Blog Viewer

Since 2019 and the passage of AB 1486 (Ting), related to the Surplus Land Act, special districts throughout the state have been seeking to understand the various new procedures an agency must follow before disposing surplus land. The new requirements for special districts enacted by AB 1486 include, but are not limited to, formal action at a regular board meeting to declare land “surplus,” mandated reporting to the Department of HCD, and new prospective penalties for violations of the Act.

(Learn more by revisiting the CSDA article: “New Laws of 2020 Series: AB 1486 Imposes New Requirements for Disposing of Special District Land.”)

Last month, the California Department of Housing and Community Development issued the following new technical assistance materials, intended to assist local agencies with their understanding of the Surplus Land Act’s procedural requirements, the exemptions available pursuant to the surplus land act process, and frequently asked questions:

1. HCD’s Implementation of the Surplus Land Act: A PowerPoint presentation to introduce local agencies and others to HCD’s implementation of the SLA.
2. Guide to Exemptions from the Standard Surplus Land Act Process: A User Guide for Exemptions to the SLA with flow charts to help local agencies navigate the exemptions to the SLA and determine which exemptions may apply to property planned for disposition by the local agency.
3. Frequently Asked Questions: A list of common questions from local agencies and others with HCD’s answer to each question.

Special districts should consider these materials, as well as the Department of HCD Surplus Land Act Guidelines before taking action to dispose of district land. CSDA will continue to monitor new legislation related to the Surplus Land Act, as well as new materials or guidelines issued by the Department of HCD. For questions related to these issues and how they may impact your district, contact CSDA Deputy General Counsel Mustafa Hessabi at mustafah@csda.net.