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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 3Art. 4§ 53500 Local Agency Bond Definitions

§ 53500 Local Agency Bond Definitions

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 53500 Local Agency Bond Definitions

Key Takeaways

  • •This law defines special words used in other rules about money and projects for cities, counties, and other local groups.
  • •General obligation bonds are like IOUs that towns can pay back by taxing property owners as much as needed.
  • •A revenue-producing facility is something the town builds or owns that makes money, like a parking garage or water system.
  • •When the town 'pledges' something, it means they promise to use it to pay back money they borrowed.

Example

Your city wants to build a new parking garage that people will pay to use.

The city can borrow money by selling bonds and promise to pay it back using the money from parking fees. If they can’t pay it back with fees, they can also use money from property taxes.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 53500 Local Agency Bond Definitions

As used in this article: (a) “Local agency” means county, city, city and county, public district, or other public or municipal corporation. (b) “General obligation bonds” means bonds, warrants, notes or other evidence of indebtedness of a local agency payable, both principal and interest, from the proceeds of ad valorem taxes or ad valorem assessments which may be levied without limitation as to rate or amount upon property in the local agency subject to taxation or assessment. (c) “Legislative body” means the legislative body of the local agency as defined in Section 53000. (d) “Revenue-producing facility” means an improvement, works, system or facility furnishing or providing services or products for which the local agency is authorized to impose a charge. (e) “Pledge” means pledge, assign, place a charge upon and place a lien upon. (Added by Stats. 1961, Ch. 1157.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

obligationlocal agencylegislative bodyrevenue-producing facilitypledgecorporationlienfine

Related Statutes

  • § 50665.1 Local Agency Revenue Definitions
  • § 16430 Eligible Surplus Investment Securities
  • § 31557.1 District Employee Retirement Transfer
  • § 50665.14 Bond Payment Revenue Security
  • § 50665.7 Local Agency Revenue Bonds

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 53500.
View Official Source