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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 101Pt. 3Ch. 4Art. 1§ 101345 Fee Collection Certificate Recording

§ 101345 Fee Collection Certificate Recording

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 101345 Fee Collection Certificate Recording

This law lets a county or city officer, with approval, write down a certificate of fees owed and turn it into a lien on the person's property for up to 10 years, after sending them a certified‑mail notice.

Key Takeaways

  • •An officer can record a fee certificate only when direct assessment isn’t allowed and only with governing‑body approval.
  • •County officers record the certificate for free; city officers may charge a reasonable fee.
  • •The recorded certificate becomes a lien on all real property the person owns, lasting 10 years unless released.
  • •The person owed the fees must be notified by certified mail before the lien is recorded.

Example

A county tax collector can’t directly bill a homeowner for a missed fee, so the collector gets the city council’s okay, sends the homeowner a certified‑mail notice, and then records a certificate saying the homeowner owes $500 plus interest. That certificate becomes a lien on the homeowner’s house that stays for 10 years unless it’s paid off or removed.

Because the officer got approval and notified the homeowner, the recorded certificate creates a lien on the house, meaning the county can claim the money if the house is sold or refinanced.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 101345 Fee Collection Certificate Recording

In those instances where direct assessment is not authorized by Section 101325, if the officer charged with the billing and collection of the fees is a county officer, the officer may, with the approval of the governing body, record without fee, in the office of the county recorder, a certificate specifying the amount, interest, penalty due, and the name and last known address of the person liable for these fees. If the officer charged with the billing and collection of these fees is a city officer, the officer, with the approval of the governing body may, in those instances where direct assessment is not authorized by Section 101325, record with reasonable fee charge, in the office of the county recorder a certificate specifying the amount, interest, penalty due, name, and last known address of the person liable for these fees. From the time of recording of the certificate, the amount required to be paid together with interest and penalty constitutes a lien upon all real property in the county owned or later acquired by the liable person. The lien created by recording this certificate shall have the force, effect, and priority of a judgment lien and shall continue for 10 years from the time of the recording unless released or otherwise discharged prior to that time. Prior to recording the lien with the county recorder, the lienor shall notify the person liable for the fees by certified mail of the intent to record the certificate. (Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1996.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

judgmentpropertylienpenaltyreleaseassessmentcollectionpriority

Related Statutes

  • § 6520.12 Sewer Service Charge Liens
  • § 5473.11 Property Lien Notification Requirements
  • § 14922 Assessment Lien Priority Rules
  • § 6520.11 Sewer Charge Delinquency Notice
  • § 115205 Environmental Contamination Liens

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 101345.
View Official Source