In Santa Clara County, a city annexation or reorganization (i.e., annexation to a city and detachment from one or more special districts) proposed within a city’s urban service area may qualify for a “city-conducted” process, pursuant to Government Code §56757. Such proposals are not heard by LAFCO, but by the City Council of the appropriate city. After the City Council hearing and approval process, the proposal is forwarded to LAFCO staff for finalization and recordation of a Certificate of Completion. The annexation or reorganization becomes effective on the date that the Certificate of Completion is recorded by LAFCO staff or on the date specified in the Certificate of Completion.
Filing Requirements
City-conducted annexation or reorganization proposals submitted* to LAFCO for finalization must include the following:
- Certified copy of City Council resolution with embossed seal, approving the proposal and making the findings required by California Government Code §56757, along with a legal description (Exhibit A) and map (Exhibit B) of the proposal area.
The legal description and map should meet the requirements of the State Board of Equalization. Legal descriptions and boundaries other than those shown on previously recorded legal documents shall be prepared by a person authorized to practice land surveying (i.e., any licensed land surveyor, or any civil engineer registered prior to January 1, 1982, pursuant to California Business and Professions Code sections 8700-8806) - County Surveyor’s Report of the proposal’s compliance with applicable sections of state law and LAFCO policies. The Surveyor will charge any fee pertaining to the work involved in preparing the Report directly to the City.
- County Assessor’s Report of the proposal’s compliance with the applicable portions of state law and LAFCO policies. The Assessor will charge any fee pertaining to the work involved in preparing the Report directly to the City.
- Completed Statement of Boundary Change Form.
- Separate checks for LAFCO Filing fees and the State Board of Equalization fees.
* The filing may be submitted at any time; there are no filing deadlines since such proposals are finalized by LAFCO staff and a LAFCO hearing is not required.