WaterStandby Charges
Section § 71630
This law allows a district to set a charge for water availability by a specific deadline each year. The district must follow certain procedures, including notifying the public and holding a hearing. This charge can be applied even if the water isn't actually used, as long as it's available.
Section § 71631
This law states that a standby assessment or availability charge for land cannot be more than ten dollars ($10) per acre each year. If the land is smaller than one acre, the charge cannot exceed ten dollars ($10) per year for the entire parcel.
Section § 71631.5
This law sets a cap on the fees that certain water districts in Riverside County, California can charge for standby or availability of water services. The maximum charge is $30 per acre per year or $30 per year for parcels less than an acre. Any amount collected above $10 per acre or $10 per smaller parcel must be used specifically for improving the district. This rule applies to several specific water districts and addresses their unique water management challenges.
Section § 71631.6
This law specifies that within the Otay Municipal Water District in San Diego County, the standby assessment or availability charge cannot be more than $30 per acre annually. For parcels smaller than an acre, the charge is capped at $10 annually. Any funds raised above $10 per acre must be used only for the improvement district's purposes. This law addresses unique water management issues in this district.
Section § 71631.7
This law states that the San Luis Rey Municipal Water District can charge up to $30 per acre each year as a standby assessment or availability charge. For parcels smaller than an acre, the charge is capped at $30 per year. The money collected from these charges must be used specifically to manage local water supply and maintain its quality.
This rule applies only to this water district because it faces unique water management challenges.
Section § 71632
This law section explains that before a standby assessment or availability charge can be set by an ordinance, the board must follow a specific process that includes giving notice, allowing protests, and holding a hearing as outlined in another specific government code. These charges can continue each year at the same rate if previously established without needing to repeat the entire process. However, if there's a plan to introduce new, higher, or longer charges than before, the board must go through the notification and hearing process again.
Section § 71633
This law allows a local government ordinance to set a fee for water availability that can change based on how the land is used, how much water is used, and how easily water can be accessed in that area.
Section § 71634
This law requires that by the third Monday in August, the board must provide written details to the county's board of supervisors and county auditor about each land parcel subject to a standby charge in the district. They must also specify the charge amount for each parcel for the current fiscal year.
Section § 71635
This law says that county supervisors must include an extra fee called a 'standby charge' when they are setting property taxes. The amount of this charge is decided by the board and is added to the regular taxes for each parcel of land.
Section § 71636
In California, county officers responsible for tax collection must also collect 'standby charges' for districts. These charges are collected alongside regular county taxes and must be paid directly to the relevant district.
Section § 71637
If a district imposes charges on a property for benefits received, those charges become a lien on the property. This lien is treated just like a tax lien and can be collected in the same way as state and county tax liens.