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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 10Pt. 14Ch. 5Art. 8§ 102350 Local Sales Tax Approval

§ 102350 Local Sales Tax Approval

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

§ 102350 Local Sales Tax Approval

This law lets a local board create a sales and use tax to fund public transit, but only if at least two‑thirds of the voters approve it in a special election.

Key Takeaways

  • •Two‑thirds of voters must approve the tax in a special election.
  • •The board must spell out the tax rate, the area it covers, how long it will last, and that the money is only for public‑transit projects.
  • •Public‑transit purposes include buses, trains, bike paths, sidewalks, and any work needed to keep those routes running.

Example

A city board wants to build a new light‑rail line and proposes a 0.5% sales tax on all purchases in the city to pay for it.

The board writes an ordinance saying the tax rate, where it applies, and that the money will go to the rail project. Voters then vote in a special election, and if two‑thirds say yes, the tax can be collected.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 102350 Local Sales Tax Approval

(a) A retail transactions and use tax ordinance may be adopted by the board in accordance with the provisions of Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, provided two-thirds of the electors voting on the measure vote to authorize its enactment at a special election called for that purpose by the board, subject to any applicable constitutional requirements. (b) The board, in the ordinance, shall state the nature of the tax to be imposed, the tax rate or the maximum tax rate, the purposes for which the revenue derived from the tax will be used, and the portion of the area of the board to which the tax would apply, and may set a term during which the tax will be imposed. The purposes for which the tax revenues may be used shall be limited to public transit purposes serving the area of jurisdiction of the district, as determined by the board, including the administration of this part and legal actions related thereto. These purposes include expenditures for planning, environmental reviews, engineering and design costs, and related right-of-way acquisition. (c) As used in this section, “public transit purposes” includes the public transit responsibilities under the jurisdiction of the district as well as any repair, redesign, or ongoing maintenance of a right-of-way upon which transit is intended to travel, or any bikeway, bicycle path, sidewalk, trail, pedestrian access, or pedestrian accessway. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 80, Sec. 118. (SB 1525) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

retail transactions and use tax ordinancepublic transit purposestwo-thirds of the electorsspecial election

Related Statutes

  • § 102351 Local Sales Tax Rates
  • § 100250 Local Sales Tax Approval
  • § 102352 Local Tax Ordinance Timing
  • § 102355 Tax Repeal Effective Date
  • § 103320 District Property Tax Authority

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 102350.
View Official Source