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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 6.4Art. 4§ 54718 Assessment Collection And Liens

§ 54718 Assessment Collection And Liens

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

§ 54718 Assessment Collection And Liens

Key Takeaways

  • •The government can collect special fees (assessments) on property like they collect taxes, with the same penalties and rules.
  • •If the property is sold or has a new loan on it before the first tax payment is late, the fee doesn’t stick to the property but becomes a regular debt instead.
  • •If the county collects these fees, they can take out their costs before giving the rest to the local government.
  • •For some special fees, the government can only collect them if they really need the money because they don’t have enough in their fund.

Example

You buy a house, and the government adds a special fee for road repairs. If you buy the house before the first tax payment is late, this fee won’t be tied to the house. Instead, it becomes a regular bill you have to pay.

The fee doesn’t automatically stick to the house if you buy it early enough. You’ll still have to pay it, but it won’t be tied to the property like a tax lien.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 54718 Assessment Collection And Liens

(a) The legislative body may provide for the collection of the assessment or any installment of an assessment, in the same manner, and subject to the same penalties and priority of lien as, other charges and taxes fixed and collected by, or on behalf of the local agency, except that if, for the first year the assessment is levied the real property on which the assessment is levied has been transferred or conveyed to a bona fide purchaser for value, or if a lien of a bona fide encumbrancer for value has been created and attaches thereon, prior to the date on which the first installment of county taxes would become delinquent, the confirmed assessment shall not result in a lien against the real property but shall be transferred to the unsecured roll. (b) If the assessments are collected by the county, the county may deduct its reasonable costs incurred for the service before remittal of the balance to the local agency’s treasury. (c) In the case of an assessment levied pursuant to Section 54710.3, the legislative body shall provide for the collection of the assessment in any year only if the legislative body determines that the levy is necessary because of a redemption fund deficiency. (Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 966, Sec. 3.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

assessmentpropertylienencumbranceredemptioncollectioninstallmentpriority

Related Statutes

  • § 53936 Special Assessment Tax Collection
  • § 54431 Bond Payment Limitations
  • § 54715 Local Property Assessment Rules
  • § 54716 Benefit Assessment Proposal Report
  • § 29304 Special Assessment Collection Fees

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 54718.
View Official Source