LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeWater CodeDiv. 6Pt. 6Ch. 6.5§ 12899 State Water System Definitions

§ 12899 State Water System Definitions

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

§ 12899 State Water System Definitions

Key Takeaways

  • •The water system includes all the water projects described in Section 12931.
  • •Encroachment means anything that blocks or changes the land used by the water system, especially if it raises the ground more than a foot or plants trees that could cause problems.
  • •A 'person' can be a person, a company, a nonprofit, or a government group.
  • •Right-of-way is the land the department uses for the water system, like an easement or permit.

Example

A homeowner wants to put a fence on department land that is part of the water system.

Because the fence is an installation on the department's land, it is considered encroachment and the homeowner must get a permit first.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12899 State Water System Definitions

The following definitions govern the construction of this chapter: (a) “State Water Resources Development System” means the State Water Resources Development System as described in Section 12931, including, but not limited to, all portions of the project authorized pursuant to the Central Valley Project Act (Part 3 (commencing with Section 11100)) and additions thereto. (b) “Encroachment” means any installation of any tower, pole, pipe, fence, building, structure, object, or improvement of any kind or character that is placed in, on, under, or over any portion of the State Water Resources Development System or other use of the department’s right-of-way, including the alteration of the ground surface elevation by more than one foot, or the planting of trees, vines, or other vegetation on the department’s right-of-way that may pose a threat to the physical integrity of any facility of the State Water Resources Development System or that could interfere with the department’s rights with regard to access, inspection, repair, or the operation and maintenance of any State Water Resources Development System facility. (c) “Person” means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, other business entity, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. (d) “Right-of-way” means any property interest acquired by the department for State Water Resources Development System purposes, including but not limited to, an easement, license, permit, joint use agreement, or fee ownership. (Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 263, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2006.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

State Water Resources Development SystemEncroachmentRight-of-way

Related Statutes

  • § 12899.1 State Water Right-Of-Way Permits
  • § 12899.10 State Water Project Exemption
  • § 12899.4 Water Authority Delegation Powers
  • § 12899.7 Water System Damage Liability
  • § 12899.11 Water Agency Maintenance Permits

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Water Code. Section 12899.
View Official Source