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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 3Ch. 8Art. 3.5§ 2866 Lien Collection For Abatement Costs

§ 2866 Lien Collection For Abatement Costs

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

§ 2866 Lien Collection For Abatement Costs

Key Takeaways

  • •If you don't pay the lien, it's treated like unpaid county taxes—same penalties and collection rules apply.
  • •If the property is sold or has a new loan on it before the first tax payment is late, the lien doesn’t stick to the property. Instead, it becomes an unsecured debt.
  • •The government can sell the property if the lien isn’t paid, just like with unpaid taxes.

Example

You own a house, and the city cleans up a mess on your property. They charge you for it, but you don’t pay.

The city can treat this unpaid bill like unpaid taxes. If you don’t pay, they can add penalties and even sell your house to get the money. But if you sell the house before the first tax payment is late, the new owner won’t have to pay—it becomes your personal debt instead.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2866 Lien Collection For Abatement Costs

The amount of the lien shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ordinary county taxes are collected, and shall be subject to the same penalties and the same procedure and sale in case of delinquency, as provided for ordinary county taxes. All laws applicable to the levy, collection, and enforcement of county taxes shall be applicable to the lien, except that if any real property to which the cost of abatement relates 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 taxes would become delinquent, then the cost of abatement shall not result in a lien against the real property, but instead shall be transferred to the unsecured roll for collection. (Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 48, Sec. 4. Effective May 20, 1985.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

enforcementpropertylienencumbrancecollectionabatementeffective mayinstallment

Related Statutes

  • § 115205 Environmental Contamination Liens
  • § 5473.8 Tax Charge Collection Rules
  • § 18088.5 Lien Transfer On Titles
  • § 2864 Nuisance Abatement Cost Lien
  • § 2864.7 Lien Addition To Tax Bill

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 2866.
View Official Source