(a) Notwithstanding Sections 16469 to 16472, inclusive, and as an alternative to the procedures specified in those sections, a district may provide by resolution or ordinance that delinquent water charges and interest and penalties thereon constitute a lien on the real property served to the extent that the property is owned by the person or entity receiving the service, when a certificate is recorded pursuant to this section, which shall continue in effect until the amount of charges, interest, and penalties are paid or the property is sold to satisfy the charges, interest, and penalties. No lien may be created under this section on any publicly owned property.
(b) A lien pursuant to this section attaches when the district files for record in the office of the county recorder a certificate specifying the amount of charges, interest, and penalties due; the name of the owner of record of the property who received the water service; the legal description of the property served; and the fact that the district has complied with all provisions of this part in the determination of the charges, interest, and penalties due. From the time of recordation of the certificate, the charges, interest, and penalties constitute a lien on the property. Within 30 days of receipt of payment of all costs specified in subdivision (a), or within 30 days of a demand by an escrow agent in the event of a voluntary sale, the district shall record in the office of the county recorder a release of the lien created by this section.
(c) The county recorder shall charge the district the fees specified in Sections 27361 and 27361.4 of the Government Code for recording any certificate pursuant to subdivision (b), which certificate shall be indexed to the name of the property owner as grantor and the district as grantee.
(d) This section is in addition to any other remedies available to a district.
(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1217, Sec. 5.)