Chapter 8. Service Zones of California Public Utilities Code >> Division 10. >> Part 16. >> Chapter 8.

One or more service zones to provide different levels of service, to provide different facilities or other improvements, or to raise additional revenues within specific areas of the district, may be created within the boundaries of the district. A service zone may consist of one or more cities, with or without unincorporated territory, or unincorporated territory alone.

(a) Proceedings for the creation of a service zone may be initiated by resolution of the legislative body or bodies of the city or cities proposed to be included in the service zone, and if unincorporated territory is proposed to be included in the service zone, by resolution of the board or boards of supervisors of the county or counties in which the unincorporated territory is situated.
  (b) The resolution or resolutions shall declare that the public interest or necessity demands the creation of a service zone, shall describe its boundaries, and shall request the formation of the service zone.
  (c) When the entire area of a public agency is to be included in the service zone, it may be described by name.
  (d) Certified copies of the resolution or resolutions shall be filed with the secretary of the district.

(a) As an alternative to the initiation of proceedings for the formation of a service zone by resolution or resolutions, a petition may be filed with the secretary of the district signed by voters equal in number to at least 25 percent of the registered voters registered within the proposed service zone as determined from the affidavits of registration. The boundaries of the proposed service zone shall be described in the petition. When the entire area of a public agency is to be included in the service zone, it may be described by name.
  (b) The petition shall declare that the public interest or necessity demands the creation of a service zone within the area of the district described in the petition. The petition may include one or more separate documents, but each document shall contain the affidavit of the party who circulated it, certifying that each name signed thereto is the true signature of the person whose name it purports to be.

The secretary of the district shall compare the signatures in the petition with the affidavits of registration on file with the county election official. The secretary of the district also shall certify to the sufficiency or insufficiency of the petition.

(a) Within 30 days after receipt of the resolution or resolutions of the legislative body or bodies or receipt of the certification of the sufficiency of a petition by the secretary of the district, the board shall initiate proceedings for the formation of a new service zone by adopting a resolution that does all of the following:
  (1) States that formation of a service zone has been initiated pursuant to either Section 105301 or 105302.
  (2) Sets forth a description of the boundaries of the territory to be included in the service zone.
  (3) States the different services, different levels of service, or additional revenues that the service zone will provide.
  (4) Sets forth the methods by which those services or levels of service will be financed.
  (5) States the reasons for forming the service zone.
  (6) Proposes a name or number for the service zone.
  (7) Fixes the date, time, and place for the public hearing regarding the formation of the service zone.
  (b) The district shall publish notice of the hearing, including the information required by subdivision (a), pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code, in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the district. The district shall mail the notice to all owners of property within the proposed service zone. The district shall post the notice in at least three public places within the territory of the proposed service zone.
  (c) At the hearing, the board shall hear and consider any protests to the formation of the service zone. At the conclusion of the hearing, the board may adopt a resolution ordering the formation of the service zone.

The board may change the boundaries of a service zone or dissolve a zone by following the procedures in Section 105301.

A local agency formation commission shall have no power or duty to review and approve or disapprove a proposal to create a service zone, a proposal to change the boundaries of a zone, or a proposal to dissolve a zone.

As determined by the board, a service zone may provide any service at any level within its boundaries that the district may provide.

As determined by the board and pursuant to the requirements of this part, a service zone may exercise any fiscal powers within its boundaries that the district may exercise.

Any taxes, special taxes, assessments, or fees which are intended solely for the support of services within a zone shall be levied, assessed, and collected only within the boundaries of the zone.

To assist in the operation of a service zone, the board may appoint one or more advisory groups composed of persons who reside in or own property in the zone.