted within the territory of the city to which annexation is proposed.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56738. Section 56738.

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), then the petition shall state whether the city shall succeed to the contract pursuant to Section 51243 or whether the city intends to exercise its option to not succeed to the contract pursuant to Section 51243.5.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56740. Section 56740.

(a) No tidelands or submerged lands, as defined in subdivision (g), which are owned by the state or by its grantees in trust shall be incorporated into, or annexed to, a city, except lands which may be approved by the State Lands Commission. (b) If those tidelands or submerged lands are included within the boundaries of any territory proposed to be incorporated into, or annexed to, a city, a description of the boundaries, together with a map showing the boundaries, shall be filed with the State Lands Commission by the proponents of the incorporation or annexation. The filing with the State Lands Commission shall be made prior to the executive officer issuing a certificate of filing for the proposal. (c) The State Lands Commission shall approve or disapprove all portions of the boundaries located upon the tidelands or submerged lands. In making that determination, it shall, where feasible and appropriate, require any extensions of land boundaries of the city or proposed city to be at right angles to the general direction of the shoreline at each point of intersection of the shoreline with the land boundaries of the city or proposed city. However, in the interest of ensuring an orderly and equitable pattern of offshore boundaries, the State Lands Commission may establish angles and other courses for each offshore boundary it deems necessary considering any irregularity of the shoreline, other geographical features, the effect of incorporation or annexation of the offshore or submerged lands on the uplands of the city, or proposed city, and adjoining territory, and the existing and potential boundaries of other cities and of unincorporated communities. (d) Within 45 days after the filing of the boundary description and map with the State Lands Commission, the State Lands Commission shall make a determination of the proper offshore or submerged lands boundaries. That determination shall be final and conclusive. If the State Lands Commission does not make the determination within that time, the proposed offshore or submerged lands boundaries shall be deemed approved. (e) The State Lands Commission shall report its determination to the executive officer and to each affected city, affected county, affected district, or person, if any, that has filed the boundary description and map. Thereafter, filings and action may be taken pursuant to this part. (f) The local agency formation commission may review and make determinations as to all portions of the boundaries, other than those offshore or submerged lands boundaries. (g) “Submerged lands,” as used in this section, includes, but is not limited to, lands underlying navigable waters which are in sovereign ownership of the state whether or not those waters are subject to tidal influences.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56741. Section 56741.

Territory may not be annexed to a city unless it is located in the same county. Unless otherwise provided in this division, territory may not be annexed to a city unless it is contiguous to the city at the time the proposal is initiated pursuant to this part. Territory incorporated as a city shall be located within one county and, except as otherwise provided in Section 56742, shall be contiguous with all other territory being incorporated as a city.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56742. Section 56742.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 56741, upon approval of the commission a city may annex noncontiguous territory not exceeding 300 acres if the territory meets all of the following requirements: (1) It is located in the same county as that in which the city is situated. (2) It is owned by the city. (3) It is used for municipal purposes at the time commission proceedings are initiated. (b) Territory which is used by a city for the reclamation, disposal, and storage of treated wastewater may be annexed to the city pursuant to this section without limitation as to the size of the territory. (c) If territory is annexed pursuant to this section, the annexing city may not annex any territory not owned by the city, not used for municipal purposes, and not contiguous to the city, although the territory is contiguous to the territory annexed pursuant to this section. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a city which annexes territory pursuant to this section may annex additional territory in the same county as that in which the city is situated which is owned by the United States government or the State of California and which is contiguous to the first annexed territory if the total acreage of the first annexed and the subsequently annexed territory together does not exceed 300 acres in area. If after the completion of the subsequent annexation, the city sells any or all of the first annexed territory, the subsequently annexed territory shall cease to be part of the city if the subsequently annexed territory is no longer contiguous to territory owned by the city. (e) When any or all of the territory annexed to a city pursuant to this section is sold by the city, all of the territory that is no longer owned by the city shall cease to be a part of that city. (f) A city may lease territory annexed pursuant to this section for any of the purposes authorized pursuant to Sections 37380 to 37396, inclusive, as well as enter into leases for the construction and operation of electrical generation, transmission, and distribution. If, however, a city enters into a lease on and after April 24, 2002, pursuant to Section 37395, 37396, or any other provision of law, that would authorize the development of a shopping center, hotel, motel, or lodging house on territory annexed pursuant to this section, the affected territory shall cease to be a part of the city. (g) When territory ceases to be part of a city pursuant to this section, the legislative body of the city shall adopt a resolution confirming the detachment. The resolution shall describe the detached territory and shall be accompanied by a map indicating the territory. Immediately upon adoption of the resolution, the city clerk shall make any filing required by Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 57200) of Part 4. (h) If territory annexed to a city pursuant to this section becomes contiguous to the city, the limitations imposed by this section shall cease to apply.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56742.5. Section 56742.5.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 56741, upon approval of the commission any city may annex noncontiguous territory which constitutes a state correctional facility or a state correctional training facility. If, after the completion of the annexation, the State of California sells that territory or any part thereof, all of the territory which is no longer owned by the state shall cease to be a part of the city which annexed the territory. (b) If territory is annexed pursuant to this section, the city may not annex any territory not owned by the State of California and not contiguous to the city although that territory is contiguous to the territory annexed pursuant to this section. (c) When territory ceases to be part of the city pursuant to this section, the legislative body of the city shall adopt a resolution confirming the detachment of that territory from the city. The resolution shall describe the detached territory and shall be accompanied by a map indicating the territory. Immediately upon adoption of the resolution, the city clerk shall make any filing provided for by Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 57200) of Part 4 of Division 3. (d) If territory annexed pursuant to this section becomes contiguous to the city, the limitations imposed by this section shall cease to apply. (e) A city may enter into an agreement with any other city under which the city apportions any increase in state subventions resulting from the annexation of territory pursuant to this section.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56743. Section 56743.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 56741, upon approval of the commission a city may annex noncontiguous territory not exceeding 3,100 acres in area, which is located in the same county as that in which the city is situated, and which is owned by the city and is being used for municipal water purposes, wildlife habitat, or sustainable forestry that is subject to an adopted city forest management plan at the time preliminary proceedings are initiated pursuant to this part. If, after the completion of the annexation, the city sells that territory or any part thereof, all of that territory that is no longer owned by the city shall cease to be a part of the city. (b) If territory is annexed pursuant to this section, the annexing city may not annex any territory not owned by it and not contiguous to it although that territory is contiguous to the territory annexed pursuant to this section. (c) When territory ceases to be part of a city pursuant to this section, the legislative body of the city shall adopt a resolution confirming the detachment of that territory from the city. The resolution shall describe the detached territory and shall be accompanied by a map indicating the territory. Immediately upon adoption of the resolution, the city clerk shall make any filing provided for by Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 57200) of Part 4. (d) If territory annexed to a city pursuant to this section becomes contiguous to the city, the limitations imposed by this section shall cease to apply. (e) If territory is annexed pursuant to this section, it shall be used only for municipal water purposes, wildlife habitat, or sustainable forestry that is subject to an adopted city forest management plan. The city may, however, enter into agreements to lease the land for timber production or grazing by animals. If the territory is used by the city for any other purpose at any time, it shall cease to be a part of the city. (f) This section applies only to the City of Willits and the City of Arcata.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56744. Section 56744.

Unless otherwise determined by the commission pursuant to subdivision (m) of Section 56375, territory shall not be incorporated into, or annexed to, a city pursuant to this division if, as a result of that incorporation or annexation, unincorporated territory is completely surrounded by that city or by territory of that city on one or more sides and the Pacific Ocean on the remaining sides.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56748. Section 56748.

(a) As used in this section: (1) “Affected territory” means the main campus of the University of California, Merced and a road strip proposed for annexation to the City of Merced. (2) “Main campus of the University of California, Merced” means the area within the boundaries of the campus of the University of California, Merced, as described in the University of California, Merced 2020 Long-Range Development Plan dated March 2020, and comprising of no more than 1,026 acres. (3) “Road strip” means the street, highway, or road that connects the territory of the property to be annexed to the annexing city. (b) Notwithstanding Section 56741, unincorporated territory consisting of property comprising the main campus of the University of California, Merced, together with the road strip, may be annexed to a city pursuant to this division, upon approval of the commission, if the following conditions are met: (1) The affected territory is within the sphere of influence of the annexing city, as adopted by the commission. (2) The affected territory lies within an unincorporated area within the County of Merced. (c) The commission shall not approve any subsequent annexation to the road strip unless the territory proposed to be annexed is contiguous to the property comprising the main campus of the University of California, Merced or the boundaries of the City of Merced as it existed on January 1, 2021. (d) This section applies only to the City of Merced.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56749. Section 56749.

(a) The commission shall not approve or conditionally approve a change of organization or reorganization that would result in the annexation to a city of territory that is within a farmland security zone created pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 51296) of Chapter 7 of Division 1 if that city provides or would provide facilities or services related to sewers, nonagricultural water, or streets and roads, unless the facilities or services provided by the city benefit land uses that are allowed under a farmland security zone contract and the landowner consents to the change of organization or reorganization. However, this subdivision shall not apply under any of the following circumstances: (1) If the farmland security zone is located within a designated, delineated area that has been approved by the voters as a limit for existing and future urban facilities, utilities, and services. (2) If annexation of a parcel or a portion of a parcel is necessary for the location of a public improvement, as defined in Section 51290.5, except as provided in subdivision (f) or (g) of Section 51296. (3) If the landowner consents to the annexation. (b) This section shall not apply during the three-year period preceding the termination of a farmland security zone contract under Article 7 (commencing with Section 51296) of Chapter 7 of Part 1 of Division 1.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56750. Section 56750.

Notwithstanding Sections 56300 and 56301, the commission shall not disapprove a change of organization or reorganization where the reason for disapproval is that the farmland security zone is excluded from the affected territory.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56751. Section 56751.

(a) Upon receipt by the commission of a proposed change of organization or reorganization, except a special reorganization, that includes the detachment of territory from any city, the executive officer shall place the proposal on the agenda for the next commission meeting for information purposes only and shall transmit a copy of the proposal to any city from which the detachment of territory is requested. (b) No later than 60 days after the date that the proposal is on the commission’s meeting agenda in accordance with subdivision (a), a city from which the detachment of territory is proposed may adopt and transmit to the commission a resolution requesting termination of the proceedings. (c) If the city from which the detachment of territory is proposed has adopted and transmitted to the commission a resolution requesting termination of proceedings within the time period prescribed by this section, then the commission shall terminate the proceedings upon receipt of the resolution from the city. (d) This section shall not apply if the city from which the detachment of territory is proposed has adopted and transmitted to the commission a resolution supporting the proposed change of organization or reorganization.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56752. Section 56752.

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), then the resolution shall state whether the city shall succeed to the contract pursuant to Section 51243 or whether the city intends to exercise its option to not succeed to the contract pursuant to Section 51243.5.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56753. Section 56753.

The executive officer shall give mailed notice of any hearing by the commission, as provided in Sections 56155 to 56157, inclusive, by mailing notice of the hearing to the Director of Conservation 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).

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56753.5. Section 56753.5.

Within 10 days after receiving a proposal that 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), the executive officer shall notify the Director of Conservation of the proposal. The notice shall include the contract number, the date of the contract’s execution, and a copy of any protest that the city had filed pursuant to Section 51243.5.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56754. Section 56754.

If a change of organization or reorganization 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), the commission, based on substantial evidence in the record, shall determine one of the following: (a) That the city shall succeed to the rights, duties, and powers of the county pursuant to Section 51243, or (b) That the city may exercise its option to not succeed to the rights, duties, and powers of the county pursuant to Section 51243.5.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56755. Section 56755.

Prior to submitting a resolution of application for the annexation of territory described in Section 56375.3 to the commission, the legislative body adopting the resolution shall conduct a public hearing on the resolution. Notice of the hearing shall be published pursuant to Sections 56153 and 56154. At the hearing, any landowner shall be given an opportunity to present his or her views on the resolution.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56756. Section 56756.

The clerk of the legislative body adopting a resolution of application shall file a certified copy of that resolution with the executive officer.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56757. Section 56757.

(a) The commission shall not review an annexation or a reorganization proposal that includes an annexation to any city in Santa Clara County of unincorporated territory that is within the urban service area of the city if the annexation or reorganization proposal is initiated by resolution of the legislative body of the city. (b) The city council shall be the conducting authority for the annexation or reorganization proposal and the proceedings for the annexation or reorganization proposal shall be initiated and conducted as nearly as may be practicable in accordance with Part 4 (commencing with Section 57000). (c) The city council, in adopting the resolution approving the annexation or reorganization proposal, shall make all of the following findings: (1) That the unincorporated territory is within the urban service area of the city as adopted by the commission. (2) That the county surveyor has determined the boundaries of the proposal to be definite and certain, and in compliance with the road annexation policies of the commission. The city shall reimburse the county for the actual costs incurred by the county surveyor in making this determination. (3) That the proposal does not split lines of assessment or ownership. (4) That the proposal does not create islands or areas in which it would be difficult to provide municipal services. (5) That the proposal is consistent with the adopted general plan of the city. (6) That the territory is contiguous to existing city limits. (7) That the city has complied with all conditions imposed by the commission for inclusion of the territory in the urban service area of the city. (d) All annexations or reorganizations which involve territory for which the land use designation in the general plan of the city has changed from the time that the urban service area of the city was last adopted by the commission, and which are processed by a city pursuant to this section shall be subject to an appeal to the commission upon submission of a petition of appeal, signed by at least 50 registered voters in the county. (e) An appeal to the commission may also be made by submission of a resolution of appeal adopted by the legislative body of a special district solely for the purpose of determining whether some or all of the territory contained in the annexation or reorganization proposal should also be annexed or detached from that special district. (f) Any petition submitted under subdivision (d) or resolution submitted under subdivision (e) shall be submitted to the executive officer within 15 days of the adoption by the city council of the resolution approving the annexation. The executive officer shall schedule the hearing for the next regular meeting of the commission as is practicable. The commission may set a reasonable appeal fee.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 56759. Section 56759.

In any order approving a proposal subject to an election for an annexation or a reorganization that includes annexation of inhabited territory to a city when the assessed value of land within that territory proposed to be annexed equals one-half, or more, of that within the city, as shown by the last equalized assessment rolls, or the number of registered voters of the territory equals one-half, or more, of the number of registered voters within the city, as shown by the county register of voters, the commission shall require that an election called upon the question of confirming the annexation or reorganization shall also be called, held, and conducted within the territory of the city to which territory is proposed to be annexed.

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