Article 1. Transportation Facilities of California Government Code >> Division 2. >> Title 3. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 10. >> Article 1.

Subject to Chapter 1, Division 7 of the Harbors and Navigation Code, the board of supervisors may grant licenses and franchises for the construction of wharves, chutes, booms, and piers, and for the taking and keeping of tolls thereon.

The board may grant franchises along and over the public roads and highways for all lawful purposes, upon such terms, conditions, and restrictions as in its judgment are necessary and proper, and in such manner as to present the least possible obstruction and inconvenience to the traveling public. Any general law applicable to the granting of franchises by municipal corporations and counties throughout the State for purposes involving the furnishing of any service or commodity to the public or any portion thereof shall be complied with in the granting of any franchises by the board of supervisors.

The board may deposit funds that it receives from its grant of a franchise to use the public roads in the general fund of the county.

Unless otherwise provided by law, the board may lay out, maintain, control, construct, repair, and manage public ferries, bridges, wharves, chutes, other shipping facilities, and passenger transportation facilities within the county and may cooperate with any city in so doing. The board of supervisors may furnish and operate public transportation services within the unincorporated areas of the county. Such service may be furnished and operated within a city or transit district if the governing board of the city or district consents thereto.

The legislative body of any city and county located in the area served by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company from the City of San Jose to the City and County of San Francisco may make a bulk purchase of tickets for that line from the company, or from the Greyhound Bus Lines for transportation services within the area, or from both, for resale at less than the cost to the residents of the city and county. The legislative body shall determine the resale price of tickets purchased by it.

Whenever an application is made to the board of supervisors for an order, franchise, or license relating to any road, bridge, ferry, wharf, chute, pier, or other subject over which the board has jurisdiction in which a majority of the board are interested, the application by order of the board shall be transferred to the superior court of the county. The clerk of the board shall thereupon certify the application and all orders and papers relating thereto to the superior court. Thereafter the superior court has full jurisdiction to hear and determine the application.

The board of supervisors may install and maintain watering troughs along any state highway subject to agreement as to location with the Department of Transportation, and along any county road or stock trail in the county.

If the board of supervisors determines that it is beneficial to the county, and an equal or greater sum of money has been made available from private sources, it may appropriate and expend money from the general fund of the county for making surveys, maps, plans, and plats and for obtaining data and information preliminary to the development, improvement, or construction of a deep water canal, waterway, or water facilities for transportation purposes through, across, or along the county and any adjoining county.

The board of supervisors may make contributions of public funds, materials, property and services to any city or to any statutorily created transit district for the purpose of improving public transportation within the county. The contributions may be subject to such terms and conditions as the board, in its discretion, deems reasonable under the circumstances, and contracts may be entered into for that purpose.