§ 1069 Grant Interpretation Rules

Civil Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says that a grant is usually read to help the person who gets it, but when a government gives a grant to a private person, it is read to protect the government's interests instead.

Key Takeaways

•Grants are normally read to help the person who receives them.
•When a government gives something to a private party, the reading favors the government.
•This rule applies to any reservation or grant made by a public officer.

Example

A city gives a private company a license to operate a bus service.

The city's wording is interpreted to keep the city's rights safe, so the company can't claim extra privileges beyond what the city allowed.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 1069 Grant Interpretation Rules

A grant is to be interpreted in favor of the grantee, except that a reservation in any grant, and every grant by a public officer or body, as such, to a private party, is to be interpreted in favor of the grantor. (Enacted 1872.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

grant grantee grantor reservation public officer private party

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 1069.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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